“If you have ever experienced depression, you know how scarce motivation can be when you are going through it. People who experience depression have a harder time finding the energy to do the simplest of tasks…”
"Is this hysteria?" Meme
We made another meme. It was inspired by a conversation about symptom dismissal.
Medical Jargon Meme
This meme was inspired by a conversation with my neurologist. I asked him about the meaning of an acronym he used, and he did not know what the letters stood for.
My Adult ADHD Symptoms
"I’ve learned to handle my ADHD so that I can succeed through medication and skillsets I’ve picked up over the years. Even then, I still let it come out. At the end of the day, I get hooked on distraction. I can’t do homework after a work day or I’ll make stupid mistakes. I can recognize almost instantly if I’m at work and didn’t take my medications, etc."
Comprehensive Care Meme
The contributors at Spoonie Musings made our first meme. It was inspired by a conversation about symptom dismissal by doctors...
Things You Can Do Right Now To Fight Your Eating Disorder
When I was 18 years old I was diagnosed with an eating disorder that I had been struggling with for as long as I can remember. I was enrolled in a year's worth of treatment with a therapist and told that by the end of the year I would have self-confidence...
One Year Ago...
This past month, I and many others were rattled by the news that Chester Bennington, the front man of Linkin Park, committed suicide...
On Learning to Love My Body Again After Gaining Weight Due to Illness
Some illnesses and disorders are more visible than others. It is easier, for example, to see if a person uses a mobility aid than it is to see if a person has a mental disorder. Even relatively “invisible” conditions, however, can have visible symptoms. One of these visible symptoms is weight fluctuation...
I Have PMDD
PMDD stands for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. It is a condition that affects between 2 and 10 percent of women during childbearing years...
What to Expect When Being Evaluated for Gastroparesis
In honor of Gastroparesis Awareness Month, which is observed in August, this month’s What to Expect piece will detail the gastroparesis diagnostic process.
How to Stop a Panic Attack While Exercising
For many people, having a panic disorder can make exercising nearly impossible. Unfortunately, many of the symptoms one feels when exercising are the same as the ones they feel during a panic attack...
Gastroparesis Fast Facts
In honor of Gastroparesis Awareness Month, I have put together a compilation of important facts related to the condition...
Review of "To the Bone"
In this review, I will argue why I, as an eating disorder survivor, believe that the movie accurately portrayed a character with an eating disorder...
What to Expect During a 24-Hour pH Study
In one of my previous pieces, I detailed what to expect during an esophageal manometry. In this piece, I will describe the experience of getting a 24-hour pH study done...
How to Receive Mental Health Treatment If You Don't Have Health Insurance
So you recognize you have a mental health condition and want to receive treatment for it but you don't have any health insurance. Unfortunately, this is a reality for so many Americans living with mental illness...
On "Depression" As An Umbrella Term
“Depression” is a term that is thrown around often during conversations about mental illness. Few people, however, seem to know what it means...
How to Receive Mental Health Treatment as a Minor
Without your parents’ support, it can seem impossible to receive help for your illness as a minor. I am here to tell you that even though it may seem impossible, it is not!
Why Baking Is Therapeutic for Me as Someone with Digestive Problems
After developing chronic digestive problems, I started baking much more than I did previously...
Eating Disorders Come in All Shapes and Sizes
As someone who was diagnosed as a teenager with anorexic tendencies and binge eating disorder, I can tell you first hand that eating disorders do not come in one shape or size...