How do they view exercising for mental health?

Thank you very much. The suggestion of talking to my GP is good; he is very supportive and treats me as a partner in my own health care. I know I'm lucky! Yes - I see the point about the form; I suppose I was planning the longer statement and also thinking about the inevitable medical interview question what do I do with my day.

I can relate to the comment that anything that I do to try to make my life better seems to be a potential factor for scrutiny. If I spend a lot of time on forums I feel bad (as if I've frittered the time away) but when I'm overanxious it's a helpful anxiolytic - with the exception of the Spending Challenge website. There's nothing quite like seeing the refuse collection vehicle pulled up outside one's home emblazoned with the words "Benefits cheats - we're watching you". It's incredibly hard not to personalise it.

I last used this site as a member in 2005 in preparing to fill in my last IB claim renewal form. The quality of information and support was superb then and I'm glad to see it's unchanged.

Last month I had what may have been a panic attack of a physical nature; over the course of 24 hours I came out in what to me looked liked either hives or giant mosquito bites all over my body. It happened twice, and since it was a weekend we phoned NHS24. When I eventually got to the appointment that night it became blatantly obvious to the person seeing me that there were 'mental health issues' going on. I was immediately referred to a crisis CPN who looked at arranging for a speedy referral.

The psychiatrist I used to see regularly retired a few years back, and I haven't been seeing anyone 'regularly' as before. In some senses I'd managed to find ways to deal with certain negative impulses (ie. OU study, swim, cycling).
But these are all solitary pursuits, and they've all been brought into question over the last few days on this forum. Am I really expected to be a generic stereotype of someone with mental health issues? And who decides on what these stereotypes are?

Within the last year I've openly broken down at the GPs. Am I supposed to take (private) acting classes to make sure I'm ready to 'break down' in a WCA? Sometimes I'm a pretty strong person who makes a valuable impact to the lives of those around me...but other times - like just now - I have tears in my eyes as I try to communicate without swearing

Enough...bed...sleep?...ha!

I can't offer any constructive comments because this new system is all fresh to me and I'm just embarking on the renewal journey.It's very hard when you have to make a new relationship with a psychiatrist - I felt very insecure when mine left and I had to start all over again with another who wasn't quite on my wavelength and didn't know the history.

I don't really see that there's a viable alternative to trying to make our lives better and eventually, if possible, being of use to someone in some way.

I don't know a single person who fits the media stereotype of 'languishing' at home all day watching plasma TV and living the life of Riley on the back of the taxpayer. I do know lots of ill people (mental and physical) who have to pace their lives and fulfil their potential perhaps in ways they they never envisaged before they were ill.

Illness has a way of revealing our strengths. Some find release in creativity; it's something we can make out of our damaged minds or bodies. Some find voices to challenge opinion formers and inspire other people. Some become supporters and listeners.The list is as endless as individuals. It's incredibly hard to see our strengths when we're mentally unwell and it's hard to believe the objective observers whose voices sound quieter than the destructive ones in our heads.

Online study, swimming, writing and doing a low key research project are activities I've done to find some way forward out of black places and I'm getting a bike next month. This adds up to something but it doesn't add up to working capacity, because of the nature of my illness. It adds up to self-respect and having a go and not giving in.

I broke down perfectly easily at the last medical (probably 2003). It was awful from the start: I have a non-English forename which the doctor refused to spell right, snapping that it didn't matter - but it does to me. He was brusque, rude, insulting and I was in tears within two minutes. He barked, "There's no point in me interviewing you. Get out." I had a witness (my spouse) and I would always advise anyone to ensure that someone accompanies them.

Self-respect is one of the most valuable assets we can cling on to. It's the way it's being undermined on many fronts that I find damaging. We have to keep fighting for our inner selves in whatever way works for us.

I am sorry you were treated with such contempt by that doctor at the medical. On another topic entirely - you write so well, have you thought about trying to write creatively and maybe even sell your work? With best wishes, Lainie