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CAMBRIDGE MANIC DEPRESSION FELLOWSHIP SELF-HELP GROUP ____________________________________________________________________________________________ NEWSLETTER MEETING 12TH NOVEMBER – ‘STIGMA’ Our intended speaker, Mike Calver, was unfortunately unable to make it but will now be coming to the group in February. Instead, we held a discussion on a closely related topic – „Stigma‟. There was a strong feeling that stigma is related to how mental health is portrayed in the media. Only recently, a person with manic depression was portrayed ineptly in „Casualty „. A peak time programme, it has an influence on many people. This sort of stigma won‟t go away unless we challenge it. The group „ Mediawatch‟ (c/o Mental Health Foundation, 37 Mortimer Street, London, W1N 8JU. Tel: 0207 580 0145) publishes a leaflet that tells you how to complain and to whom. It‟s also important that the media are told when they get it right. Some of us had in the same week heard on the radio an interview with Kay Redfield Jamison, the well known American Psychiatrist who has MD. She spoke about it with such intelligence, ease and insight that she was a marvellous ambassador for those of us with MD. NOV/DEC 2001 Since his last depot injection, Wayne had a distinct fear of being attacked from behind. Some people felt it would be helpful if more famous and well-to-do people with MD were to talk about it more openly. Often they do not do so and can afford to take retreats in the sun or a private clinic where you and I would get carted off to the funny farm. Incidentally, for those of you on the Net, there are several sites listing famous MDs. See, for example: www.pendulum.org/pwbpd/famous.htm. The language that‟s used (and misused) also contributes. Many people confuse the neutral term „psychotic‟ with aggressive term „psychopathic‟. Likewise the „manic‟ bit of MD can sound more scary than it really is. The term „mood disorder‟ seemed to be a favourite with some people. If you say the word „manic‟ people are frightened. If you say „bipolar‟ no-one understands and you have to say that it‟s „manic depressive‟ – so it rather defeats the object. It‟s good to use the word „bipolar‟ to professionals, though. It makes them think you‟re more intelligent, trustworthy and insightful. Perhaps we have a job to do to put other people at their ease. Often people seem uncomfortable dealing with the topic. It could be because they can‟t handle it. It could be because they think we can‟t handle it. If we show that we have come to terms with the condition and are comfortable talking about it, then they might find it easier. If we accept the diagnosis then others might find it easier . Research Corner Successful treatment of erectile dysfunction in depressed men, can lead to a marked improvement in their depression. You‟d never credit it, would you? AGM The committee elected at the AGM was: Phil, Gabrielle, Jeannette, Joyce and Jackie. We‟d love to hear your ideas of you want in the year ahead. FROM ‘WHAT HELPED MY RECOVERY AT DIFFERENT TIMES’ by Beela Jalie Hospital Admission 1. Sometimes hospitalisation helped, by taking me away from a stressful environment, especially in the late 1970s and early 1980s. 2. Having short rather than long hospital admissions, as in the late 1970s and early 1980s (usually on a four week section 2 rather than on a six month section 3). 3. Going to a private hospital, when my local hospital was full. This accelerated my recovery in the mid-1990s. It was like a hotel. We had a good OT who took us for walks around the beautiful lake at 8.30 each weekday morning. We also had aerobics and groups run jointly by the OT and Psychology Departments. 4. Being put in hospital rather than in police cells and prison for minor indiscretions helped since I needed psychiatric treatment, not punishment. A Life-enhancing Faith 1. Chaplains who helped me when in or out of hospital. 2. Returning to the Buddhist faith in the early 1990s. This gave me a sense of meaning, purpose, direction and fulfilment. 3. Visiting Reading Priory weekly for a while in 2000 and being befriended and reassured by a kind Zen Master who gave an alternative, deeper and positive perspective on my torturous depression. 4. Continuing to practise my Faith in spite of my consultant psychiatrist in a private hospital constantly ridiculing it. Learning with the help of my faith to build up inner resources that enable me to be stronger and less dependent. 5. When able to continue meditating when ill, it helped to ground me and helped to increase my physical, mental and emotional relaxation. 6. Talking on the phone to monks at the monastery often helped. FROM ‘WHAT HINDERED MY RECOVERY AT DIFFERENT TIMES’ by Beela Jalie In the Community 1. Psychiatrist not believing that I was seriously suicidal when I was. 2. Being told that the mental health service in Nottingham had done everything they could for me and being asked to leave its catchment area when I was actively suicidal. Unhelpful Psychiatric Social Workers 1. One wouldn‟t help me with re-housing when I had to sell my flat when my work became too punctuated by illness so I couldn‟t afford to keep buying it. 2. One tricked me into being sectioned by lying to me and then saying that it was for my own good when I complained. 3. One wouldn‟t help me with housing when I was homeless. She said she only helped with hostel accommodation. 4. One made false promises about re-housing me into more suitable housing association accommodation. Unhelpful Clerical and Ancillary Staff 1. A hospital welfare officer made a mistake about applying for housing benefit when I was compulsorily detained in hospital for some months. I was told she was on extensive sick leave and later that she had left the hospital altogether. This resulted in my benefit not being sorted, my getting into serious arrears and having to pay out a lot of my savings to avert court action by the Council. 2. Receptionists who sometimes didn‟t pass crucial messages on or who fobbed me off when I had gone to the community mental health team to see the duty psychiatrist or duty nurse. LIFELINE The Cambridge Mental Health Helpline is available 7-11pm every day on: LIFECRAFT Mental health information service is open from 12noon-5pm Mon - Fri 01223-521521 01223-566957 ‘Users and Abusers’ of Psychiatry by Lucy Johnstone -a review from Jackie I could write pages and pages about this book. It is a fascinating read, and makes many good points about the psychosocial origins of mental illness and many suggestions for better treatment. I liked the idea that psychiatrists should try taking medication, to see what it feels like! However, it also makes me extremely angry. LJ argues that mental illness does not exist: -only mental distress. According to her, psychiatry is bogus, psychiatric medication a disaster, and chronic mental illness is unknown in pre-industrial societies. But many of her assertions are as illogical and badly reasoned as those she is attempting to knock down. Her arguments against psychiatry apply to many physical conditions; she is very naive about the certainties of medicine. Bad research, poorly understood /controversial treatments, serious side effects, disputed genetic origins etc all feature in many illnesses. Psychiatric medications have undoubtedly helped me and other people that I have met through this group. I suspect that she is also naive about the marvels of life in simpler societies. Maybe some people do recover quickly through close family support, continued employment etc, but I bet others end up as beggars on the streets of the big cities. She discusses in some detail the origins of depression (which I largely agree with), yet spends many chapters arguing that schizophrenia does not exist at all. She claims that after an initial psychotic episode it is brought on by George attributed his robust mental health unemployment, antipsychotics and poor family relationships. Now, I agree to the simple society in which he had so that there is a continuum of mental health and illness with an infinite variety of luckily found himself. symptoms, and that schizophrenia is simply a label to simplify treatment. And I agree that these people would benefit from psychotherapy, better medication and happier lives. But it does not follow that serious mental illness does not exist. (I was amused to find that according to her I ought to be schizophrenic, not manic depressive at all!) And...why does she barely mention manic depression? Could it be that we don't fit her model, with our episodic illness that sometimes has no obvious outside cause, our frequently successful and creative lives? Could we be the great flaw in her argument? HAS COMING OFF LITHIUM BEEN THE RIGHT DECISION??? Another bulletin from Primrose Well, to quote the song “Its been a long, long time from May to September” ….. You may remember from previous bulletins I gradually reduced my lithium in the spring of this year and stopped at the beginning of May. Then a series of events happened which were “sent to try me” which were my teenage son and my husband having accidents at the same time I experienced stress and harassment at work. I was signed off work for four weeks with “work related stress” but felt I was coping with the situation, and asked my Doctor to let me go back to work at the end of August as I felt “great”. However, at the beginning of September, there appeared a Big Black Hole (the D word), which I fell into! My partner was wonderful and after a few days, took me to see my GP who said I needed help in the form of lithium! Since then I have improved, I‟m motivating myself to do things, the awful events in New York made me think “what have I got to be depressed about?”. I asked my doctor to sign me back to work (although initially it was not enjoyable, but last week I had some good days), I‟m back to night school, keep fit class, swimming, etc. but I have to admit to myself that I‟m still not quite out of that Big Black Hole – but I‟m working at it! Because of the circumstances at the time coming off Lithium did not work out for me – but I had to give it a try – its like playing “Snakes and Ladders” I slipped down a slimy snake, and I‟m now trying to get to the top of the ladder again! MEETINGS AT HILLTOPS These smaller meetings provide an excellent opportunity to talk informally. If there are questions you particularly want to discuss, it is a good chance to do so. If there is enough support, MDs and carers will have their own separate groups. Both are welcome. The next meeting is on January 28th. Don‟t forget that parking is via Greens Road. NEARBY GROUPS If you know anyone with MD or who is a carer in the following areas, here are the contact numbers of the MDF groups: Ely : 01353-616153 (Answerphone) March (Fenland) : 01354-658058 (MIND Office) Huntingdon: 01480-350299 (Daljit, 10am – 7pm) MEETING Monday 17th December 2001 - Hilltops ‘Seasonal Gathering’ There will be only one meeting in December and that will be our „ Seasonal Gathering‟. It will be at Hilttops from about 7.30 to 9.30pm. (Anyone who wants to carry on for longer can go to the pub afterwards!) Bring a small offering of food or drink if you would like to. If you have any MD questions over the Christmas period or just want to chat, don‟t hesitate to give me (Phil) a call within the times below. CONTACTS (A)=Ansaphone at times Preferred times New Members Ring for a chat Leaflets Newsletter Phil 01763-260315 (A) 7pm-9pm weekdays 10am-9pm weekends Jeannette 01223-563269 (A) 7pm-9.30pm weekdays Gabrielle 01223-870661 (A) Viv 01763-260315 (A) 7pm-9pm weekdays 10am-9pm weekends * (Carers) * * * * * * (Carers) * Correspondence to: Phil Alsop, Secretary, 6 Beechwood Ave, Melbourn, Cambs SG8 6BH. E-mail: mdf@mdfcambridge.org.uk Website: www.mdfcambridge.org.uk *****FORTHCOMING EVENTS*****FORTHCOMING EVENTS*****FORTHCOMING EVENTS****** We meet on the second Monday of the month in St Matthew's Parish Hall, St Matthew's Street, and on the fourth Monday at Hilltops, Primrose Street. Give me (Phil) a call if you need directions. Come along from 7.15pm for refreshments. The meetings start at 7.45pm. Dec 17th Jan 14th Jan 28th Feb 11th Feb 25th „Seasonal Gathering‟ at Hilltops Claire Johnson, Mental Health Information Officer, Cambridgeshire NHS Support Groups – Hilltops Mike Calver from National MDF about declaring your MD on forms (job, insurance, DVLA etc). Support Groups – Hilltops Cambridge Manic Depression Fellowship Self-Help Group is a local group of the national Manic Depression Fellowship, Charity No 293340