Mdf Darlington's Weblog

Meetings in March and April

mdfdarlington — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 16:26:52 +0000

29th March – Mark Graham from Mental Health Matters (To be confirmed).

26th April - Speaker on the subject of care plans – from the Care Programme Approach (CPA) department (To be confirmed).

All meetings are at St Cuthbert’s Church Hall, Market Place, Darlington and take place from 7 – 9 pm.

Article by Dennis Haithwaite

mdfdarlington — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 16:15:12 +0000

Dennis wrote this article for the Rethink Co. Durham Newsletter. Here, he talks about Manic Depression from the carer’s point of view.

In the beginning there was nothing, I knew nothing and I didn’t want to know, so what was there already, have changes been made. I was on a learning curve, in a passage of time, what is this mental health all about, Care, Containment, understanding.

Over 25 years ago there was no qualifications or training, just like politicians you had to be there. No help from the establishment (I didn’t think they were particularly well versed in their approach to be helpful – a little scared of breaching rules or confidentiality or some such thing). But I was there, I got the Job. No Pay. No Holidays, No Help – all the blame, inflexible working hours 24 hours 365 days, find or fend for yourself, find your own information, you start now.

How things have changed with the advent of modern technology and information. The analysis of famous historical figures where it is suggested that some of their remarkable achievements were due to an inspiration in mental abberation. This together with the courage of many prominent people able and willing to write, talk and recount the numerous incidents which befall those who have a mental illness condition or breakdown; and to bring to the general public that a sufferer of a mental health problem is just as valuable a person as everyone else and can contribute to society. Times are definitely changing - official organisations and bodies, first-line staff are now on a very common sense approach and like us all the best we can do is not yet good enough. We must be better in supplying Hope, Compassion and Love.

January/February Newsletter

mdfdarlington — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 16:12:57 +0000

December’s speakers were representatives of ICAS, the Independent Complaints Advocacy Service. They gave an interesting presentation on the support they give to patients who wish to make a complaint about their treatment or services, and the ways in which feedback and complaints can result in improvements in services. You can contact them on 0300 456 8348.

At the January meeting Nick presented the annual accounts and lots of cake and biscuits were eaten.

This year’s annual meal was at Maxine’s restaurant at Bannatyne’s Hotel.

There will be a separate meeting to discuss the Not So Manic Now DVD project in March or April– more details will be sent to you nearer the time. SUIS will be on board and Darlington Borough Council are allowing us to film on High Row provided notice is given.

Please bring back any books you have!! We don’t have many left and other members would like to read them.

EastEnders consult MDF for Bipolar storyline

mdfdarlington — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 16:03:09 +0000

MDF members have been assisting Lacey Turner – who plays Stacey Slater in EastEnders - with her current storyline. In the popular soap, Stacey is diagnosed with Bipolar disorder just as her mother had some years before. The scriptwriters and editors worked with MDF to ensure that the portrayal of Bipolar was sympathetic and accurate.

The portrayal of mental illness in soap operas is not so new however – remember the when the character Joe Wicks in EastEnders had a schizophrenic episode? I remember that it was enthusiastically received by people with schizophrenia at the time.

There is evidence to show that the storyline has encouraged young people to seek help for bipolar mood swings – apparently the number of 18-24 year olds seeking help for Bipolar has doubled in recent months. Bipolar disorder is often first diagnosed at this age (I know I was!) so this encouragement can only be a good thing.

Meeting Details

mdfdarlington — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:54:12 +0000

Apologies for the incorrect dates printed in the last Newsletter!

26th October – General discussion, including about how we want to update the video.

30th November – Speaker: to be confirmed

December – No meeting, Merry Christmas!

January 25th – TBA

All meetings are at St Cuthbert’s Church Hall, Market Place, Darlington and take place from 7 – 9 pm.

On the Management of Spoons

mdfdarlington — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:42:44 +0000

Ok, more than a few of you will have looked at this title and said ‘Huh?’ So, allow me to explain myself. ‘Spoon theory’ is one woman’s attempt to describe the experience of living with hidden illnesses and disabilities – in her case, Lupus. But the theory can be just as easily be applied to mental illnesses.Christine Miserando, owner of www.butyoudon’tlooksick.com came up with Spoon Theory in response to her friend asking her what it was like to be sick. Feeling frustrated about how to get her point across, she suddenly came up with an idea. They were in a cafe, so Christine went and grabbed every spoon she could find, and gave them to her friend. She explained that the spoons represented the limited amount of energy that she had each day to do the things she wanted to do, and each activity had a certain cost in ‘spoons’. For instance, having a bath, or even just getting out of bed, might cost a spoon - or two. I’m sure we can all relate to this if we think of the days when we are depressed. Once you have spent your ‘spoons’, they are gone. When I am depressed, I have to make choices about what I want to get done with the energy I have. I can go to the shops, or have a bath, but I might not have enough energy or motivation to do both. I might have to prioritise household tasks – I have to put out the rubbish, but washing the dishes might have to wait.

Some spoons, yesterday

It might be possible for me to ‘borrow’ spoons, but that will leave me with less spoons tomorrow, and if I continually borrow spoons, pushing myself too hard, eventually I will grind to a complete halt. When I am feeling ‘buoyant’ and very optimistic I may have more spoons than usual, due to the increase in energy. But if my mood escalates towards hypomania, I may suddenly feel as if I have an unlimited spoon supply! But they turn out to be made of flimsy plastic, and borrowed against the future – so I soon find myself coming back down again. My moods are fairly well controlled these days – finding the right medication(s) helps enormously – so I don’t have far to fall and I don’t stay ‘up’ very long. I still have to continually strive to manage my energy and motivation. If I am depressed, it helps to do as much as I can without tiring myself too much. If I am feeling high, I need to slow down a little and not act as if I have unlimited ‘spoons’. I call this ‘Spoon Optimising’ !

The Spoon Theory is just one way of describing an aspect of managing Bipolar disorder – there are many others. Maureen, Claire and Jean raised money a while ago to help fund a self management course in Darlington, and Claire is trained to facilitate such a course. We are looking at ways of bringing this course to Darlington – fund raising ideas etc. are most welcome.

You can find information about the Self Management Training Course at www.mdf.org.uk/index.aspx?o=56979

Find out more about the Spoon Theory at www.butyoudontlooksick.com/the_spoon_theory

DVD News

mdfdarlington — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:30:25 +0000

Production of the updated ‘Not So Manic Now’ DVD is now under way as it has been re-digitised from the VHS video and ‘sliced’ for editing in order to update the logos and contact details etc. Last month we discussed whether or not we wanted to film an entirely new section looking at how things have changed over the last 12 years.
My own thoughts are that it would be good to look at developments in medication and treatment, plus I think it would be a good idea to interview the public - as happened in 1997 – to see how public perceptions of manic depression/Bipolar disorder have changed. Bring your thoughts and ideas along to the next meeting.

October ’09 Newsletter

mdfdarlington — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:26:17 +0000

September saw us move our meetings from Darlington Mind to St Cuthbert’s Church Hall, and I for one was relieved to find that we still had tea and coffee making facilities – plus cake and biscuits. All in all, I think the group’s impression of our new meeting space was favourable – if you have any concerns, let us know.
Our visiting speaker was Michelle McMeekin, the author of Poles Apart which is a memoir of her experience of Bipolar Disorder. The group found her talk both interesting and informative and hope to see her again in the near future, as she lives locally. Some members continued on to the karaoke in the nearest pub (The Nag’s Head, if you’re interested…)
Hope to see you all at the October meeting.

Book review of “Poles Apart” by Michelle McMeekin

mdfdarlington — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:23:12 +0000

One of the best autobiographies of bipolar illness I have read, partly because I could relate to a lot of the experiences she went through.

From becoming unwell in her teens and struggling to work whilst suffering with this illness, to experiencing time in a psychiatric hospital & coping with the delusion of imminent death. Also as she lives locally it made it even more real.

It is written in a very easy to read way, plus it is relatively short and would appeal to anyone with an interest in mental illness not just bipolar.

By Jane Fell.

Change of venue for MDF Darlington

mdfdarlington — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:18:18 +0000

Sadly July’s barbecue was our last meeting at Mind. However, Gary Emerson the CEO of Darlington Mind has kindly offered to pay for a year’s room hire for the group. From now on we will be meeting on the last Monday of the month at:

St. Cuthbert’s Church Hall
The Market Place
Darlington
DL1 5QG