http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reallives/index.cfm This is the Real Lives Blog from Mental Health America en-us Thu, 20 Jun 2013 06:14:44 -0400 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:08:00 -0400 BlogCFC http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss webmaster@mentalhealthameica.net webmaster@mentalhealthameica.net webmaster@mentalhealthameica.net http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reallives/index.cfm no http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reallives/index.cfm/2009/9/4/Newlydiagnosed-ADHD-artist-thrives-with-creative-schedule by Denise in Washington My diagnosis with ADHD last year at 54 years old was both shocking and relieving. I was shocked because I thought that ADD was a childhood disorder, and I was relieved because it explained some painful aspects of my life. [More] ADHD Seasonal Affective Disorder Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:08:00 -0400 http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reallives/index.cfm/2009/9/4/Newlydiagnosed-ADHD-artist-thrives-with-creative-schedule http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reallives/index.cfm/2009/4/10/With-therapy-I-have-learned-to-cope-better by Cathrine in Michigan My name is Cathrine. My birth was traumatic and a root cause of my mental and physical conditions. I suffer from BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder), Depression, ADD, Anxiety and panic disorders. Some of my mental problems I have suffered from all my life and some have gotten worse and developed due to my hypothyroidism and my environment. [More] Depression Hospitalization Unemployment Uninsured Borderline Personality Disorder ADHD Anxiety Fri, 10 Apr 2009 19:18:00 -0400 http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reallives/index.cfm/2009/4/10/With-therapy-I-have-learned-to-cope-better http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reallives/index.cfm/2009/4/10/Support-needed--do-not-want-to-feel-vulnerable-and-helpless-anymore by Kimberly in Florida I was 8 years old when I had my first panic attack. I was so scared and thought that I was going to die. My mom reassured me that everyone had them. None of my friends were having panic attics nor were they being mentally and physically abused by their dads. As I got older, I became more overwhelmed. I think the only reason I kept it together was because I was so afraid of my dad. [More] Abuse ADHD PTSD Depression Panic Disorder Uninsured Family History Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:32:00 -0400 http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reallives/index.cfm/2009/4/10/Support-needed--do-not-want-to-feel-vulnerable-and-helpless-anymore http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reallives/index.cfm/2009/4/10/Fed-up-with-mistreatment-neglect-misdiagnosis-and-lack-of-employment 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. [More] PTSD Trauma ADHD Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:09:00 -0400 http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reallives/index.cfm/2009/4/10/Fed-up-with-mistreatment-neglect-misdiagnosis-and-lack-of-employment http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reallives/index.cfm/2009/1/10/If-something-is-weighing-you-down-build-a-bridge-to-help-you-get-over-it by Rayelle in Minnesota My mental illness has affected my life since I was around five years old. I grew up in a very violent and abusive home in Minnesota, as have a lot of my mentally ill friends. I have five siblings who grew up there with me and we all suffered the wrath of alcoholic parents who used us as punching bags. I was beaten regularly and even have memories of a sibling that was murdered in our kitchen, but no one ever talks about it or acknowledges it even happened. That caused a lot of anger and rage towards most of my direct family members, and I have cut most of them completely out of my life. That, I believe, was the healthiest thing I have ever done. [More] Anxiety Depression Eating Disorder ADHD Abuse Bipolar Disorder Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Panic Disorder Seasonal Affective Disorder Family History Sat, 10 Jan 2009 00:03:00 -0400 http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reallives/index.cfm/2009/1/10/If-something-is-weighing-you-down-build-a-bridge-to-help-you-get-over-it http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reallives/index.cfm/2008/12/17/Dangerous-Maybe-only-to-a-system-that-doesnt-work by Hope in Arizona I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder when I was 28 years old and was found ripping a Bible in a church. I had never expressed anger before, having grown up in a dysfunctional household. My parents abused drugs, and I was subject to activities that one might read about in newspapers but never admit to. I had experienced so many traumas in my life that I was good at blocking memories from my mind entirely. [More] Abuse Bipolar Disorder ADHD Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:42:00 -0400 http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reallives/index.cfm/2008/12/17/Dangerous-Maybe-only-to-a-system-that-doesnt-work http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reallives/index.cfm/2008/12/15/Coping-with-abuse-by-seeking-support-thorugh-therapist-family-and-friends by Kerri in Wisconsin I was emotionally, physically and sexually abused by my ex-husband, who I had two children by. The abuse dragged on for seven years, ending in 1995 when he was finally charged with sexual assault, false imprisonment, domestic violence, and battery. I've been struggling with PTSD. I have a low self-esteem, bipolar and depression. [More] Abuse PTSD Depression Bipolar Disorder ADHD Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:44:00 -0400 http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reallives/index.cfm/2008/12/15/Coping-with-abuse-by-seeking-support-thorugh-therapist-family-and-friends http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reallives/index.cfm/2008/12/15/Prayers-and-keep-a-mothers-hope-strong by Tamoa in Virgnia I am just turning 35 years old and have lived with mental illness all my life. I remember asking my mother when I was little, "was I retarded like my uncle'" who is now 60 and has the mentality of a ten-year-old. I was crying all the time and could not sleep at night because I was afraid of things coming out from the bed or closets that I was actually seeing. My parents didn't think anything of it at the time. As I got older it became progressively worse. [More] Hospitalization Divorce ADHD Abuse Bipolar Disorder PTSD Schizophrenia Family History Suicidal Ideation Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:30:00 -0400 http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reallives/index.cfm/2008/12/15/Prayers-and-keep-a-mothers-hope-strong http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reallives/index.cfm/2008/12/15/Sharing-my-knowledge-helps-reap-emotional-mental-and-physical-strength-and-lightens-load by Yolanda in Florida At the age of 21, my doctor delivered devastating news and diagnosed me as suffering from bi-polar disorder. In my early teens, I experienced episodes of pure misery, which could quickly turn into extreme jubilation. In those early years though, I only understood the depression side of the disorder. After all, how could extreme exuberance be connected with an illness? [More] ADHD Social Anxiety Hospitalization Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Family History Anxiety Bipolar Disorder Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:24:00 -0400 http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reallives/index.cfm/2008/12/15/Sharing-my-knowledge-helps-reap-emotional-mental-and-physical-strength-and-lightens-load http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reallives/index.cfm/2008/12/9/Mental-illness-is-that-its-real-its-not-a-cop-out by Lea in Arkansas I was the next to the youngest out of five kids. I did graduate from school, but I struggled. I really didn't have time to make friends in school because I tried so hard just to pass. When school was out, I went home and slept! [More] ADHD Depression Anxiety Family History Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:45:00 -0400 http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reallives/index.cfm/2008/12/9/Mental-illness-is-that-its-real-its-not-a-cop-out http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reallives/index.cfm/2008/12/9/My-mind-is-blank-and-I-want-to-learn-and-listen by Gabriella in Indiana Help! At behavior therapy counseling, I try to pay attention and listen, but my brain can't stay focused and concentrate. I am not thinking about anything else. My mind is blank and I want to learn and listen to my behavioral therapist and focus and pay attention and everything. What is wrong with me? I can't get the information that is being told to me. I want so badly to get what I am being told. I hate that my brain is this way. My brain is going on overload and it's too much. [More] Depression Anxiety ADHD Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:25:00 -0400 http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reallives/index.cfm/2008/12/9/My-mind-is-blank-and-I-want-to-learn-and-listen http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reallives/index.cfm/2008/12/6/Funny-girl-finds-support-in-faith-and-family by Jenn in Pennsylvania I was voted the funniest girl out of my graduating class in 2006, but what my class did not know, what no one knew, was that I was not okay. Throughout my life I continuously put on a mask of indifference; I never felt anything and I never would think about who I was or who I was becoming. Instead of understanding such essentials, I made jokes and pointed fun at those who did. I laughed on the outside about people who had drive or who had a purpose. I just wanted to party and forget about life. [More] Alcoholism Recovery Depression Anxiety ADHD Substance Abuse Sat, 06 Dec 2008 21:10:00 -0400 http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reallives/index.cfm/2008/12/6/Funny-girl-finds-support-in-faith-and-family http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reallives/index.cfm/2008/12/6/Peer-support-group-helps-change-life by Bob in California I started dealing with mental illness as a child. Now I know that my mom was diagnosed with manic depression in the early 1970s. My brother and I became a release for her maniacal rages. Beatings, screaming, hunger, and neglect are the best way to describe my childhood. [More] Abuse ADHD Recovery Bipolar Disorder Family History Sat, 06 Dec 2008 20:48:00 -0400 http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reallives/index.cfm/2008/12/6/Peer-support-group-helps-change-life http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reallives/index.cfm/2008/12/6/Unfair-treatment-inspires-mom-to-educate-others by Theresa in Kentucky I am 37-years-old. I was in many mental health placements from the age of eight until I turned 18 when I was turned out into the real world. By the grace of the lord, he blessed me with three kids. They also have mental problems. Mental issues have helped me to make it my mission to stop treating individuals with mental health issues so unfairly. I want to help change this cruel world and the way they treat us. I don't have an education. I have tried to go back to school, but I just can't pass the new math to get my GED. [More] Bipolar Disorder ADHD Sat, 06 Dec 2008 20:27:00 -0400 http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reallives/index.cfm/2008/12/6/Unfair-treatment-inspires-mom-to-educate-others