tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439535880046940446.comments2017-10-08T14:38:33.577+01:00David Austin: Writing with Considered IntentDavid Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15578474886944913136noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439535880046940446.post-86916794535284058872017-10-07T20:43:25.717+01:002017-10-07T20:43:25.717+01:00I appreciate your review, Mr. Austin, but "an...I appreciate your review, Mr. Austin, but "anonymous's" comment is right on point. I have experience with living with someone with BPD and "collaborating" with such a person is just not practical or realistic. I realize that Ms. Reiland probably took creative license with a lot of the dialogue - after all who can remember conversations in such detail? - but that does not make her wrong. I found Ms. Reiland's book to be outstanding and definitely worth the read.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15222500066686124851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439535880046940446.post-80593592732839724872017-02-05T00:46:45.903+00:002017-02-05T00:46:45.903+00:00I know a few names that have been said and I well ...I know a few names that have been said and I well remember Mrs Mac. Trish and Liz, Terry Paul and I'll never forget that sick git Joe. That's a few of the staff in won't mention the kids in was very close to. I would love to find them. Trouble really started when I left cos I was a raveing junkie because of the habit they gave me with all the drugs in liargactol soup vellum sleeping pills ect ect. <br />I was there from 1976 to 79. I'm Kenny. My email address is kensayer77@yahoo.com. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05704360620807741562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439535880046940446.post-68237954856943768222016-10-14T13:21:10.842+01:002016-10-14T13:21:10.842+01:00I am just now reading the book, devouring it and e...I am just now reading the book, devouring it and everything else I can find related to BPD treatment. It gives me hope that there is help for this illness, hope in sharp comparison to the despair I have encountered in the past. I have been told by several people in the mental health field in our state that there is no help for BPD patients. One lady did tell me about DBT, but there is no one trained around here. So I am researching and reading on my own and finding that those people are partially correct. There is very limited help in our state, but there is help and hope for those who are determined enough to seek it. Recovery may be a long and daunting process, but the alternative is much worse. kaynonnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06857492566655823653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439535880046940446.post-22223822505163666582014-11-11T15:04:13.642+00:002014-11-11T15:04:13.642+00:00Hi Paul. Thanks for your comments. Sorry to hear y...Hi Paul. Thanks for your comments. Sorry to hear you've had such a rough time. Yes, I remember the people you mention. If the boy from Exeter is who I think, then he was another David. Best wishes.David Austinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15578474886944913136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439535880046940446.post-37918160489429684722014-11-11T07:41:31.861+00:002014-11-11T07:41:31.861+00:00hello david im paul walsh iv been trying to contac...hello david im paul walsh iv been trying to contact you not very good on pc! it would seem i was there same time, i reamember pleger,mr mog,kim small,a sweet anorexic girl, jeani!! useto flash her bits a bit! (greeny) and a lad who lived in wanford exiter went for weekend once cant remember his name! iv been threw the mill last god knows howmenny years, thay say i have post stres thing! borderline persanalaty thing and bipolla! hhmmm! wont go on too much as this mite not work again! yours paul....sorry bout spelling!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13380163453845400729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439535880046940446.post-3507332744748743902014-08-23T12:00:31.184+01:002014-08-23T12:00:31.184+01:00Thank you for your comment, Anonymous. I'm no ...Thank you for your comment, Anonymous. I'm no expert, but I believe there have been some advances in the treatment of BDP (or EID -- Emotional Intensity Disorder) in more recent years. Many people (sufferers and therapists) speak very highly of STEPPS (Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving) which is a group-based therapy programme that avoids that intense (and potentially problematic) patient-therapist (power) relationship while benefiting from the encouragement provided by mutual support (though it does include one-to-one reinforcement sessions). It would be interesting to see a comparison of recovery rates between the method described in 'Get Me Out Of Here' (and of your own experience) and that of STEPPS.David Austinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15578474886944913136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439535880046940446.post-24539330908323569702014-08-23T07:27:11.288+01:002014-08-23T07:27:11.288+01:00I have "borderline traits" according to ...I have "borderline traits" according to my therapist, and while part of my agenda in listening to this book was to get ammo to discredit my own therapist's methods, I am finding Dr. Padgett's methods to be right in line with how my therapist is doing it. He seems to have control but is committed to not abuse that power.<br /><br />As a potential BPD, the problem I see with a collaborative approach is that I would abuse it/use it to justify myself in bad behavior. Like in schema therapy, which points out that the BPD patient cycles between healthy adult modes and impulsive or vulnerable child modes. When you're in a child mode, the BPD person needs someone to step in with the authority of a parent - otherwise the BPD person will cycle out of control toward self destruction.<br /><br />So the therapist has to be willing to take control to help the out of control child feel safe, supported, and to learn it's ok to accept limits on her behavior. Letting someone stay out of control is not loving.<br /><br />That said, I often want to feel like more of an equal partner in my therapy, which CAN be healthy. It just depends whether my desire at that moment is coming more from a responsible adult place or an impulsive child place.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439535880046940446.post-67405537890109869432013-10-19T11:05:55.410+01:002013-10-19T11:05:55.410+01:00Hi Rob. I believe I've been able to date the f...Hi Rob. I believe I've been able to date the film with reasonable accuracy. I had to watch it several times before I noticed that I'm actually in it! (though I have no recollection of it being made). Where I'm seated in the dining room together with the bare trees in the exterior shots suggests a fairly narrow window of March to May (at the latest) 1976. April would be my best guess. Thanks again for posting it. David.<br /><br />For anyone who's interested, the discussion on the Cotford St Luke forum is here:<br />http://forum.cotford-st-luke.co.uk/YaBB.pl?num=1264192908/135David Austinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15578474886944913136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439535880046940446.post-31825207075452590772013-10-19T08:33:32.709+01:002013-10-19T08:33:32.709+01:00 Hello David, sorry for my late reply on here. I’v... Hello David, sorry for my late reply on here. I’ve been so busy with film projects. <br /> As you know I have decided to post the film and I am glad that it is not ill received. <br />It is probably easier for me to correspond with anyone if they head over to the Cotford St Luke history forum to catch up on this film - How it almost didn’t get to see the light of day as it was found in a trailer skip etc. If you follow Kizboo’s posts on there you will know that there is a 50 minute film from the early 90s that I’m currently working on too.<br /> I will try my very best to produce a trailer for this film this weekend on my youtube Super8sooty channel, regards, Rob.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439535880046940446.post-52754837628934338572013-09-19T19:10:10.528+01:002013-09-19T19:10:10.528+01:00i would like very muchto see the footage , even th...i would like very muchto see the footage , even though it would raise a few demons from the past . It may put a few bad memories to rest .<br />Merryfields as a building was as previously mentioned , not a bad place , but the walls concealed some rather nasty goings on .There were a few really bad apples in that certain barrel.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439535880046940446.post-62366762518273905442013-09-18T08:59:45.146+01:002013-09-18T08:59:45.146+01:00Hi Rob. With there being so little material out th...Hi Rob. With there being so little material out there almost any documentary record of the place would be absolutely invaluable, and it sounds like your 8mm film is a really important artifact of the period - I for one would certainly want to see it. Obviously, something so vivid may well bring back unhappy memories for many, but I personally think it's important to have that sort of record available. I will certainly pass this on to my contacts and see what others think. Best wishes, David.David Austinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15578474886944913136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439535880046940446.post-757515833130629552013-09-17T19:22:05.045+01:002013-09-17T19:22:05.045+01:00Hello David, I have super 8 mm movie footage of Ma...Hello David, I have super 8 mm movie footage of Marrifield. It dates from around the late 70's. I want to put it up on youtube but thought that I would ask your opinion first. Basically it’s an amateur promotional film showing what the unit is all about. I understand about the sensitive nature of the film but I believe that it is tastefully made and shows life as it was back then. This is historic footage and given that there little or no pictures of the place, I think it would be a shame if people thought it too upsetting. Perhaps you could ask around as you seem to be the one in the know, RobAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439535880046940446.post-27232873900826360402012-03-05T09:15:46.016+00:002012-03-05T09:15:46.016+00:00Hi Ben. I left Merrifield in 1980, so we probably ...Hi Ben. I left Merrifield in 1980, so we probably didn't meet (not there anyway). Since you mentioned Kraftwerk, I guess you must have someone else quite particular in mind. Anyway, thanks for commenting - good to hear from you.David Austinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15578474886944913136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439535880046940446.post-20699645569578446752012-03-05T02:51:12.960+00:002012-03-05T02:51:12.960+00:00i went to merrifield in 1987 and i think we met ma...i went to merrifield in 1987 and i think we met many moons ago -do you like kraftwerk?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15453313794791555221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439535880046940446.post-66378115092756679382011-04-26T15:05:07.945+01:002011-04-26T15:05:07.945+01:00I wholeheartedly applaud that sentiment!!!!!
I re...I wholeheartedly applaud that sentiment!!!!!<br /><br />I remember someone, who had apparently been diagnosed with some sort of minor mental health problem some years previously, telling me that 'he is wired up differently to the rest of us'.He believes that to be the case; obviously the notion has been given to explain his 'condition'.<br />All I could think was, if he is 'wired up differently' it's a shame more aren't wired that exact same way for he is one of the nicest people I have met.........<br /><br />Yes, words do matter. Which words we choose to say and how we say them, make a difference.<br /><br />Speaking of words I'd like to say it's good to be reading your blogs again, David!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439535880046940446.post-17301207747692606242011-03-01T09:12:29.542+00:002011-03-01T09:12:29.542+00:00Thank you, both, for your comments.
I realise, o...Thank you, both, for your comments. <br /><br />I realise, of course, that I raise far more questions and challenges than I provide answers for. I'm neither qualified nor experienced enough to offer solutions - suggesting that 'we as a community [must] actually start to care' is an abstract aspiration, but I hope there are others who can turn that into something more concrete. Greater support for carers would certainly be something more concrete and practical (as opposed to cutting what support there already is, e.g. the provision of respite care).David Austinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15578474886944913136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439535880046940446.post-15047901009920465602011-02-28T19:25:09.952+00:002011-02-28T19:25:09.952+00:00As a carer for someone with mental health problems...As a carer for someone with mental health problems I find this a very difficult area. I wouldn't want him cared for in an institution but equally it is sometimes very lonely here in the community.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439535880046940446.post-87487683579776580772011-02-28T18:27:41.845+00:002011-02-28T18:27:41.845+00:00David, your writings are as you describe; 'wit...David, your writings are as you describe; 'with considered intent'.<br /><br />I can relate to them but could not express things the way you do. i just hope that the people responsible for caring (in the community or anywhere else) read your blogs and pick up on the points you make that the mistakes of the past are not repeated.<br /><br />It is easy to love the lovable; not so easy to love those with challenging behaviour, perhaps; but with proper handling and loving care shown these in turn will reflect love if they are on the receiving end of it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439535880046940446.post-27712080197026583522011-02-16T16:09:15.190+00:002011-02-16T16:09:15.190+00:00I think that all sounds perfectly understandable, ...I think that all sounds perfectly understandable, Anonymous - not at all soppy and selfish. What happened to you all those years ago was a major, traumatic, life-changing event. I still feel very strongly about what happened to me 35 years ago (this very month), and although I've had a little bit of contact with one or two people from that time, it isn't possible now, as an adult, to restore childhood friendships that were cut off so abruptly and so long ago. I'm not sure I would describe what I feel as 'rejected and dejected' (although there is an element of that in there somewhere) - what I feel is a sense of something cut off and finished, and which can never be properly resolved. I suppose it's a kind of grief; it may lessen over the years, but it doesn't competely go away. Anyway, we are where we are - and for me that's a much better place to be.David Austinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15578474886944913136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439535880046940446.post-35503926125790789532011-02-16T15:47:54.961+00:002011-02-16T15:47:54.961+00:00Hi, David,
No my name is not on Friends Reunited -...Hi, David,<br />No my name is not on Friends Reunited -- I am not yet ready to talk to those people who, almost half a century ago, were a big part of my daily life. I don't know if I could cope with knowing that they do not remember me and I do not know how I would explain what happened to me. I felt hurt at the time that I did not even come under the school's sort of parochial umbrella whereby it was a tradition to send greetings to anyone in the class who was hospitalised or absent due to illness at any time. I received no messages of any kind so the way was not even open for me to respond with a gesture of thanks and keep in contact that way. I suppose (soppy and selfish as it now sounds!) I felt rejected and dejected -- and would be afraid of the same degree of apathy today if I were to announce 'I'm still around'/ I'm sorry if that all sounds pathetic -- maybe some hurt doesn't go away! -- mcslAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439535880046940446.post-23940024740941501012011-02-16T09:09:09.420+00:002011-02-16T09:09:09.420+00:00Hi Anonymous. Is your name listed on Friends Reun...Hi Anonymous. Is your name listed on Friends Reunited? If so, you might find that someone contacts you. <br /><br />It is very strange when we look back and we see a very definite and sudden change in our lives that completely alters the course we are on. And it has some sort of impact on those who were around us (classmates, etc.) too. It may not be life changing for them, but I certainly remember occasions at school when a child may have moved away, and that changed the make-up of the class. <br /><br />You talk of having 'disappeared' from your school 48 years ago. I couldn't help thinking that, 48 years ago, I was in a very safe place (the womb!).David Austinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15578474886944913136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439535880046940446.post-38786085467102878132011-02-15T17:42:18.562+00:002011-02-15T17:42:18.562+00:00I 'disappeared' from my school and all my ...I 'disappeared' from my school and all my schoolfriends forty-eight years ago! I don't know if any of them ever give me or the times we shared together a thought now. I recently looked up my old secondary school on Friends Reunited and was filled with a feeling of nostalgia as I recognised many names and saw how their lives have developed over almost half a century. A boyfriend now lives in Australia and is a successful photographer, another friend runs her own business in Switzerland.....I was tempted to sat 'Hi!' but how do I explain 'a mistake was made and I was whisked off to a mental hospital----that's why I didn't return to my desk......' At the time of my admission to Merrifield Unit, I was forced to relinquish the right to my normal life and the tangible things that went with it. Life turned out okay for me eventually but I can't help thinking 'what if-----'Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439535880046940446.post-20018235908172847322011-02-13T12:51:21.938+00:002011-02-13T12:51:21.938+00:00Yes, I'm sure things have changed, Katrina. Ho...Yes, I'm sure things <i>have</i> changed, Katrina. However, I remember being told back in the '70s that things had changed <i>then</i> - and how lucky I was! But in fairness, it <i>is</i> all very different now, and (as I understand it) the few children's and adolescents' units that exist today are much smaller (far fewer kids end up in residential psychiatric care these days) and the units are also more specialised. One thing that hasn't changed, though, is that hardly anyone knows these places exist. <br /><br />Although things are generally better now (or so I believe), if those of us who remember what it used to be like don't say anything, then a dark secret will die with us and no one will learn from our experiences. It's quite alarming to hear that you've been warned not to say anything; no one has warned me off - yet... <br /><br />The thing is, human nature hasn't changed (good people can still be led to do bad things in obedience to their bosses or institutional cultures), so there's always the chance that similar 'mistakes' could happen again - unless wider society keeps an eye on these things and holds psychiatric services to account.David Austinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15578474886944913136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439535880046940446.post-49745893375683825262011-02-12T20:51:27.848+00:002011-02-12T20:51:27.848+00:00i was in merryfield 79/80. medication and treatmen...i was in merryfield 79/80. medication and treatment of children was no better then. i have been warned not to say anything as things have changed katrina widgery (former patient) to contact me here is a email adress lloydwidgery@hotmail.co.uk (this is my nephews email adress as i do no have my own)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439535880046940446.post-48152444177396780252011-01-25T14:04:53.117+00:002011-01-25T14:04:53.117+00:00Oh, that's so sad.
Thank you, David.Oh, that's so sad.<br /><br />Thank you, David.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com