Cocooning

Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated… It’s been quite a long time, and while the reason is valid, I’m still disappointed in myself — because when one is miserable, well, that’s the best time to write, isn’t it? Because who ever heard of a completely healthy, happy, well-adjusted writer? Was Charlotte Brontë out […]

Like Mother Like Daughter — Generational Mental Illness

I’ve been absent here because I’ve been working on a new project — videos. I’m not sure why I got into it, but now that I am, I’m all in. It’s partially because my hands are in just a ton of pain with the Ehlers Danlos related arthritis, but also it’s an interesting exercise in […]

The Narcissist and the Sociopath Vs The Garden Variety Arsehole – PT 1

I’m sick to death of the Narcissist trend currently saturating pop culture psychology today. Not everyone who won’t commit, cheats on you, abuses you, or simply doesn’t call you back is a Narcissist. NPD is an actual diagnosis, given by a mental health professional, and neither you nor I can armchair diagnose someone just for […]

Time Tattooed Onto Your Skin – Life Advice from a So-Called Psychopath

They say time waits for no oneYou couldn’t be more wrongTime is patient, like a hunter waiting forYou to come along Even if I give you the outOf not knowing what the fuck this is about We should raise a ghost armyVolunteer ghosts, enlisted ghostsHelp the living help the dead with their tools We’ll tattoo […]

Pretty Pimpin’

I woke up one morning, didn’t recognize the man in the mirrorThen I laughed, and I said, “Oh, silly me, that’s just me”Then I proceeded to not comb some stranger’s hairNever was my style But I couldn’t tell you what the hell it was supposed to mean‘Cause it was a Monday, no Tuesday, no Wednesday, […]

“I’ve Got a Garbage Brain, It’s Drivin’ Me Insane…”

It’s now month two on the all new psych meds, Sports Fans, and after a few tweaks, and having to titrate down on the Gapapentin — culprit of making me wanting to eat ALL THE THINGS, and therefore gaining thirteen pounds…thats right, THIRTEEN, within just a month — all the changes has got my brain […]

Comment on Painkiller Jane, Immolation Monday by The Mindful Migraine Blog

Comment on Painkiller Jane, Immolation Monday by Monday

In reply to <a href="https://psychomoxie.wordpress.com/2024/06/22/painkiller-jane-immolation-monday/comment-page-1/#comment-638">The Mindful Migraine Blog</a>. That would be fantastic! And, we both have to be strong, it's part of what chronic pain does -- makes a person very resilient, strong, and more mature than a lot of people who take things for granted, I think. Yay you, as well! xo

Comment on Painkiller Jane, Immolation Monday by The Mindful Migraine Blog

In reply to <a href="https://psychomoxie.wordpress.com/2024/06/22/painkiller-jane-immolation-monday/comment-page-1/#comment-637">Monday</a>. Migraine is a roller coaster for sure - I'm on hormones, betablockers and Botox to try to slow them down but they do their own thing... here's hoping someone hurries up and comes up with a cure!! Keep being brave and strong, you're super resilient and I think that's awesome - yay you. xx

Comment on Painkiller Jane, Immolation Monday by Monday

In reply to <a href="https://psychomoxie.wordpress.com/2024/06/22/painkiller-jane-immolation-monday/comment-page-1/#comment-636">The Mindful Migraine Blog</a>. Oh, it certainly is! As someone who takes topiramate daily for migraines after YEARS of being told "it's just sTrEsS", I absolutely hear you. I hope you're doing well, and cheers!

Comment on Painkiller Jane, Immolation Monday by The Mindful Migraine Blog

Here's cheers to you "pretty damn ok" life! May the joy outweigh the pain. (Chronic migraine, often dismissed and demoralized patient) Linda xox

A Narcissist and a Sociopath Walk Into a Bar…

I just had an amusing situation come up yesterday, and because so many people are convinced absolutely EVERYONE is a narcissist these days, I thought I’d give an example of how a real person with NPD (and some other comorbidities) actually acts, in the real world. First of all, most of them aren’t going to […]

Painkiller Jane, Immolation Monday

Two days ago, I finally, FINALLY got in to see a Pain Doctor — after years of being out here with absolutely no pain meds aside from the herbal stuff I ordered every week or so online. And let me tell you, it was the most validating, edifying experience I have ever had, with the […]

Comment on Insomnia, Brain Chemistry, and the Pink Insanity Spiders by Monday

In reply to <a href="https://psychomoxie.wordpress.com/2024/06/21/insomnia-brain-chemistry-and-the-pink-insanity-spiders/comment-page-1/#comment-622">Envelope7</a>. Thanks so much for commenting -- it's absolutely the definition of insanity, as well as condescension, to me when psychiatrists pull that sort of nonsense on their patients. SURELY he has realized that his refusal of sleep meds results in dangerous hypo-somnia, which leads to psychosis? I was in school to be a psychiatric nurse (they tend to be far more educated about meds, I've noticed, and work more closely with patients) before I had to quit school -- and I noticed that there was a tendency towards arrogance in the population of students who were going on to become full-on psychiatrists. I wonder sometimes if some of these people get into the field in order to exert some kind of control over people's minds... And not to bandy about an overused term, but there's a lot of narcissism in that field, as well. Where you tend to get a better breed of doctor is in the public service sector, I've noticed. They work with underprivileged people by choice, and that says something, in my opinion. But even then, you just never know. I would suggest changing doctors, but it seems you keep running into the same issue. That has been my problem with getting proper pain meds for my Ehlers Danlos, up until -- coincidentally enough -- two days ago, when I finally went to a Pain Specialist doc, who gave me opiates. NOBODY will prescribe them anymore in the States, since the so-called "Opioid Crisis". It's ridiculous to refuse people meds that will improve their quality of life when they truly need it. I'm sorry you are going through that. But, it's good, at least, that even though you've had to do all the heavy lifting yourself to get some modicum of control over your insomnia, that you're getting some relief, of sorts. I wish you all the luck!

Comment on Insomnia, Brain Chemistry, and the Pink Insanity Spiders by Envelope7

Wow I’m so bloody grateful for this post of yours- I relate to a colossal degree, and the torture of insomnia, fuelled by the episodes of mania which my younger self once excluded any notion of it being a problem, due to the perks of being (in my own mind), highly productive, motivated, talkative and capable, yet now I have realised that the cycles and their accompanying symptoms are far from helpful. Just recently, I’ve had a terrifying experience after the mania lasted 2 sleepless weeks, and subsequently, I suffered severe seizures, followed by an extraordinarily detailed and memorable week of psychosis. Despite this, psychiatrists have still continued to refuse prescribing me zopiclone, which after 12 years of being one this sleeping medication, I am undoubtedly reliant upon it to even have a prayer at an hour’s sleep. I have learned that the only feasible solution when faced with the relentless periods of ceiling staring demise, is to simply keep busy, write (if concentration will permit it), create highly psychedelic art, and music. To then be lectured about sleep hygiene by a psychiatrist who literally likened sleeping tablets to heroin, is infuriating to say the least. One thing I do try is to at least fill out daily ‘time blocker’ sheets, where I can plan (optimistic) activities, colour code them, rate the extent of mania and depression each day, and even if I manage to follow and complete one or two of the planned tasks, it’s a step towards winning. I thought that this idea was totally futile and pointless to begin with, but now I’ve started to get into a habit of it, I can say it’s given me back a hint of control and insight into what the fuck is going on in my mind, basically! Great to read your post!

Insomnia, Brain Chemistry, and the Pink Insanity Spiders

Insomnia and I have had a long and tumultuous relationship – you might even say it’s co-dependent, like a bad marriage. If I were to anthropomorphize my brain (it really hates that) in the throes of a Bipolar Hypomania episode (“episode”, like this were some cute TV show, say the Honeymooners, and my brain is Ralph […]

Who…Are…You? What the Caterpillar Said To Alice About Identity And Insanity

The worst thing about writing a mental health blog, and being an advocate for mental illness and Cluster B disorders is the impression you give people that you define yourself entirely by your Brain Cooties. People with mental illness are criticized enough as it is, for being disingenuous about their symptoms, trying to garner sympathy; […]

Comment on Come To The Cabaret… by Monday

In reply to <a href="https://psychomoxie.wordpress.com/2023/11/17/come-to-the-cabaret/comment-page-1/#comment-611">Twindaddy</a>. Lol, I hear you -- I've always ascribed to my Pop's life philosophy -- that even the exasperating shit is all part of the adventure.

Comment on Come To The Cabaret… by Twindaddy

In reply to <a href="https://psychomoxie.wordpress.com/2023/11/17/come-to-the-cabaret/comment-page-1/#comment-610">Monday</a>. Ha! Not sure 'wonderful' is the term I'd choose to describe it, but it's the lie I tell myself anyhow.

Comment on Come To The Cabaret… by Monday

In reply to <a href="https://psychomoxie.wordpress.com/2023/11/17/come-to-the-cabaret/comment-page-1/#comment-609">Twindaddy</a>. It's a weird but wonderful place to be, innit? I wish the same for you, as well.