Counselling Directory

Posted on Saturday, July 9, 2011 by Michael

A very useful website has recently come to my attention. It’s called Counselling Directory, and it lists various counsellors and psychotherapists from around the United Kingdom. To find a local counsellor or psychotherapist, you enter your postcode or town into a search box, and it brings up a list of local therapists.

Not only is it a directory, it also has a wealth of information regarding various types of distress, for example, anxiety, anger management and addictions, etc.

I’ve added a link to the site on the sidebar, but I’ll also add a link here.

Counselling Directory

I’d recommend anyone who is distressed about something to pop along to the site and have a look around. I’m sure you’ll find something that will be of help to you.

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Managing Bipolar Disorder And Living With Its Effects

Posted on Saturday, April 23, 2011 by Michael

Manic Depression, also Known as Bipolar Disorder, is a condition that affects a lot of people all over the world. If a person is suffering from the illness they are likely to experience extreme mood swings, within minutes or over a longer period of time, sometimes over a month.

These extreme periods or episodes of moods are Depression or Mania, flipping from one to the other within a short time. During the depression a patient will feel very low, while this period lasts a patient will feel very sad, desperate and inadequate. These feels can last for a long period.

Read More Here

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It’s Been A While…

Posted on Friday, April 22, 2011 by Michael

It seems ages since I posted here. Probably 3 weeks or so. Anyway, I’m back again with updates.

I did go to that Concert on the Friday. It wasn’t too bad actually. It also gave me a chance to take some photos of Acklington Village while I was there. The photos are available to view on my Photography Website.

Mood-wise, it’s been the same old, same old. Mainly feeling down with the odd splatter of a high. I’ve managed to get out a bit more lately. Wednesday was fun. Stephen and I went out into town and took some photos. Those are also available on my Photography Website.

I have been feeling more creative lately though. I’ve managed to create a new Facebook Page for my photography. Let me know what you think of my work. :)

I’m on my own tonight. Stephen has gone over to his Mam’s because his brother is up from London, and besides, they’re all going to the match tomorrow. So it’s a quiet night in for me.

Not much else to say really.

I am looking forward to seeing my psychiatrist next month. Hopefully I can get some different medication that doesn’t make me put on weight. That’s my next goal.

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Another Sleepless Night

Posted on Thursday, April 7, 2011 by Michael

I’ve not had a wink of sleep at all.  I’m still not tired.  I did go to bed though but just lay there tossing and turning, getting up occasionally to make a cup of tea and checking online to see if anything is happening out there (not much at all it seems).

Bang on cue, the downstairs neighbours made their presence known around 5.30am.  They usually stomp about.  I don’t think they walk normally.  They must stamp their feet all the time and it’s bloody annoying.  Add to this that they can’t close a door properly either, nooooo, they have to slam it, so much so that it makes my own flat shake.  They’ve been like this ever since they moved in.  When you see them though, they come across as really quiet.  The day they moved in, I saw the guy standing by his car so I said hello.  He just glared at me as though I were from another planet.  His girlfriend smiles at least, so it can’t all be bad.  Honestly though, it’s like a herd of elephants have moved in downstairs and it really irritates me when they move around.  Why can’t they either sit still or walk normally? I’d approach them, but knowing my track record with other people, it may not be such a good idea, as I can become very irritable when dealing with “complaints” and I might lose it with them, so I just let things go and get irritable on my own.

I’d already set my alarm for 9.30am as I have “an appointment” with Barb to chat on MSN at 11.00am.  It’s difficult to try and arrange times etc, because I’m in the UK and Barb is in Australia.  Barb usually wants to chat when it’s something like 4.30am over here, but I know I should be in bed (usually I’m not though). :D

Looks like it’s going to be another nice day today.  The sun is shining and it’s quite warm on my legs.  Maybe summer has definitely arrived?  Anyway, I have to go back into town this afternoon.  Things to do etc.

Oh, and I also want to install a chat room on this site.  I dunno if it would get used though, but there’s only one way to find out.  I’ll more than likely do that today.

Right, I’m off to make a cuppa.  I’ll post again soon. :)

By the way, do you type online, on-line or on line to describe someone who is online?  Answers in a comment please.

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What A Difference A Day Makes!

Posted on Thursday, April 7, 2011 by Michael

Wow!  What a difference today has been.  I got up, got ready and went into town with Stephen.  It’s been a lovely day, nice weather for a change too.

Usually when I’m out with Stephen he complains that I walk too slowly, but I can’t help that.  It’s how I’m feeling at the time.  I have little or no energy to move, very lethargic, and my arms and legs actually ache with the effort.  Today though was very different.  Stephen even told me a few times to slow down and said it was as though I was power walking or something.  I just had bags of energy.

Anyway, we did some shopping, on the spur of the moment.  I bought some new jeans, shoes, socks and a shirt, and I bought Stephen a new jacket and paid for his haircut.  I owe him big time anyway because he’s always helping me out.

We got the bus back home and came back to the flat so I could grab a cup of tea, then headed out again to do some food shopping.  Back home again and then I headed down the road to charge my electric key and gas card.  back home again and then later on, back down the road to buy a light bulb as the bathroom light had gone off.

The reason I’m posting all of this is because it’s so different to how I’ve been feeling for ages.  I’ve been through a hell of a depression, but just came out of it.  I just woke up today full of beans for a change.  During my depressions, I have little to no energy.  It takes me all my time to get out of bed and get washed and dressed.  I have to admit here that during those times, I can go for days without even bothering to get washed or dressed.  I just lie around or stay in bed, and Stephen has to bully me into getting into the bath.  It’s almost like climbing Everest at times.  It’s not laziness at all.  It’s just that everything seems impossible to do.

Right now, I’m looking forward to Friday and may even stay overnight!

Let’s see how long this lasts. :)

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A Crap Day…

Posted on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 by Michael

Woke up at 1pm this afternoon feeling pretty crap. There’s not much I can do really.  Dishes to be washed, clothes to be washed, but I can’t face anything.  Spending time flicking between Twitter and Facebook because I don’t have to physically do anything.  Even flicking between websites is too demanding today.  I’m just so tired and could do with going back to bed.

Stephen has been to his doctors this afternoon.  I rang him to see how he got on and he’s on his way over now.

Even the cats seem to be avoiding me today.  Heidi is on the bedroom windowsill and Myrun is lying on the bed.

I’m supposed to be going out on Friday night to see some band or orchestra playing to raise funds for a charity.  Right now I’m feeling a bit mixed about it.  Part of me wants to go, but part of me is dreading it.  I hope I pick up before then.  I suppose that’s the “beauty” of rapid cycling.  I never know how I’m going to be from one day to the next.

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Why Don’t We Want to Shower When We’re Sick?

Posted on Monday, April 4, 2011 by Michael

I know this seems like an odd question, but I was considering it this morning (in my shower). It is a common problem for people with a mental illness. I have a tendency to avoid showering (really) and I know of others with a mental illness have gone weeks without showing.

So, if all we’re talking about is standing in some warm water, why don’t we want to shower?

I think there is a tetrad of reasons, experienced according to mood: fatigue, crazy, self-hatred and pain.

Continue Reading at:

Why Don’t We Want to Shower When We’re Sick?

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Stephen Fry On Being Bipolar

Posted on Monday, April 4, 2011 by Michael

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How I would describe Bipolar Disorder…….. A YouTube Video

Posted on Monday, April 4, 2011 by Michael

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Manic Sunday

Posted on Monday, April 4, 2011 by Michael

Got up this afternoon feeling a bit elated, with two cats lying beside me, but as the day went on, I was getting higher and higher.  In the end I was feeling really spaced out and irritable.  Irritability is not one of the nicest symptoms to cope with.  I banged around the flat, slamming cups onto the kitchen worktop while making a cup of tea.  Stephen and Amber were here watching the Sunderland Match.  Stephen smiled at me but he said I just glared at him at one time and ignored him the next time he smiled.  I thought it best to stay out of their way so I lay on my bed with the tv on.  I wasn’t really watching much because I couldn’t concentrate on anything at all.  I just kept flicking from channel to channel, then up for a wander and back to the bedroom.

So here I am at 1am, not tired at all, and listening to old Top Of The Pops on telly (David Bowie is on now with Starman).  Ooh lovely (not)  it’s The Osmonds with Crazy Horses (Maybe that song is about me?).

I’ve been waiting all day to get those photos of the cats on here, but I couldn’t find them on the computer and had to ask Stephen to tell me where they were. A quick edit in Lightroom and Photoshop and there they are.  (Look down)

At the moment I’m looking around the net for other blogs by bipolar people.  I like to see how it affects others and what their experiences are like.  I am usually depressed with the odd manic episode thrown in from time to time.  I might be lucky and have a day or two when I have what can be described as a normal mood.  I know I should stick with my medication, but I find it difficult because I get fat around the belly area and then that causes me to have breathing problems, so I stop the medication so I can lose a bit of weight.  I only eat one meal a day as it is.  I went through a phase not too long ago when all I would eat was salmon salads.  Now that some of the weight is gone, I’m eating a more varied diet.  Another problem with the medication is that it also causes impotence.  I’m fine while I’m off it though, so I know the medication is to blame for that too.  I must have a word with my psychiatrist when I see her next to see if there is something else I can take instead of the Risperidone.  I don’t think the Lamotrigine has many side effects though.  Well, none that affect me.

Edit: It’s now 8.50am and I’m still wide awake. I really should try and get some sleep or I’ll probably regret it.

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