[…] decades-long battle with mental illness. The year was 1996, I was 17 years old, and my life came to a stand-still because of depression, anxiety and an eating disorder. I had no community to call upon, few friends that knew of my struggles. Everyone knew something was wrong. I couldn’t keep my outward appearance or […]
[…] ourselves. Kristen Fuller M.D. is a family medicine physician with a passion for mental health. She spends her days writing content for a well-known mental health and eating disorder treatment facility, treating patients in the Emergency Room and managing an outdoor women's blog. To read more of Dr. Fuller's work visit her Psychology Today blog and her outdoor […]
[…] feel this way. That night, I chose the upstairs living room of the Pink house of The Renfrew Center of Philadelphia. I was in treatment for my eating disorder there as a teenager and was a patient over the winter holidays. I picture the Christmas tree all lit up in the living room, and me […]
[…] However, my efforts were in vain as I no longer had the capacity to read or write coherently due to my overpowering anxiety. I felt uncomfortable eating around others. In any setting, be it at the dinner table with my family or the cafeteria with friends, I couldn’t relax my body enough to […]
[…] country. Kristen Fuller M.D. is a family medicine physician with a passion for mental health. She spends her days writing content for a well-known mental health and eating disorder treatment facility, treating patients in the Emergency Room and managing an outdoor women's blog. To read more of Dr. Fuller's work visit her Psychology Today blog and her outdoor […]
[…] can't get out of bed. Ignore those weeks where they might smell a little "funky" because they haven’t had the energy to shower. Do not judge their eating habits during weeks when they're using food as a crutch. If they happen to lash out at you in anger, let it go as best you […]
I have schizoaffective disorder. Part of how I manage it is by taking anti-psychotic medication. Currently, I take two anti-psychotics, and with that help, I often have symptom-free days. On a symptom-free day, I do not hear voices. I do not get paranoid about my neighbors. And I do not experience delusions. My anti-psychotics […]
[…] healing process. 1. Recognize the Effects of Trauma Many effects of trauma stem from abuse. Common effects include: Trouble sleeping Panic attacks and anxiety Substance use Eating disorders Flashbacks of sexual/physical violence Feelings of self-hate and low self-esteem Fearing people and relationships Suicidal thoughts If you notice any of these warning signs, it […]
[…] “my best ideas came to me at the last minute.” I felt “amazing” and productive on small amounts of sleep. So, I started sleeping less, and then eating less. I would drive into school before the sun had risen, and as soon as I saw the glowing water tower in the south Texas […]
[…] shift in physical health, they can also be connected to mental health. Depression is known to affect appetite; some people with depression experience increased appetite and report eating more, while others experience a decrease in appetite and undereat. Accordingly, large weight fluctuations may be a symptom of unmanaged depression. The challenge of coping with […]
NAMI HelpLine is available M-F, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. ET. Call 800-950-6264,
text “NAMI” to 62640, or email. In a crisis, call or text 988 (24/7).
