Depression is blind chemistry and physics, like snow. And like the weather, it is a mindless process, powerful and unpredictable, with great potential for harm. But that doesn’t mean we are helpless. If we want to stop losing so many people to this disease, it will require action at every level.
She was a firecracker.
A compassionate, intelligent, and driven woman, my mom was nothing short of unstoppable. Her whole life was a series of achievements, hard work, caring for others, and leaving a beautiful, unmistakable glow wherever she went.
I eat French fries with a fork. You may think that’s a little strange. Not many people do that, and those of us who do usually face comments about our “weird behavior.” Many times, it’s easy to play off — I grew up doing it, I say, which can then launch a discussion about my family and get us off the topic, or I say I didn’t have time to wash my hands before sitting down.
My first experience with psychosis was nearly seven years ago, and I was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder three years ago. It has been an up-and-down journey with many harsh lessons. But my mental health journey has also given me valuable insight and experience. I experienced my first psychotic episode after breaking up with a romantic partner. My racing thoughts led…
It was AP exam season. I was sleep-deprived, stressed and burnt-out. In addition to devoting hours to studying for AP exams, I was managing my workload from other classes and crumbling under the pressure of an upcoming international table tennis tournament.
Panic disorder is both my heaviest burden and my biggest badge of honor. For the past few years, I’ve experienced increasingly frequent panic attacks and have developed a deep phobia of “the next one.”
When you swing low, to the bottom of an episode of depression, you can’t see or feel past the moment. Your mind won’t let you embrace good thoughts.
I once wondered why depression, among many other things, was referred to as a “mental illness,” as if it’s a cold or the flu. But eventually it started to make sense. The ache I feel in my chest, the head spinning, the shortening of breath. I feel sick.
Did you know that, on average, it takes approximately 17 years for a person to receive a diagnosis for OCD? Did you know that a person with OCD becomes 10 times more likely to take their own life?
I am a survivor of a suicide attempt. I am also someone who, at times, feels the pull for the peace of death due to the pain, nightmares and memories that I live with.