Tag Archives: National Health Service

Where there is no spring and no autumn: the world of rapid cycling

Posted on December 3, 2014 by purplepersuasion

Seasons are funny things. If you live in a equatorial region, you may barely experience them at all; if you live in a polar region you probably live part of the year in unremitting darkness which eventually gives way to … Continue reading →

Posted in Bipolar, Depression, Hypomania, Mental health, Rapid cycling | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

This is what a mental patient looks like

Posted on October 31, 2013 by purplepersuasion

Yesterday I spent a while with a group of service users and their supporters hanging around the gates of Thorpe Park. Only Katie Sutton, initiator of the online petition “Thorpe Park – close down the stigma”, was allowed on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Activism, History of mental health, Mental health, Stigma and discrimination | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Guest post: Some history of bipolar disorder in the UK (part 2)

Posted on June 17, 2013 by purplepersuasion

I am very pleased to introduce the second part of this wonderful guest post reflecting on how professionals understood and responded to bipolar (or manic depression) in the mid-20th century. I met many others who had this same label of … Continue reading →

Posted in History of mental health, Mental health, Stigma and discrimination | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Guest post: Some history of bipolar disorder in the UK (part 1)

Posted on June 3, 2013 by purplepersuasion

This week I am delighted to introduce a guest post, part one of a two part series of reflections on how professionals understood and responded to bipolar (or manic depression) in the mid-20th century. This piece is © Anne Wade. When … Continue reading →

Posted in History of mental health, Mental health, Stigma and discrimination | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Everybody hurts? Privilege in mental health.

Posted on October 8, 2012 by purplepersuasion

I’ve seen a lot of discussion lately – most recently this morning on Twitter, regarding the footballer Stan Collymore – as to whether celebrities who are open about mental distress are a) wonderful ambassadors in the fight against stigma, or … Continue reading →

Posted in Mental health, Politics and current affairs | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 25 Comments

Comments and complaints on healthcare: do you dare to share?

Posted on October 3, 2012 by purplepersuasion

I am a firm believer in complaining. I’m not talking about whinging or grumbling, although I think it’s important that sick and disabled people are allowed to do that too. I’m talking about making it known when the health or … Continue reading →

Posted in Mental health | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments