I attended a conference on Friday for all the psychiatrists in the city. I was asked to make a presentation about wait times for services from a patient's perspective. I was terrified - another story. But I can't say enough how much I felt I thrived amongst a room full of intellectuals. It was positively delightful to have intelligent conversations for a change.

Sure I get some of that here but it isn't the same without the face to face component of dialogue.

I realized it has been about 4years since I was able to talk intelligently about things other than how I feel, my illness, or how I am coping. I realise now too, how much people tend to talk down to me.

I had a wonderful conversation with my psychiatrist as an equal instead of as a patient. And numerous one on one conversations - including with government reps - about my experiences.

While I think the conference won't change anything, it was such a positive opportunity for me.

How do the rest of you get on with talking to other people? Has your illness affected how others treat you? Do you sometimes feel isolated from having intelligent conversation? For those of you who are isolated, do you feel limited in what conversations you do get to have?