I recently joined a Socialist group. My reasoning being that the situation in the world is becoming so ridiculous that I needed to take action of some kind. Subsequently when I was walking through the centre of East Crydon and saw a group of people selling leaflets and papers under the banner of ‘Socialist Appeal,’…… Continue reading How dialectics has helped my mental health
I went to see my doctor on Thursday. This is my psych doctor: I think he’s a psychiatrist but not one of the bad ones who instinctively reaches for the perscription pad instead of taking the time to talk through an issue. I’ve always had a bit of an issue with psychiatrists for just this…… Continue reading A Check in.
This may end up becoming something of a rant, so I apologise in advance if this article turns into something of a targeted slagging off session against my doctor, societal norms generally and/or the way I seem to police myself and my own thinking. I started writing it a few days ago, but had to…… Continue reading The importance of agency, when dealing with mental health symptoms
I’ve just been talking to my friend N, who (for those of you who haven’t read other posts of mine) is a close friend who also suffers mental health issues. We met at the Royal Bethlem hospital and so she is the only other person in the world I can speak to openly and honestly…… Continue reading Labeling one’s own condition
It’s been really long time since I’ve written regularly on Word-Press. I started a new job at the beginning of April and it’s been putting me through my paces, mentally and emotionally, and consequently I haven’t had the time or energy to focus upon anything else. I’m working for a homeless charity called St Mungo’s,…… Continue reading Update- I’m still here, haven’t been banged up yet.
Sometimes when I look into the mirror I think I see something behind me, something trailing me and mimicking my movements, like a billowing shadow. There are times when my reflection seems to stare back at me- searching for answers in the lines of my face, meeting my eye semi-defiantly, and always waiting for the…… Continue reading The problems inherent in “leaving schizophrenia behind.” (Part 1)
I’ve spent the last nine months working with a great team of people. We make up a floating support team in South West London who work with people at risk of homelessness, but who are currently maintaining tenancies. Many of my colleagues have done this job for years: they were out and about helping homeless…… Continue reading Nine months as a Support Worker, and a fairly steep learning curve (part 2)
I re-wrote chapter 5 of my self-help book on Wednesday night. Its subject is the idea of viewing yourself as the hero or heroine of your own epic life story, as a means of empowering yourself to over come severe mental illness. I make the comment that every person should view themselves in this way…… Continue reading Why schizophrenia may have saved my life.
Mad new world 