My bipolar life
The strange calculus of success and loss with bipolar disorder. By Michael Simpson [Trigger warnings: detailed description of suicide attempt and suicide, stressful relationships, blunt emotional...
View ArticleDepression and alcoholism: all in the family
Depression and alcoholism often share a close relationship. by genegeek [Trigger warning: describes suicidal ideation] I have an incredible life – loving husband, supportive...
View ArticleClik here to view.
I Am Mental Illness: a quarter-century chronicle
Hit hard from an early age with no safety net in sight by AM [Trigger warnings: references to/descriptions of suicide attempts, self-harm, sexual assault, addictive behaviors] In my late teens, I found...
View ArticleBipolar brings anxieties beyond mood shifts
Bipolar isn’t just moods in conflict–self love and hate battle, too. by Helen Chappell [This essay is another entry in our series "I Am Mental Illness." Trigger warning: discussed suicidal ideation and...
View ArticleWith alcoholism, there is no normal
‘I think I was born an alcoholic’. by Dr24Hours [This essay is another installment in our weekly I Am Mental Illness series, which runs each Friday. Personal essay submissions,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A dislocation of mind
Why is mental health “different” health? By Adrienne Jones Comic courtesy of Beatrice the Biologist. [This post and the above cartoon are presented as part of our "I Am Mental Illness" series.] My 17...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Autism is not the monster
Postpartum depression is. And it doesn’t act alone. by Emily Willingham [Trigger warnings: details of suicide and infanticide] Last week, the mother of a 10-month-old strapped her baby onto her...
View ArticleI’m suicidal. Not just at the moment
Though we’ll see how things go by the end of the post. By Stephanie Zvan [Trigger warning: description of persistent suicidal ideation.] Does it hurt? Oh, it really doesn’t matter. I spent much of...
View ArticleAfter Newtown missteps, journalists get guidelines
Protip: Don’t diagnose based on speculation. by Jessica Wright Attention journalists: If you’ve been calling people “nuts” or “deranged” in your stories, the Associated Press is...
View ArticleAvoidant personality disorder
“I have some kind of allergy to other people.” by Emma Atkinson The first time I tried to tell a therapist about my life, I was twelve years old. I told him that I couldn’t talk to people. He laughed...
View ArticleKnowing when you need a therapist
And taking action to find one. by Anonymous contributor [Trigger warnings: Frank talk of suicidal ideation.] “Please find a therapist.” With that, my partner lets me know I’m doing it again. I’ve...
View ArticleMcConnell and mental illness
Let’s get this into the light of day, shall we? by Emily Willingham U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell and staff have been captured on tape discussing ways to use Ashley Judd’s history of depression against...
View ArticleThe things we never leave behind
‘Taking that first step toward mental wellness changed my life.’ by Jessica Smith [Ed. note: This essay is another installment in our "I Am Mental Illness" series.] My eyes are closed behind polarized...
View ArticleClik here to view.
This is good, and I am happy.
And that is all I need to know. by Emily Willingham [May is Mental Health Month. At DXS, every Friday is a mental health awareness day, when we bring you another in our I Am Mental Illness series.]...
View ArticleClik here to view.
10 ways healthcare reform might help people with disabilities
What reform might do for a diverse, often overlooked group. by Laura Newman Healthcare reform discussions frequently center on the changes anticipated for the general population. But people...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Depressing genes
Can depression be a matter of genetic fate? by Siobhan Mitchell [This post is the latest installment in our I Am Mental Illness series.] What if you could know if you were fated to be...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Not knowing
There will be a next time, another severe and major depression. by Nobody [May is Mental Health Month. Every Friday at DXS is I Am Mental Illness day, and today's essay comes with trigger warnings...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The gift of depression and mood disorder
What do you do when your illness feeds your success? by Sarah Boon For my 35th birthday I received the gift of depression. It didn’t appear in my lap in a sparkling paper-wrapped box with shiny red...
View Article
