Being Mentally Normal: The Theory and The Actuality

[Mitchy1nge]

we must be on part 11 or something by now?

Star cat = stables cat

That's good to hear, caulk

I hope you succeed in your goal Snowy.

I don't know why email isn't more common as a way of keeping in touch with CMHTs/CPNs etc. - it's cheap, convenient for those who have it, easier for some people than phones (because phone calls can be so stressful), you can sit and make sure you're saying everything you're wanting to say and that you've understood what the other person is saying, there's a paper/evidence trail to avoid the whole "you said you'd do such and such", "no I didn't" stuff, you can answer emails whenever is convenient rather than when the other person has decoded to contact you, lower pressure...

I know that lots of people who use services don't have their own access to the internet of are not comfortable with computers but still it would be really handy to be able to stay in touch via email.

I have a feeling it's because people might have issues with boundaries, and send too many emails.

I agree, I'm very lucky that my CPN accepts email. My old psychiatrist did too, the new one doesn't. It's much easier than phoning/leaving messages.

Is anyone watching the voice? Am on delay so can't join the thread but there has been these crazy twins on and I want to share the gossip with someone!

Good point, Caulk, though that's an issue with phone calls too, and at least with e-mail it's easy for the recipient to set up filtering rules and say to the client, "I will check for e-mails from you twice a week, and otherwise I won't be able to see them as they go to a special folder" or something similar.

I'm watching the voice, feel free to gossip!

Yep Snowy I agree - with phone messages, you can never be sure they're getting through. And I hate imposing on someone to pass on a message

I'm not watching The Voice.

Snowy- the twins! What?! I don't know how delayed I am, but seriously, what!! They were THE SAME and mirror image and stuff.

Yes, bizarre! More weirdos coming up in two or three person's time.

Ooh ok, thanks. I need low quality background TV and this is that!

Me too

I'm at 300kcal over my goal today and haven't even had dinner yet I'm just ridiculously overshooting every day. Can't wait to get off my antidepressant - but last time I tried cutting down, my depressive warning signs started coming back. Does anyone know how long it's normal to stay on a maintenance dose for after you've recovered from depression?

You'll hate it but...

6months.

Enpoid Weight gain is one of the most depressing side effects, I think.

I suppose it beats "for life", which was how long I was told I would need to be on olanzapine/depakote/escitalopram/procyclidine/pizotifen magical weight-gain combo (remember briefly touching 20 stone on that regime).

The psych I saw said long-term maintenance dose might be as low as 15mg a day, but that was before I went a bit high on it and they insisted I taper down rapidly, and depressive symptoms started to come in when I went below 30mg a day. 30 a day is good; I'm high-side normal (slightly talky, dancy, singy, but not too much) but the excessive sleeping and eating is so disruptive.

6 months, though? I could easily put back half the 7 stone I've spent a year losing.

Sorry, don't mean to monopolise thread babbling on about weight.

I have a few friends who are GPs and they have always said that it's 6months after you think you want to come off them, if that makes sense.

I imagine it'll vary though if you're just on it for depression or other stuff.

You're not monopolising the thread.

I suspect my pet retired GP would say the same thing. Am only on it for depression so with any luck "only" six months is right.

Thanks Snowy

I definitely get the award for thread monopolisation, don't try and steal it!

you didn't see me at my wimbliest back in October then

I had my own thread then, remember? I still do too