Lauren Eber
One in four of us is "normal" and the rest are insane! Actually, according to Mental Health America 54 million Americans suffer from some type of mental illness every year.
That means millions of American families are affected by these mental disorders. How do we cope? How do you help a loved one who is having problems? THAT is the elephant in the room. It has been an elephant in my room since I was about 19. At the time I had no idea what it would mean to have depression for the rest of my life, nor did anyone around me, really. I had no idea the battle that laid ahead of me, not just the battle against the illness, but the battle against stigma, misinformation, and my own distorted thinking.
Often the elephant was dressed up, covered up, disguised as something else, and occasionally talked about, but it was always there. So I am starting this blog. Part therapy session, part advice column, part comic relief, and hopefully something I will get some input from readers to help us all talk about mental illness.
That means millions of American families are affected by these mental disorders. How do we cope? How do you help a loved one who is having problems? THAT is the elephant in the room. It has been an elephant in my room since I was about 19. At the time I had no idea what it would mean to have depression for the rest of my life, nor did anyone around me, really. I had no idea the battle that laid ahead of me, not just the battle against the illness, but the battle against stigma, misinformation, and my own distorted thinking.
Often the elephant was dressed up, covered up, disguised as something else, and occasionally talked about, but it was always there. So I am starting this blog. Part therapy session, part advice column, part comic relief, and hopefully something I will get some input from readers to help us all talk about mental illness.
Lauren is a wife, mom, and step-mom from originally from south western PA, now living in the sunny south. She was first diagnosed with depression and anxiety at 19, and now wishes to share her years of knowledge, and experience, in what that means, and what life is like when looked at through the cloud of depression. When not blogging she also enjoys, drawing, reading, photography, crafting, tattoos, working, and spending time in the mountains. |
Lauren is a guest blogger at HealthyPlace.com
Healthyplace.com is the largest consumer mental
health site on the net.
They provide authoritative information and support to
people with mental health concerns, along with their
family members and other loved ones.
Healthyplace.com is the largest consumer mental
health site on the net.
They provide authoritative information and support to
people with mental health concerns, along with their
family members and other loved ones.