recovery
Your illness does not define you. It's your resolve to recover that does.
Snapshot
It’s been five years since I first stepped foot into a treatment center and received my diagnoses of Bulimia Nervosa and Bipolar II. Through these last five years, I have suffered the lowest of lows and enjoyed some pretty euphoric and satisfying high points. I have faced relapses, stared down my illnesses in the eyes, taken countless losses, but yet I managed to stay strong and come back more resilient each day. I get questions from strangers asking me what it’s like to live with an eating disorder and a mood disorder. The simple answer would be a rollercoaster that is on fire, primarily consisting of loops, making you dizzy and sick, that teases you with momentary pauses, that never ends. This is the more detailed answer to that question. This is, at five years into recovery, a snapshot of a day living with an eating disorder and a mood disorder.
By Chris Monda9 years ago in Psyche
How to Find Meaning in the Suicide of a Loved One
On Thursday, July 21, 2011, my twenty-year-old son left work early and never came home. His body would be found six days later in a remote area overlooking the Sweetwater Canyon, a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, and my life would never be the same. One year later, my wife took her life.
By David Stoner9 years ago in Psyche
An Open Letter to My Abuser
How are you doing? I am doing alright, it’s been a while since you thought of me, hasn’t it? I think of you more than I should. What you did to me taints my every action; it forces me to second-guess every single person in my life. Does that guy really like my shirt, or are his eyes looking to my breasts? Is she grooming me, or is she genuinely my friend? Who is using me and who isn’t? Every day a question like this passes my mind, and to be honest I blame you. You took my innocence away when I was 13. You stole the last drops of my childhood and forced me to grow up. I remember exactly what you did, no detail has moved from that day.
By Eadlyen Greenwood9 years ago in Psyche
How to Overcome Depression in 3 Steps
Thousands of years ago, Buddha said, "Life is dukkha". Dukkha has been translated from Pali into English as "suffering." This doesn't mean that Buddha himself thought that life was miserable and thus there was no point in living it with some positive purpose or meaning. What he meant is that life by its nature involves suffering.
By Vanessa Dias9 years ago in Psyche
Taboo—Mental Health
Back in 2012, I was made redundant from an organization I had been with for nearly 10 years. I did not take the redundancy well and felt very bitter and twisted about being ousted! In a matter of weeks, I was not able to leave the house without a full blown panic and anxiety attack. I even feared stupid things like the postman delivering letters, being around people, speaking on the telephone, going food shopping, seeing friends, etc. Within a couple of months, my physical, emotional well-being, and family life were severely affected. I was frogmarched to the GP and was referred to a Mental Health Team. I have always been an open minded type of gal but accepting psychological help seems like I had failed as a person. I was stronger than this. I was just having a hard time and things would get better, right?
By Anabel Hudson9 years ago in Psyche
How I Didn't Let Depression Ruin My Life
My immediate family has a history of depression and anxiety. My mom and sister both take anti-depressants and my sister also deals with severe anxiety. I always thought I was an exception. I was not. In grade 10 I went through a period of depression that lasted months. I didn't realize what it was at the time. I had no will to go to school so I stayed home most days. I'd miss two-three school days a week. I still got by with average grades. In grade 11, I figured out what I wanted to do in life. I found passion and motivation and was able to overcome the depression. I started working hard in school and rose to the top of my class. I graduated with honours and was accepted into a university overseas for a masters program.
By Alissa Budzinski9 years ago in Psyche
