Archive for Bipolar
As part of our ongoing effort to raise awareness about neurological conditions, we are always looking for new personal stories about your lives with these diagnoses.
These stories can be completely anonymous, if you wish, or you can provide your real name or even a made-up pen name.
You don’t have to be a ‘writer’ as such – we don’t mind if you don’t have perfect English; we just want what you have to say.
We do not believe in judging others, and everyone involved in the website has been diagnosed with multiple related neurological conditions themselves.
All we want is your personal testimonials to be listed in the ‘Your Stories’ section of our website. We’ve already had so much positive feedback from the stories posted so far – they have helped others feel less alone with their symptoms, inspired people to think of themselves and their diagnoses a bit differently, and taught us all about the truth behind such conditions.
No story will be censored – these conditions often come with dark and disturbing elements, so if you feel you can’t tell your story without these, they will definitely be included on our website.
We believe the world needs to be made aware of the seriousness of such diagnoses – we want to remove the stigma in speaking out about them, but also help stop people making jokes about them.
Please do click the ‘Your Stories’ tab at the top of this page to look at what others have written.
To share your testimonial, just click the ‘Contact’ tab and write your story in the body of the message. If you’d like to remain anonymous, please list your email address as ‘anonymous@anon.com’ and give your name as ‘Anonymous’.
We hope to hear from you soon!
Vrinda, Sharon, Jennifer and Lynn
Conditional Publications
Don’t forget to get your copy of Check Mates: A Collection of Fiction, Poetry and Artwork about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, by People with OCD – on Amazon and Amazon Kindle
Herbal or Pharmaceutical: Your Choice
Posted by: | CommentsLast week I read an article in the London Metro newspaper about the EU’s recent move to ban many herbal / Chinese remedies from being sold / promoted / practised in European countries. The UK government have declined to participate in this movement, instead opting to institute a requirement that all such practitioners register themselves with a new regulatory body so that their activities can be monitored in case something dangerous does come up. Read More→
‘Bipolar Soldier: My Story’ by Tracy Mellor
Posted by: | CommentsBY TRACY MELLOR
I was always a moody child. My mother would diplomatically explain it away as having an “artistic temperament”, as I used to enjoy drawing, painting, and music. When I became a teenager prone to extremely depressed moods and suicidal thoughts, they were blamed on the ups and downs of adolescence. No one ever thought to take me to a psychiatrist, and all was swept under the rug. You see, I grew up in a household where the “stiff upper lip” was the norm, and mental illness was certainly nothing that was ever discussed.
Neuro-Atypical: We Are All X-Men
Posted by: | CommentsOkay, who watched X-Men 3: The Last Stand and felt like, in many ways, it was the story of their life? Not with me? Let me explain.
Household chemicals responsible for some neurobehavioural disorders?
Posted by: | CommentsSurprise, surprise – the EPA are now making a list of chemicals that could put children at risk of developing neurobehavioural problems…chemicals found in almost everything we use, every day. Read the full article here.
Don’t forget to purchase your copy of Check Mates: A Collection of Fiction, Poetry and Artwork about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, by People with OCD on all Amazon sites – now also available as a handy Kindle edition.
2 New Interviews re: Check Mates – OCD Fiction, Poetry & Art
Posted by: | CommentsPlease do check out ‘The Unspoken Truth about OCD’ – an interview conducted by online book promoter and life coach Lynn Serafinn, here
as well as ‘OCD – Everyone Relates to It and It Can Be Overcome’, with relationship coach Geoff Laughton, which can be found here – as well as OCD, this interview touches on bipolar disorder.
Some Remarks on Louis Theroux’s ‘America’s Medicated Kids’
Posted by: | CommentsAnyone in the UK (or with America with the BBC America channel) happen to see the recent new episode of Louis Theroux’s weird weekends, entitled ‘America’s Medicated Kids’? For those who missed it, he visited hospitals, special schools and families to find out about the extreme increase in children on medications. I know it will be contraversial, but felt moved to make a few points regarding this programme. Read More→
Evidence that it’s more nature WITH – not versus – nurture
Posted by: | CommentsNew research has revealed that people injected with doses of Botox actually find it harder to interpret photographs of people who are angry or sad – suggesting that when the physical aspect is impaired, it influences the mind. (Full article here)
It’s obvious why this is fascinating, but it also demonstrates the likelihood that the old ‘nature vs nurture’ debate is irrelevant – instead, the body interacts with the environment and we are shaped by the combination.
It’s also encouraging news to those of us who suffer from mood disorders. Perhaps it really is within our power to get some element of control over ourselves by first getting control of our physical aspect – next time we feel ourselves sinking into depression, for instance, maybe the physical act of smiling would slowly affect us on the inside. Could be nonsense, but it also could be a real possibility – anyone ready to try the ‘fake it until you make it’ experiment with me?
Vrinda Pendred
Editor & Founder of Conditional Publications
Proposed changes to upcoming DSM-V: have your say!
Posted by: | CommentsThe Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of mental disorders (DSM) is soon to be released in its fifth revision. Before its publication, however, the public apparently have a say in the proposed revisions.
Included in the proposal is the combination of all autistic disorders into one single entry for Autistic Spectrum Disorders – as well as the consolidation of certain psychotic conditions, and a new category for Psychosis Risk, intended to help treat patients earlier rather than once the problems have overtaken them. There will be rules enstated in order to prevent overdiagnosis…so they say. Read More→
Considering medication? Be informed, first – especially in America
Posted by: | CommentsAs someone who took various medications for three years and experienced SEVERE side effects that have emotionally scarred me even ten years on…and the drugs didn’t even work (!)…and as someone who instead went the psychology/therapy route and tried to understand more about myself and my difficulties, to come to a point of acceptance and learn to live with them and take control of myself…
I proudly present ‘Our Daily Meds’ by Melody Peterson. This book exposes all the pharmaceutical industry horror stories I’m sure many of us are aware of, but in graphic detail we often turn a blind eye to because, well, it’s terrifying.
I heard about this on Madness Radio, when they interviewed the author – it seems an invluable book to look at, if we ever hope to overcome the pharmaceutical grip on today’s Western approach to health. For more information, view the book on Amazon, or try listening to the interview on Madness Radio – a free podcast accessible via iTunes.
Vrinda Pendred
Editor & Founder of Conditional Publications