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Choosing To Just Be ‘OK’
Editor’s Note: When I first read this, I felt a pang of heartache for Serene but also a sense of joy and awe at witnessing how love can be such a powerful driving-force for recovery and breakthrough. Here’s a bittersweet piece by Serene who shares about how being ‘ok’ is a good thing. We hope you enjoy this story…
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Please stop asking if I’ve taken my medicine: Raphael’s Story
Editor’s Note: Often times we don’t realise that our words can mar our best intentions. Perhaps we ought to pay more attention to our tone and timing when it comes to expressing care towards those around us. Here’s a raw account by Raphael on the topic of medication. Thanks for the candid sharing Raphael!
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OCD Warrior: Joe’s Story
Editor’s Note: For the last 14 years, ‘Joe’ has coped with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and felt it was time to speak up about such conditions. OCD is highly treatable and can be effectively managed through a combination of medication, psychotherapy, having good social support, and a change in lifestyle. Read on to understand what it’s like…
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7 Ways To Support A Loved One: Joy’s Story
Editor’s Note: This is a a story on caregiving. Caregivers are an often neglected group when we talk about mental health care. It’s never easy looking after someone we love who has a serious illness. It can take its toll on our own mental and physical health. Therefore, we are so grateful to have “Joy”…
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The Process of Overcoming: Xicius’ Story
Editor’s Note: Words wield the power to hurt, or to heal and bring hope. To Xicius, names are no different. In his story, he shares his experiences with early psychosis, counselling, and medication. His story also highlights that recovery isn’t just about positive thinking or leading an active lifestyle, but that it takes a combination of acceptance, faith, support, self-awareness, and…
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Calming The Storm: Angeline’s Story
Editor’s Note: Angeline shares what it was like going through panic attacks and anxiety disorder. It made going to work and travelling impossible at one point, but today, she is gainfully employed and has made leaps and bounds in her recovery. We are extremely proud of her for actively seeking out help, and for being so…
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Beauty in the Broken: S. Lim’s Story
Editor’s Note: When I read this story, I was very moved by its simplicity and honesty. Our contributor eloquently describes her lifelong struggle with persistent sadness, and the factors (nature + nurture) that contributed to seasons of ‘heaviness’. It is my honour to share this beautiful story by S. Lim. Indeed, there is beauty in our…
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The One About Relapse
By Nicole K. // First story for 2015! I apologise for being MIA in January. As those with depression and anxiety would know, December and January are the toughest months of the year because it is loaded with stressors mixed in with the merrymaking. Things have been a bit rougher than usual recently. After attending…
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Lending Hope: Justina’s Story
By Justina // Once, during a rough patch when I felt utterly hopeless, I quoted Elosie Cole’s poem “Borrowed Hope” in a session with my psychiatrist: “Lend me your hope for awhile. A time will come when I will heal, And I will lend my renewed hope to others.” He told me that recovery looks…
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How Mental Illness Lies
By Nicole K. // May is a special month for me (it also happens to be Mental Health Month) so I’ve decided to finally publish what took me 3 months to draft — my personal story on self-harm and suicide. It was a tough thing for me to relive, but I believe it’s important for others to understand how mental illness…
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Psychologist or Psychiatrist?
By Nicole K. // I have been frequently asked on what the difference is, between a psychologist and a psychiatrist. So I thought I might just as well share what I know. To put it simply: A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who treats the brain, as mental illness is a result of neurobiological imbalance. A…
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Discontinuing Psychiatric Medications: What You Need to Know
Discontinuing Psychiatric Medications: What You Need to Know By MARGARITA TARTAKOVSKY, M.S. Many people have a dark view of medication withdrawal. They may have read or heard the scary stories about uncomfortable side effects or come across startling headlines related to the risks of discontinuing various drugs. The reality is that it is possible to safely…
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A Chance To Live: Amanda’s Story
Editor’s Note: Our reader, Amanda, battles with schizophrenia, and shares her experiences and what treatment was like. She urges others like her to seek help early. Thank you for sharing your story with us, Amanda. We are rooting for your success.
