“I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 19. I suffer from borderline personality disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, panic disorder, agoraphobia and I’m currently in recovery from self-injury.
Every day is different for me. I can experience several days where I feel fine and then suddenly the depression will just take over. I experience anxiety regularly and without my medications, it would be impossible to manage. I deal with insomnia every night and at times, I’ll go days without sleeping. I often find that my manic episodes will result in several days without sleep as well. I’ve been self-injury free since June of 2013, but it’s a daily struggle. I have to work really hard to cope with the urges. I don’t currently drive due to the Agoraphobia. Thankfully, I have an amazing husband that I rely on.
In June 2013, I attempted suicide. I’m grateful that I wasn’t successful, but I was hospitalized and then involuntarily committed by the state of Michigan. It was a horrible experience, and something I don’t ever want to deal with again. It was my 3rd and final hospitalization. A few months after I was released I started my blog. It has helped me tremendously, and I believe it has helped others as well.
I am often contacted by people that feel what I’ve written has helped them. So, I decided to write a book based on my blog. It was released in August of 2015. I share stories of dealing with bipolar, social anxiety, self-esteem, self-injury, and my suicide attempt. If I can help one person not follow in my footsteps, this whole journey will be worth it.
I’ve had to teach myself coping skills that work for me. I’m a writer, so I frequently blog about my feelings. I keep an open line of communication with my husband, so he knows what I’m going through. To help cope with my anxiety, I’ve recently started coloring. I have an app and also regular books, and it’s extremely relaxing. I have hobbies that I try to fall back on like reading, photography, and watching movies or sports. I do like to spend time on social media, provided I avoid drama!
I do a lot of “self-talk” where I will frequently talk myself down from a panic attack, but my husband is also a major support through that as well. My cats are a great source of comfort as well.
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PATREONs THIS MONTH- Stuart, https://www.flickr.com/photos/74009/
Harry, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRzs8M26VhrMJlKC5qEI2og
How can you become a patreon? https://www.patreon.com/ThisIsWhatAPersonWithMentalIllnessLooksLike?ty=h
Glad to hear you’re managing your anxiety. Just followed you on Twitter.
Genuinely curious question:
How do you feel about being being diagnosed with so many anxiety disorders?
Thank you for the question and for following me. Honestly, I was diagnosed more than 20 years ago, so I’ve had a lot of time to come to terms with it. It’s horrible and I hate that anyone has to deal with it. It’s frustrating, but I can’t change it, so I’ve accepted it.
Reblogged this on It's Not Your Journey and commented:
Thank you for featuring me!!