Doctor Who and the assertive Daleks

This is the reply from the GP practice manager (I CC'ed him on the email to Nick Ramsay MP, who has an interest in mental health issues)

"
Sorry to hear how your current situation has developed.  Dr ------ will,
----------------------------- return to work beginning on the 29th
October.  If you wish to wait until then to progress your situation it
may be more beneficial than having to begin again with another Partner.
The situation with mental health services is dreadful, particularly in
Monmouthshire where it seems we may have been penalised due to the high
level of service and facilities that we had historically.

The Practice has offered the local team [Community Mental Health Team] an office within the surgery to
encourage closer working links, we are yet to find out whether this
offer will be taken up.

Dr ---------- appointment are not yet available to be booked as we want to
wait until nearer the time of her return so as not to have to cancel
appointments----------------------.  -------------------------------------------------------------------.  If you
decide to wait until Dr ------------ return then if you were to contact me
next week then I would ensure that you get a double appointment with her
upon her return.

Regards

[GP Practice Manager]

"

I think this is a great reply. It seems that putting pressure on people in the UK is required to get anything done. It seems like a LOT of services, organisations and companies are struggling due to less employees, or less funding. This in turn means that the people who shout loudest will get the most support. After waiting for 20 years for help, which I feel very angry about, I feel very focused on 'shouting' louder than everyone else.

I have found that expressing myself not only in this blog, but elsewhere, has really been a cathartic experience. Some people say that depression is merely suppressed anger or 'learned helplessness'. That may explain why my depression eases when I go off on one. For example threatening legal action against the community mental health team and my doctor's surgery really empowered me.

I'm not suggesting that we go around like maniacs being angry at everyone, however I think anger can be focused in a pro-active way. i.e. don't hit someone, but rather take a breather and focus the anger in to a powerful pro-active force to make a positive change. I guess this is what people mean when they talk about assertiveness which a lot of depressed people feel unable to do. I used to feel guilty expressing anger, even in a focused way, however I think it's important to express ourselves and assert our rights whenever we feel it is appropriate.

There are a few positive outcomes to being totally honest and assertive:

1. People know where they stand, and are less likely to mess with you! They know you mean business!

2. You offload 'trapped' or 'suppressed' emotions which can reduce feelings of helplessness and sometimes depression.

3. Your life often improves if you focus the emotions in a positive way. Positive doesn't mean weak or 'nice'.

Anyway thanks for reading!