The Doctor is In

Night Off

I think I'll have a night off. Actually, I typed in a whole spiel but it got lost on the way to the server. Too bad. Anyway, I'm listening to "Folk, Roots and Acoustic" on Radio 2. Salsa Celtica!. Cool. It's a crazy mixed-up world we live in, don't you think so? See you. Alan.

More below:-

Actually, I'll write a bit: it's late and I've just been on the phone discussing the relative merits of Asperger's and schizophrenia. I know that they're both nasty, horrible things. It's a scary business altogether. So much so that I've developed a very dry, rather cheeky humour as a counter to the harsh reality of illness. Anyway, it's not so important what gets called what. The important thing is to move towards good health. And really if something like a diagnosis helps then it can be used to achieve the aim of recovery. I have to say that it's taken a few years for me to come round to that particular point of view. And I did try to shake off the whole notion of being ill at first. Like most folk, I think I learn from experience. And I've had a lot of helping hands along the way. And it ain't over yet....

"Illness" or "condition"? It's the same kind of choice - whatever helps the case along; whatever the patient feels comfortable with (at least, up to a point. I well remember the first time I saw "psychotic" written on a piece of paper with my name at the top of it. Man, I nearly jumped out of my skin! But, you know, it was correct). Like I say, it's a funny old game this psychiatry....

Ah well, have a good night. Sleep well.

P.S. Blimey! I've just been reading one of the other blogs and it is scary stuff. I'm considerably chastened. It's all to easy to forget what an excrutiating trial it is for other folk when somebody goes over the edge. Trying to look after a psychotic person must be unendurable at times. Then again it's no joy ride being there in the middle of it all either. What a world we live in.

Posted by alan at April 7, 2004 08:26 PM