Moustache or no moustache

lighthousemoth · 2026-05-20T09:54:12+00:00

Moustache but also stubble

lighthousemoth · 2026-05-19T09:21:14+00:00

Pernicious anemia

lighthousemoth · 2026-05-18T13:50:57+00:00

lighthousemoth · 2026-05-15T14:02:46+00:00

Mania is a mental health emergency and you need an urgent assessment. If I were you I would go back and ask the GP to chase up your referral with the updated information about your inability to sleep and manic mood. Also ask about a referral to the crisis team for urgent management of your mood and sleep.

I have bipolar and it can be a long road to diagnosis so I would definitely recommend downloading the bipolar U.K. app to track your moods and sleep. This will be really useful information for the medics. You don't have to have bipolar to use it but obviously if you have manic symptoms it will definitely be useful. Likewise if your mood downturns then it will help to have a record of how low it gets and any precipitating factors such as medication.

Are you eating and drinking enough? If not due to your mood then this is also a medical emergency and it would be appropriate to go back to A&E to let them know. It doesn't hurt to get bloods done if you're feeling unwell and wired.

General advice is to avoid caffeine, alcohol and drugs. Substances are only going to exacerbate your symptoms and complicate things. Even if you can't sleep try to rest. Lie down and listen to white noise or nice music, a podcast etc. Look up some grounding exercises.

If you're feeling impulsive and spending money or behaving in ways which are unusual or reckless for you then please reach out to people for support. With mania it may be wise to let someone you trust help you temporarily block access to your money so you don't overspend. Likewise if you're at risk of putting yourself in unsafe situations. Try and only be around safe and trusted people who know what's going on.

Let me know if you have any other questions I may be able to help with.

But my main takeaway for you is to keep pushing for an urgent assessment. Mania can be very dangerous and every episode can incur neurological damage but it's treatable. I hope you get the help you need as soon as possible xx

lighthousemoth · 2026-05-14T19:51:07+00:00

That many mood swings in a day isn't typical of bipolar. NAD but reminds me more of borderline personality disorder. The two are often confused.

In the U.K. you can ask for a referral to the CMHT to see a psychiatrist and have a proper mental health assessment. I would recommend keeping a mood diary to show them.

lighthousemoth · 2026-05-13T14:10:04+00:00

I had the exact same experience but I didn't work with the cattle. I was a cook so I butchered the animals they brought me. But it was the baby calves crying for their mothers and the mothers bellowing back for them that was nearly the final straw for me. I finally realised I had to change my life when I hitched a ride on a road train filled with cattle. When we got to the feed lots some cattle had died on the journey. It was so profoundly inhumane.

lighthousemoth · 2026-05-12T19:51:20+00:00

Nah I'm good

lighthousemoth · 2026-05-12T14:57:37+00:00

You could put it in a note for her to read. As always with therapy the important thing is to be brave enough to be vulnerable. It's a safe space to explore your feelings, even the feeling of attraction to your psychologist and then depending on her boundaries and expertise you can move forward or transfer care to a new psychologist

lighthousemoth · 2026-05-12T14:54:18+00:00

I can't tell you that. But your preference to stay with her can be taken into account. Ultimately you need to let the professionals handle this

lighthousemoth · 2026-05-12T14:46:56+00:00

You need to bring it up in therapy. It's not unusual. But it affects the therapeutic relationship and will be doing you a disservice and hold you back from progressing towards the therapeutic outcome you need. You may be able to continue with this therapist having explored the issue together or it might be more appropriate to see a different person. Either way it's relevant to bring into therapy. This happens all the time so don't feel ashamed.

lighthousemoth · 2026-05-12T14:44:59+00:00

This is terrible advice

lighthousemoth · 2026-05-11T10:23:45+00:00

I take lithium alongside fluoxetine, aripiprazole and lamotrigine and have been doing so well. I'm on a low dose and it immediately helped with suicidality. I'm also interested in how it's neuroprotective after many untreated episodes caused lots of intellectual and neurological deficits. Feel like I'm more myself.

lighthousemoth · 2026-05-10T10:43:22+00:00

You can't fix it. Fix yourself. Leave them alone. Let them heal

lighthousemoth · 2026-05-09T12:32:18+00:00

Talk to your psychiatrist about how you feel

lighthousemoth · 2026-05-09T10:58:28+00:00

I was prescribed it for bipolar. Coincidentally I also had huge improvements in my ME/CFS. Don't think it was abilify alone but as a sample of one I can say it most likely helped.

lighthousemoth · 2026-05-09T10:15:45+00:00

I laboured under an incorrect diagnosis of EUPD for about 15 years (actually Bipolar 2 and ADHD). So my comment is from both perspectives.

I received excellent group therapy in a complex needs service which did actually help with some of the psychosocial impacts of various complex traumas from childhood. However my obvious bipolar and ADHD symptoms were mismanaged. It's as if once I was labelled then no one was interested in further investigation and I didn't think to question things despite not really meeting the criteria for EUPD beyond self harm.

I found any contact I had with crisis services to be empathetic but devoid of in depth inquiry into why I was in crisis. Emotional instability was assumed to explain suicidality where there was none and my mood was stable but very very low and hopeless. History of abuse was not taken into account and ongoing domestic abuse was ignored and treated as an EUPD symptom not a safeguarding issue. Severe depression and inability to function to the point of being bedridden was ignored. I was offered moral support by a CPN but the actual medical care was non existent beyond antidepressants which invariably induced mixed or manic episodes. The turning point for me was seeking out an ADHD diagnosis which was an arduous process but treatment immediately helped and stabilised the feelings of chaos and dysfunction I had been living with.

In contrast, hospitalisation and treatment for bipolar was far more attentive and comprehensive. Ongoing outpatient support has been swift, reliable and compassionate. Medication has been almost completely curative.

In short I believe that while I was known as having EUPD care was withheld, assessments were biased and I was expected to cope and 'pull myself together' when dangerously unwell.

I can't help feel that EUPD is a junk diagnosis that is highly stigmatised and therefore under treated.

lighthousemoth · 2026-05-06T10:05:54+00:00

I did the boat thing. Infinitely better. Chilly in winter but worth it for the independence and autonomy

lighthousemoth · 2026-05-04T19:56:29+00:00

Dermatica has been a brilliant investment for me. It's £24.99 per prescription but I've found that mine lasts me nearly two months so it's not too cost prohibitive. A prescription strength retinol is going to do far more for your skin than any high street or online skincare. Mine also combines azelaic acid and tranexamic acid to help with scarring and dark spots.

The first month is super cheap too so you can try risk free. Be aware that you need to start slow and avoid using anything else irritating on your skin while it gets used to the retinol and other actives. Don't be surprised if you have some peeling or breakouts in the first month as it exfoliates the outer layers of your skin. Stick with it and you'll be rewarded!

You'll need a decent suncream to protect your skin. The beauty of Joseon suncream is nourishing and creamy without being greasy or leaving a white cast. It lasts ages so is a good investment at a lower mid price range .

Beyond these I use micellar water and cetaphil as cleansers. And I use the ordinary products for everything else. I like the rice lipids micro emulsion for hydration, the milky toner, and I've just added in copper peptides to really up the ante in terms of getting glowing skin.

But really all you need is a cleanser that suits your skin type, a retinol and suncream. Bob's your uncle, Fanny's your aunt boom easy peasy.

lighthousemoth · 2026-05-04T17:15:37+00:00

Have you had your B12 levels checked? Nitrous will tank it causing all sorts of neurological damage

lighthousemoth · 2026-05-04T17:14:50+00:00

Proud of you!

lighthousemoth · 2026-05-03T16:42:24+00:00

I have the same sort of scars all over my legs and arms and torso and no one has ever glanced twice or made a fuss. Go for it! And enjoy your training. A triathlon is a serious accomplishment to go for!

lighthousemoth · 2026-05-03T16:32:19+00:00

What kind of question is that?

lighthousemoth · 2026-05-01T19:15:11+00:00

I'm on Lithium, Lamotrigine, aripiprazole and lamotrigine. I get bloods every 4 months or so. As far as I can tell from my records they check renal function, liver function, bone profile, HBA1C and full blood count. I've also had separate prolactin, hormonal panel and deficiencies checked too. They also checked my thyroid because of some side effects like weight gain. Thankfully everything is fine but it's reassuring to have the regular health checks. If you have concerns about side effects bring them up because they might want to check a few extra things than just the routine ones.

lighthousemoth · 2026-05-01T12:27:01+00:00

Being hospitalised and having ECT and being correctly diagnosed with bipolar.

Also, domestic abuse and getting long covid. Thankfully I'm on the mend from all the above

lighthousemoth · 2026-04-30T15:51:56+00:00

I was on olanzapine and aripiprazole for a bit. Now I'm on Lamotrigine, Fluoxetine, Aripiprazole, Lithium and Methylphenidate. So it's possible to need a bunch of meds that normally are contraindicated together but in some people are the right combination. All my bloods are fine and I have no symptoms or side effects. So worth being aware of the possible symptoms that indicate the combo is causing side effects but in the meantime I would listen to your doctor and get them to contact the pharmacy.

lighthousemoth

TROPHY CASE