Hi, I'm Josie

I had a single hypomanic episode in 2011 at age 50. It was severe anxiety run out of control in response to a major life trauma. I had no history of mental health issues till then, no postpartum problems. But bipolar is now in my medical record as a result. I took olanzipine and seroxat for 8 years. Then developed akathisia, but without the associated movement issues. My gp labelled it as anxiety and kept increasing the seroxat. I asked to be referred to secondary services after 3 years of unimaginable hell. I was swapped to quetiapine and akathisia disappeared within a week. But 5 years later I'm still on quetiapine. Supposedly for insomnia. It is time to take back control. I am not here to stop a gp worrying I will become hypomanic again. After a nightmare experience with a previous gp practice, I think my new practice will support me. I'm hoping this community will help me to feel less alone. And maybe I have some insights that might help others.