"Socially Anxious Artist Seeking Anxiety-Causing Opportunities" In the middle of a recent holiday party, a friend discovered me in the kitchen washing dishes. “Why are you doing that now?” she asked. “I need a break from the people,” I sheepishly replied. “But, it’s your party. There are only six people here. Come on! You’re in [...]
I have never been the one to bring blind optimism into any situation. I mean, I’ve always believed in hope, and having faith, but never that everything will work out exactly how I want. Frankly, the world doesn’t work that way, and I knew this even as a young child. My parents used to tell [...]
Prescription Painkillers word cloud with white background Last week the West Virginia newspaper Charleston-Gazette Mail published an article on their investigation into the 1,728 West Virginians who have died from overdoses from hydrocodone and oxycodone. The report found that in the six-year period of time when these overdoses occurred drug companies [...]
Locked Out Hopping onto the bathroom vanity made of fake marble, that my mother called elegant, I studied my face. The answer to my question had to be hiding somewhere in my features. Why wouldn't other kids play with me? With desperation, I searched my reflection for what made me unacceptable. Two slightly slanted green [...]
Hits and Misses of my Past and Present Doctors/Treaters I have been on a journey through mental health wellness for the past 24 years. This is my experience from my first treatment provider to my current providers. It shows how lucky I have been as I have had many “hits” and only 2 “misses.” My [...]
The first time I can ever remember my OCD showing itself was fourth grade. My sister, only three years older, was showing me a rated R movie, and my mother walked in. As any typical mother would, she scolded us. Something switched in me that day. I don’t really know what it is that just [...]
“I can’t do this anymore. I can’t help you.” “You just want me to admit that I am broken! You are looking for a reason to leave” “No. I am looking for a reason to stay.” Not everyone can can look at the exact moment when their lives changed. I am lucky. My partner Gray [...]
“My arm is a spider web, my brain is a raging fire and anyone who wants to tell me I’m fine doesn’t know what’s going on in my mind.” That is what I wrote on November 13th, not knowing that just 4 days later my friends and colleagues would be taking me to the ER [...]
I Say, I'm Recovered. However is there such a thing. I don't abuse laxitaves, or make myself purge. No longer restricting calories, or missing social events. However is there such a thing as being fully recovered. I do look in the mirror and say wow I'm fat Yes, I avoided the gym and eating healthy [...]
I would like to start off by saying I am one of the many people to be hindered in life by depression. Many people who don’t necessarily struggle with depression think of it as only being overly sad; I’m here to tell you that is far from the truth. Depression can come in many forms [...]
