More Opinions. (John)

it would be better to ask me a question about my life and learn something than have an opinion on it and learn nothing. (Elle) Today's blog by me was all going to be about endorphins and me having taken up a wee bit of running. (We'll come to that another day) But after reading Elle's…

Opinions (Elle)

Well, up until now John and I have been building the blog as a kind of extended gentle conversation on whatever comes to our minds relating to mental health. I'm sorry – but I want to take a small step off the path for long enough to just get something off my chest and out…

Cosmic Re-entry Syndrome (Elle)

I've said before that for me, mania isn't plain sailing. It's a long time since I had a 'pure' manic episode characterized by elation and expansiveness and psychosis that reflects that and makes me feel like I'm in control of the universe….. These days when I go up and over it quickly becomes far spikier…

Inclusivity (Elle)

I think John's latest post  is his best yet – and i'm chuffed that he might think i've got some of that punk attitude. Coming from John, whose sense of inclusivity i've always admired, I take it as a big complement. So i've been thinking hard about inclusivity. I'm going to get a bit philosophical…

Disability and the Punk Attitude (John)

We've all got our heroes in life. One of my main entry points into the arts was discovering the Sex Pistols around nine years old. Pretty young for a punk but I was genuinely enthralled by them. Over my days I've remained a big fan, of not just the music, but of John Lydon and…

Support Networks (Elle)

It took me a long time of 'doing' psychiatry before I truly understood that I'm surrounded by a 'support network'. As my best friend told me a long time ago, I'm a bit of an island of one. My default position when I'm troubled or ill is to take myself off and be alone with…

I Went Up and Over (Elle)

Just checking back in after a long time away from the blog. Sorry for being so absent – I went up and over again….. I have so much going through my head just now that it seems impossible to figure out what to pick out to write on….. some time and some processing will need…

Panic. (John)

I was chatting with Elle the other day and I mentioned that writing this blog, plus doing my show, has reminded me that I am often 'just one closed door away from the problems this condition can cause.' Last saturday, late at night and while residing away from home I had a panic attack. It…

Austerity and Mental Health. (John)

Hugh Jackson– Tory councillor in North Tyneside  – suggested euthanasia was a good way to reduce the costs of looking after disabled children. "Hang Mandela." campaign slogan of the Federation of Conservative Students during the 1980s, during which time its chairman was John Bercow, now Speaker of the House of Commons. Iain Duncan Smith – Tory Work and Pensions Secretary…

Funny Tales 1. (John)

Please don’t take it all too seriously, some of this ended up in the show. However, the point on romanticising bad mental health I feel is still a pertinent one… As I've said on this blog I do stand up comedy about my experiences with mental health. I've put a link to such stuff above.…