This poem is amazing, i can’t relate to all of it and in my own experiences seeing or hearing things others can’t has only been considered a negative when it begins to effect me in a negative way but i can totally relate to a sense of mania or hypomania in my case being very enjoyable!
Check it out!
According to Channel 4s ‘Britain’s Benefit Tenants’ I’m more likely to pile my flat knee high in nappies than I am to pay my rent on time or even at all. Looking for a flat when you’re on benefits is the worst; I have never made a late payment on bills or rent, never used my overdraft and I’m basically a decent human being but what defines me when applying for properties is my benefits. With Landlords filled with notions of binge drinking in jogging bottoms, ceilings collapsing and festering food on the carpet I simply don’t stand a chance. Nothing illustrates the countries attitude to benefits better than looking for a home. Continue reading There’s no place like home
So the concept of a gratitude journal initially made me cringe deep inside my soul but i decided to give it a shot after reading about the positive effects of writing a gratitude journal before sleep. First attempts sucked because i couldn’t be bothered to write anything up but i love doodling and once i started a visual gratitude journal i was officially converted! The idea is to list (it’s up to you how many)things your grateful for that day, I’ve approached it as a ‘things i enjoyed’ as well as grateful because that felt very ‘saying grace before eating’ for me and i felt more comfortable doing it that way. I allocate about 3 or 4 minutes to each day so that i don’t get too hung up on trying to make all my doodles super fancy. Continue reading Gratitude Journals
Up until recently my Facebook blog was called ‘My Bonkers Bipolar Life’, here’s the reason behind the name change:
In mere weeks I will be discharged from the services here in Cambridge, usually this fills me with an inky dread and an irrational impulse to do something stupid so they’re forced to keep me, but I’m feeling surprisingly good. The service recently changed so that I can simply make a quick phone call should I need them and want to access my entourage again. This means no more crying to the GP begging for a referral and being offered a grubby card with the Samaritans phone number on it but a simple route back into services. The logic behind this change is that people will feel more comfortable being discharged earlier if they know they can easily come back if needed and that’s spot on for me. Continue reading whats in a name?
A Day Hospital is where you go when you’re struggling in the community but not quite unwell enough to be in Hospital. You go during the day and are encouraged to partake in groups which in my case ranged from patronising to mildly interesting. The idea is to keep you occupied and safe during the day time when you might otherwise be alone. Hospitals in every setting have the potential to cause more harm than good and like MRSA in a General Hospital I found depression was easily spread. Continue reading Day Hospital (or ‘is a cauliflower a vegetable?’)
Firstly I want to note that this may be distressing for some people to read so please bear this in mind. Secondly I want to make very clear that these are MY experiences and opinions. Finally I also understand that I have never experienced the impact suicide has on those left behind and that this post may cause offence or raise some difficult issues. If this is the case please feel free to message me personally or leave comments on this post.
I often get asked questions about relationships both as a friend and as a partner. The two themes seem to be 1) should I tell prospective partners about my disorder and if so when and 2) how can I help as a friend or partner of someone with Bipolar? Continue reading Friendships & Relationships
P.S Bipolar 