[…] talks with several doctors and therapists to see what is going on with her child when she stumbles across one therapist who diagnoses Zoey with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). In addition to fearing her mom dying, Zoey begins writing and rewriting all her assignments at school so they appear “perfect” and refuses to eat […]
[…] the ocean of sadness, loneliness, isolation, confusion and frustration over the fact that I was still deep in a helpless state of girlhood. 10 years and 13 eating-disorder-related hospitalizations later, I now know that I was not alone in that ocean. A recent CDC report highlighted in a PBS NewsHour episode concluded that “girls […]
[…] to control my behavior, like in the restaurant. This often means distracting myself and resisting the urge to respond to my paranoia. One time, when I was eating at the restaurant, I thought I heard another customer ask the server if I was stalking her. To avoid reacting to this kind of delusion, I […]
[…] start from the beginning again a few months (or years!) later. 8. Remember that nutrition is 80% of fitness. Nutrition goes hand-in-hand with exercise. Endless snacking and unhealthful eating can torpedo your efforts at the gym. I eat mostly fruits and vegetables and seafood (though, like any Italian, I do indulge in pasta every so […]
My name is Jennifer, and I’ve lived with mental illness for most of my life. I’m diagnosed with major depressive disorder, anxiety and an eating disorder. I have high-functioning mental illness, so even at my worst, I appear to be at my best. I’ve been able to live a full life, and, on the outside, I seem to […]
[…] your negative behaviors as attempts to cope with the abuse. The following behaviors are some of the most common coping mechanisms in former victims of childhood abuse: Eating disorders: bingeing, compulsive overeating and emotional eating. Self-injury: cutting, burning, head banging or any other form of self-harm. Difficulties with sexual adjustment: sexualizing relationships, becoming hypersexual, […]
[…] to be Moses the Prophet. After about six months, my family found me and brought me to a hospital. That is when I finally got my diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder. It was the first time I had ever received the proper medications that led me on the path to recovery. For once, I felt “normal,” and […]
[…] 18. Self-care. Those who care for loved ones struggling with mental illnesses also struggle with taking care of themselves. Pray they would develop and maintain good rest, exercise and eating habits. Ask God to provide healthy relationships, strong faith and clear thinking. Day 19. Guilt. Second-guessing decisions, revisiting the past and taking on some level of blame […]
[…] what I was experiencing. As a child, adults often labeled me as "stubborn" or "picky." As an adolescent, adults labeled me as having "a learning disorder," "an eating disorder," "high anxiety," "depression," and even implied that I must be gay. I knew at my core that these labels were not only incorrect, but they failed […]
[…] me struggle. Family saw me struggle. I never spoke up. In December 2021, I found myself lying in bed for days at a time, not sleeping, not eating and ignoring messages from friends. I had given up and was planning to end my own life. Luckily, there was a small glimmer of hope in […]
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text “NAMI” to 62640, or email. In a crisis, call or text 988 (24/7).
