by Joan in Wisconsin
Early in my childhood, I was sexually abused and threatened to stay quiet. I have often wondered if those events had not occurred would I have had a normal life, even though mental illness is prevalent in my maternal gene pool. As my young life progressed, secrets came out and people were hurt.
by Darrell in Georgia
I have lost two jobs in nine years. Most of the time, I do not have much to offer to my family -- just my existence. I have been married to a wonderful woman for 28 years.
by Addie in Florida
My depression was most likely learned behavior from a mother who drank everyday and a father who seemed depressed and despondent. I remember arguments and fighting as a young child. Then my parents divorced. This started my fears and insecurities. I remember being center stage, then on the back burner.
by Madison in Pennsylvania
Because of my mental illness, I had to leave my profession in social work and claim disability. It put a strain on my marriage, resulting in a divorce and emotional strain on my parents and brother.
by Anita in St. Louis
I believe that I have had bipolar disorder all my life. As a child, I was considered a tough kid, just as soon fight than say hello. I had a few friends. My siblings perceived me as a hero for them, righting all wrongs and fighting their fights for them. School was not my thing, being bored and misunderstood; I spent a lot of time in trouble. I finally graduated, married and ran away and joined the Army. In the Army, I married a second time, not being divorced from the first.
by Kate in Pennsylvania
As a child I had severe mood swings, making my childhood an unhappy one. But my father didn't believe in psychology so I never received help. My first encounter with mental health care was during the failure of my first marriage. I was hospitalized for deep depression. There was no follow up and no medications prescribed after leaving the hospital. As a single mother with an undiagnosed mental illness, I was not functioning well. I moved to live near my sister and started working part-time. Her support was the only thing that made this possible.
by Barbara in Louisiana
Unbeknownst to me, mental illness has shadowed me all of my life. I looked at a picture taken of me at the age of three and compared it to one taken at the age of twelve...the comparisons were shocking. What happened to the adorable child in the taffeta dress; the one full of promise and life? How did she become the sallow, skinny teenager with the darkened, haunted eyes?
