Hi. I have struggled with mental illness for over two decades now.  The illnesses I live with are: Bipolar I, PTSD, GAD, Panic Attacks, and ADHD.  I’ve learned so much through the years living with this additional challenge in my life. I’m currently unable to work due to the instability of my illness and how it presents itself in the workplace.  I’m healing and hopeful that I will be able to return to work in time in a capacity that doesn’t derail me.  I have often found workplaces not supportive and unwilling to provide accommodations.  This is why I feel education and preventing stigma is so crucial to so many of us suffering who want to work.  An appropriate work setting can be stabilizing and empowering.

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My name is Meg and I have panic attacks. I guess I should just go out right and say it. I was diagnosed at age 12 with a Panic Disorder. A panic disorder is a form of anxiety that comes about as panic attacks. I came to learn later in life that my anxiety stemmed much deeper than just having a “mental breakdown” a couple times a day. I also know that a big cause of my anxiety had to do with my diet, mindset, childhood traumas and the way my brain is wired.

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Thank you NAMI for being there.  Thank you Phyllis Arends, then the Executive Director for South Dakota for getting myself and my partner, Timothy Flaskamp involved in starting a Connections Recovery Support Group.  Since  almost 5 years ago, Tim and I have become “In Our Own Voice” Presenters and Trainers also.  I had onset at 42, with a Bipolar Disorder, a PTSD, and a Panic Disorder.  All the while, fighting with a back injury. 

After the second surgery, I was told I was terminal.  Yes, the therapist had her work cut out for me, and TIm’s support and understanding was crucial. Oh, and Yes, I am in the best relationship of my life, a gay one with a remarkable man, who himself could be called “Mayo Clinic’s Miracle Man”.  I was overweight, diabetic and the Doctor said a gastric bypass would be the answer as she had to get the weight off me right now. 

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Statistics state that 1 in 5 people struggle with mental illness but I’m wondering how many people with mental illness but don’t feel safe and comfortable sharing. The term mental illness carries a stigma that most are ashamed or afraid to carry. I have generalized anxiety disorder along with panick attack disorder but that does not mean that I am my “mental illness” just as someone with high blood pressure isn’t labeled as such. Everyone has struggles and issues and should be able to express themselves and seek out the positive in life! I am optimistic about life and know that the options are endless.. the more I share and open up the lighter I feel. I am not alone. You are not alone. I will continue to be open and transparent and Use my anxiety to fuel the fire and view my shortcomings as a strengths that Are continually shaping who I am and giving me goals for who I want to be.

Mental Illness has been a part of my entire life. My mother was diagnosed as Bipolar with episodes of psychosis in her 50’s. She passed away in 2011, alone in Georgia. Three years earlier she became so sick that my brother and I tried to have her hospitalized for fear of her hurting herself or others. We called NAMI of Georgia for help. We went before a judge and she was taken to a Psychiatric Hospital. Unfortunately, they released her after 24 hours. After this she decided that we were “dead” to her including her grandchildren. This totally broke my heart. I loved her very much. When she passed away, 5 days went by before she was found in her house.

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Panic attacks, anxiety, depression and self harm. I let those define me over a year ago. That was my reality, and it still is, but this time I am defining myself trough the experiences that I have acquired trough getting healthy. 

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My name is Austin Giellis, and I have lived the majority of my life with a mental illness. I have a severe anxiety disorder along with Homebound Agorophobia and Depresonalization. I recall times at a very young age being extremely anxious about everything and having panic attacks. When I got into my teen years this seemed to dissipate. When I was 17 years old I found out I was going to be a father and around 6 months later I started experiencing this disaster all over again the only difference is this time I actually somewhat understood what was going on. I tried and tried and thought I was doing everything I could do to improve my mental health but over the past two years it has seemed to have worsen.I am working with a therapist a personal growth group and trying to get myself out of the house and learn to cope. It has been a huge struggle but I have seen a slight improvement. I can say that I am slowly being able to cope with things that used to drive me crazy with anxiety. It is a long road but it’s worth the trip!

My name is Bek. I am a 34-year-old mother who has PTSD and postpartum depression, as well as unspecified bipolar disorder. For the first time in my life I actually feel somewhat stumped when it comes to writing about my mental illness and the road of recovery. I started attending NAMI meetings as part of an outpatient program, which was proceeded by my first ever manic episode and my bipolar diagnosis. 

Depression has been a part of my life since puberty and high anxiety layered itself on top of that. Sharing my story with others has been part of my overall healing and I hope by writing this that someone out there feels less alone. The episodes are real, the panic is real, the mental strain and trauma is real. You get the picture. 

I feel like my emotions have always overwhelmed me, struggling to “get out of my own mind” and did not actively seek any mental help until my mid twenties.  I initially sought out cognitive behavioral therapy which was something very foreign to me. Change your habits, change your thoughts, feel better, right?  It allowed me to move through some of the issues that had grown deep roots in my psyche and medication was prescribed to work in combination with the therapy. I didn’t really care what I put in my body. I felt like I was in permanent survival mode but at least I was taking steps to “feel better.”  I survived. I also self-medicated with marijuana, which seemed to help keep mania at bay and in general made me feel like I could handle life better.

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