Category Archives: Self-management

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

Crisis? What crisis?

Posted on November 14, 2019 by purplepersuasion

I’ve thought about blogging so often in recent weeks, with several abortive attempts. I considered writing about the therapeutic benefits of having a companion animal – if you don’t follow me on social media, I now have a cat! She’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Bipolar, Crisis care, Depression, Hypomania, Medication, Mental health, Mental health services, Mood disorder, NHS services, Psychiatry, Self-management, Suicidal thought, Suicide, Treatment planning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Crisis? What crisis?

Christmas approaches

Posted on December 3, 2018 by purplepersuasion

It’s been a long time since I posted. I just don’t feel the urge as much these days; I’ve become habituated to things like hospitalisation and crisis care, therapy and medication changes, so although these things continue to play a … Continue reading →

Posted in Bipolar, Christmas, Crisis care, Depression, Employment and benefits, exercise, Hospital, Hypomania, Inpatient care, Medication, Mental health, Mental health services, Mixed mood, Mood disorder, NHS services, psychology, Self-management, Therapy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Christmas approaches

The pam fam: the demonisation of benzodiazepines

Posted on September 13, 2018 by purplepersuasion

“Diazepam.” A single word tweet. Regular readers or Twitter followers will know what that meant: I had hit an intolerable level of anxiety which I was managing with a prescribed benzodiazepine. One which I am not only authorised but encouraged … Continue reading →

Posted in Bipolar, CBT, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Depression, Hypomania, Mental health, Mental health services, Mixed mood, Mood disorder, NHS services, Pillshaming, Primary care, Psychiatry, Rapid cycling, Self-management, Social media, Stigma and discrimination, Suicide, Treatment planning, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The pam fam: the demonisation of benzodiazepines

Zero hours

Posted on July 20, 2018 by purplepersuasion

So next week I have to go to the GP to ask for an extension to my sick note. After initially signing me off for six weeks they gave me another certificate for four weeks, but this time I have … Continue reading →

Posted in Bipolar, Crisis care, Employment and benefits, Mood disorder, NHS services, Primary care, Self-management, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Zero hours

Review: Ellen Forney’s Rock Steady

Posted on May 24, 2018 by purplepersuasion

I started out by really, really wanting to like this book. I adored Ellen Forney’s graphic memoir, Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo and Me, which came out a whole six years ago. So I was excited when a friend told me that … Continue reading →

Posted in Bipolar, Book reviews, Books and reading, Medication, Mindfulness, Mood disorder, Self-management, Treatment planning, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Ellen Forney’s Rock Steady

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

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

Mixed mood

Posted on December 6, 2016 by purplepersuasion

I can’t think of a snappier title for this blog, because mixed mood is where I am at and my brain feels scrambled. For four weeks now my functioning has been disturbed, my mood fluctuating but not actually euthymic (normal) at any … Continue reading →

Posted in Bipolar, Depression, Hypomania, Medication, Mental health, Mixed mood, Psychiatry, Rapid cycling, Self-management, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Mixed mood

Who cares?

Posted on November 17, 2016 by purplepersuasion

I’m wobbly and I should be doing the things that might keep me back on track – so why don’t I care? Continue reading →

Posted in Bipolar, Depression, exercise, Hospital, Hypomania, Mental health, Mental health services, Mood disorder, Rapid cycling, Self-management, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Who cares?