A young woman who received a bipolar disorder diagnosis at age 22 following a psychotic episode and arrest at London Stansted Airport has opened up about her experiences to foster greater awareness and urge others to seek help. Rosie van Amerongen, now 29 and originally from Stroud, reflects on a lifetime of mental health challenges that culminated in a dramatic crisis point.
Early Signs and Struggles
From a young age, Rosie noticed she was different from her peers, often described as reactive and sensitive. She recalls a pivotal moment at 15 when a friend's battle with anorexia left her so anxious she had to take time off school. I remember the word sensitive started being attached to me, she told PA Real Life. Moving schools in sixth form did little to alleviate her depression, which she found crippling and persistent beyond her school years.
The Exhaustion of Masking
Rosie explains that she habitually concealed her mental health struggles, a process she calls masking. Masking is just like acting, she said, noting it was physically and mentally draining. She felt compelled to hide her depression or highs, leading to frequent burnout. Despite appearing happy in videos, she confided only in her mother about her true feelings.
Intensifying Symptoms and Crisis
At 21, while working as a model, Rosie's mood swings worsened. She experienced severe anxiety and depression, forcing her to stop working and frequently call ambulances. After being prescribed SSRIs, she felt hyperactive, comparing it to being on cocaine. A breakup during a low period triggered what she initially thought was recovery but later recognised as hypomania, marked by spiritual language and delusions.
Psychotic Episode and Arrest
Rosie's condition escalated into full psychosis at Stansted Airport. I went into full psychosis at Stansted Airport and jumped through baggage drop off and got arrested, she shared. Hallucinations included hearing voices warning of Satan's arrival. This crisis led to her being sectioned and hospitalised, where she received a bipolar diagnosis and began managing her symptoms in a safe environment.
Life After Diagnosis
Post-diagnosis, Rosie faced a mix of relief and hardship. Initially it was excitement and this feeling of relief that I hadn’t been mad my whole life, she said, but this was followed by seven months of crippling depression and suicidal thoughts. She also encountered stigma, with people speaking in hushed tones or avoiding the topic, which reinforced feelings of being a burden.
Breakthroughs and Support
Key to her management has been the right medication, specifically anti-psychotics with mood stabilisers, which improved her sleep patterns. I think sleep is number one for managing bipolar, Rosie emphasised. Additionally, peer support through Bipolar UK connected her with other women in London, providing a community that understands her experiences.
Raising Awareness and Reducing Stigma
As a Bipolar UK ambassador, Rosie aims to challenge misconceptions about the condition. She stresses that bipolar disorder can affect anyone, regardless of personality or gender, and encourages young women not to feel embarrassed. I want young women to know that it’s totally normal and it’s not something to be embarrassed by, she said, highlighting the importance of not managing it alone.
Her story underscores the need for greater mental health support and understanding, as she continues to share her journey to help others feel less isolated.
