Sarah, I've only read this prologue and I'm already grateful to you for writing this. I've struggled with mental health for a long time, and have spent much of this weekend diving into articles and webinar about bipolar, wondering if that might be the explanation for so much. And then I remembered about your memoir (just as I am about to go to bed, of course!), so I'm going to be reading this over the coming weeks, and looking at how I can help myself while I wait for the agonisingly slow process of the NHS menrtal health serviced to offer me an assessment. Thank you again! 💜
Have you ever studied nutritional means to provide cures for mental problems? I had problems too from all the diets that I was on, since I was 13. I had no idea, if you don't feed your body right...the brain will be robbed, too (of the nutrients it needs to function.) I am very careful to get the entire B Complex daily, which helps keep the brain working. People are not aware that there are foods that cause schizophrenia and other mental problems...Dr. James Braily, M.D. and Ron Hoggan, M.A. wrote Dangerous Grains...It pointed out that 200 diseases were caused by eating grains, such as, mental problems, too, Arthritis is another one...and I got rid of arthritis by stopping all grains.
I too have done so much healing via food, especially not eating grains at all! I have a very strict diet that keeps me whole and healthy (and very few people think I’m about to turn 60). I believe that what we put in affects us - at least me - in numerous ways!
If one wants health answers, one has to do it themselves. They must get off the same path that has led others downhill for lifetimes. I have been into personal research for 64 years...and if I had not gone into it...i would not be here ...and healthy at 91.
I listen to episodes of Cured as I cook dinner. The pacing is just right, and the narrative works perfectly with the presentation of information and resources. Love the interviews, too. I don’t know if I could identify a specific Recovery Day. Maybe the day I started my Substack.
I spent the 1970s on various couches and chairs within the offices of psychiatrists and psychotherapists. I was diagnosed with panic disorder, agoraphobia, and major depression replete with daily thoughts of ending my life. We went over my childhood ad nauseam and I continued to deteriorate. Then I read about the brain from a book at the library. Lightbulb! I still remember driving the 101 along the California coastline during the early 1990s when the thought came to me..."I'm well!" For those moments I had no discernible anxiety, no depression or even sadness. I felt complete joy. I felt FREE!!! Of course I've had times of anxiety and even low level depression since then. At 70+, I've had plenty of seasons of being human.
I wasn’t diagnosed with depression until I was in my forties. But I’d suffered from bouts from my teens on. “It’s all in your head,” is what I heard in those early years. Now I’m on a mild antidepressant and I function so much better.
I think I’ve had several aha moments after starting therapy at age 8 and being misdiagnosed and mismedicated with a variety of acronyms for 50 years. One of those moments was when I was playing on the floor with my infant son(22 years ago), and I looked up at the messy dining room table covered in cars and trucks and farm animals, and I realized I can handle whatever happens, that I was going to be okay. Finding out I’m autistic and adhd (audhd) in my mid-50s has led me to a well of self-compassion and understanding, and I am more whole than I’ve ever been, celebrating 60 next month! This is such a great post! Everyone should read it!
This is incredible, Emma. Wow. I love how you put this: "being misdiagnosed and mismedicated with a variety of acronyms for 50 years." And it's so interesting how one acronym can disempower while another can make us feel whole.
This post gave me some hope. I have bipolar II disorder, and it's completely wrecked my life. I have trouble believing things will change.
On another note, I used to have severe anxiety. I still have anxiety, but I think it may be in the mild or subclinical levels after completing DBT therapy. If anyone's reading this, recovery from anxiety is hard but absolutely possible.
Psychiatric conditions are absolutely treatable. There are factors that increase the likelihood & factors that prevent recovery.
In children, recovery is absolutely possible & is common. Treatment differs depending on the formulation of the person’s difficulties. This may or may not include medication, therapy or other supportive interventions.
It's criminal how we don't offer people with mental illness what they really need: intensive rehabilitation (therapy, self-management strategies). Every other illness or injury or surgery patient is supported through rehabilitation. Patients with mental illness are instead locked up and drugged against their will. We steal their HOPE.
For those mentioning nutrition here... check out metabolicmind.org - we actually do have a CURE.
Sarah, I've only read this prologue and I'm already grateful to you for writing this. I've struggled with mental health for a long time, and have spent much of this weekend diving into articles and webinar about bipolar, wondering if that might be the explanation for so much. And then I remembered about your memoir (just as I am about to go to bed, of course!), so I'm going to be reading this over the coming weeks, and looking at how I can help myself while I wait for the agonisingly slow process of the NHS menrtal health serviced to offer me an assessment. Thank you again! 💜
I'll be thinking of you. It's so hard to search for an answer and have to wait. I hope Cured can help!
Have you ever studied nutritional means to provide cures for mental problems? I had problems too from all the diets that I was on, since I was 13. I had no idea, if you don't feed your body right...the brain will be robbed, too (of the nutrients it needs to function.) I am very careful to get the entire B Complex daily, which helps keep the brain working. People are not aware that there are foods that cause schizophrenia and other mental problems...Dr. James Braily, M.D. and Ron Hoggan, M.A. wrote Dangerous Grains...It pointed out that 200 diseases were caused by eating grains, such as, mental problems, too, Arthritis is another one...and I got rid of arthritis by stopping all grains.
I too have done so much healing via food, especially not eating grains at all! I have a very strict diet that keeps me whole and healthy (and very few people think I’m about to turn 60). I believe that what we put in affects us - at least me - in numerous ways!
If one wants health answers, one has to do it themselves. They must get off the same path that has led others downhill for lifetimes. I have been into personal research for 64 years...and if I had not gone into it...i would not be here ...and healthy at 91.
So glad to hear it! I know it’s possible, but we have to stop believing what the rest of the whole world seems to think!
I listen to episodes of Cured as I cook dinner. The pacing is just right, and the narrative works perfectly with the presentation of information and resources. Love the interviews, too. I don’t know if I could identify a specific Recovery Day. Maybe the day I started my Substack.
This makes me so, so happy.
Now that you say it, that was definitely a turning point for me too.
I spent the 1970s on various couches and chairs within the offices of psychiatrists and psychotherapists. I was diagnosed with panic disorder, agoraphobia, and major depression replete with daily thoughts of ending my life. We went over my childhood ad nauseam and I continued to deteriorate. Then I read about the brain from a book at the library. Lightbulb! I still remember driving the 101 along the California coastline during the early 1990s when the thought came to me..."I'm well!" For those moments I had no discernible anxiety, no depression or even sadness. I felt complete joy. I felt FREE!!! Of course I've had times of anxiety and even low level depression since then. At 70+, I've had plenty of seasons of being human.
Wow, that's amazing. I love the image of you driving the 101 and discovering you were well.
We don't forget those moments!
I wasn’t diagnosed with depression until I was in my forties. But I’d suffered from bouts from my teens on. “It’s all in your head,” is what I heard in those early years. Now I’m on a mild antidepressant and I function so much better.
So glad!
Thank you.
👏👏👏👏
I think I’ve had several aha moments after starting therapy at age 8 and being misdiagnosed and mismedicated with a variety of acronyms for 50 years. One of those moments was when I was playing on the floor with my infant son(22 years ago), and I looked up at the messy dining room table covered in cars and trucks and farm animals, and I realized I can handle whatever happens, that I was going to be okay. Finding out I’m autistic and adhd (audhd) in my mid-50s has led me to a well of self-compassion and understanding, and I am more whole than I’ve ever been, celebrating 60 next month! This is such a great post! Everyone should read it!
This is incredible, Emma. Wow. I love how you put this: "being misdiagnosed and mismedicated with a variety of acronyms for 50 years." And it's so interesting how one acronym can disempower while another can make us feel whole.
Okay-ness and enough-ness. Two of my favorite states now. Sustainable. Real. Quieted. 💛
This post gave me some hope. I have bipolar II disorder, and it's completely wrecked my life. I have trouble believing things will change.
On another note, I used to have severe anxiety. I still have anxiety, but I think it may be in the mild or subclinical levels after completing DBT therapy. If anyone's reading this, recovery from anxiety is hard but absolutely possible.
I'm so glad this post gave you hope. Just being here and sharing your experience is so valuable. Your experience helps so many.
It’s so powerful to learn that we are not what others or our minds tell us. 💞
Great read. Thank you for sharing.
Psychiatric conditions are absolutely treatable. There are factors that increase the likelihood & factors that prevent recovery.
In children, recovery is absolutely possible & is common. Treatment differs depending on the formulation of the person’s difficulties. This may or may not include medication, therapy or other supportive interventions.
Yes! Imagine if everything you said here was the premise of all mental health treatment?
It's criminal how we don't offer people with mental illness what they really need: intensive rehabilitation (therapy, self-management strategies). Every other illness or injury or surgery patient is supported through rehabilitation. Patients with mental illness are instead locked up and drugged against their will. We steal their HOPE.
For those mentioning nutrition here... check out metabolicmind.org - we actually do have a CURE.
Yes, absolutely: rehabilitation toward recovery, not static treatment.