Category Archives: Anxiety

Isolation, anxiety and ableism

Posted on March 19, 2020 by purplepersuasion

So although the UK isn’t technically on lockdown the way a number of other European countries are, most people are beginning to find out what it’s like to spend a lot of time at home. The over-70s and people with … Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety, Bipolar, CBT, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mental health, NHS services, Politics and current affairs, Self-management, Social media | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Isolation, anxiety and ableism

On having a “carer”

Posted on April 4, 2019 by purplepersuasion

By now I am a veteran at completing application/review forms for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP). ESA is for people who are too sick to work, while PIP is to cover extra expenses associated with … Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety, Bipolar, Crisis care, Depression, Employment and benefits, GP, Medication, Mental health, Mental health services, Mood disorder, NHS services, Rapid cycling, Suicidal thought, Treatment planning, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on On having a “carer”

Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to work I – oh :(

Posted on May 8, 2018 by purplepersuasion

Recently I decided that I was ready to get a job. Aside from the freelance stuff I did a couple of years ago, I haven’t worked for a long time. The last time I worked for an employer was in … Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety, Bipolar, Employment and benefits, GP, Mental health, Mood disorder, NHS services, Primary care, Recovery, Stress, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to work I – oh :(

Troubles

Posted on April 18, 2017 by purplepersuasion

So this week Prince Harry made a number of statements on mental health. I am really glad that he feels able to disclose a need for treatment around the death of his mother. It would be very sad to think of him … Continue reading →

Posted in Antipsychiatry, Anxiety, Bipolar, Depression, Hospital, Medication, Mental health, mental health debate, Mood disorder, Parenting, Psychiatry, psychology, Stigma and discrimination, Suicide, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Troubles

Hurdles

Posted on March 31, 2017 by purplepersuasion

I’m not sure what I am writing here, or why am writing here, other than because I feel awful. I just need to let it out, I suppose. In an ideal world I would have an on-going relationship with a therapist, … Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety, Depression, Medication, Mental health, Mood disorder, Rapid cycling, Self-management, Suicidal thought, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Hurdles

Semantics

Posted on January 9, 2017 by purplepersuasion

Is your understanding of the word depression the same as mine? And how can we ever know? Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety, Bipolar, Depression, Hypomania, Mental health, Mental health services, Mood disorder, Psychiatry, Social media | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

A life in the day of bipolar mixed mood

Posted on December 12, 2016 by purplepersuasion

It would be so nice if being hypomanic and depressed at the same time meant that they cancelled each other out, if the high would make peace with the low so you could find a place in the middle. Instead they antagonise each other, taking it in … Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety, Bipolar, Christmas, Depression, Family issues, Hypomania, Mania, Mental health, Mixed mood, Mood disorder, Psychosis, Rapid cycling, Self-management, Social media, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on A life in the day of bipolar mixed mood

What she was thinking of

Posted on August 4, 2016 by purplepersuasion

  I know I want to jump. I don’t know if I want to die. I feel compelled. I think I might need to be in hospital. I think there might be nothing wrong with me. I am out of Home Treatment for only 8 days before … Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety, Bipolar, Crisis care, Depression, Hospital, Inpatient care, Medication, Mental health, Mood disorder, NHS services, Psychiatry, psychology, Social media, Suicidal thought, Suicide, Therapy, Treatment planning, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on What she was thinking of

Look Mum, no antipsychotics!

Posted on July 8, 2016 by purplepersuasion

On (re)diagnosis in 2011 I was recommended quetiapine, but also asked to consider lamotrigene. I was given the chance to go away and read the leaflets and come back the following week, but I wanted to get started. Also my … Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety, Bipolar, Crisis care, Medication, Mental health, Mental health services, Mood disorder, NHS services, Psychiatry, Recovery, Side effects, Treatment planning, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Not back on track

Posted on June 6, 2016 by purplepersuasion

***TRIGGER WARNING SUICIDE*** Uh-oh. My rate of blogging is always a sign I could be unwell and here we are, two in two days. I mentioned medication change and aripiprazole (brand name Abilify) almost in passing yesterday. Truth is, I was using … Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety, Bipolar, Crisis care, GP, hallucinations, Hospital, Medication, Mental health, Mental health services, Mood disorder, NHS services, Primary care, Psychiatry, Side effects, Suicidal thought | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments