recovery
Your illness does not define you. It's your resolve to recover that does.
Why Should I Heal Everybody?
Healing everybody without setting boundaries is painful for those of us with healing abilities. As a gifted person, I need people to make an appointment. I cannot just heal people without a second thought. I can’t get too busy by the way, I have limitations, and it could take me the rest of my life to get all my degrees since I was busy being an alcoholic in my 20s instead of doing something productive—although I was in junior college getting my two Associates and my Bachelor’s.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez7 years ago in Psyche
Monday
For the first time in my life, I was thankful for it to be Monday! I was guaranteed to see the doctor, and I was hopeful that today was the day I said goodbye to this place, once and for all. I had even created a script in my head of all the right things to say to convince this doctor that I was sane. I walked down the hall, curled up into a ball inside my baggy sweatshirt on the couch as always, and waited to get my vitals done. One after another, my small group of friends made their way to the couch, took their seats next to me, and we talked. We were all running on hope, and high anxiety. All four of us ready to go home, and get out of this place.
By Rachel Bonneval7 years ago in Psyche
What I Learned after Withdrawing from School for a Semester
It was March. I applied for graduation and was ready to order my cap and gown. I was counting down the days until May 18, the day of my commencement ceremony. My parents were excited, my boyfriend was proud, and I was freaking out.
By Megan Clark7 years ago in Psyche
How I Pulled Myself Out Of The Pit That Is Depression
When I was around 15 or 16, I started to self-harm and I developed an eating disorder. I would feel bad just about every day, sometimes for no reason. I began to distance myself from my friends and family, and I felt unloved and unwanted. More days than not, I felt it would be better to just end it all. But despite all of these circumstances, I was able to pull myself out of the hole that is depression, and here's how.
By Kimberly Beier7 years ago in Psyche
Trauma in the World of Mental Health and How Peer Specialists Can Help You Speak Up for Yourself
Do you have a mental illness or know someone who does? My guess is that your answer is yes to one or both of those questions. Is it a hard topic to read about at times? Yes. Does it make certain people uncomfortable from lack of true understanding? Sometimes; however, my reasons for these questions is that I feel and believe in my heart and mind that it is a topic that needs to be discussed. People should not be made to feel ashamed of their story. Sharing your story will help others to realize they are not alone, and it will make YOU feel less alone!
By Krista Kovatch7 years ago in Psyche
Not Today
I learned a magic trick that day. It was a card trick that the homeless man who I had become friends learned years ago, while on the streets in Tennessee. I was captivated by this particular trick, and it made me laugh because I was completely dumbfounded at how he did it. He said it was just a little card trick, but it brought so much light, and laughter to such a dark and sad place. We sat there doing the same magic trick over and over. I decided after the twentieth time that I should call my husband and update him. I had to give him the news that I wouldn’t be home until Monday at the earliest.
By Rachel Bonneval7 years ago in Psyche
Hidden Abuse
Abuse is hidden in different ways. Covering up bruises, hiding the yelling, putting on a smile, pretending as if nothing is happening. No one deserve abuse. No one deserves to get hurt, to be helpless, to be destroyed. I didn't deserve it; my family didn't deserve it.
By Monica Stegall7 years ago in Psyche
Recovery Sucks
The road to recovery is paved with good intentions. Wait, that isn't right. It's the road to hell. Meh, same thing. In case you missed the title let me say it again, recovery sucks. Yup, that's right I said it. I mean any kind of recovery is a good thing but recovery from addiction actually sucks. Now granted, it's better then the alternative of still using your substance of choice, but that doesn't mean it sucks any less. Just hear me out here. This has nothing to do with going to groups or doing counseling. Those are great. And I'm not saying it sucks cause you can't or won't be using anymore. Trust me, being enthralled in that addiction is much much worse. But recovery isn't much fun either.
By Jeffrey Joseph7 years ago in Psyche
Interviews with a Big Black Broad: Sessions #7
Interviewer: When did you began to seek professional help to treat your BDD? BBB: I'm sure it's not surprising that I was reluctant. I was complacent in dealing with my issues on my own up 'til the age of 28. I hid from mirrors. I would dwell in front of mirrors. I took down mirrors. I put them back up. I spent all my money on food, alcohol, makeup, hair products and expensive girdles of all kinds. I hid from the world for days and weeks on end. I drank to endure those moments when I gave in to the mounting pressures I felt to rejoin the world even when I felt the worst about myself. The annoyance of having to deal with a disorder that caused me to focus so much on myself had also taken its toll on me. I wasn't a purposefully vain person. I wasn't someone who would choose to be so self-consumed. I wanted to travel the world. I loved people and wanted to meet more of them from all walks of life. I didn't want to assume that everyone who stared at me only did so because they saw someone ugly. I needed the courage to live the life I ultimately wanted. How could I live any longer without being able to face myself in the mirror? Without being able to leave my house without being inebriated in some way? So, I faced the fact that I would remain stuck in the same positions in my life (literally) if I didn't at least try professional help.
By Anarda Nashai7 years ago in Psyche
The Breakfast Table
The breakfast table has always been the place where you connect the most with friends and family. It was a safe space to converse with people, while sharing stories and experiences without feeling judgement. At this particular table, there were four of us, myself included. A middle-aged man who was homeless and there for help with his alcohol addiction, an elderly woman who had tried to take her own life, a teenager who had severe depression, and myself with my bipolar mania. Suddenly, sitting around this heavy metal table with this group of people felt like a comfortable place to be.
By Rachel Bonneval7 years ago in Psyche
