Blog
Improving Mental Health Through Nutritious Diet: My Journey
When I was in the deepest and darkest part of my mental illness, I lost all desire for food. And I'm a foodie. I ate to stay alive, but that was about it. I lost quite a bit of weight…
Managing Depression, Anxiety, and Panic Disorder at Work: My Experience
When I was first diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and panic disorder, I was working in a medical writing company. But I was spending most of my day in the bathroom hiding while I had rolling panic attacks ALL DAY LONG.…
Parenting When You Have Mental Illness: My Experience
I was first diagnosed with mental illness when my daughter was about 6. I'm a single mom and adopted my daughter in 2005 from China. I was mentally healthy, physically healthy, and emotionally prepared to deal with any fallout adopting…
Managing Panic Attacks: A Personal Journey to Recovery
In 2010, a panic attack at the park made me think I was having a heart attack. Despite tests confirming my heart was fine, frequent and severe panic attacks followed. ECT eventually provided relief.
Coping with Depression in the Age of Social Media | Practical Tips
In 2010, limited social media use insulated me from its impact; by 2024, Instagram led to feelings of jealousy and inadequacy. Excessive social media use heightens depression and anxiety, suggesting breaks and real-world connections for mental health.
Relationships and Mental Illness
The author describes their struggles with treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and panic disorder, highlighting the impact on their social life and work. Their daughter provided solace, but many relationships faltered. A change in psychiatric care improved their situation, and they emphasize…
Achieve a Better Mood with Self-Focused Gratitude Journal
By maintaining a gratitude journal focusing on self-appreciation rather than external events, one can significantly enhance their mood over time. This practice promotes self-esteem and a more positive daily outlook.
Exercise for Your Mental Health & Wellbeing
On my best day I can hardly get my ass moving, but with a young adult daughter and two very needy dogs, I have to get going every morning or else all hell will break loose. Years ago when I…
Intensive Outpatient Program to Boost Your Mental Health
Ah yes, those pesky intensive outpatient programs for the mentally ill but not so ill that inpatient is needed. I made my way through several different outpatient programs. Some I remember fondly with like-minded patients, others I wanted to run far,…
Insomnia … I HATE YOU!
How Getting Enough Sleep Can Change Your Mental Wellbeing For the love God, why can’t I sleep? Insomnia has been my nemesis since I was a teenager. It’s been 40 years of tweaking my sleep hygiene and taking sleeping medications…
Mental Health and Support: The Importance of Starting Conversations
When I was 11, I lived in an apartment with my family. We’d just finished dinner, so it was my job to walk down the hall and dump the trash. I opened the door and took a few steps before…
