Archive for August 2016

Student Loan Woes and College Regret

I often think about what I chose to major in and wish that I could go back to college to make the decision again. At the time, I was trying to be noble, to help people. I chose to major in special education at a private, out of state college, thinking that I could reinvent... Read more »
By Bridget,
August 31, 2016 at 10:04 pm • 

My Journal about Managing my Mental Illness with Medication

I’ve struggled with anxiety and depression for ten years, and I’ve struggled with consistently taking medication for just as long. It isn’t that I suddenly start to feel better, think that I’m cured, and flush my meds down the toilet. The issue is that I often feel that I’m not getting better, so I give... Read more »
By Bridget,
August 28, 2016 at 2:37 pm • 

An Interview with Comedian Sam Grittner

Sam Grittner, a writer and stand-up comedian, recently wrote a moving piece, “Dying to Live,” about life after a suicide attempt. I reached out to ask him a few questions about sharing his story and being in recovery. How did it feel to share your story online? Was the reaction what you expected it to... Read more »
By Bridget,
August 25, 2016 at 3:41 am • 
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The Comment About My Depression That Bothered Me

Trigger warning: self-harm Ten years ago, the summer after I graduated from high school, I should have been looking forward to going to college in the fall. I finally would be on my own, away from the confines of my all girls Catholic high school. It would be a fresh start, a chance to reinvent... Read more »
By Bridget,
August 23, 2016 at 9:13 am • 

Mental Health Advice from Gawker

I’ll miss Gawker. The website is shutting down this week after being bankrupted by a villainous billionaire. I enjoyed reading stories from their impressive writers, from Rich Juzwiak and Caity Weaver’s dining adventures to Ashley Feinberg’s heart wrenching story, “How to Talk About Suicide on Father’s Day.” A Gawker piece that I think about a... Read more »
By Bridget,
August 21, 2016 at 10:29 am • 

Mental Illness is Stigmatized When Suicide Defines a Character

I recently watched a movie and a BuzzFeed video that were both about suicide, but refrained from showing the point of view of the person who died by suicide and instead focused on the people who were affected by the death. The movie, Joshy, shows the emotional toll of suicide on the people who loved... Read more »
By Bridget,
August 18, 2016 at 8:30 am • 
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A Letter to Myself When I’m Depressed

Dear Bridget, It’s feeling ok, depression managed Bridget. I know that you’re in a really dark place right now and you feel like you can’t turn to anyone. I know that you feel like everyone hates you and that you hate yourself. But you need to gather every bit of energy that you can muster... Read more »
By Bridget,
August 16, 2016 at 2:52 am • 

Transitioning to a Lower Level of Care for Mental Illness

Since June, I’ve been spending several mornings each week in group therapy sessions as part of an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for anxiety and depression. On Friday, I was told that I would be discharged from IOP on Monday. I was uncertain if I would be ready to transition to a lower level of care... Read more »
By Bridget,
August 14, 2016 at 4:06 pm • 

Overcoming the Endless Cycle of Depression

It’s 3am and I can’t sleep. Maybe I’ll have another nightmare if I do fall back asleep like I did just before I woke up yesterday. I was on the beach with a group of people I didn’t recognize, but I knew them in the dream. There was a toddler. I agreed to go on... Read more »
By Bridget,
August 11, 2016 at 5:31 am • 
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Lilly King’s Honesty is as Inspiring as Her Olympic Win

Although I’m not typically interested in sports, I try to watch as much of the Olympics as I can. I enjoy seeing athletes at the top of their game compete in such an epic setting. I’m also fascinated by the Olympics because of the drive needed to be an Olympian. The athletes dedicate their lives... Read more »
By Bridget,
August 9, 2016 at 1:16 pm •