Tag Archives: depression

Live, Laugh, Survive

SMITH Final Book Cover

Laughter really is the best medicine. It’s no secret I’ve got my issues; and I’m here to make sure everyone out there, living in my computer world, knows they are not alone.

Sometimes something as simple as a smile can change someone’s day. So join me. Laugh at our misfortunes.

Today, Surviving Mental Illness Through Humor is available!

Seriously. Go buy it now. Yes, you – you are the target audience of this book, even if you’re rolling your eyes at me right now. Whether it’s you or someone you love, this anthology will allow you to see the humor behind the darkness.

**********

From the release:

Living with a mental illness is a journey that one in four Americans will travel at some point in their lifetimes. The stigma and misinformation surrounding the public perception of mental illness is appalling and unfounded. Those with symptoms fear judgment and being ostracized, leaving many to suffer in silence. Awareness and understanding are crucial in eradicating negative attitudes about those with mental illness. By creating an honest dialogue about the highs and lows of mental illness, the non-suffering public will gain a better understanding, and those suffering may be more likely to seek the support they need.

In discussing their own personal experiences with mental illness, popular bloggers and creators of the anthology Alyson Herzig and Jessica Azar envisioned a book that would squash stigma and support readers that are facing their illnesses alone, Surviving Mental Illness Through Humor was born. They gathered a group of talented humor writers who personally battle mental illness. The authors willingness to share their personal stories is inspiring, and shows that living with mental illness doesn’t have to equal a life of endless misery. While the lows of living with mental illness can be devastating, the disease doesn’t define the lives of these contributors. Surviving Mental Illness Through Humor contains essays that will make the reader’s heart ache, as well as ones that will make them cry with laughter. The groundbreaking anthology leads the mission to ‘laugh stigma into submission’ by inspiring attitudes of acceptance and compassion.

**********

I am proud to have my story featured among the talented writers comprising Surviving Mental Illness Through Humor. In addition to hopefully spreading empowerment to others who may suffer, every writer has agreed to donate a portion of his or her book earnings to charity.

It should come as no surprise that my organization of choice is the March of Dimes – in support of their quest to ensure the arrival of healthy babies. Nor should you feel any shock that the story I shared involved tiny persons (and the mooing of a cow).

Go check it out.

For more information on Surviving Mental Illness Through Humor, check out www.survivementalillness.com.

And thank you. Thank you for allowing me to share my story and for being the audience who loves me despite, or maybe because, I’m crazy.

alice-wonderland-cheshire-cat-smile-were-all-mad-here-eternalthinker-blogspot-com

2 Comments

Surviving Mental Illness Through Humor

SMITH Final Book Cover

About a year ago, I saw the call for submissions to a book on mental illness. I laughed.

Because sometimes they only way to survive is to find the humor of the situation. Or, at the very least, make inappropriate jokes that diffuse the situation in your mind (your mentally misfiring mind, that is). Continue reading

Leave a Comment

The Psycho Quiz

Last week I had to make a return trip to the psychiatrist. Every now and then the docs like to re-evaluate my medication to keep me from going completely crazy. Since it was my first visit with this particular MD, I had to fill out the anxiety/depression questionnaire. Continue reading

11 Comments

XO Jane – Post Partum PTSD

It Happened To Me: I Had Post-Partum PTSD. My twin boys were born by C-section at 27 weeks. I was desperately hoping for a third trimester, but failed.

Apologies for a post that is a bit of a downer on Father’s Day. But the goal of this blog (and all the other articles I write about parenting) is to celebrate our adorable muppets – and all we have gone through to get this far.

Today xoJane, an online women’s magazine, published my story. Continue reading

2 Comments

Winecone Wednesday – MAYDAY! Edition

Mayday! Mayday! Time is passing us by at a pace I prefer not to admit. We get our routines down and day in day out we try to learn to look back while moving forward.

So, in order to spice things up – I’m throwing out a game. One of my colleagues shared this with me. I was horrified to realize this genius is something I have never before partaken in. What you need is a core group who’s “in the know.” (That’s you.) We have a key word/phrase that needs to be somehow incorporated into a meeting or presentation.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to use the phrase SadBanana this week. Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Fortress of Solitude

Good news! The GREEN sippy cup has been found, since blue was apparently unacceptable.

I had a conversation with a friend the other day:

I gotta tell you, I’m super impressed with how calm you parent now…there are a lot of parents who would still be overly cautious about their preemies and you let them be kids who fall on their noggins and only panic when necessary. I mean when Destroy tanked you didn’t miss a beat. You just picked him and then set him on his way. Parents who didn’t have preemies aren’t usually that mellow. Continue reading

1 Comment

Depression is a Lying Bastard

The Bloggess said it best. Depression is a lying bastard.

I’ve found myself struggling with another “episode” lately. It started a couple weeks ago – sneaking up on me when I wasn’t paying attention. I don’t think you’d really notice by looking at me. I’m still fully functional.

But those close to me did start thinking I was acting a little off. I was being weird(er). Continue reading

2 Comments

Hello World. I Have a Mental Illness

I climb the walls of my mind just like I’m climbing on a jungle gym. I am more than content with the
state of mind I am in ’cause I am crazy just like you
I am crazy just like you.

According to results of a study released today, women with a history of migraines are up to 41 percent more likely to develop depression than those lucky enough to avoid the plague of debilitating headaches. Continue reading

16 Comments

Supermom

I am, I am, I am Superman and I know what’s happening.
I am, I am, I am Superman and I can do anything.

I went to lunch with a friend recently. “Holy shit, you’re wearing real clothes!” 90% of the time I see you, you’re in ratty sweatpants with barf/poo stained t-shirt or sweatshirt,” he exclaimed. Continue reading

8 Comments