Really Pissed Off

Following yesterdays Blog Action Day On Poverty, the news today shows that “they” don’t care.

NHS exposed poverty action day

Bailed-out bank's secret £150k bash

The arseholes at RBS have put on a bash for the fat cat executives that cost £150,000 they flew in 100 “high flyers” from 11 countries.

This was just days after a £15 Billion payout of OUR money.

“RBS director David Manson told execs to have fun, even though “we let a lot of shareholders down”.

"ere, I can see a banker"


“Staff were told to hide branded gear and RBS teddy bears were not given out.
A hotel worker said: “There were supposed to be 196 execs but they were so worried it would leak they cut it to 100, even though all rooms were paid for.”

An RBS spokeswoman said: “This was a working event to bring together our international team.”

What a load of selfish, self satisfied, brainless, inbred, insensitive, up their own arses wankers.

Gordon Brown, what are you going to do about this? The country would like to see 100 resignations on your desk today, after all WE are in charge of the bank now aren’t we?

Tossers.


The Sun has this little item.

The health benefits of beer

“A beer a day keeps Doc away”, the problem is of course that it is rarely one beer, and when after 10 or so beers the drinker is admitted to A&E it really doesn’t keep the Doctor away, unless of course the “pissed” abuses or attacks the medical staff.

Jade Goody.

From the Sun again.

Jade hell gets girls flocking for tests

I am not that interested in the above named; my only recollection is of her racial abuse of someone on Big Brother. Which unfortunately propelled her into “stardom” backed by someone who’s name I can’t remember- Max thingy.

And then the news was filled with stories because she has cervical cancer. OK, I have some sympathy for her, but I am afraid that the whingeing of “celebrities” leaves me cold; they have the money to get instant diagnosis and treatment. Unlike “proper” people who have to wait weeks and weeks just to see a specialist. And then months until their treatment starts.

Now she is whingeing about her “Chemo hell”, F…k off, that is what happens in real life, she is lucky to get treatment at all, when many people can only get medicines, if they pay for it themselves in order to live a bit longer.

The only good thing to come out of this is that smear tests have increased by 20%.

So Jade, life is a bitch.


And yet again from the Sun.

7 ways to spot depression

Quite interesting.

Here are my 7 ways to spot depression.

You can’t afford to buy food.
You can’t afford to heat your home.
You can’t afford to drive your car.
You can’t afford to buy clothes for your kids.
You can’t afford to pay your rent or mortgage.
You can’t afford to use the stove
You can’t afford to turn the lights on.

Or is that Recession?

And from the Sun again

BBC NEWS Health Smart brains 'grow differently'

Scientists have decided that-“Clever people outsmart their peers not because they have more grey matter but because part of their brain develops differently, a Nature study suggests.”

This of course comes from the good old USA.
Apparently it is all due to the size of your cortex. One quote of these scientists is-"It could be that people with superior intelligence also live in a richer social and linguistic environment, and that it is this that accounts for the sharp increase in the thickness of their prefrontal cortex in late childhood."

What a load of class distinction bollocks.

But the good news is Size Does Matter!

And finally from the BBC

Maltesers calorie claim 'misled'

Maltesers calorie claim 'misled'

“The Maltesers advert showed a woman offering the chocolate-covered honeycomb balls to a friend, saying: "Less than 11 calories each." But the ASA has now ruled the claim "less than 11 calories each" should not have been made about Maltesers, especially when the same advert also told viewers they were not being so "naughty".

An ASA spokesman said: "We concluded that the words 'less than' gave the misleading impression that a Malteser was low in energy."

Sorry girls, it’s no use flashing your tits at anyone, because they will be down to your knees if you keep eating them.

That’s all folks.


Angus Dei

World Mental Health Day

I am a bit late posting this. I didn’t know when it was until the 13th.

I did send it to NHS Exposed a while back, but I think I may have upset the editor because it wasn’t posted.

I am good at pissing people off. It’s a gift.

However here it is.



Are you mad?

A definition of mental illness.

“Mental disorder or mental illness is a psychological or behavioral pattern that occurs in an individual and is thought to cause distress or disability that is not expected as part of normal development or culture. The recognition and understanding of mental disorders have changed over time and across cultures. Definitions, assessments, and classifications of mental disorders can vary, but guideline criteria listed in the ICD, DSM and other manuals are widely accepted by mental health professionals. Categories of diagnoses in these schemes may include dissociative disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, eating disorders, developmental disorders, personality disorders, and many other categories. In many cases there is no single accepted or consistent cause of mental disorders, although they are often explained in terms of a diathesis-stress model and biopsychosocial model. Mental disorders have been found to be common, with over a third of people in most countries reporting sufficient criteria at some point in their life. Mental health services may be based in hospitals. Mental health professionals diagnose individuals using different methodologies, often relying on case history and interview. Psychotherapy and psychiatric medication are two major treatment options, as well as supportive interventions. Treatment may be involuntary where legislation allows. Several movements campaign for changes to mental health services and attitudes, including the Consumer/Survivor Movement. There are widespread problems with stigma and discrimination.”

There is no way I am going to delve into all the different “kinds” of “mental ilnessess”, a) because I am not qualified, and b) because I am lazy.


But I note that part of the definition is “a psychological or behavioral pattern that occurs in an individual and is thought to cause distress or disability that is not expected as part of normal development or culture.”

If we take this definition as absolute, then aren’t we all “mentally ill”.

I think we can take it that Murder, rape, paedophillia, stabbing people , shooting people, mugging people, burglary,elderly abuse, child abuse, and other such crimes are way beyond the “norm” and people that commit these actions are “Not Normal”, and should be removed from society for as long as possible.

But what about the rest of us?

Isn’t drinking too much, or smoking, or overeating, or verbal abuse, or anti-social behaviour, road rage-pavment rage-pram rage, “not expected as part of normal development or culture.”?
Is smoking, drinking and overeating “destructive behaviour”? Or is it our method of dealing with stress, or life in general?

Is verbal abuse, or anti-social behaviour, road- rage, pavement- rage, pram- rage, normal behaviour?

We have all probably been guilty of road rage, I know I have, but I suppose the difference is that most of us do not actually follow it through to attacking someone, we rely on the one finger salute and plenty of adjectives method to “vent our spleen”.













I personally have never had “pavement rage” or “pram rage” but they are reported.
Don’t we all have some sort of personality disorder, however mild.

Is this “normal” behaviour -http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7655122.stm
Are the staff that did this to the old people “mentally ill”? Or is it that they just don’t care? And is lack of caring a sign of mental illness?

Or what about this-http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7607112.stm about “Kate” and her treatment by police when she was held under the Mental Health Act.

Or this-http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7607599.stm about Thousands of people with mental health problems are being detained in police cells rather than being taken to hospital for assessment.

Or this-http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/london/series10/week5/week5_mental_health_illness.shtml from, Marjorie Wallace Founder of Sane

Or this-http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/newsnight/2008/01/bravery_in_the_face_of_mental_illness_1.html the interview of Mr Bondevik on newsnight.

There are hundreds, perhaps thousands of stories like this, which we push to the back of our minds or ignore completely because it makes us uncomfortable.

So why is there such a stigma attached to mental illness? Why do we avoid those people who through no fault of their own, suffer from probably the worst “affliction” that can infect the human psyche?

Why do we assume that all schizophrenics are dangerous? Or all depressives are suicidal?

I was married to someone who had Manic Depression for over 30 years (I dislike the term “BI-Polar” intensely) she was the most intelligent, caring, thoughtful, creative and modest person it has been my priviledge and honour to know.

But “people” who didn’t know her would “stand off”, in case they became “infected” or were “attacked.”

It is the assumption that “mentally ill” people are not like “us” and should be ignored because it isn’t something “we” are willing to discuss or accept, rather like Cancer a few years ago, or Death, which is still a “taboo” subject.

People make assumtions that the mentally ill are not capable of rational thought, or contributing to society, take a look at this list of people who have or have had Manic-depression.

Famous Names and Faces with Bipolar Disorder

These people have contributed far more than us “normal” people to society, they are much braver than us because despite their “affliction” they have carried on with their lives, just as most Manic-Depressives do.

The Manic phase of the “disease” can be wonderful for the sufferer, the creative juices flow and great works of art or literature can be produced. The downside of course is the inevitable “depression” phase.

But with medication, this can be controlled, the problem is that when a Manic-Depressive is “stablised” there is the sense of loss of the “up” side.

I also know some schizophrenics, I met them through a Day centre my wife attended, while I was working. The first impression I got was the fear, they seemed afraid of me. It took quite a while to get them to trust me.Once they did we got on famously, I would go on days out with the group, and help out. Their sense of humour is wicked and you could catch glimpses of their personality through the heavy medication.

But the overall impression was of dispair, I talk about the “dark mist” but what these guys were going through I could not imagine.

And of course there were the tragedies, one guy, Anil, who was shy and modest just couldn’t cope anymore and threw himself off the top of the muilti-storey car park.

Yes there is still a stigma and discrimination and fear regarding mental illness, but isn’t it about time that “we” looked it straight in the face and accepted it?

So next time you find out, or somebody tells you they have a “mental illness”, think for a moment, because it could quite easily be you, they deserve our respect and support. Not our distain or fear.

Because I don’t know about you but I wouldn’t have the courage to try to carry on if I was in that position.

Just remember 1 in 4 of “us” will suffer from some form of mental illness in our lives. Yes that’s 1in 4. And that includes doctors, politicains, nurses in fact every one.

By the way I am “mentally ill” I have severe depression, but you have read this haven’t you.
http://nhsexposedblog.blogspot.com/2008/09/this-guy-sings-blues.html

Angus Dei