v YOU know you are strong inside despite what mental illness has dealt you.
v YOU know you are doing the best that you can, with what life has handed you.
v YOU can pat yourself on the back right now, for a job well done. Mastering and surviving each day with mental illness, in my eyes, is a full-time job.
v Only YOU will know when it’s time to return to the working world; if that is your goal. It’s alright to be coached and nudged, but you are really the best judge.
v Only YOU know the blackness felt during depression – how the pitch black mud swallows you up and is unforgiving.
v Maybe YOU don’t know how very precious you are, and that you didn’t ask for this illness, and you didn’t choose to be ill, and that mental illness is not a character flaw.
v YOU are not going to change society’s thinking and attitudes on mental illness. There will always be stigma, but YOU know YOU, and that is all that is important.
v Written by: ME
Posted by Helena on October 1, 2007 at 8:01 pm
This is lovely, true, and very helpful. Thanks.
Posted by cherished79 on October 1, 2007 at 8:05 pm
Thank you so much for the comment, and I wrote this for everyone – including ME.
Posted by Gloria Luzier on October 27, 2007 at 5:28 pm
I just found your blog today, and when I visited this page, I *knew* I’d be back … and often. Thank you so much for these beautiful and powerful words!
Posted by cherished79 on October 27, 2007 at 6:00 pm
Thank you so much for visiting and take care.
Posted by Rachel Green on November 3, 2007 at 3:22 am
What beautiful words. Thank you.
Sometimes I think if we are embarrassed, society will remain embarrassed. After I had panic attacks badly I started gaining the confidence to go public and tell people. The response I got included one woman rushing up to me and saying, “Oh I didn’t think you could tell anyone about having those, I’ve had them for years and never told anyone.” she had endured alone in agony. The disclosure helped her to seek the help she needed. That one person’s stigma was lessened.
We also had a State Premier, Dr Geoff Gallop, who got very sick with depression – he went very public on it – suddenly the stigma lessened and other men sought help.
If people have a stigma it is because of their own ignorance – if we can lessen that ignorance in a kind and gentle way we have helped everyone.
Posted by cherished79 on November 3, 2007 at 10:40 pm
Thank you for your comments, and the stigma issue is such a huge issue.
Posted by Cate Horn on November 26, 2007 at 3:17 pm
I get so tired of all the crap. Every–single–day–it–is the same crud. I have to listen to people all of the time talk about “some days she does well and some days she doesn’t and I worry about her.” I get so mad. I am one of the least violent people I know. I even have a sense of morality when I am disturbed. For example, when I was 25, I gave my daughter to my ex husband because I knew that I was psychotic. I did this for her because I loved her. I do not understand why day after day, I prove myself, and yet I still get the gullotine every time.
CH
Posted by cherished79 on November 26, 2007 at 8:32 pm
Sometimes I feel the same as you. I like to hold my head up high, but there are times when I think – “who cares”. But I plod along – I mean, what else to do to survive.
You are doing great, give yourself that pat on the back for even visiting this blog and reading some of my stuff, and learning some of what makes us better than some others out there who don’t have to deal with mental illness daily. Drop by every once and awhile and leave me a comment. Love to hear from you and see how you are doing.
Deb
Posted by arlivon d ornoski on January 14, 2009 at 11:38 pm
thank you for this..i does help..arla