About
March 21, 2007 — patientanonymousI am interested in all things psych and neuro and medicine in general, actually. I love research and am fascinated by how the body works…but my chemistry kind of sucks.
Oh and um, Jeopardy and anime *grin* I’m not very good at describing myself.
I am not a professional (well, maybe a professional nutbar, loony, fruitcake etc…) but I have been through a lot over the years so I may have something valuable to offer.
I welcome any comments and/or questions.
I posted this earlier on but so you don’t have to dig for it, my diagnoses are Bipolar Disorder, ADD, Seizure Disorder (Simple Partial Seizures, plus one Complex Partial Seizure in 2007) and Migraines.
Oh, and I live in Canada. If geographical locations are pertinent details to you. But I may come off sounding like I’m from the UK sometimes due to hanging around so many UK bloggers. Imitation is the highest form of flattery? I do have a problem with non-conscious mimicry so if you get me in the room with someone from the UK I’ll pick up the accent like that.
And I’m female. If that’s important at all as well…
Right, then…
You can reach me via: patientanonymous (at) gmail (dot) com
Oh, and one other thing. I posted when I started this blog about all the meds I’ve taken here. If you have any questions about them, please ask!
Edit: As of June 2006, in case you are wondering who “Merlin” is, he’s my psychiatrist…oh, and I won’t change the date as it’s a little complicated but I actually have two psychiatrists so the other one is Merlin #2 (thus making Merlin now Merlin #1…)
June 26, 2007 at 11:25 pm
Did a search on my handle and came across a message from ya… I think anyhow. Something about a comment I might have posted somewhere…however I have no idea what I said. Drop me a note…see if we can figure this out.
June 26, 2007 at 11:59 pm
Hi Mastabattas, I had to Google you as your name did sound familiar and nothing came up in my search in this blog. I left you a message on my old Blogger blog re: a post I had made after I migrated to WordPress. I believe you had said something with regard to a post I made and you had brought the post to light as part of a message forum you belong to.
Yes, you did! Who would have thought keeping my old Blogger blog up for so long would have served a purpose! The thing is, your comment never made it over with the migration as you sneaked it in while I still had both blogs running at the same time.
I will email you a link to the post I wrote in question. I should probably have a peek at your blog too as I’ve been trying to find some good paramedic/EMT blogs for a while.
Take care and nice to hear from you again,
PA
July 18, 2007 at 8:42 pm
I’m pretty sure you’ve noticed that I like to put an image along with the feeds in my sidebars — I find it drives traffic to the sites and it makes my site look cool without any effort on my part… so I was updating Salted and I was wondering if you’ve got an image (I know you’re protecting your anonymity, but some people hide — like “Sex In Canada” — their faces behind a fan or something) I’d really appreciate having an image with your RSS on my site. If not, don’t worry about it, the Feed stays regardless.
If you’re into it my email address is feartheseeds@yahoo.ca… the image should look best at h225px by (max) v168px.
July 18, 2007 at 11:30 pm
Hey feartheseeds, will email email you…thanks. You’re cute.
August 28, 2007 at 6:33 pm
Caught you over at Dame Wiggy. I’ve read a few of your posts here. Great blog. I think most of us bloggers are to some extent certifiable–but maybe that’s because we’re the ones who tried to get treatment?
August 28, 2007 at 6:48 pm
Hi WhoreChurch, nice to meet you. Well this is quite a coincidence as I was just over on your blog. But I got a little sidetracked by one of your…*ahem*…links.
I’m sure you can figure out which one?
Thank you for the compliment on my blog, though. I very much appreciate that. I’ll try and get my attention redirected from “The Itch”–alright I gave away the link–and come back to you!
Take care,
PA
December 18, 2007 at 4:15 pm
Hi. I have been reading your blog-very nice. I, too, have a strong interest in psychology and neurology. It’s nice to hear from a patient who isn’t totally anti-psychiatry. BTW- I don’t mind if you sound a little brittish
December 18, 2007 at 10:31 pm
Hi paulie11, nice to meet you and thank you for reading me and taking the time to leave a comment. Thanks as well for liking my blog. That means a lot. It is comments like yours that keeps me going.
If you have been following along recently, I have been having a rough time blogging and keeping up with fellow bloggers…wow, I used to read so many.
I almost feel ashamed.
No, I am not a patient that is anti-psychiatry. I mean, I know what I need. However, I certainly won’t judge or chastise what someone else might think or feel that they might wish to do with their brain or mind?
I am completely open to discussion–as long as it remains civilized and respectful. We all have differing points of view? But by no means do we have to sink to tearing off strips if you get my meaning. I can not stand bullshit in the blogosphere. Even though I speak quite freely and it may not be to everyone’s palate, I am not rude to my readers or commenters.
And thanks for not minding me sounding like a Brit. *grin* I know a lot of my other readers don’t. It’s rather strange for a wee Canuck like me having a majority UK following but that’s just how it is…
Funny, that.
December 24, 2007 at 2:58 am
Merry Christmas Purple ninJAH, I hope you find some peace with your family over the Season.
From me to You:
Dear Editor—
I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, “If you see it in The Sun, it’s so.” Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?
Virginia O’Hanlon
Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the scepticism of a sceptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The external light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.
Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies. You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.
You tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.
No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives and lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
December 24, 2007 at 9:54 am
Thank you Gabriel…… *crying*
Hugs,
PA
January 22, 2008 at 1:39 am
Good morning PatspeedphreakAnon… you’re going to have to back up a bit and explain a few details you left out of the emails you sent, I feel like I just read chapters 3, 6 and 10 of a twelve chapter book.
January 22, 2008 at 10:18 am
Hi Gabriel…, yes…I shot you a whole whack of information in a very short time, didn’t I? I’m not sure what else I can tell you from what is there?
I’ll send you more and you can let me know if you have any questions?
March 7, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Hey ninJAH… I need your “I’m a NINJAH MOTHERFUCKER” help. WP says Bell is fucking with my life… so I need to know if Anything is slowing your surfing down and what ISP are you using then, please, go here and read this: http://saltedlithium.wordpress.com/2008/03/07/504
In the Forums they’re basically saying it’s up to Bell users to convince Bell to change something… me no like-ee.
March 7, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Hi Gabriel…, okay, I’ll skip over to your link but right off the bat, whatever WP is saying doesn’t sound like it makes any sense at all!
WTF?!
I don’t use the same ISP and I am surfing just tickety-boo.
March 20, 2008 at 7:48 am
Hey, I was surfing in the shallow end and found something I thought would offer you a lot of hope for a better tomorrow…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ndUb-wwDA0
March 20, 2008 at 10:22 am
HAHAHA Gabriel…, I actually accidentally closed my browser tab after watching that… I swear, It’s because I haven’t had my tea yet *laughing*
Although, I didn’t find her that attractive anyway… Despite the action, looks are important–that may make me sound shallow but…sorry! So is the person’s brain.
A lot to ask for? I don’t think so.
Hmmm… I wonder if I could compete with that?
*PA ponders*
I’ve never had any complaints so far *wink*
March 25, 2008 at 7:50 am
The person’s brain is always important, but you can’t train someone the kind of abilities the YouTube chick has… most people can be trained to read a book.
Did that person who left the comment on Dame Wiggy’s page ever apologize?
March 25, 2008 at 11:14 am
Hi Gabriel…, yes…brainy-brain! I was kind of curious if the Tube was somehow altered or manipulated…huh. Oh well, whatever.
The person. Apology. Are you referring to the person who commented back when I was pulling all the Spock stuff? If so, oh yes! I directed the person to the post on my blog and they thought it was funny and well written or something.
If not, did someone else make a nasty comment about me on dame’s blog? Please advise… *laughing*
You know me! I don’t ruffle feathers! Well, I try not to…maybe if something stupid falls out of my mouth but it’s always unintentional! I’m just goofy.
March 25, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Yeah, it was the Spock thing. I was over at Dame’s (who has gone missing again) and saw the “WTF” comment aimed at you… which pissed me off so I kind of left a message telling the person to apologize to you. As soon as I posted it I thought… “mmm… I wonder if she has already gotten an apology”. Oh well…
You’re not goofy, you use a lot of self depreciation on your blog, which can be goofy, but You’re not goofy.
March 25, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Hi Gabriel…, yep…all cleared up. She felt so bad about it actually and I was, “…no…no…!” Really, the whole comment was meant for dame and to give her a laugh. I thought she knew all about my whole “Spock thing/side of my personality.”
So dame’s gone AWOL, again? I haven’t been past her pad or anyone’s lately! I’m just fucking off a bit at work now and trying to do a bit of visiting but I’d rather be back home in bed! I hope she’s okay. Maybe just time for another break?
Well, I do use a lot of self-deprecation, indeed! I am, or can be, a little goofy in person! I have my serious side of course but…well, you’d have to meet PA, perhaps. She loves to laugh so if that means some silliness along the way? So be it!
April 1, 2008 at 12:53 am
I thought if you were in the mood for some physical exercise you could maybe use this… you might remember it from gym class.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e_gtv9SLvY
April 1, 2008 at 10:49 am
Oh Gabriel…, that is funny. Yes, we did do some of that crazy stuff in gym class although we were never in such close proximity to each other, never wore those clothes or bumped asses like in that one shot–as per the first point–close proximity *laughing*
We did do square dancing that required physical contact during certain classes. Nobody wanted to be PAs partner *PA hangs head at sad memories*
But back to the YouTube.
The music was different as well. They would play that song “Popcorn” a lot. “Doot-doot-doot-doot-doo-doo-doot…” I actually have a version by Kraftwerk.
Another bizarre thing. We were all gathered to do it first thing in the morning sometimes like we were under some wacky Communist regime or something! I guess they just wanted to teach us the importance of exercise? I don’t recall being brainwashed in any way… *laughing* Oh, that’s probably how it works, right? You don’t remember.
I don’t recall being abducted by aliens either but sometimes I do wake up with odd marks on my body… Oh, that’s probably me just going out and getting drunk and doing something stupid–and not remembering the next morning. Kidding.
April 6, 2008 at 7:06 am
I wish I had come up with the idea to call the shrink “Merlin.” Now I HAVE TO find something as catchy.
April 6, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Hi Sara, thanks for coming by and welcome–to you as well! I seem to be picking up some new visitors or (commenters at least.) Funny how that happens in spurts around here!
I don’t know if this is weird timing but I just visited you on Friday. However, I had to dash out of work so I didn’t have much time to read you. I’m going to have to bookmark you here as well on this crazy old computer as I don’t know if my old ones will stick after the data dump on my new MacBook when I go get it.
Anyway, if you didn’t find it elsewhere, as I explained in another post, “Merlin” came up as I wanted him to cast a spell over me with his “magic wand” and “fix me!” *laughing*
You take care and I’ll try and pop by and read you more soon.
PA
April 6, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Thanks for your work, I’ve posted a link to your blog here:
http://www.mindfreedom.org/kb/mental-health-blogs
A great thing about our opposing normality is that it does not exist.
April 6, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Geez PatAnon, I had no idea you were so closely affiliated with the “psychiatric survivors liberation movement” and I’ve read almost every post you’ve put up over the past year.
Seriously though, how’d you get on the mailing list of these anti-psychiatry nutjobs?
April 7, 2008 at 1:09 am
Hey Gabriel…, I don’t know. I was out for dinner when I got this comment so hey. I mean…blog mailing lists? Oh yeah! Heavy…give me a ring-a ding-ding!. Especially because of that last sentence:
“A great thing about our opposing normality is that it does not exist.”
I mean that kind of flipped my tiny lid but when I linked…meh…the site looks silly, innocuous, has this disclaimer…almost like a “fancy” Splogger site but I don’t know.
At this point…fucking link to me, read me…it’s not like I write wheeee! And great, if creaky, worse off–let’s-tell’em off…
Give them what they want? I’ll give you authourship if we could somehow send just to them?
Whadd’ya say?
April 7, 2008 at 1:56 am
It’s like they just flew through someone’s blogroll… Furious Seasons is on their list, so is Gianna’s site but they’re mostly anti-pill, not psychiatry but I think they grabbed you (ouch) mostly because of their list’s criteria: “Blogs on changing the mental health system, human rights and alternatives” and they posted this part of your About page: “all things psych and neuro and medicine medicine.”
I really have to post something about people like this… they keep insisting that thousands and thousands of people are being swept off the streets and subjected to electroshock therapy and medications totally against their will… but they can’t seem to put together a room full of these abuse victims. These MindFr33dom people read very much like they’re funded by the Sci3nce people.
I’d suggest killing the link, like just take the http-www out of it… I think they’re looking for attention.
April 7, 2008 at 10:51 am
Hi Gabriel…, oh yes…I am finally remembering your comment here as again…I was drunk when I got home. I’m just going to make a quick post about/aboot that now. Why bother working first thing on a busy Monday morning, right?
I went to their site (again, I did it last night when I was drunk…) and I remember these guys a touch…yes! They did the whole “Mad Pride” thing that I blogged about/aboot way back!
Now, I’m not really sure what to do here. I’m all about/b>aboot Freedom of Speech” (HA! I just about typed “Freedom of Speed”–I wonder if we can all take that as a med?) Still, I don’t know if I should remove the comment or alter it. Well, I’m not going to remove the comment–no. I don’t and never have, whether it’s a Splogger or even a troll (which I’ve never gotten anyway.)
But your observation is interesting that they picked up a whack of us!
I also like that they wrote “…medicine medicine.” I just had to check and make sure I didn’t make a damn typo on my “About”/Aboot page!
I kind of feel like leaving it as is since we’re having a nice discussion about/aboot it?
April 10, 2008 at 3:17 pm
keep moving… be silly … dance… wear funky clothes that don’t match, keep your pulse hoppin’.
xx
http://youtube.com/watch?v=nsETamxkT9E
April 10, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Oh, dw…I haven’t heard that in so long…it is actually making me smile and slightly laugh (but I can’t because of my state and my day)…and well…try to write about it… Oy.
Holy 90s…
Love you,
PA
April 19, 2008 at 5:14 pm
yeah, another tune. i was just taking the ‘girls’ for a listen and the lyrics made me think, yeah.. i should send this one to pa.
i hope you’re keeping tha’ faith, mama.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Cy2StJy3bHI
April 20, 2008 at 11:34 am
Thanks again, dw…I know, they are so awesome. I kind of stopped listening…well, stopped buying their CDs after “Swamp Ophelia.” I have every one they made up until then. But the music and the lyrics they write just blow me away. Maybe I should go looking for some more of their stuff.
Have you ever seen them live? I did once. If you get a chance and you haven’t, I strongly recommend it. You’ll be surrounded by a ba-jillion lesbians and some straight women that have dragged along, perhaps, reluctant male partners, almost like to a dreaded “chick flick.” *PA rolls eyes*
They are excellent, though. And because they are 99.8% acoustic, they just get up there and do their stuff. They “sound” as they “sound.” They might throw in a bit of variance of harmony or some ad lib/off the cuff stuff in a song but…
Have you ever been to a show where you’ve bought the band’s/performer’s CD or album and they just absolutely suck live? I mean, what a disappointment. Not these guys–girls (haha)–whatever.
And I really love “Kid Dreams” from their second album (which so many people think is their first–self-titled) where Michael Stipe steps in there. As you of course know, both bands are from Georgia.
PA loves, loves, loves both. And she’s seen R.E.M. as well. Twice, actually–both for free!
May 2, 2008 at 10:36 pm
I was prescribed Seroxat (paxil) , it made me very ill..
Check out my blog about this poisonous med..
Thanks..
http://truthman30.wordpress.com/
May 3, 2008 at 12:18 am
“Unproven pseudoscience nonsense.”
“Seroxat is a lobotomy in pill form”
“…you are seven times more likely to kill yourself if you take Seroxat…”
“Seroxat Holocaust , The Second Wave”
“Seroxat : The Mental Health Thalidomide”
Oh yeah, this guy seems reasonable. I love how these groups use the same links, the same sources and the same language then they’ll deny they’re a group. Even the comments feel faked. If you do decide to look at TM30’s blog you’ll find references to his dislike of everything anti-depressant, not just Paxil.
How come you get all the fun manic depression haters?
May 3, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Hi truthman30, thanks for stopping by my blog. I must say I have never seen a blog that is so focused upon one med! Wow. I also checked your “About” page and read some of your comments. Did you notice that quite a few were spam? I actually recognised some of them as I had received them as well–they are sites semi-related to car dealerships.
True, some of these meds can come with side effects that are rather bothersome but I don’t know if they will kill you. I’d remain more on the side that if you have a serious mental illness and if you didn’t take the meds that you needed, you’d be in a position where you might kill yourself–been there, attempted that. However, that’s just me. And maybe a few other people might feel the same way?
Hi Gabriel…. I always look at other peoples’ blogs when they comment if they have one. Just out of curiosity to see what they are about and what the writers have to say. Also, I’m a silly little bugger and want to know if they’ve blogrolled me *laughing* Well, no! Really! If they have, then I like to say thank you and then come back and have a read. Or even if they haven’t blogrolled me, they still might have good things to say.
I know…I do seem to attract some goodies, don’t I? I am not quite sure why. I definitely do have my stance on meds and mental craziness. However, I am not militant. I have said many times that if someone chooses to stop taking meds, that is fine. And we all know Furious Seasons and what he has to say. I’m on his blogroll! And he’s not all crazy anti-med! Even he says so.
I will also admit that these folks are at least polite. That is a good thing. I’m not getting anyone screaming at me or any trolls (oooh…did I just jinx myself?) Well after all, as said above, PA is not militant and she is a “polite blogger?” Taking the Canadian stereotype over to her blog? And PA is polite by nature anyway.
Hell, she would even be polite to a troll!
June 20, 2008 at 2:41 am
Thanks for the comment on my blog. :) That guy scratchin’ his head… that’s me. That was the cover of the fourth grade science journal when I taught fourth grade a couple of years ago!
Cheers!
Sean
June 20, 2008 at 3:01 am
Hey swvalley/Sean, nice to meet you and thanks for popping over and responding back. Wow, that’s awesome that picture is you. I am so impressed. It is, again, a fantastic photo!
I’m wondering, did you take it? I’ve tried to do self portraits and sometimes…
…well, with photography you usually have to shoot a lot to get a “good shot” but even more to get a great shot.
I think yours is GREAT. Even better that it was published when you were teaching. What a better way to relate to your students!
Definitely Hugs,
PA