Tag: Lived Experience
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Medication Side Effects
I have been taking psychiatric medication since 2010. I was on anti-depressants until 2016 and have been on anti-psychotics since 2011. I took a break from all my medication except Lithium in 2016 for almost a year and managed to lose 35KG in weight. The anti-depressants I have tried are Escitalopram, Cymbalta, Desvenlafaxine, Mirtazapine and…
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A Solitary Life
My life is largely one of solitude. Solitude is is a state of seclusion or isolation, meaning lack of socialisation. I spend an hour and a half at Church every Sunday morning in worship and in the last month I begun volunteering in a homeless charity for 4 hours on a Tuesday. However, I usually…
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Reflections on Last Year
The last year has been a strange but also a humbling experience. Living homeless in a psychiatric ward for 4 and half months (although only sectioned for 6 weeks) meant I had few luxuries & privileges.I’m redefining luxuries here for many.Going out to the fountain to drink Pepsi in Basildon town centre was a luxury.…
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Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Spiral Dynamics
In this blog, I’m going to introduce Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Spiral Dynamics. I will briefly explain each of these psychological theories and how I use them to manage my Psycho-Social challenges that come with being Autistic. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a motivational theory in psychology comprising of 5 or 6 levels of…
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Psych Memories: 2015
This may contain upsetting content about suicide. Please don’t read this if you think it will trigger you. This is first of a series of blog posts I will write about my past in using mental health services. NHS mental health services have improved in some areas and got worse in other areas here. I…
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Emergency Bag
I have been in psychiatric hospitals many times in my life. At least once a year since 2010 but it has been known to happen several times in one year. My stay is usually between 2 to 6 weeks. Though sometimes it has been a week or for several months. Since my Mum and Stepdad…
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Peace with Life
I’ve been trying really hard in the last year to make peace with life and death. How I was treated homeless was a wake up call. Church, Baptism and volunteering at the homeless charity are all part of that. I’m convinced I could be eliminated by the state at some point. Whether that’s in a…
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How I found Faith
How if found my Christian Faith is a difficult question to answer. I don’t think I can completely explain it in a blog as I believe God has to seek us as well. Though I believe God’s invitation is initially open to everyone. There isn’t a 5 step programme in becoming Christian. Many Christians find…
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Stigma and Loneliness
As someone who is Autistic and diagnosed with Schizoaffective Disorder the challenges of stigma and loneliness are something I share in common with others with psychiatric conditions. I use the term Autistic – it’s more to me than just a psychiatric condition. My experience maybe more or less severe than others. I had 12 rounds…