[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.

[Mars Adept Enten]

I actually have ADHD and autism, but thanks to my meds, I'm much better than I used to be. I used to beat up other kids for teasing me, and other such stuff. And I had to deal with rather lax school staff unwilling to do anything about my issues. I ended up being homeschooled before being reintegrated back into the public school system, which didn't really end up all that much better than it was before my homechooling. But the Internet and a support group near where I live have made me much more social and outgoing. I think the Internet has helped as it doesn't rely entirely upon facial contact, which I tend to have trouble with. I also have a nice psychologist who has helped me deal with my issues for a long time (although now he's on indefinite hiatus thanks to some arthritis, so I'm seeing a new psychologist who's equally as nice.)