Alec1

Wondering if anyone knows if having a firepit in garden would break any local laws? As in smoke. Have been considering making one, or buying one of those metal ones for sale in B&Q.

Unless you can get them into the 'system' no. I do know someone who has very complex mh issues and they are in total denial. It's the rest of the world that's unwell. perhaps having a word with your gp to see if they can support you. Contact MIND for support as well.

I'm with plusnet and mine went down around that time. Took about 20mins to get it back.

Plusnet have always been part of BT. I have been with them almost from the day they started. Wouldn't go with anyone else.

I would recommend Elm Lodge Surgery if you are within their catchment area.

Loz Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > - "oooh unless you've actually been a Southwark > bin man you have no right to judge" > - "oooh unless you've actually been parent of a > child running around the coffee shop you have no > right to judge" > - "oooh unless you've actually been a member of > the royal family you have no right to judge" > All of those examples are exactly right, I have no right to judge. Actually, unless you have walked in my shoes, you have no right to judge. Everyone has a right to an opinion, but make it an informed one.

You were protecting you and him.

that sounds hard Pugwash. I am glad that you have such a good relationship with him.

increase in usage of food banks. Those on benefits usually don't have extra money to spend on luxuries. So the electric, gas, food, rent, council tax, water goes up big time. What little they might have extra goes to pay the increse on those and then that in turn cuts into the money they have aside for food and other essentials. Delays in benefits are caused by many reasons, some are: a. payments not arriving in time, b. people being sanctioned for the stupidest of reasons, c. benefits being stopped due to ATOS deeming them fit to work when they aren't and then the claimant starting an appeal. Benefits stop during this appeal process. There are so many reasons why benefits are late. I could go on and on and on about this but one thing I feel very strongly about is, unless you have ACTUALLY lived on benefits without the support of family and friends then you have no right to judge. I am sick to death of people assuming that because you are on benefits that you are a scrounger as depicted on various TV programs and many newspapers which I wouldn't even use as emergency loo paper! Thankfully I am lucky, I have not had to use food banks, but if I had to I would.

potentially I wonder if you brother might resent your interference? I don't know how strong your bond is and I think it will be a case of damned if you do, damned if you don't! You need to find a way of gently suggesting it, not telling him what to do, but asking him how he feels about it all, try to help him find his own solution rather than pushing what you think and believe.

personally speaking her reaction will be the same regardless of BP. It sounds like she is incredibly selfish and quite juvenile and despite having BP is taking the p*ss. Having BP is no excuse for behaving badly. There is no other way to word this other than telling her, that's it. There is nothing more, if you want more go and earn it. She might well kick off and it might trigger some episode, but that is what Drs and Psychs are for. It sounds like you and your brother have more than enough to deal with. Telling her that she is loved making sure that aspect is reinforced but that he can no longer support her financially is all that can be said. How she takes that news is her problem and her responsibility, not anyone elses. How she deals with it is also hers. Take care of you and your family.

thanks for the reply, I know what you mean. I have tried online ones but find them too intrusive...sounds odd I know, but there are indirectly in my home via a screen! I wanted to see if a 'real life' one would be better. :-)

I am disappointed that noone else has come forward to enable the possibility of a local meet. Have been going through a long period of low and struggling still. Meeting others and being able to talk in a non judgemental group would be I think beneficial. Anyone?

My father had ect back in the late 60s early 70s. He has tinnitus (sp) and short term memory loss. He also has drug induced parkinsons after all the drugs he had to take....some of which have been long since withdrawn.

CBT is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. I had a short amount of this but found it unhelpful for my bi polar. Person centred counselling I found far more beneficial. ECT can be used but I think, think only in extreme cases. My father had it back in the 60's. He was left with tinnitus and memory issues.

strangely I have this too. It's either one of my gf's wires although she denies losing one! or it is something else. Either way I am sure I can hear it and I now get holes in my t-shirts (not moths!)

I would really like to take part in that. :-) I would prefer weektimes to be honest. Evenings are good. Weekends I wouldn't be able to do regularly and I think continuity, for me at least, is good!!!

Wouldn't it be good to have a local group rather than go to Beckenham? I too have bi polar. I don't go to support groups but have often thought about it. I don't medicate now, long story. It is tough. I have been 'well', i.e no major lows for about a year now. I have a lot of highs though. Thankfully not dangerous, just tiring. I have a lot of what I call low blips where I feel really crappy for short times. I would be happy to meet up. :-)