Stigma and discrimination go hand-in-hand, especially when it comes to mental illness. According to the Wisconsin United for Mental Health website, “. . . people with a mental illness would rather tell their employers they have committed a petty crime and were in jail than admit to being in a psychiatric hospital.”
I was officially diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1990. The illness was overwhelming but I was relieved to know it had a name. However I soon surrendered to the power of the illness. I was ‘bipolar’. I considered myself weak and sick. For years all I could think of was what I had lost. I often thought of suicide but I couldn’t put my family and friends through that grief and I knew God would be very disappointed since He had given me the gift of life.
About three years ago my counselor pointed out that feeling deeply can actually be a gift. I began to wonder what life would be like if I didn’t consider myself sick. I started wondering if I could take back what I had lost. Eventually I saw that I’m not mentally ill all of the time; just when I have an episode. In my personal journey of recovery I have learned
I am overcoming my fear of feeling good as a symptom of the mania escalating again. I am also trying to release anger at mental health practitioners for not always having all the right answers and sometimes making big mistakes. I still work hard to overcome my personal pride by not being ashamed to admit I need help sometimes.
The Bible says that soon God will wipe away every tear so I keep that hope uppermost in my mind. In the meantime when I feel my mood changing too far either way I go through a checklist:
* meds
* rest
* food and water
* exercise
* spiritual routine
* reaching out for help
* helping others
* correct what I can and move on.
I have been a volunteer minister for over 40 years and I have a lot of support from my family and friends. I go to my congregation meetings twice weekly. I see the nurse practitioner to monitor my medication and for now I go to a therapist weekly. I have a recovery coach of my own to help me maintain my wellness. I also attend and facilitate meetings of DBSA Tucson.
When I took steps to defy the identity of being sick good things started happening. I am proud to say I received my state certification to be a peer support specialist and I am a life coach. I accept now that I am vulnerable to mental illness but I will never again let a diagnosis define me.
Source: DBSA Partners with Demi Lovato on Be Vocal – Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
What is your experience with animals and healing in your Mental Health?
Contribute your experience to our DBSA newsletter or blog, and share your message of hope. Please write a paragraph or more about your favorite animal and healing in your Mental Health story, including quirks, lovable qualities, and how your animal has helped with your recovery.
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