I suffer from depression, general anxiety disorder, and PTSD. I’ve been in counseling since I was ten.
It’s taken me fourteen years to finally accept my mental illness for what it really is…a chronic illness. I’m not weak for seeking help and continuing therapy. I’m not “crazy.” I’m not contagious. And I’m definitely not alone.
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#nami #mental health #depression #hope #submission #PTSD #tellyourstory #not alone #general anxiety disorderMy name is Kay Lynn and I’ve had mental illness all my life. I was diagnosed with mental retardation, but since they’ve done all the researching and studies, it was changed to mental illness… Anxiety Disorder w/ panic attacks; Major Depression; and ADHD. I did have some PTSD and Personality Disorder, but those have been eliminated.
I am a 44 yr. old woman who has struggled with depression, anxiety and substance abuse since the age of 18. My clinicians recently diagnosed me with PTSD. I never understood this disorder until recently. It has been a revelation for me. I am reaching out to others to share my story in the hope that it will help someone else going through similar life experiences. I feel alone a lot of the time. But I know there are others like me.
It seems slightly patronizing to me that the motto is “You Are Not Alone..” because alone is exactly how I feel every minute of every day, completely and totally alone. As common as mental health issue may be, it doesn’t feel common and it makes you feel like you are the only one.
Dear Congressman,
I am writing to you out of a sense of desperation for myself and others that have similar situations. I am a single mother that has raised my son on my own since he was eight years old. My son is not your normal everyday child. My son has been diagnosed with PTSD, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, Depression and Anxiety Disorder. He was also diagnosed with highly functioning Asperger’s syndrome as a child. However, that does not seem as prominent right now.
I was diagnosed with schizoaffective in 1999. I was suffering mood swings, delusions and hallucinations about evil spirits. I felt like I was very much alone. There are times I still do think I’m uniquely singled out to suffer.
But thru the help of NAMI and other supports groups available to me at my mental health behavior provider, I see clearly the focus doesn’t have to be on myself anymore. Many people come to the meetings and get to share their struggles, which are a lot like mine. The meds help me a thousand times over, as well as pastoral care, counseling and case management. When I struggle now with feeling like I’m alone, I usually am able to use some of the skills I’ve learned within the support to realize I am not alone. For example, Cognitive Behavior Therapy has rewired my thought processes in a positive way, bringing hope and confidence, which both bring balance and happiness to my life.
I wake up on morning realizing that my mental health problems didn’t stop with depression… 3 years after being diagnosed the voices decided to rear their ugly heads. I was now in a tailspin of confusion and a million questions. Why me? What is this? Will I ever overcome this?
Nancy Foster, mental health advocate; mom of two; grandmother of three; married for 44 years to Bob Foster, the mayor of Long Beach, CA
Feeling Apart From the World
Looking back, I had symptoms of mental problems as early as my teen years, once it lasted for 2 weeks. I felt strange, apart from the world but didn’t tell anyone.
I just realize that all through my life I have suffered from depression. Being diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of 13 I was place in small class where I excelled. Even when I went on to college I was place in that small class room environment where I did very well. I was always willing to help out a fellow student.
I never thought of myself as having a mental health issue. But it was when I entered the work force were I realized that I was not as equipped as I thought I was. It was there that my job description changed and things became very difficult for me. I was laid off, I was always trying to keep up and catch up with others. It was then that I experienced my first bout with depression and went on medication, and now I realize I wasted so much of my life trying to fit in. Trying to be part of a world that I had no right to be part of.
I felt so ashamed of the things that I could not do. I thought my life was over that I would never amount to anything. That this was it, this was the best that it was going to get. I would never have a long lasting relationship; I was to be alone for the rest of my life. That I would be not me independent and have to rely on others to get by. It is at this point when I thought about ending it all.
After a long time and some help I am on a good road to recovery. I want to help people to overcome their mental health issue. I am writing this to help people who are suffering with depression and letting them know that things do get better.
It was never about how dirty the house was or how many newspapers you had saved overtime or the amount of magnets you had on both fridges. It was the draining effect of what your mental illness would bring. What mom was I going to see today? Will she be nice and funny? Will she be mean and hurtful? Will she be sad and kept to herself? Everyday was different. Each had a little twist to them. From bipolar to manic to depression the things that are forbidden to be talked about. Yet they take so much away from people. I never hated you I just hated your illness. I hated that you became mean in a blink of an eye or you get sad within seconds and I did love when you were funny because we could crack jokes but all it took was for one little thing and you’d switch. I never wanted this for you. All I wanted was my mom. Your illness took over and it was so hard to love you. When you knew how to take the wound you opened and twist and dig it deeper. I know one day ill look back and be thankful for all the lessons learned and maybe help others one day, but for now I just want to help you.