ON THE LEVEL World BipolarDay
Scotland’s e-magazine for people living with bipolar
Foreword / Spring 2025
Hi, everyone, and welcome to a new edition of On The Level!
Spring hasn’t quite fully sprung yet but I think we can all agree that the sunnier days are fair lifting the spirits, encouraging us to venture further outdoors to get those crucial mental health walks in (although still wrapped up in the big winter jacket and a beanie, of course). With April just round the corner, we can all look forward to longer, brighter days – and hopefully brighter moods. World Bipolar Day on March 30 is also peeking over the horizon; a yearly reminder to all that bipolar diagnosis, treatment and care needs –and absolutely deserves – its time in the spotlight, not just for one day, but all year round.
We’re highlighting ‘Real Lives, Real Voices’ in this issue, sharing creative writings by our members with lived experience. From uplifting poems and a raw, honest account of one man’s journey from ‘Clarity to Chaos – And Back’, to our resident writer David Carr’s thoughts on the UK government’s proposed welfare cuts, we’re showcasing the voices that truly matter this World Bipolar Day –yours.
Our members’ voices and experiences shape everything we do. We will continue to speak up for people in Scotland living with bipolar to confront stigma and challenge the government, policy makers and powers that be to do more. With this determined focus in mind, we’re planning an exciting event designed to shine a light on bipolar and its impact, becoming a catalyst for action in transforming bipolar assessment, diagnosis and treatment –and we want YOU to be a part of it. Turn to P6 to find out more…
We’re also tackling the delicate subject of meds and weight gain (an issue that comes up time and again in our support groups) on P8-9, while over on P2425 our friends at the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland are talking about Advance Statements and Named Persons. We don’t swerve the difficult subjects; being prepared to advocate for yourself – or having someone else you trust do it for you – can help to alleviate the distressing situation of being detained, should it ever arise.
As always, we hope you enjoy this latest issue and look forward to hearing your feedback. Don’t forget – if you have something you’d like to share with On The Level, please email editor@bipolarscotland.org.uk with the subject line ‘On The Level’. Our next edition will be out on Wednesday 28th May; we need all contributions in by Monday 12th May.
Sian Dolan Editor
“Will
this make me fat?” Alex Adam explores the subject of meds and weight gain.
Research Corner: Find out what’s happening with bipolar research across the world.
Edited by Jamie Stewart and Sian Dolan
Please note that the views and opinions expressed in On The Level are not necessarily those of Bipolar Scotland.
Submissions: If you would like to submit a piece of writing, a photo or an idea to be considered for future issues of On The Level, please get in touch with Sian Dolan (editor@bipolarscotland.org.uk)
We would also love your feedback about On The Level. Send us an email or reach out to us on social media. You can find us on Instagram (@bipolar_scotland) and Facebook (@bipolarscotland)
©Bipolar Scotland 2025 Scottish Charity No. SC021705 Company No. 163305
T: 0141 560 2050 E: info@bipolarscotland.org.uk bipolarscotland.org.uk
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Get Your Kilt On! Our Fundraising Officer Jenine is ready to walk with you to raise funds for Bipolar Scotland.
From Clarity to Chaos – And Back
A powerful essay by John James.
Noticeboard
GETTING ARTY
The Glasgow peer support groups participated in an arts session delivered by Impact Arts, inspired by the collage work of Eric Carle who illustrated children’s books such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar. This session was funded through the Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund.
Participants used various types of paints and oil crayons to create different textures and patterns, which were then put together and used to create various images. Participants had a great time, and we want to thank Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector for funding this.
AWARD WINNERS!
We were extremely proud to be awarded Silver for Best Mental Health Support Services for our incredible peer support services at the recent Mental Health and Wellbeing Awards. This award recognises the hard work and dedication our amazing peer workers and volunteers put in every single day and we’re so grateful to each and every one of them.
RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS NEEDED!
Bipolar Scotland’s Maja Mitchell-Grigorjeva and Shona MacColl-Mooney collecting our
‘A
letter from CEO Jayne Laidlaw…’
In workplaces all over the country, and certainly all those in the charity sector, we talk about going the extra mile for the many people we support day in and day out. We’re incredibly lucky at Bipolar Scotland to have a wonderful, hardworking and dedicated team of staff and volunteers who go above and beyond expectation to ensure people in Scotland living with bipolar are listened to, cared for, and supported to have a good life.
Over the past year, one of our volunteers has been working away diligently in the background to completely overhaul parts of the website that aren’t visible to the rest of us, ensuring we are less prone to security threats, and developing the overall look, feel and functions of the site to make for a much-improved user experience. This was no easy feat, given that over 30k ‘bots’ were discovered lurking in the background which had to be removed before the new site could be built safely. The work required skill and insight from a tech savvy web developer, and we were delighted that one of our members fitted the bill and kindly stepped forward with an offer of help
On behalf of everyone at Bipolar Scotland, I’d like to express our sincere gratitude to that member, the one and only Kieran Aitken.
Kieran has worked tirelessly over the last 12 months, sorting out the mess that thankfully nobody else could see, but which some of you may have experienced when you tried to make a donation via the website or find information about our support groups. The work saw Kieran often burning the candle at both ends to
get things right for us, and he committed all his time and expertise completely free of charge.
We will continue to update the new website in the coming months, with a new page for events, biographies from our Board of Trustees, and adding to our online resources. We are forever indebted to you, Kieran. You epitomise what it means to go ‘The Extra Mile’ – and then some! Thank you very much from the bottom of our heart for being so amazing for everyone who needs Bipolar Scotland.
Do you have a special skill or talent that you’d like to share to help the charity flourish and thrive? Do you have some spare time you’d like to give to the organisation? If so, please contact Kimberley Logan to discuss a range of volunteering opportunities: kimberleyl@bipolarscotland.org.uk
BREAKING NEWS!
We’re so excited to announce the news of our upcoming Time for Transformation conference — and trust us, you won’t want to miss it! This event is all about shining a light on bipolar, breaking down stigma, and exploring new ways to improve care and support. Here’s what’s in store:
H Inspiring talks from expert speakers in medicine, politics, research, and social care.
H Moving personal stories from people with lived experience.
H Engaging workshops designed to spark fresh ideas and real change.
H Plenty of time to connect, share, and chat over tea, coffee, and tasty pastries.
H Creative and interactive activities.
Whether you’re looking to learn, connect with others, or get involved in transforming bipolar support — this is your chance to be part of something special.
Mark your calendars for Thursday 9th October 2025 at the COSLA Centre, Haymarket, Edinburgh.
We can’t wait to see you there!
Special rate tickets will be available for Bipolar Scotland members. Tickets will go on sale very soon – keep an eye on our socials and On The Level for more details!
Over to you:
World bipolar day: real lives, real voices
Your space to share your creative writing. If you’d like to submit a poem, story or piece of writing, please email us on info@bipolarscotland.org.uk with the subject line ‘On The Level Submission’.
Embracing All the Weather
By Nicola Ferguson
I embrace the weather, I don’t expect the sun to always shine and the winds to never blow
It never stays like a perfect summer’s day where I am. There are storms, there is ice, there is snow.
I embrace all the weather and all the seasons as they come I cannot predict the weather, but I will not hide, nor cower, nor run.
“Come and get me!”, I’m not scared of you at all.
“Give me all you got”, let it rain, and let it pour!
I’m not scared of weather. I don’t need to shelter from the storm.
I’m not scared of tired, or hungry, or being all alone.
I’m not scared of disappointment, of sadness and feeling fear itself.
I’m not scared to wear sunglasses, to find there’s no sunshine to be felt.
The weather can change at any time, and sometimes the seas are rough. But I don’t fear the weather, because the weather knows I’m tough.
Alex Adam, Principal Specialist
Pharmacist in Substance Misuse, explores the thorny subject of meds and weight gain.
One of the most common concerns voiced by people starting treatment for bipolar disorder is “Will this make me gain weight?” or some variation on that theme. This can be a real issue for people, understandably. And the simple answer is: “Well, perhaps… but not necessarily”.
WHAT DO THE STATS SAY?
Treatment with antipsychotic medication is typical where mania or hypomania are present and it is these medications which are commonly associated with weight gain, and for good reason. A number of studies over the years have shown that the majority of people treated with antipsychotics do tend to gain weight, gaining up to 5.3kg or 7% of their baseline weight in the long term. This varied by medication, with Clozapine and Olanzapine the most likely to cause significant weight gain but was noted with all antipsychotics to some extent. However, these statistics alone don’t really tell the full story. They don’t mean that weight gain is inevitable. They only say that, on average, more people gained weight than lost weight when treated with these medications.
LIFE FACTORS TO CONSIDER
WHY DO SOME MEDS CAUSE WEIGHT GAIN?
The reasons for possible weight gain are complicated. It has been suggested that antipsychotics might affect blood glucose and insulin levels and interfere with the hormone, ghrelin, which affects food intake, feeling satisfied and control of fat deposition. However, it is hard to know if these are affected by the medication itself, or by the effect of gained weight. Are these a cause or an outcome?
Many factors affect weight control. Sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy food habits, and familial susceptibility are the most likely contributors. All factors which can change over time as our life changes. Giving up sport, going to college, working longer hours, caring for children – these can all affect our likelihood of weight gain. Studies in the UK have shown that 18-24-year-olds are the most likely age group to gain weight, followed by those under 45 years. This is similar to the common diagnosis age range for bipolar disorder. In the case of bipolar, particularly, it may also be that successful treatment for mania and hypomania may improve self-care and lead to more regular and larger meals and less frenetic activity, which may increase weight as wellness improves.
MONITORING YOUR WEIGHT
It is normal that your clinical team will want to monitor your weight or BMI, diet, nutritional status and level of physical activity at least once a year. This is because significant weight gain and increased waist size can cause increased risk of developing other medical problems, such as heart disease or diabetes. Something everyone should be keen to avoid. However, none of this is inevitable. Antipsychotics are not ‘magic weight gain’ pills. We can only gain weight and fat by putting more energy into our bodies than we are using. It’s a simple, mechanical, process. If energy in is greater than energy out, then we will need to store the excess, and that is primarily in the form of fat. If this surplus continues over a period of time, day in and day out, then we will gradually gain weight. For every 7,000 or so calories of excess energy unused by our body, we will gain one kilogram of fat. An extra 225 calories each day for a month will mean a gain of one kilogram per month. That’s a couple of biscuits or a bag of crisps each day.
STAYING IN CONTROL
If you are worried about weight gain with medication, then prevention of weight gain is far preferable than trying to lose weight later. These lifestyle suggestions may help:
• Monitor your calorie intake with a food diary or app. This can help you to ensure that you are keeping a control of your energy intake. Most of these apps will help you understand how many calories you need on a typical day to maintain your weight.
• If you are trying to lose weight, you can set your calorie intake slightly lower, but don’t go too low (for example, below 1,300 calories per day) as this can actually cause weight gain.
• Gentle exercise. Any kind of activity can help to keep your body burning energy and may be good for mood and mental health as well.
• Strength training and muscle building. This can help to keep you fit and functional but has the added advantage that every kilogram of muscle you gain, you increase how many calories you burn every day, helping to reduce fat build up. Weight gain with antipsychotics may affect more than half of people who take these medications, but with some forewarning and some relatively simple preventative measures, you don’t have to be one of them.
Dayabandara M, Hanwella R, Ratnatunga S, Seneviratne S, Suraweera C, de Silva VA. Antipsychotic-associated weight gain: management strategies and impact on treatment adherence. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2017 Aug 22
Jamie’s Diary
Life has been interesting since I last wrote on here. I had a bout of Bell’s palsy – I have made a speedy recovery, thankfully, but in order to get better I needed a course of strong antibiotics.
I didn’t realise how they would affect my bipolar, but they made me very, very hyper and, in turn, very manic. One day, in my kitchen, I came up with a plan – healthy food, exercise, and I wanted to hide from people. I just wanted to deal with it on my own. I redecorated my bedroom and went on long walks. I had moments of utter happiness and bliss, but I also had moments of absolute emotional collapse.
I have been that manic before but never for such a sustained period of time (about nine days). It was like trying to tame a tiger, but it was a reminder that I am so lucky to not to have to deal with this all the time.
Feeling things so intensely made me understand that it can be exhausting for people to witness. I have a love/hate relationship with my younger self: I appreciate that I always tried to bring the party to people, but I can see I was very intense.
I am, however, aware that nobody – illness or
Look to the left of you and look to the right - whoever is next to you on the bus, home or work is not perfect either. With that understanding, accept yourself.
In a comical moment, during this and in my most manic state, I went to Dundee for supplies for the redecorating. I went into this frame shop in Dundee and spent, £50 – yes, FIFTY POUNDS (!) on a picture of a lion, with glitter glue all over it.
But you know what? I look at that lion every time I wake up and it inspires me...
Aww, who am I kidding?! It is
Much love to you guys, Jamie x
Needs you!
Do you have what it takes to join our Board? We think you do!
We’re actively looking for knowledgeable, compassionate and skilled Trustees to join our Board of voluntary Directors to steer the organisation’s strategy and governance. The Board meets 4 times per year for 3 hours on a Monday afternoon and we vary the location between Glasgow and Edinburgh. If you’ve been thinking about contributing some time to support and develop the charity’s work and you have any (or all) of the following experience, we’d really love to hear from you:
• Business Development
• Senior Accountancy
• Fundraising Strategy
• Third Sector Leadership
• People Services and HR
• Public Policy and Campaigns
Our current Board of Trustees have a range of skills and expertise, including lived experience of bipolar, and we believe the best candidates for this interesting and rewarding role can be found in our membership – that’s you! Becoming a Trustee is an
excellent opportunity to work alongside others from different backgrounds, learn new things, and have your unique contribution respected and valued without overcommitting. Curious? Then get in touch to arrange an informal chat with me or one of our dedicated Trustees. We can’t wait to hear from you.
Jayne Laidlaw CEO
jaynel@bipolarscotland.org.uk
For If They Come For Us In The MornIng…
by David Carr
David shares his thoughts on the UK government’s proposed welfare cuts….
The anthropologist, Margaret Mead, was once asked by a student for evidence of the earliest civilisation. The example Mead used was of a fractured femur that had been reset.
The injured person would have been incapacitated for a long time by the broken bone. They would have needed to be tended, to have food brought to them, to be protected against predators for a long period. Despite the precarity of early hunter-gatherer societies, it was thought collectively that an injured member of the group was valuable and worth looking after.
The mark of a civilised society is how well it looks after its disabled, its infirm, its elderly.
In the UK, we support those amongst us who live with disabilities by paying disability benefits. As of recently, these seem to go by the American term ‘welfare.’ We used to call them ‘social security’ – denoting that their purpose is to provide us with a secure place as part of society.
That place is now under attack. The government is trying to fix a fiscal ‘black hole’ – made worse by the sudden scramble to increase defence spending. There are various economic tools for how the hole can be filled – such as by wealth taxes. The government has opted instead to enact swingeing cuts in public spending. And so, the livelihood of those with disabilities is threatened.
This is not a good look for them – and has received pushback from many of their own
MPs. Surely a Labour government is meant to be about looking after the less well off, the marginalised?
Apparently not. But the government’s volte face on providing a safety net has required some careful shaping of public opinion.
The narrative of the disabled as valued members of society, who deserve as much as anybody to live economically viable lives which allow us to remain integrated in mainstream life is being challenged.
The counter narrative being pushed by loyal – ambitious – MPs is that people with disabilities are getting in the way of the ability to deliver good public services. We are seen as no more than economically inactive units. We are not paying our way.
This narrative has been with us over successive governments. There has long been a culture of questioning the entitlement of those in receipt of benefits – not just disability benefits. Witness the ubiquity of television programmes such as Benefits Street which seek to Other us as – not to mince words – workshy scum.
The Italian thinker, Antonio Gramsci, held that politics follows culture. The government are – quite deliberately – creating a political climate in which disability benefits can be taken away.
Many of us rely on the Personal Independence Payment – PIP – to lift us out of a level of poverty that would be actively injurious to our mental health. This is being
World bipolar day: real lives, real voices
re-cast as an unaffordable evil which is discouraging people from working – and thus making a useful contribution to wider society. Our kindly government intend to fill their black hole by ‘encouraging’ us to work. The cuts that will force us back into work that we simply can’t cope with are for our own good. Government voices are briefing on the ‘moral imperative’ of this.
Those of us in receipt of PIP will know the agony of the application and review process. As a friend said recently, ‘I breathe a sigh of relief every Saturday when the post has been and there’s nothing from the DWP this week.’ It is no easy ride.
Social Security Scotland are replacing PIP with the Adult Disability Payment. The Scottish system is designed to be more humane than the DWP’s. But it will have the same financial pressures. And Scotland is not necessarily immune from the same demonisation over benefits.
A particular target for government cuts is payments for those with mental health conditions. One argument is that these have drastically increased over recent years. Some, therefore, must be swinging
the lead and/or need some support in re-entering the workplace.
This brings a chill to the heart of those of us with severe and enduring mental health conditions. We fear even greater scrutiny in the PIP/ADP process – which is already itself detrimental to our mental health. We fear being driven into poverty – and we already have abundant medical evidence on the effects of such austerity on mental health. To be blunt – the proposed cuts will predictably lead to more suicides.
This is a political piece. Political pieces should not just be moans. They should be calls for action. Unfortunately – fortunately for the government – the disabled, by definition, often lack the capacity to campaign. We are soft targets.
The best I can do is to amplify various campaigning groups who do not fight shy of vigorous political engagement in the fight for social justice – such as the Glasgow Disability Alliance or the Black Triangle Campaign. Support them if you can.
Image: pexels.com
A Global Perspective On Bipolar Research
Research corner is coordinated by researchers from the University of Edinburgh. If there is a topic you would like to find out more about, or if you have suggestions for this section, please get in touch. You can contact Amber Roguski at amber.roguski@ed.ac.uk
There are over 39.5 million people living with bipolar around the world¹ – that’s more than the entire population of Canada, Ghana or Malaysia, and over seven times the population of Scotland! Just as there are people in every country living with bipolar, there are also researchers in every country working to better understand the condition and improve the lives of people with bipolar.
However, even though bipolar symptoms have been recorded as early as 400 BCE, and formal diagnoses within the western medical system have existed since the mid 1800s², progress in bipolar prediction, prevention, treatment and maintenance can seem slow compared to some other medical conditions such as cancer and heart disease. There are many reasons for this, including a lack of diagnostic tests for bipolar, how bipolar symptoms differ between people, and the complex interactions between genetics, biochemistry and the environment which cause the condition. Despite these challenges, research into bipolar continues and each study helps us understand bipolar a little bit more.
We know that the resources of a country and its people significantly influence health and disease, and around the world we see this reflected in the different priorities and focuses for bipolar research. More recently, there has been a push for equity and diversity in research, with efforts to support and enable research capacity in low- and middle-income countries, and for research to include participants from diverse backgrounds. These efforts will make sure the findings from our research can benefit more people around the world than they otherwise might.
This year, for World Bipolar Day, we want to highlight some of the latest research into bipolar from around the world.
Paper: Salvetat et al. (2022). A game changer for bipolar disorder diagnosis using RNA editing-based biomarkers. Translational Psychiatry. nature.com/articles/s41398-022-01938-6
Country: France
What? Researchers developed a test for differentiating between unipolar depression and bipolar. The test is called ‘EDIT-B’ and looks for changes in RNA sequences in blood samples. What did they find? They identified 8 genes which could tell people with a depressive condition apart from people without one. They then identified 6 genes which differentiate people with bipolar from people with unipolar depression with a high degree of accuracy.
So what? The test is available commercially in France and Italy, and this latest study refined the technique. Although the results are promising, the test has so far only been trialed in a small
Paper: Kimbowa et al. (2024) Understanding Relapse in Bipolar Disorder at a Tertiary Mental Health Facility in Uganda. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment. www.tandfonline.com/doi/ pdf/10.2147/NDT.S495820
Country: Uganda
What? In this study, researchers wanted to understand what causes mood episode relapse in bipolar in Uganda. They conducted in-depth interviews with 15 people with bipolar about their experiences of the condition, treatment and relapses. What did they find? They identified a range of social, medical and financial issues which contribute to relapse, including not having enough money for medications, lack of family support, impacts of stigma in the community and reliance on spiritual healers.
So what? This study shows that many factors linked to mood episode relapse for Ugandans are similar to those in other parts of the world: social support, access to treatment and having enough money are all important. Some of the factors identified are culturally specific to Uganda, including spiritual interpretations of illness and use of traditional medicines. Understanding what contributes to mood episode relapse for this population is important so that healthcare staff and local communities can better support them.
analysed 11 years of Scottish medical record data. What did they find? They found that ECT significantly reduced symptoms of depression and mental ill-health in over 80% of people with mania and bipolar depression. People who were older, or who were severely ill, had improved response to ECT and less side effects overall. There was no difference in treatment response between people who received two sessions of ECT a week compared to one session.
So what? ECT can be a daunting treatment for some people, conjuring up images from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest ³. This research provides evidence for the safety and effectiveness of the treatment for bipolar and shows the value of using medical record data for research.
References
1. Lai et al. (2024). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih. gov/38073279/
2. Mason et al. (2016). doi: www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/6/3/14
3. Gergel (2022). doi: https://shorturl.at/86Qv8
World bipolar day: real lives, real voices
Over to you: A new day
By Colette MacFadyen
It is a new day
Time to open your eyes
Take a breath and be thankful
Be happy you are alive
Each day offers hope Of new things to do
Be happy who you are And just be you
Be thankful for all you have And all that you are
To have friends and family
Is such a joy and treasure
Each day you face challenges And there are hills to climb
Be strong and look upwards
And you will be fine
Be thankful for each new day
Each day brings new joy
Live in the moment
And just enjoy
SPOTLIGHT ON: FUNDRAISING
Meet Jenine Paxton, our fabulous Fundraising Officer!
What brought you to Bipolar Scotland?
I have spent most of my adult life as a ‘Trailing Spouse’, following my husband’s career. We travelled and lived in many countries, but more recently India. I always believed in giving back to the community that I was lucky enough to find myself in and here I found my talent for fundraising. I found it very fulfilling to be able to help the people around me. When I moved back home to Scotland, I started working for another charity, and one day I saw the opportunity to work at Bipolar Scotland. I was eager to apply as a family member has lived experience of bipolar and so, here I am and very happy to be so!
Can you explain a little about what your role is and how you support the Bipolar Scotland team and its members?
My title is Fundraising Officer, and my role is to help raise funds that go towards the support that we give. I work with the members to encourage fundraising within the community through things like the Kiltwalk
and the Edinburgh Marathon. I can also help people organise fundraising events like a quiz night, or a bake sale – whatever ideas someone has. Please invite me along if you’re planning to do a karaoke evening! I also do corporate fundraising, where I network and find charity partnerships with organisations that want to give back. All funds that the team and I raise go back into our services.
What exciting fundraising opportunities are on the horizon for 2025?
There are LOTS of exciting opportunities coming up! We are doing a big push for Kiltwalk this year, which is being held in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh. If you want to join then I will be walking too, so don’t feel that you can’t do it because no one else will do it with you! There are lots of other third-party events that you can participate in to raise much-needed funds for Bipolar Scotland, and we can help cover the cost.
There will also be plenty of opportunities for companies and organisations to sponsor us through charity partnerships, so if you have a company or know that your company is looking to form a charity partnership or even want to join an event as a team to fundraise, then I am the person to get in touch with!
What do you enjoy most about your job and what challenges have you faced in this role?
I am lucky because I get to meet and talk with lots of different people from different walks of life. I love being part of such a
Have you signed up to take part in the Kiltwalk? Visit kiltwalk.co.uk for info.
small charity that has such a far reach. When I listen to our members’ experiences, it really drives me to get out there and find support. It gives me such a buzz when I get a win –no matter how big or small.
Every job has its challenges and fundraising is no different. It would be great if I could meet ALL our members to encourage fundraising within the community and with regards to corporate fundraising, the current economic climate is tough, so it’s not always easy to find sponsorship but I don’t let anything hold me back. I see the difference that Bipolar Scotland can make, and I am positive that we can overcome any of our challenges to be successful!
Got a fundraising idea and need some help to get it off the ground? Contact Jenine at jeninep@bipolarscotland.org.uk
Hi, everyone!
It’s March already, and there are lots of events that you can take part in to help to raise money for everybody’s small but mighty charity, Bipolar Scotland.
The fundraising team recently went to a meet-up for Kiltwalk’s charity platform and they told us all about the ins-andouts of the different walks, how to get there, and what would happen on the day, but they didn’t tell us how to get out there and inspire our audience!
I guess it’s one thing to see a post on social media and think, ‘Hmmm, maybe’, but quite another to actually sign up and do one of the walks.
On second thoughts, you might think, ‘Aye, maybe not’. To be honest, that was once my reaction whenever someone mentioned the Kiltwalk. On a surface level, it’s definitely an item on the bucket list; something you should do at least once, just because – everyone else does it, right? But there is so much more to it than that! You get out, you meet people, you do something healthy, feel a sense of achievement, and, when
you get to the end, the added bonus is that you also get to raise money for your favourite charity. What’s not to love?
‘All well and good for you, Jenine’, I hear you say. ‘You just have to write an article for On The Level and send out a few t-shirts! ’ Well, I’ve decided to quite literally put my money where my mouth is – I’ll be there, at the Glasgow Big Stroll on Sunday 27th April. I’ll need to be on my best behaviour though because Jayne Laidlaw, our Chief Exec. has also thrown down the gauntlet of participation and will join us too. So, if you want to come along on your own, as part of a team, or even get your workmates involved, then COME AND JOIN US! Email me at jeninep@bipolarscotland.org.uk and I’ll get you a code to sign up. I truly would love to meet some of the members and get to know you all a bit better. BIG WARNING: I am a blether!
With love, Jenine x Get in touch with Jenine if you think your company would be interested in forming a charity partnership with us.
World bipolar day: real lives, real voices
New
Project Alert!
Our fabulous Training Facilitator, Kerry Adam, who lives with bipolar, is creating an exciting new podcast series for Bipolar Scotland!
For anyone who’s ever looked for information on bipolar online on YouTube or TikTok, it’s fair to say there’s A LOT of misinformation out there. Not only is this dangerous – but we can all end up down a ‘rabbit hole’ – watching endless videos about aspects of bipolar that are contradictory or confusing – and this can contribute to low mood or frustration. To try to combat this misinformation and to allow people to access well-researched video content, Bipolar Scotland are undertaking a new video and podcast project – a series called ‘Let’s Talk About…,’ where experts in different specialties, medical and otherwise will have a chat with us about the things that matter most to those living with bipolar.
Bipolar Scotland members were asked late last year what topics they would like to see discussed. We took responses on board and have a number of videos in the works already, covering everything from anxiety to creativity. All of our experts are keen to get the right information out there, and the videos are in the form of an informal chat where questions from members are addressed, and common misconceptions are explored.
We’ve already filmed videos on police involvement and creativity, but we’d love to hear questions from members on the following topics:
• Anxiety
• Medication
• Weight Gain
• Sexual Health
• Diagnosis
This project is very much a collaboration between members and Bipolar Scotland – your say matters. Please email kerrya@bipolarscotland.org.uk with any relevant questions on the topics mentioned. We’ve also received requests from members about other videos they’d like to see made – this will be an ongoing project – so we welcome any ideas on other topics going forward.
‘Let’s Talk
About... Bipolar’
Get Involved!
Kerry chats to police officer Marcus about police involvement and bipolar
LET’S TALK ABOUT: DISCUSSION SESSIONS
In addition to our videos, we will be running online ‘Let’s Talk About…’ discussion-based sessions on anxiety and medication – these are the topics Self-Management Training and Friends & Family Course participants always want to know more about! The sessions are free to members, will be two hours long and delivered online – if you’d like to attend one or both of the sessions please email training@ bipolarscotland.org.uk and we can get you signed up. The dates are:
Let’s Talk About: Anxiety
Discussion-based session on Anxiety and Bipolar
Online
29th April
6.30pm-8.30pm
Let’s Talk About: Medication
Discussion-based session on Medication and Bipolar
Online
17th June
6.30-8.30pm
Keep an eye on our socials in late spring for information about our video releases and podcasts and remember – we’d love to hear from you with questions and topics for the future!
Written by Kerry Adam
Over to you:
From Clarity to Chaos – and Back
An essay by John James
Reflecting on the last part of 2024 brings a smile to my face. I published an article for this magazine, then went off on a holiday. It was a holiday in the sun to remember. I literally called it the best holiday of my life. That may resonate as a warning sign to anyone who has a tendency to go hyper manic when on leave.
It went from good to great, then onto a significant crisis for me. I almost accidentally overdosed on diazepam as a consequence of insomnia. My family was actively involved, and it became quite stressful and confusing. It’s hard for family to help someone who is hyper manic. We have three young kids, and I know it was hard for my wife and my in-laws to deal with me and my lack of sleep.
The inconsistent behaviour, delusions of grandeur, and erratic train of thought made me a royal pain in the proverbial. I met so many cool people, bringing charisma, charm, energy, and relentless optimism to every interaction. We played football with Dutch, English, Finnish and Danish people. My son and I were having a blast....
But I couldn’t get any sleep towards the end of the holiday and my mind was racing. I returned to psychiatrist appointments being scheduled (typically of the NHS at the moment) with new doctors who I had never met before. Following one appointment, there was an
Image: Vecteezy.com
intervention from the NHS’s crisis team. Things went south fast. I agreed to take more time off work. Being self-employed, I did not take the decision lightly. It hit my pocket and hurt my pride and reputation with the client I had committed to delivering work for.
My mother visited me for 11 days. She lives over two hours away, and I hadn’t seen her for that many consecutive nights since I was 17. I am now 39. She departed with big smiles; we had a great time together. It was good for her to visit me, as my father, her husband, passed away almost seven years ago. It’s hard on everyone to lose someone you are close to.
After her departure, I got back to work. I needed to make money. I had missed calls, but I honestly didn’t care; I had a business to run. Then I got a call from my wife to say there was a voicemail from the psychiatrist. I called back. They insisted I went to the clinic to meet the team with my wife. I didn’t want to, but I gave in. Within hours, I was sectioned, detained for up to 28 days under the Mental Health (care and treatment) Scotland Act 2003.
It was a surprise to me. I decided to walk out of the meeting when my Mental Health Officer acknowledged he had not read my medical history before being party to my sectioning.
I left the clinic without too much fuss. I went for a walk and a steak dinner to reflect on what had just happened. I was feeling good but was told I was unwell. I couldn’t relate to what they said and just needed time to myself. I checked into a hotel in the city centre and called my brother to explain what had happened. My plan was to get some sleep and finish my work commitments.
Within an hour of the credit card transaction at the hotel check-in, the police turned up to take me to Leverndale Mental Health Hospital. I was having the best holiday of my life, my family and friends were in good shape, and my business was thriving. I was bemused, confused, and frustrated to find myself in a dormitory with four other men on arrival at the hospital.
Waking up at 2am, I heard coughing, snorting, and worse. I got only a few hours of sleep and felt frustrated and agitated. I wanted to be out of there as quickly as possible. I longed to see my beautiful wife and three kids. I asked the staff, who were excellent, how I could rest and recover in such an environment. I didn’t want more drugs; I wanted what was best for me: sleep, and the love and time with my young family.
The situation made me feel vulnerable, stressed, and confused. It put my business in jeopardy and caused tension between myself and my eldest son. He was confused and had to process why I was in hospital, given he had seen me “in good health” on holiday, smiling, laughing, and playing football on the beach. I rarely touched alcohol and didn’t use recreational drugs. A broken leg or flesh wound would have been easy for his 8-yearold mind to understand.
When the doors of the hospital in the morning opened for the first ‘fresh air’ break of the day, I walked out and asked a smoker, “How do I get out of here?”.
I didn’t know the law; no one explained it to me. My smoking advisor suggested I leave after the 7:30pm patient checks. So, I did. I successfully left with ease. I made it to my mum’s house two hours away via Buchanan Galleries for prescription drugs to last three nights. I also bought a change of clothes, new hats/disguises. I even got a new haircut and a burner phone. I took the sim out of my smart phone and called family to reassure them where I was by calling via various random strangers’ phones. It was easy. Everyone is now effectively a phone box, if you ask them nicely enough, or offer them some change to make a call.
Based on my first experiences with the police, I also stopped using my credit card and used only cash. I spent two hours at The Press Bar and enjoyed an open-top bus tour of the city. I then took the train two hours north to Dundee to rest with family. By morning, I was reported as “found.” The police had been searching for me as a missing person, but by then, I didn’t care much. Ultimately, it was a total waste of their time, both for the Dundee and Glasgow teams.
I was returned to Leverndale, back in the mental health ward on Day 3 of my detention. I served all 28 days. It was useful to some extent; I accessed an excellent psychiatrist who provided continuity
of care. He wanted to increase my medication, and I agreed to try. It hurt my kidneys, and I put on weight. It’s hard to get much exercise and eat the right things in that situation.
I focused on addressing the root cause: sleep deprivation. I obtained earplugs and an eye mask after day 12! I attempted to walk 10,000 steps daily (a struggle under observation) and embraced small freedoms like a one-hour daily pass. Gaining the privilege to go home to put up the Christmas tree with my kids was memorable. I studied Stoic mantras to help me through: Carpe Diem (seize the day), Memento Mori (remember you will die), and Mens Sana in Corpore Sano (a healthy mind in a healthy body).
My one-month detention ended two days ago. On returning home, I have a fresh sense of purpose and new focus. I won’t waste time procrastinating. I will be my best self and make the most of every moment. I will also prioritise rest, recovery, and listening to my body when it needs to slow down.
Losing three months of income is hard for a selfemployed person to stomach, but I resist the urge to blame others: not the people who sectioned me, nor the poor medical advice that almost cost me my life. I take full responsibility for not taking better care of myself. I pushed too hard, exercised excessively, and worked relentlessly. I felt immortal and ignored the warning signs. That was my fault.
World bipolar day:
real lives, real voices
This journey has given me a unique perspective. I had lots of deep but fun conversations and learned so much from care assistants, nurses, and fellow patients — some recovering from neardeath experiences or battling addictions. Cocaine and alcohol use were prevalent on the ward, and despite staff efforts, illegal substances found their way in.
One surprising influence was the widespread use of mobile phones among staff and patients. Gambling, round-the-clock access to dealers, unlimited time on social media platforms for dopamine hits and also unexpected and unsolicited advice from friends and family added to people’s stress. Smartphones interrupted sleep and hindered recovery for many inside and outside of hospitals.
Bipolar is not just a mood disorder; it is also a sleep disorder. Managing phone use and prioritising sleep can make a significant difference in recovery, benefiting friends, family, and the NHS. We owe it to ourselves and our loved ones to take back control.
Advance Statement & Named Person
As you probably know, World Bipolar Day takes place on March 30th, which is the birthday of Vincent Van Gogh. Vincent did not receive a diagnosis until after his death but even then, like many people struggling to get a diagnosis today, there were several other theories, including epilepsy and personality disorder.
Many people living with bipolar have had long and difficult journeys to get a diagnosis and personality disorder is one of the common misdiagnoses given. Bipolar can present in so many ways and one of the problems is that the strict criterion for diagnosis means that many people don’t exactly fit. Having a diagnosis of personality disorder can often lead to increased stigma, even from services, and individuals are left without the appropriate care and treatment.
WE’RE HERE FOR YOU
The Mental Welfare Commission (MWC) exists to protect the rights of people with mental illness, learning disability, dementia, autism, personality disorder and related conditions.
We have an advice line (0800 389 6809) which is free for people and their families who use services, and we often hear of people struggling to get a diagnosis or having an established diagnosis changed with no warning. This can be devastating for people, and at best unsettling, as they try to readjust their thinking about themselves, their diagnosis and how this change affects their life.
The Commission makes sure that the guiding principles of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 (MHA) are upheld for people with these conditions. These include considering the wishes of the person involved and their
families but there are occasions where people are unable to express their true wishes through illness or incapacity.
THE BENEFITS OF AN ADVANCE STATEMENT
Having an Advance Statement can be a very useful way for people to make sure their wishes are upheld if they are too unwell to express them themselves. An advance statement is a document that a person can make while they are well and have capacity to understand the content of it. Advice, template forms and examples can be found on the MWC website here: https://www.mwcscot.org.uk/law-andrights/advance-statements
HOW DOES AN ADVANCE STATEMENT WORK?
• An advance statement can outline care and treatment options that a person would like to avoid, if possible, e.g. a particular drug or hospital.
• The statement needs to be signed to confirm the writer has capacity and it is put in their notes and the MWC is informed of its existence.
• It becomes valid when someone is detained under the MHA (or sectioned),
and should anyone override any of the wishes then the MWC needs to be informed and the decision is reviewed.
• It is useful for staff to see this, even if someone is in hospital informally, to help them be aware of a patient’s wishes in general. It is also possible to make a personal statement which, although not a legal document, can give staff an insight into a person’s personality and likes and dislikes.
NAMED PERSON
Another safeguard for people is to have a Named Person (NP). This is a trusted person that will be able to support and advocate for someone who has been detained under the MHA, if they choose to have one. Anyone wishing to nominate a NP must have capacity to do that, and any nomination needs to be done in writing and witnessed on a “Nomination of Named person” form. Forms are available to download from the Scottish government website.
The person who is nominated can accept by agreeing, again in writing, and having it witnessed to ensure capacity. A NP must be included in care and treatment plans, informed of any changes and decisions made, and will have rights at the Mental Health Tribunal Service (MHTS) to receive information in the event of a tribunal. You can decide not to have a NP or to change your mind at any time, which you will put in writing again. A nominated person can decline the offer or change
their mind also. Having capacity is important in these situations so that people are aware of what they are agreeing to.
BE PREPARED
Having an Advance Statement and a Named Person can be a great advantage for anyone who may lose capacity or be detained in the future. More information on these topics and many others can be found on our website www.mwc.scot.org.uk where you’ll find specific advice and guidance for families and carers in our document ‘Carers Consent and Confidentiality’.
WHAT QUALIFIES AS HAVING ‘CAPACITY’?
In brief, capacity means someone can understand what is being said to them, can understand the consequences of taking, or not taking an action, and can remember and repeat the decisions made.
BIPOLAR SUPPORT GROUPS ACROSS SCOTLAND
We run online and in-person peer support groups across Scotland – friendly, safe spaces for anyone living with or affected by bipolar. Here’s a full list of all our groups running during April and May. Why not talk to people who get it?
To access and online support group, please visit bipolarscotland.org.uk/get-help/ support-groups/ , click on the relevant calendar entry to RSVP, and you’ll be emailed a link you can use to join the group at the appointed meeting time.
SCOTLAND-WIDE (all online)
BIPOLAR BLETHER: For anyone living with or affected by bipolar in Scotland. Sunday 6 April and Sunday 4 May, 3-4pm.
18-30: For anyone aged 18-30 affected by bipolar in Scotland. Wednesday 2,16 & 30 April and Wednesday 14 & 28 May, 7-8pm.
FRIENDS AND FAMILY: For carers and loved ones. Monday 21 April & Monday 19 May, 7-8pm.
REGIONAL
AYRSHIRE & DUNDEE
• Ayrshire & Dundee online group: Tuesday 1 April & Tuesday 6 May, 7-8pm.
• Dundee in-person (Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action, 10 Constitution Rd, Dundee, SS1 1LL): Thursday 3 April and Thursday 1 May, 7-9pm.
BORDERS
• Borders online group: Wednesday 2 & 16 April and Wednesday 7 & 21 May, 7-8pm.
FIFE & FORTH VALLEY
Fife & Forth Valley online group: Tuesday 8 & 22 April and Tuesday 13 & 27 May, 7-8pm.
GLASGOW
• Glasgow City online group: Sunday 27 April & Sunday 25 May, 7-8pm.
• Glasgow City in-person (Premier Inn, Glasgow City, 187 George St, Glasgow, G1 1YU): Wednesday 9 April & Wednesday 14 May, 7-9pm.
• Glasgow West online group: Sunday 13 April & Sunday 11 May, 7-8pm.
• Glasgow West in-person (Partick Trinity Church, 20 Lawrence St, Partick, Glasgow, G11 5HG): Wednesday 23 April and Wednesday 28 May, 7-9pm.
HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS
Highlands & Islands online group: Thursday 17 April & Thursday 15 May, 7-8pm.
• Highlands & Islands in-person (Café 1668, 86 Church St, Inverness,
IV1 1EP): Thursday 3 April and Thursday 1 May, 7-9pm.
NORTH LANARKSHIRE
North Lanarkshire in-person (Coatbridge Community Centre, 9 Old Monkland Rd, Coatbridge, ML5 5EA): Monday 14 April & Monday 12 May, 7-9pm.
PAISLEY
• Paisley online group: Monday 14 April & Monday 12 May, 6-7pm.
• Paisley in-person (Methodist Central Hall, 2 Gauze St, Paisley, PA1 1EP): Monday 28 April & Monday 26 May, 6-7.30pm.
WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE
• West Dunbartonshire online group: Wednesday 9 April & Wednesday 14 May, 7-8pm.
• West Dunbartonshire in-person (Concord Community Centre, Dumbarton, St Mary’s Way, G82 1LJ): Wednesday 23 April & Wednesday 28 May, 7-9pm.
WEST LOTHIAN
• West Lothian in-person (Bathgate Community Centre, Lindsay House, South Bridge St, Bathgate, West Lothian, EH48 1TS): Thursday 10 April & Thursday 8 May, 7-9pm.
Want to get in touch with us?
Bipolar Scotland is based at:
Studio 40, Sir James Clark Building
Abbey Mill Business Centre
Seedhill Road
Paisley, PA1 1TJ
You can contact us by phone between 9.30am – 3:30 pm, Monday to Thursday, on: 0141 560 2050, or by email on info@bipolarscotland.org.uk
We’re also on Instagram: (@bipolar_scotland), Facebook: (bipolarscotland1) and X/Twitter: (BipolarScotland).
Charity Number: SC021705 Company Number: 163306 bipolarscotland.org.uk