As an adolescent, I could explain what physical and social well-being was perfectly. I was however as lost as a needle in the ocean when it comes to explaining what mental well-being is. Physical illness was not new to me. After all, I have been down with fever at several times. Even though the evidences [...]
Hang in There After seeking mental health help for 18 years, I was diagnosed with Bipolar 1, PTSD, and anxiety at 35 years old. I also sought help for substance use for nearly two decades. At 38 years old, after 22 years of active use, I was finally accepted into a dual diagnosis treatment center. [...]
Eating disorder sufferers receive a lot of blame for their condition. People see the behavior, but they don't see the illness. That's because it's a mental health condition; while you may see what's happening on the outside, you can't see the actual sickness. You can't see what's going on inside, and because of this, mental [...]
When I was a little girl, I watched my older brother struggle with alcoholism. It broke my heart to see him go from a thriving, smart, hard-working basketball player with tons of natural talent, to a racist loner who would rather spend time with a bottle than family or friends. He's ten years older than [...]
For the 10 years my boyfriend Dave and I were together, I knew of his emotional pain that stemmed from the death of his mother in 2001; she passed away from lupus. I also knew of his lifelong intense pain and depression from a complicated upbringing of severe narcissistic abuse. Some prefer to look the [...]
I dreamt of a snake shedding its skin. And as it did, I killed it. In fact, I suffocated it. In its place, a smaller, shiny snake appeared. I felt okay with this one. I awoke from this dream feeling shaken; it stayed with me for days. Ever had one like this? A dream so [...]
For years, I kept my struggles with depression hidden away. I was embarrassed. I was afraid. I didn’t want to burden people. I didn’t want anyone to think I was flawed, or weak, or crazy. It made me feel truly alone. But then, I met a few other people willing to open up about the [...]
The cocky fireman got way too close to my face and rudely asked: “what, are you on drugs?!” My response? “YEAH ASSHOLE I HAVE A PANIC DISORDER!” I didn’t know I was pregnant. Let me make that very clear. I had no idea I was pregnant. I thought I was simply going insane and losing [...]
I will never forget the time I sat in the closet my belly panging at me begging to be fed. I was so upset that I simply was unable to speak. My anxiety disorder completely ignored. I was shouting on the inside but of course, no one could hear that except me the hollow echoes [...]
Childhood I know I did not have anxiety or depression when I was a kid. Yes, I was anxious about getting friends because I was a shy and quiet person. I also knew I had a hard time making friends because of it. So, my mother enrolled me in an after-school program and dance classes. [...]
