Tag Archives: Psychotropic medication

The naked brain

Posted on June 9, 2016 by purplepersuasion

Ever wanted to run off to a cave and hide for a couple of weeks? Today it was agreed that after everything I described in my last post, my symptoms are “clearly iatrogenic” (medically induced) and “clearly intolerable” and that … Continue reading →

Posted in Bipolar, Crisis care, Medication, Mental health, Mental health services, Mood disorder, Pillshaming, Psychiatry, Recovery, Side effects, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Discharge

Posted on March 11, 2016 by purplepersuasion

TW: suicidal thoughts I was tempted to call this post “home”, but I’m not, I haven’t even set off yet. I’ve been seen by two nurses from Home Treatment Team (one of whom I know quite well) and officially taken … Continue reading →

Posted in Bipolar, Crisis care, Depression, exercise, Hospital, Hypomania, Inpatient care, Medication, Mental health services, Mood disorder, NHS services, Psychiatry, Rapid cycling, Social media, Suicidal thought, Suicide, Treatment planning, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Don’t rock the boat!

Posted on September 28, 2015 by purplepersuasion

A week since my last post and I am still feeling stable. I’m beginning to answer, “How are you?” by saying that I am well, or even good. I still do it with a slight sense of trepidation. Is this … Continue reading →

Posted in Bipolar, CBT, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, exercise, Medication, Mental health services, Mood disorder, NHS services, Recovery, Therapy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Polly Pharmacy? Who’s she?

Posted on January 29, 2015 by purplepersuasion

Today I’m reflecting on a comment. A few days ago a relative asked if I wanted a glass of wine with dinner; I declined, explaining it didn’t mix well with my meds. Someone else, overhearing this, expressed irritation that my … Continue reading →

Posted in Bipolar, Medication, Treatment planning | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

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

A guest at an awkward party: a service user observes the acrimony between psychologists and psychiatrists

Posted on November 28, 2014 by purplepersuasion

Last year I went to a barbeque with some friends, taking my partner and kids. It was a warm, golden evening. We sat out on the patio sipping wine and chatting while the children milled around, shooting each other with … Continue reading →

Posted in Activism, Mental health, mental health debate, Mental health services | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

A matter of opinion: are all views on mental health equally valid?

Posted on November 16, 2014 by purplepersuasion

A couple of weeks ago I took Guardian journalist Hannah Jane Parkinson for the headline, “Samaritans Radar is a crude tool for flagging suicide risks – but it will save lives”. I baulked at the word “will” in the face … Continue reading →

Posted in Mental health, mental health debate, Mental health services, Pillshaming | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

My week in meds

Posted on July 3, 2014 by purplepersuasion

I published my second ever blog today over on YouTube. It’s Inspired by “What a week of groceries looks like around the world”, which got me thinking about what a week of meds might look like if laid out in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Activism, Mental health, Mental health services | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Help needed! Could you participate in our research into medication choices in pregnancy?

Posted on May 19, 2014 by purplepersuasion

I mentioned some time ago that I was involved in research with the McPin Foundation and UCL looking at how women make choices about whether to continue psychotropic meds in pregnancy. It’s time for an update – and a plea … Continue reading →

Posted in Mental health, Research | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

I was wrong

Posted on January 23, 2014 by purplepersuasion

I’m not tremendously good at admitting when I’m wrong – indeed, my partner would be overwhelmed with amusement at the suggestion I do it at all. But I’m admitting it now: I was wrong, dead wrong, about being in recovery. … Continue reading →

Posted in Mental health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments