Hello, I have always thought that sharing my story with the mental health community is important to bring hope to others that are just like me.

I’m a 37 year old divorced mother of two boys. I have been in therapy of some kind or another since I was 7 years old. Mental illness runs in my family as well as substance abuse addiction. I believe I was born with my many disorders that progressed and worsened as I got older, abused illegal drugs, prescribed medication and had my children. In my early childhood I showed all the many signs of OCD. I also grew up in an extremely chaotic family where my mother suffered terribly with her own mental illness that was never acknowledged or treated and an emotionally absent father. My two older siblings coped with this by using and abusing drugs and my older sister was put into rehab when I was seven. My older brother simply moved away and is still an addict today covering up his own mental health issues. My younger sister was extremely emotionally disturbed and would act out violently towards my parents but especially towards me. She would later become a drug addict for many years and thankfully entered recovery 4 ½ years ago.

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Hi there. My name’s Briana, and I suffer from mental illness. I really hope that sharing an overview of my story will help other people to not feel so alone. Here goes:

I began therapy when I was about seven, and I’ve been in it ever since. I also take a few different medications to help ease my symptoms; in fact, I’m still trying to find the right combo of meds that works for me. I’ve officially been diagnosed with major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and “bipolar tendencies”. My biggest struggle is with my depression, but I also suffer from really paranoid, intrusive thoughts and extreme anxiety. I’ve been hospitalized before because things have gotten bad enough where I’ve been suicidal. 

Even though that all sounds very negative, my life has not been dominated by my mental illness. I’ve been able to maintain my mental health well enough to graduate from college with two degrees. If I can do it, I sincerely believe that anyone with the willpower can too. I believe in you and your ability to overcome.

I was recently at a dinner with two friends, when we began discussing mental illness and mental health treatment.

All three of us have openly had periods of struggle with both depression and anxiety, but we all had very different takes on treatment, particularly in regards to antidepressants.

“I wouldn’t go on them,” said the first friend.

“I would go on them, but just until I feel better,” said the second.

My take was the opposite: I have been taking antidepressants on and off my entire life, and since deciding to take them consistently nearly three years ago, my life has turned around. I plan to be on them forever.

Conversations like this are not uncommon. When it comes to mental health issues, opinions are often polarized and strongly held.

I understand that antidepressants are not for everyone; many people are fortunate in not suffering from mental illness, and even many of those who do would prefer to have medication be their last resort.

For me, medication is a part of a more comprehensive treatment plan to avoid falling back into the throes of the major depression that I know always lingers beneath the surface of my delicately balanced equilibrium.

I remember what it feels like to be unwell.

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Hello.  We all can live a great, purposeful life managing Bipolar Condition or any mental health situations. 

The social stigma of mental illness used to bother me to no end…and contribute to my problems!  I’m over that now, but I prefer to call it Bipolar Condition vs. “Disorder”.  I also prefer to discuss Mental Health vs. “Illness”.

My story in general: 

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Hello, my Name is Everetta Moore. I am a productive member of my community. I have been a resident of Baltimore Maryland for 4 years. Prior to moving here I was suffering with a mental illness going back and forth to the hospital. I always had the will power to overcome my disease by just seeing my doctor, getting therapy and taking my medication every day in order to not have a crash.

 I was diagnosed in 1990. Since then I was able to hold a job, keep an apartment, go in society and function with normal people. I have more support in my community. I help others to get through on a daily basis when help is needed. I give food to the homeless. I give away my unwanted clothes. I also provide my service by doing volunteer work just to give back to the community.

I am doing wonderful with the help of my doctors, therapist and one on one counseling and take my medication everyday. I have not been admitted in the hospital since 2011. Thats good for me, I usually go in the hospital at least twice a year.

I am happily in love with my apartment.  I am proud of who I am and not afraid of talking with others. Once upon a time I would talk to no one i talk with people than i ever had in my whole  entire life. I feel safe going our into the public no matter where i have o go. I am so happy just be able to help others that experince what i have echange ideas as to how we can go about making a change for the better in order to become a productive memeber in society. 

June 3, 2014

Thank you for your interest in my recovery story. I have been in mental health treatment for the past thirty-three years. It began at age eight when I was sexually molested by a close relative. I did not tell anyone out of shame and guilt for ten years. I became anorexic immediately following the assault, which turned into bulimia, severe depression and anxiety through my teenage years. My parents would not allow hospitalization or medication because of their ignorance and the stigma involved. Suicide was constantly on my mind. My parents did allow for weekly psychotherapy treatments.

At seventeen, I suffered a major mental breakdown and was limited in my high school attendance. I disclosed facts about the abuse during therapy, but no charges were filed, once again due to the perceived stigma. At eighteen, I took myself to the psychiatrist and received my first prescription for an anti-depressant. Lack of effectiveness and side effects caused me to spend the next fifteen years trying different medicine combinations.

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I have been depressed for over 20 years and have been medicated with many different times.  My mother was bipolar and didn’t take her medications all the time so she experienced lots of ups and downs.  I believe in treating mental health issues and even though I am still on the road to recovery and finding the right medication, I fully believe people need to get help (either meds, counseling or both). I saw what it did for my mother - which eventually plays a part in her passing…  I have gone through different situations the last 20 years such as infertility, grandmother’s Alzheimer’s, mother’s bipolar, dad’s cancer, empty nest and husband getting very ill and is now disabled and is having memory issues plus his own mental health challenges.  But through it all, I know God is with me and I get through each day with God, the love of my husband, kids, family and dogs.  I am open to talking or sharing my experiences if it will help others to cope. Thanks for all you do!

As many do, I fought the idea of mental illness and medication. At 50, I finally accepted my diagnoses and began the journey towards stability. Learning all I could about my multiple diagnosises and what I could do to help myself I faithfully began treatment, never missing an appointment nor a dose of prescribed medication. 

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