[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.

[MrSmiles]

Thanks.

Yeah, autism really is one of those "compound" disabilities that have all these other things mixed in. It can be frustrating sometimes though having all these things bunched together in one disability. Sometimes I wish I could pick and choose. Like "I don't want to be anxious today. *turns anxiety off with a flip of a switch*" Things would be so much easier. Sadly life is not like that. And recently I feel like I might have mild agoraphobia. I haven't ever been officially diagnosed, but it feels like my social anxiety is getting worse in certain cases to the point where I don't think it can actually be considered as just social anxiety. Just wish I didn't feel this way most of the time.

You can get natural supplements prescribed, but most have over the counter version also that are cheaper. I usually talk to my Psychologist about ones they'd recommend for depression. I just really can't handle all the things found in most medications. They always make me feel bad physically.

Sorry, I read through some of the earlier posts, but aren't Seeing Eye Dogs and service dogs a little different? They receive similar training of course, but one is better equipped for someone who is blind. I always viewed them as two separate things. Service dogs had a wider range of jobs while Seeing Eye dogs were strictly for the blind. Or do they lump them both in the same category now? Or is it just people being ignorant again? I don't know. I also know that dogs are better equipped for people with physical disabilities because they are larger so it really isn't just blind people who would need service dogs... I met this vet once in Half Price Books. He had received some damage to his spine during his service and he couldn't walk that well after the damage. He had a large service dog to help him walk. She was quipped with this harness that had this handle like a walker has (don't know a better way to describe it) so he could hold onto it and lean on her so he could stand and walk. Also if he fell and couldn't get up she was trained to call for help.
There is also a wider variety of service animals other than dogs such as service felines and service monkeys. Cats also have been considered helpful for the blind because of their slightly pushy nature. Have you seen the video of the cat leading the blind dog?
Regarding people using their pets as fake service animals, real service animals actually have badges and special IDs to go on their vests. Each vest also is a different color and usually says if they are in training or finished their training. I actually know people who train service animals and the little trainees always have their trainee vests on and their badges attached to them. I just find it odd that someone would mix a fake service animal for a real one because of this. It also makes it kind of hard to lie about having a service animal because service animals who are on duty must have their vest and ID on or at least their ID in the case of service cats. Not all service cats have vests. Most service cats have special carriers though with a slot for their IDs. It is troublesome that people are trying to lie about having a service animal. People also need to stop making such a fuss about people having service animals. There is this video of a lady who decided to harass a veteran about his service dog being in a restaurant. She kept ranting about how it was unsanitary and how he shouldn't bring "disgusting" animals into a place where you eat food. It really is awful how people treat other who just need a little extra help.
And a little off topic and more of a ramble, my anxiety actually is bad enough that I qualify for a service animal.