Posted by Quintal on March 15, 2008, at 14:40:55
Which do you prefer? I quite like the romance associated with the old term. 'The Poet's Illness', 'A Brilliant Madness', 'Touched By Fire' and similar euphanisms seem to show more depth and imagination than the modern clinical ones somehow... I suffered a bout of 'manic depressive insanity', or 'bipolar disorder with acute psychotic features' so severe I was sectioned just recently. I've been trying to write about it for a while, but I never know where to begin. It's like trying to write a review of an epic movie that went on for over two months. Every time I try to describe a scene, the mental health team seem to seize upon it and reduce the entire experience to that particular episode. I keep trying to explain, but I don't think they understand. For example, my social worker has just drawn up a care plan that aims to help prevent me from beleieving I'm being watched by surveilence cameras. That was one particular delusion I experienced for about two days, but it annoyed me to see it form the backbone of my care plan. Why not just say the aim is to prevent me becoming psychotic again? Even as I'm writing this now, I realize I'm not explaining it very well. Any other bipolars who have experienced psychosis find the same problem?
I keep wanting to talk it through with someone who understands. I may make an appointment to see my old counsellor because I feel that is the framework that would be most supportive of my perspective. She was a big fan of R.D. Laing's work on Schizophrenia and psychosis, so I think she'd be on the right wavelength. Then there's the spiritual persepctive. My social worker suggested I attend at retreat at Throssel Hole Buddhist Abbey to deal with that side of things http://www.throssel.org.uk/. She even printed off an application form for me. We're meant to be going up for a visit any time I want, but I haven't felt up to it yet. It completely changed my worldview, like a tornado ran through my life - terrifying yet a wonderful display of nature's power, and I wish I could share that with someone.
Q
poster:Quintal
thread:818118
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20080226/msgs/818118.html