Dr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 30/05/2026“Writing from bed is a time-honored disabled way of being an activist and a cultural worker. It’s one the mainstream doesn’t often acknowledge but whose lineage stretches from Frida Kahlo painting in bed to Grace Lee Boggs writing in her wheelchair age 98.” - Piepzna-Samarasinha 14412
Dr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 26/05/2026It’ll kick off in London today cos no one knows what to do when it gets above 28 and the daily mail will call it ‘lawless London’ when most of what we need is lollies. 1261
Reposted by Dr Jay WattsDr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 20/07/2025As someone actually trained in behavioural psychology—unlike most MPs—I can tell you: financial precarity doesn’t “incentivise” sick people to work. It breaks them. Stress worsens health. Fear doesn’t create productivity. It creates collapse. #TakingThePIP 411496602
Dr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 25/05/2026Biggest threat to trauma therapy in the UK right now? PIP cuts & tighter rules. Tens of thousands with PTSD/CPTSD rely on PIP to fund private therapy — NHS waits are years long. Respond to the Timms Review consultation by 28 May or many will lose access. tinyurl.com/mrk8hy4mtinyurl.comTimms Review of Personal Independence Payment: call for evidence 33015
Dr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 25/05/2026Trauma not merely as fear or horror, but as chronic assault on reality-testing, credibility, embodiment, autonomy, and social legibility. 2193
Dr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 25/05/2026If you can, please say hello to the security guard at your local supermarket. There's a new one at mine who smiles so sweetly and looks genuinely pleased to see everyone. The last one did too -before month on month of being barely acknowledged in the inhumane modern workplace wore him into despair. 2269
Dr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 23/05/2026Still remember the crushing moment as a young researcher when I realised that proving something through evidence had damn near no impact on social policy unless it was politically useful to believe it. 1175891794
Dr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 23/05/2026🚨Clinicians - The PIP Review closes on Thursday. We must improve PIP and protect existing rights after fifteen years of relentless attacks on disabled people. Fill in the form: tinyurl.com/5f4xfe5w Email: timmsreview.callforevidence@dwp.gov.uk Sign the professional letter: tinyurl.com/37nrsmxxtinyurl.comTimms Review of Personal Independence Payment: call for evidence 03723
Dr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 25/12/2025If you’re lonely today and want someone to talk to in the U.K.: • Call Samaritans 116 123 – 24/7 • Text SHOUT to 85258 – free, 24/7 text support • 55+: The Silver Line 0800 470 8090 – friendship and listening, 24/7 • Under 19: Childline 0800 1111 or chat online We are here on bluesky too🩷 27842
Dr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 25/12/2025Just a reminder: you are NOT unusual, weird, or unlovable if you have: - no one to see on Christmas Day, - no presents, or - no contactable relatives. Very few people live the idealised version on TV. Those of us who live differently—whether by choice or trauma—matter as much. 12792218
Dr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 25/12/2025Going for my Christmas Day swim at the lido — or about to embark on a deep-sea fishing mission in the Arctic? You decide. 5401
Dr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 24/12/2025Sending solidarity and love to everyone in the Mad/traumatised/neurodivergent community in pain or lonely tonight x 1536
Reposted by Dr Jay WattsRecovery in the Bin @ritb.bsky.social · 06/11/2025New from the brilliant @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social substack.com/inbox/post/1...substack.comThe 'Avoiding Avoidance' TrapHow Britain's Welfare Policy Weaponizes Therapy. 1147
Reposted by Dr Jay WattsJoy @joymiriam.bsky.social · 07/11/2025Thank you for this @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social "the real avoidance isn’t on the part of those struggling to survive. It’s governmental: the avoidance of the real, the avoidance of the structural, and—most crucially—the cynical avoidance of justice." substack.com/inbox/post/1...substack.comThe 'Avoiding Avoidance' TrapHow Britain's Welfare Policy Weaponizes Therapy. 2214
Reposted by Dr Jay WattsJoy @joymiriam.bsky.social · 07/11/2025This needs shouting from the rooftops "the real avoidance isn’t on the part of those struggling to survive. It’s governmental: the avoidance of the real, the avoidance of the structural, and—most crucially—the cynical avoidance of justice." 0116
Reposted by Dr Jay WattsJames Anderson @1jamesanderson.bsky.social · 06/11/2025Incredible article, dissembling the Governments floored Welfare plans by leading Psychotherapist and Activist @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social substack.com/inbox/post/1...substack.comThe 'Avoiding Avoidance' TrapHow Britain's Welfare Policy Weaponizes Therapy. 1166
Dr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 31/10/2025Request #8538 to @bsky.app: I would love to use Bluesky regularly, but I can’t. Why? No locked/private accounts. This isn’t a nice-to-have feature. It’s a safety essential that excludes many in Mad and Disabled communities who face real risks posting publicly. Please sort this Out. 59218
Reposted by Dr Jay WattsPouffy Mono-Bosom @herrem.bsky.social · 17/10/2025The DWP have absolutely no place in a GP surgery, or anywhere people access healthcare, health-related support, mental health support. Many people who claim disability benefit experience a hyper-vigilance over the DWP 'checking up' on them, and it is not unfounded. People avoid things 23511
Dr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 17/10/2025Work is not a health outcome. It’s a social determinant — and sometimes a damaging one. Putting DWP work coaches in GP surgeries turns healthcare into a branch of welfare policing. 26917
Dr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 17/10/2025“Yeah but I saw on the internet that if you fill out a form you get a free BMW!” I’m sure you did, babe. I also saw on the internet that I can make tens of millions from a timeshare pyramid scheme. 1405
Dr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 17/10/2025Personally, I think “We’re all people with lived experience” is just the ableist cousin of “we all have mental health.” It takes a phrase born to centre marginalised voices and uses it to erase the difference that made it necessary in the first place. But then I'm moody. 3435
Dr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 17/10/2025Work coaches do not belong in GP surgeries. 55918
Reposted by Dr Jay WattsDr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 29/08/2025Can’t believe this needs saying in 2025 but: Human rights are good for humans. 517433
Reposted by Dr Jay WattsDr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 30/08/2025The folk shouting about “protecting women and girls” as they form gangs are the very same who, in another century, would have lit the pyres for any woman even vaguely deviant — branding her a witch and burning her alive. Groupthink and violence has always worn the mask of virtue. 36013
Reposted by Dr Jay WattsDr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 30/08/2025The Centre for Social Justice has just released a report called ‘Wasted Lives’ which is being picked up by the media and recommends withdrawing: “UC Health and PIP from those with milder anxiety, depression or ADHD, equivalent to around 1.1 million people”. Why is this wrong? 🧵 49539
Reposted by Dr Jay WattsDr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 29/08/2025If folk are so keen on ‘protecting women and girls’, how about campaigning on the conviction rate for reported rape which is 2%? 25814
Reposted by Dr Jay WattsDr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 29/08/2025I can’t tell you how many parents’ MENTAL HEALTH problems are CAUSED and EXACERBATED by the pressure of trying to get any—let alone decent—SEND SUPPORT. If the GOVERNMENT want to reduce DIAGNOSIS, they should make SEND FUNDING easier and more RELIABLE to get, not CUT it. 0386
Reposted by Dr Jay WattsDr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 29/08/2025Dear @teamlabouruk.bsky.social Having to publish three impact assessments — none of which would pass GCSE level scrutiny — because you got thrashed by the disability movement is not “extensive” impact assessment. Nor was dropping the PIP changes. Stop lying to the United Nations. Dr Jay 1417
Dr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 30/08/2025Far more troubled by #AngelaRayner’s betrayal of millions of disabled people than where her primary residence is, to be honest. 3538
Dr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 30/08/2025Fearing abandonment when one has a history of being abandoned doesn’t a personality disorder make. 2452
Dr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 30/08/2025The folk shouting about “protecting women and girls” as they form gangs are the very same who, in another century, would have lit the pyres for any woman even vaguely deviant — branding her a witch and burning her alive. Groupthink and violence has always worn the mask of virtue. 36013
Dr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 30/08/2025Not when the nationals are covering them. Thats a b dangerous thing to do. We have to show the scripts are wrong. 160
Dr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 30/08/2025Stop targeting people in desperate need of support who have been medically assessed as too unwell to work. Focus on ensuring that people get prompt help from the NHS which reduces disability. Make the workplace more disability friendly. Then the numbers on benefits will lower. 17016
Dr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 30/08/2025ADHD without support and help can be v dangerous - much more likely to die earlier, and have all sorts of bad outcomes. ADHD meds are unusually effective for psychotropics. It’s super important ADHDers have access to the disability benefits which help access to the above. 35210
Dr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 30/08/2025ADHD, like mood disorders, is easy to stigmatise which is why the CSJ are targeting this condition too. Why is it easy to stigmatise? Well because can’t concentrate or focus sometimes as everyone gets a bit sad. This is gravely misrecognised for the life-shortening condition 1478
Dr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 30/08/2025Nearly all claimants with these conditions have multiple other ones - we don’t have the figures for how many with PIP but for UC health it is FIVE. So, the clinical picture is often v complicated and can’t be captured by one label. Benefits are given on *this* overall picture. 24611
Dr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 30/08/2025No one gets UC Health and/or PIP for ‘mild’ anxiety, depression or ADHD. Re anxiety+depression, 50% claims with these conditions are unsuccessful. To apply alone one needs substantial evidence including medical that problems are significantly disabling ie by definition not mild. 16314
Dr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 30/08/2025The Centre for Social Justice has just released a report called ‘Wasted Lives’ which is being picked up by the media and recommends withdrawing: “UC Health and PIP from those with milder anxiety, depression or ADHD, equivalent to around 1.1 million people”. Why is this wrong? 🧵 49539
Dr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 29/08/2025Yes. Circle of light, weave round us now, no harm may cross, no shadow may… 120
Dr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 29/08/2025If folk are so keen on ‘protecting women and girls’, how about campaigning on the conviction rate for reported rape which is 2%? 25814
Reposted by Dr Jay WattsNell @nellh.bsky.social · 23/08/2025Please read our paper out now about the resistance, repurposing and reimagining of oppressive mental health technologies, such as Oxevision (now LIO), used on us against our will. And how we must dream them differently. 12920