June 29, 2017
By Lori Branigan
No one wants to hear that something is wrong with their mind. Tell them they have a heart condition, diabetes, or any other myriad of “normal” disease and nine times out of ten they’ll handle it better than hearing that they have a mental health condition.
In my case, being diagnosed at 19 with a mental illness which could potentially last a lifetime and I may have to take medication for just as long was like getting a death sentence. After all, I had just started life. But over the years, and after some very traumatic hospital visits, I’ve taught myself strategies to get through tough days. It took a long time to learn these simple steps but they’ve helped me get well and stay well.
With the right attitude this illness can be a bump in the road and not something you have to carry on your shoulders for the rest of your life. This is not a death sentence!
For example:
The moment you wake up, before stepping out of bed or putting your feet on the ground say OUT LOUD: “Today is going to be a good day and no matter what happens, good or bad I will NOT let it get to me. I am happy, healthy and whole and I can handle anything that comes my way!”
I’m now 51 years old, been married for 25 years and have two beautiful grown children. It’s been almost 30 years since I was in the hospital so I’m living proof you can live a normal life despite a mental health diagnosis. Never give up. Never give in. You are so much stronger than you think.
We’re always accepting submissions to the NAMI Blog! We feature the latest research, stories of recovery, ways to end stigma and strategies for living well with mental illness. Most importantly: We feature your voices.
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