[X] My Assistant

[Gryphaena]

So I know according to the National Association of Mental Illness 1 out of 4 Americans are diagnosed with a mental illness, whether it be an anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia or any of the others.

I don't know what the statistics are for other countries. Perhaps international members can educate me?

I hope this can be a place where we can be brave enough to share our stories and support each other.

Usually we are only talked about if there's been a mass shooting or when people use the terms "crazy".

We are people, we have feelings and many of us just need some support. Whether it be therapy or medication or a combination. Or something completely different that works for us.



I am living with depression with psychotic features and I manage it with Latuda.

I have had one psychotic episode in my life and it happened when I was 24.

I was in the hospital for a week.

I am now back in school and volunteering.

I also see a therapist and psychiatrist to monitor my progress.

I also attend art therapy and social skills group.

I am still working on becoming more independent.

I am learning to not be a perfectionist and forgive myself.

[Aragarthiel]

I've been mostly away from the site for the last week or so due to really bad things I can't discuss, but a good thing has come of it. My grandparents managed to find a place close to me that offers psychiatric treatment based on your income, and because of the things that happened, right now I'm getting treatment for free. I've only had one visit so far, to get my history and make up a treatment plan, etc., but the therapist I spoke with said my diagnosis of bipolar was probably correct, and she added Generalized Anxiety Disorder to that as well. Once they get some labs done on me (they have to check for drugs apparently), they'll start me on medications for both. I'm hoping to eventually stabilize, instead of ending up with some of the side effects of psychiatric drugs that I've heard about. I was on medication once before but it did nothing for me, so hopefully this time I'll get somewhere.

[Gryphaena]

@Ara: Oh, man, I'm sorry you've been going through bad experiences.

It is good that you will be having medication and free treatment, though!

I hope your symptoms bother you less in the future. :]