Chris

Chris is 50 and lives in Essex. He has a first in Theology from Oxford and was a teacher in the private and public sectors for many years.

Chris has bipolar disorder and retired from teaching after becoming very ill in 1997. He now manages his illness with medication and counselling and campaigns for people to better understand mental health problems.

Chris’ audio diaries for BBC Radio 4's "You and Yours" about bipolar disorder were shortlisted for the MIND Mental Health Media Awards in 2010.

Posts by Chris

Spirituality, Science and Mental Health

09 January 2012 | Posted by Chris | 2 comments

Topics: Someone who has experienced mental illness

Before I went so mad I had to retire, I was a religious education teacher. After I left the school I spent a long time unable to do very much, but once my medication kicked in and I'd got quite good at the old Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) I was able to work a bit. Her Majesty’s Government said I could work up to sixteen hours a week as long as I didn't earn more than £6 odd an hour; the national average is £12.50. Bitter? Me? Yes. But my sanctity enables me to overcome it. A strange way to start a blog on spirituality of course, but hang in there. I shall return to it.

Let's Talk about Sex

04 October 2011 | Posted by Chris | 5 comments

Topics: Someone who has experienced mental illness, Family and friends, Physical health

When Socrates was old, the story goes, he was asked what it was like not to be bothered by sex so much. 'It's like being unchained from a lunatic,' he replied. I'm not quite yet at the level of unchaining, though I have to say that the middle aged, potato-like body I now have to lug around with me does not get quite so frisky as it once did. It's a bit like having once had a puppy bouncing around full of play on your lap only to find that somehow while you haven't been looking he has grown into a lethargic old companion who just likes to lie there asleep, occasionally being let out for a pee. Actually I have stolen that metaphor, and I hope I will be forgiven for it.

Hate and Fear.

01 September 2011 | Posted by Chris | 1 comment

Topics: Someone who has experienced mental illness, Stigma and discrimination

' Yeah, but I don't count you as disabled. You seem to get to the pub all right. If you're that ill you shouldn't be 'ere.'

Bring on the Buffoon

14 July 2011 | Posted by Chris | 0 comments

Topics: Someone who has experienced mental illness, Stigma and discrimination

My month's prize for monstrous behaviour towards the mentally ill goes to the ridiculous clown that is Philip Davies MP. It was he, you might remember, who suggested that the disabled, including the mentally ill, should offer themselves for work at rates lower than the National Minimum Wage. I was a bit perplexed about the idea, so I decided to look into what public record has to say about Mr Davies in the hope of gaining some illumination.

We didn’t cause the economic crash...so why are we paying for it?

06 June 2011 | Posted by Chris | 3 comments

Topics: Someone who has experienced mental illness, Work and money, Stigma and discrimination, Social issues

I've spent a lot of this month being angry. Maybe many of us patients have, and perhaps for the same reason. Anyway, here's my beef.

Catherine Zeta-Jones: A reflection on the press coverage

03 May 2011 | Posted by Chris | 0 comments

Topics: Stigma and discrimination

Once again we have celebrity endorsement of bipolar disorder, and Catherine Zeta-Jones, as we are constantly being reminded, is brave to talk about it.