Carol’s Blog

At times recovery may seem intimidating, but realistically you just have to take it one hug at a time.

We need to find peace and contentment in the present moment. However, in this fast-paced life that most of us live, we find ourselves rushing from place to place and from task to task.  We rarely take time to appreciate the people we come in contact with.

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Don’t let the fear of recurring depression keep you from living your life in recovery. Instead, follow a few simple tips to prevent recurring depression.

If you are like many of us with mental health disorders, you’ve been told that you will be challenged with your illnesses throughout your life.  This is especially true if you have endured several episodes.

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Have you ever noticed when you put a bandage on a problem, it returns? And sometimes with more of a vengeance than when the issue started?  Yet our mental health system is still entrenched in the “quick fix” bandage model of recovery—stabilization.  Yes, we need to stabilize the consumer but that is only the first step.  The only way to get to long-term results with mental health disorders is to develop a long-term recovery model.

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Many years ago, I heard someone say, ‘We must all become life-long learners because the road to success is always under construction.”  Once you reflect on this statement, you begin to realize that every day is an opportunity to become a student. Here are four life lessons to help you learn and grow from past experiences.

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In today’s fast-paced world, it is essential to become a life-long learner. But more important is for you to take what you’ve learned and apply it to your life.  So, on that I note, I recently came across surprising book facts that were not only interesting but startling as well. What a difference a book can make.

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At a recent NAMI Mercer event, I listened to a young man, named Jim, share his mental health story.  He spoke of the ups and downs with his unrelenting symptoms.   Jim mentioned that he dropped out of college three times because of severe episodes of anxiety, depression, and mania. Yet, Jim didn’t give up. He kept going back until he finished his degree.  Jim laughed about how long it took him to graduate. However, like many in the audience, I applauded his tenacity and unstoppable spirit.

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Spring is almost here with warmer temperatures and budding plants and trees.  Spring has always reminded me of new beginnings.

After being dormant all winter, spring comes along and brings energy, light, and more life.  When my depression and anxiety show up, I lose all my energy, my light-heartedness and my desire to live.

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