Dandelions & Bad Hair Days: Now on Kindle

Dandelions and Bad Hair Days, a collection of poetry and prose edited by Suzie Grogan, has been mentioned here several times in the past. Released in October 2012, the book is finally available on Kindle from Amazon.

For those who don't know, the book is a collection of pieces written by sufferers of various mental illnesses. I am lucky enough to have two contributions in the book, a copy of a guest post I did for Suzie's No More Wriggling Out of Writing site & a poem, 'Loneliness', which Suzie found in my Scribd collection.

The book is a look at the world as seen by those that live each day with mental illness. It's not just a book for other sufferers, but for carers, friends, family & the community. It may help people understand our daily struggles better.

Additionally all profits from the sale of both the paperback & digital versions of the book go to SANE UK & other nominated charities. So by purchasing the book, you not only get a great read, but are supporting mental health charities.

I hope you will take the time to spend a few dollars for a good cause and some enjoyable, insightful reading.

Take care
Mark 

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

NSW Mental Health Services Cut

New South Wales Mental Health minister Kevin Humphries says the federal government has drastically cut new treatment services for the mentally ill in the state.

NSW Mental Health Mister
Kevin Humphries

Funding had been secured to create four Early Psychosis Prevention & Intervention Centres in NSW, which would haven given a large portion of the population better access to treatment if they began to develop a psychotic disorder.

But two years of planning & negotiations were wasted when the now former federal Minister for Mental Health Mark Butler announced in a press release last month that NSW would only get one centre to be run by the charity Headspace - the National Youth Mental Health Foundation.

It is thought that difficulties in negotiating agreements has led to the federal governments decision. This was despite already approving four centres in NSW & opening negotiations for two more.

Source & full article: The Sydney Morning Herald (01 July 2013)

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

Just For Laughs

We all need to just laugh sometimes, it can make life seem a little less serious. Saw this & just had to share. Don't hold back, just enjoy for the sake of enjoying.

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

Bipolar Research Subjects Needed - Sydney

Early next week I'm off to Sydney to participate in a bipolar research study at the CADE Clinic, an outpatient service based at the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney. The study 'Thinking Clearly With Bipolar Disorder' is being conducted by Dr Genevieve Curran.

She is seeking adults with bipolar disorder to participate in a research study that investigates how bipolar & lithium alter brain cognition (memory, concentration, attention, etc). It doesn't matter if you use lithium or not, subjects from both groups are needed.

From what I understand the study involves a session talking with Dr Curran, a session on a computer playing games, solving puzzles, etc & then possibly an MRI scan.

More information on the research study can be found on the CADE website, by calling Dr Curran (02 9462 9900) or by emailing her at grcurran@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au.

I you feel you could suitable for this study please participate. In the long run the study could benifit us all, you never know.

Until next time, take care.

Mark.

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

Music - At Times Life Can Feel Like A Prison

At times life for those suffering from any mental illness can feel like a prison. Often it can be almost in a literal sense with, locked inside their own world, their own home. The following song by a great Australian band sort of describes how I feel at times.

Cold Chisel with 'Four Walls', enjoy.

Take care until next time.

Mark

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

Dreams, Nightmares & Screamscapes...

I have dreams & nightmares, everyone does. But 99.9% of the time I can't remember them on waking and the rest fade from memory in minutes. I think often it's a good way to be, you forget the good ones but also no memory of the bad.

But this morning was different. For the first time ever I awoke shaking & physically ill because of a, to me, very distressing dream. And I have to admit I have no idea how to deal with it or what to think of it.

The subject of the dream touched very heavily on my past, something that devastated my life, even as a toddler. It took the event, twisted it & expanded it to a very disturbing degree. And now I just can't shake it.

So I'm opening this up to ideas, thoughts, stories & suggestions. If you have ever had dreams or nightmares that have shaken you to the core, how do you deal with them? How have you coped with the mental anguish they can cause?

I really am all at sea with this one.

Take care until next time.

Mark.

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

Music - To Feel, To Hear, To Learn

As I've said previously, music means a lot to me, something that can touch me when nothing else can. So I'm going to start posting songs that mean something to me in one way or the other.

Every now and then a song comes along that seems to be directed at those suffering depression or feeling life is not worth the effort. Not love songs, but ones that seem to go directly to those feeling lost in the world.

Nickelback is one of my favourite bands and their last album 'Here And Now' contains a song called 'Lullaby' which seems to be one of these songs. Forget the video, just listen to words. Just remember, there is someone there for you, whoever you are.

Take care & enjoy.

Mark

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

Getting Back Onto The Horse

Not posting as much as I should be. Always feel at times I'm not only letting myself down but others as well when I go quiet like this. I know I 'shouldn't' feel bad not posting but we all know how that goes.

So for now I will just content myself with trying and post something every few days, no matter what it is. Hopefully it will be something fun, interesting or informative, but no guarantees.

Take care everyone.

Mark

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

Cancer Claims Aussie Music Icon - Chrissy Amphlett Dead at 53

Music has always been something special to me, the one thing I've always been able to connect to emotionally when nothing else could touch me. Sadly, today it is bringing me nothing but tears.

In New York on Sunday, Chrissy Amphlett, lead singer of the Australian band The Divinyls, passed away after a long battle with breast cancer. She was 53. Chrissy also suffered from MS which meant she could not receive many of the normal cancer treatments such as radiation therapy & chemo.

The passing of Chrissy has touched me deeply, probably because her voice was a big part of my late teens & twenties as The Divinyls rocked their way through the 80's & early 90's. From "Boys In Town" (1982) to their biggest international success "I Touch Myself" (1991 - No1 in Aus, No10 in UK & No4 in US) and beyond, Chrissy's voice always seemed to be there.

Rock-in-Peace Chrissy, you are an inspiration to many, remaining a part of the Oz music scene even as you battled for your own life. You music will live on forever. Thank you for the pleasure your voice gave us.

For those who haven't heard The Divinyls, here's their prophetic 1984 single "The Good Die Young".

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

Small Irish Poll Shows Depth of Stigma.

An article by Paul Gilligan (CEO, St Patrick's University Hospital) published in the Irish newspaper Sunday Independent has highlighted how bad stigma can be and that it is costing lives. The stigma surrounding mental illness makes people reluctant to discuss their problems and they often feel they cannot seek help.

A small poll of 300 people at St Patrick's University Hospital in Dublin produced some shocking results, even for those used to seeing how bad stigma can be. The poll showed that:

• 20% of people believe that those suffering mental health problems are of below average intelligence.
• Over 40% considered seeking help for mental health problems is a sign of personal failure.
• Two-thirds expressed reluctance to hire someone with a history of mental illness, believing them to be unreliable.
• Over 30% admitted they would not willingly accept someone with a mental illness as a close friend.

Considering that there is a probability that some participants in the research wouldn't want to admit to having a negative view, it is quite possible the true levels of stigma could be much higher.

Gilligan goes on to discuss factors that go into creating (and maintaining) the stigma. These include human factors such as fear and a lack of understanding/knowledge. Then there is denial, both by the sufferer refusing to believe they could have a mental illness, and those who don't even believe there is such a thing as mental illness.

Weathering The Weather: is it SAD?

Over the last few weeks we've been having some fantastic spring weather here on the east coast of Australia. Brilliant sunny days and crisp clear nights. It really has been wonderful. At the same time I've been feeling a little more alive, things seeming a little easier. I suppose that many people feel like this, with warm summer days making it easier to get going than cold, wet winter days.  But is it all a little SAD?

Seasonal affectiive disorder (SAD) is now widely recognised as a common disorder, despite initial skepticism. But what a lot of people don't realize is it is NOT a stand-alone diagnosis. In fact it is associated with a major depressive episode for people with major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder.

It is also commonly believed that the depressive feelings of SAD are associated only with winter, but in fact can occur at any time of the year, regardless of season. While winter is the most common season for the symptoms to show, all SAD really needs is repeated periods of depression at around the same time each year - winter, spring, summer or autumn, it doesn't matter which.

UQ Law Students Raise Awareness of Mental Health Issues

The University of Queensland Law Student Society (UQLS) will delve into the reasons for a high rate of depression, stress and anxiety among law students at a mental health forum this month. 

UQ and law firm Allens will host ‘Mental Health in the Australian Legal Profession,' forum at the University on September 12. 

The program has a line-up of expert speakers including psychologist David Whittingham, Legal Services Commissioner (QLD) John Briton, Annette Bradfield, Deputy President of the Queensland Law Society and special guest Kate Carnell, CEO of Beyond Blue. 

The forum is part of The University of Queensland's Law Student Society's strategy to stem the unusually high rate of mental health issues among law students.

The full article and forum details are available on the University of Queensland website. 

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

Sinéad O'Connor Concert For Mental Health

Irish singer Sinéad O'Connor is teaming up with Cork-based mental health campaign group Mad Pride Ireland to play a fundraising concert at the Triskel Arts Centre in Cork on October 19th. The concert is the first of a series of high-profile associations to promote more understanding of mental health in Ireland.

Mad Pride Ireland's chief executive David McCarthy said he hoped the concert would help highlight the issue of mental health and 'the need for the wider community to engage with the normality of madness'.

Mr McCarthy said the group believed that the best way to promote understanding of mental health was to engage the community through active participation in a fun environment.

O'Conner is to be supported at the concert by the Ger Wolfe Trio. Tickets are available at the Triskel or through their website triskelartscentre.ie.

SOURCE: IrishTimes.com

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

The Cost of Mental Health: More Than Money

Sunday September 2nd is Fathers Day here in Australia and, as normal for me around special occasions, it has had me thinking about what my mental health problems have cost me over the years. Not in terms of money, but in other ways. My conclusion: it has cost me plenty.

Dealing with mental health costs everyone financially; sufferers, families, friends & the entire community. But for those dealing with the illnesses it usually costs far more in the way of family, friends & living standards. So much of our lives can be affected both directly & indirectly by the illness and its treatments - and the stigma that surrounds it.

Left untreated, mental illness can make life hell for everyone around the sufferer. Even when you get a diagnosis it can be just as hard. A lot of times it's hard to get a correct diagnosis and then it is usually a lot of trial & error to find a treatment plan that works or helps the patient. It can take years to get things anywhere near right.

Dandelions and Bad Hair Days: Cover released.

Suzie Grogan, the driving force behind the upcoming release Dandelions and Bad Hair Days, has made public an image of the cover for the anthology. The cover artwork is by Ingrid Eva Creative and is a brilliant pictorial representation of the title.

The book is a collection of articles, stories & creative writing from sufferers of mental illness (including me!). Due out early October, all profits from the sale of Dandelions and Bad Hair Days will go to mental health charities such as SANE UK. A great book for a great cause.

Cheers

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

Depression: The Global Problem

For a long time, due to cultural & religious differences, it has often been thought that depression & anxiety was mainly a Western problem with Eastern cultures being little affected. A recent study published by researchers from The University of Queensland seems to debunk this theory.

In the worlds most comprehensive study of anxiety & depression to date, researchers in two separate studies into anxiety disorders & major depression disorder (clinical depression) found that surveys of clinical anxiety & depression have been conducted across 91 countries involving more than 480,000 people.

These studies show that anxiety & depression are major problems across the globe, regardless of culture, race or religion.

Bipolar 1 & 2, What's the difference?

Bipolar Disorder (formerly called manic depression) is an illness that at times even the sufferer doesn't fully understand. Most people don't even realize there are couple of forms of bipolar, or if they do, they don't understand the differences. So here I will attempt to detail the differences between bipolar 1 & bipolar 2.

Both forms of the disorder have 2 things in common which helps with the initial diagnosis of bipolar. First, you must have suffered episodes of clinical depression, which is often the only thing you will be treated for initially. I found that getting a new diagnosis after being diagnosed & treated for depression (which didn't help at all) to be very difficult. Secondly, you must have had periods of feeling 'high' (mania). Everybody feels happy or sad at times, but bipolar sufferers feel these emotions far more deeply, and the swings between the highs & lows are usually extreme & can occur quite suddenly.

Coming Soon: Dandelions & Bad Hair Days

Back in March I did a guest post for Suzie Grogan, the author of No more wriggling out of writing...... Well, while I've been lazy over the last few months, Suzie has been very busy. She has been putting together everything required for the upcoming release of Dandelions & Bad Hair Days, a collection of poetry & prose dealing with mental health.

The book will include a selection of the guest post articles from her website as well as other material contributed by some quite talented & creative people. She has even taken the time to get a new blog going about Dandelions & Bad Hair Days. So if you want to find out more about the book (due out in October I believe), head over to Dandelions and Bad Hair Days and see what the fuss is about.

The book has been endorsed by SANE UK, with the forward written by Chief Executive Marjorie Wallace. All profits from this book will go to SANE & other nominated charities. So check it out - just maybe you may end up indirectly helping someone you know.

Cheers 

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

I'm Back

Been quite sometime since my last post, sorry for that. My real life has been quite busy & I suppose I was feeling a little lazy & not wanting to write really. But I'm back with some more wind in my sails and some ideas for more posts in the future.

For myself, things haven't been too bad. Have managed to avoid any real lows or highs. Had a change in my medications during this time that I'm not sure if it's helping or not right now - though it doesn't seem to be doing anything bad. Just a case of wait & see I suppose.

That's it for right now but I will be back to posting again over the next few weeks.

Cheers.

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

A little bit up, a little bit down

Haven't really been writing much the last few weeks, probably because I have been having periods of feeling a little down & the energy/desire to write much has been seriously lacking. The past few weeks haven't been bad compared to the past but the lack of motivation & energy has been there. A lot of time all I've wanted to do is sleep with no drive to do anything else.

It hasn't been all bad, I've had periods where I've felt a little up, even if they are in the minority. The best thing about this, despite how up & down things have been, is that I feel that right now I can cope, rather than just giving in to the depression. It's a nice change from the past.