by Neecee in Alabama

My mother was a very attractive woman at one time-- she almost resembled a model. Something was wrong with her thinking; it drove her and whoever came in contact with her away. I can remember when I was eleven years old and my mother accused me of going with her boyfriend and calling me names. When I was thirteen, my mother would tell us lies all the time. She would make up these bizarre stories about these children to keep us in line. It took me years to shake the majority of this thinking.

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by Serena in Pennsylvania

I was 14. My home life was privileged but chaotic and negative. After a sexual assault I could tell no one about, I suffered over a year of severe depression. After I began to appear functional, I still struggled against the anxiety and depression.

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by Jeanne in North Carolina

I lived, or should I say, existed with depression (dysthymia) for over 30 years. I know that my depression started as a child, though no one ever considered this possible back then. We moved a lot when I was a child, so starting new schools didn't help. My mother was very angry back then and often took it out on me. This, plus no friends led to a lonely childhood.

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by Deborah in California

From childhood, I vividly remember sitting on top of my shoes inside of the closet, as I hid away and cried. I would cry for hours, if no one caught me and yelled at me to stop. Sadness was my existence; I did not have the words to articulate my experience. Almost every day, I went through an inexplicable pain; not only did I suffer with depression, but also I was being sexually abused, and I did not have the words to voice my experience. Living in a small, rural town during the 70's meant that family secrets prevailed. A book about molestation did not exist in the town library.

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by Jerie in Georgia

Hello my name is Jerie. I am presently residing in Georgia undergoing the stigma, labeling, and misdiagnosing of Mental Illness as a result of one call over twenty years ago. I have been in and out of ER, hospitals, mental health facilities. I am out of work, involved in criminal abuse, and medical abuse. I am improperly medicated, and kept from providing for my family, church, and normal life for over half of my life thus far.

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by Lisa in Maryland

I was nine years old when PTSD began to affect my life. I always thought the way I reacted to situations was just my personality or a character flaw. I was 40 years old when a therapist put a name to what I was feeling. I had seen two other therapists in my life but never really opened up until the third one. I look back at the failed relationships, disappointment, never feeling like I've connected with anyone, and never trusting anyone. It is obvious now after 30 years, PTSD was ruling me.

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by Eileen in Pennsylvania

I lost my job in the late 1990s. I have been jobless since. I have been going to therapy for the last 10 years. I got to the point where my life was stagnant and I was tired of the same nonsense everyday. So I started going to school to become a medical billing coder clerk. It should be interesting to see if I can do it. I have to. I will not fail and let my depression and anxiety get to me. I need the certificate so I can get a good job.

My husband and I live on our two checks from disability, and it is just not enough. I have made up my mind that I can and I will do it. I have to go to school for another year. I am glad to express myself.

I am on all kinds of medicine for my depression and anxiety. I changed my strong medicine for depression to the night time so I take 600 mgs of that strong medicine, and I take anti-anxiety medication. I am in terrible pain from arthritis – from head to toe literally. Please pray for me. I'm a Hebrew-Christian and need your prayers.

by Mary Theresa in Pennsylvania

For much of my life I did not realize I had worth as a person. It prevented me from using and improving my talents. I was always living in fear even in the most common situations. In my relationships, I was undemanding. I felt I didn't have any rights. I did not know I had the right to have wants. I did not have the ability to resolve any differences or conflict. Instead, I would be resentful and not recognize that I was pushing down anger.

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