Mental Health Stories and Tips From Patients

Wondering if e-therapy is an effective way to seek counseling? Here's my experience talking to a therapist online using BetterHelp.

Sometimes a Highly Sensitive Person gets overstimulated by even simple and small things. Here are a few examples—as well as some tips to deal with this challenge.

I suffered from social anxiety since puberty. As an adult, I took an anti-anxiety drug for seven years. I now regret taking it for so long, and I want to promote ways to overcome anxiety without drugs.

Overusing nasal decongestant sprays may actually cause more congestion rather than relieving it. This is how I developed an addiction to Afrin and how I was able to stop using it.

When Al-Anon members do their Ninth Step amends, they often have to apologize and change their behavior towards the alcoholics in their life, as well as towards friends and family members. It is not as hard as you may have feared. Find out how to get started.

I was finally motivated to quit smoking not because of health concerns but because of sheer vanity and self-interest. Here are five good reasons to quit that you may not have considered.

A true story based on my experience living with a bipolar mother. Contains graphic content.

A look at the latest research on the effects of childhood bullying that can last into adulthood, as well as my own story as a bullying survivor.

Have you ever had a panic attack? Do you think you could be having one now? Panic attacks are characterized by dysphoria and can happen anywhere and at any time. There is usually an underlying cause or trigger. It's important that you figure out what is causing your stress in order to treat it.

Support groups can be a helpful tool for people experiencing a difficult life struggle. Here are some things to look for in a good support group.

This is a true story about my young friend who died from methamphetamine use. Hopefully, this story will save someone else's life. I've provided a helpful list of the signs and symptoms of someone using meth and how to get help.

I never believed I could quit smoking. I was wrong.

Noise can be a source of great distress and frustration for an HSP. This article explores some of the ways we can manage the noise input around us.

I have tried several different treatments for my life-long depression. Here are some of the things that worked and didn't work for me.

Are drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes ruling your life? Have you tried quitting only to pick back up again -- even though you really, really want to stop? Stop beating yourself up. You are not a failure. You're an addict.

What it means to be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), and why it matters to understand as much as possible about this trait.

My father was a compulsive gambler. This article is about how loved ones can protect themselves from the ravages of a gambling addiction.

A skinny woman's battle with stereotypes. How American culture makes being thin synonymous with anorexia. "Skinny girls have no right to complain."

The journey to face and overcome an irrational fear of the avian wing movement

Everyone daydreams. But some of us daydream excessively—to the point where it interferes with our daily, real lives.

Learn four ways to overcome social anxiety naturally that you can start doing right now. Don't let social anxiety keep you from doing the things you love. Enjoy a happier, healthier life.

Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is a medical condition involving unpredictable, uncontrollable episodes of laughter, tears, or both. It involves a mismatch between feelings and outward emotional displays.

Afraid of roller coasters? Always left behind holding everyone's stuff as they have the time of their lives? End your fear with these steps, and soon someone else will be holding your stuff.

Many twins suffer from separation anxiety. Written by a twin, this article provides tips for how to cope with this anxiety.

I finally did it. I gave up cigarettes after years of smoking, and I feel incredible. In this article I discuss what happens to your body after you quit smoking.

There are many ways to understand depression. The allegory of Plato's cave can illustrate depression's devastating impact, as well as a pathway toward recovery. For me, this is a personal story.

My personal story about becoming disabled with illness that can't be seen on the outside. It all began with the domestic abuse from my past.

Facing the reality of depression has taken me on what seems like an endless quest to fix my depression. But this approach seems to have worsened the intensity of this illness, zapping precious energy and triggering feelings of frustration and overwhelm.

Bipolar disorder is more than difficult for the person diagnosed with the disorder, but it is often not discussed that it may be even harder on their family and friends. There are ways to cope with someone who is bipolar.

These are the steps I took to finally quit smoking for good—after eight failed attempts.

Podophobia, or the fear of bare feet, affects many people. Learn about the symptoms of and treatment for this phobia.

I was invincible! I was determined, unstoppable, and with energy to spare. Then, it all came crashing down around me. In this article, I discuss my experience with cyclothymia, including my symptoms and treatment.

This is a perspective on how my PTSD affects some of my daily life and some of my relationships. I am explaining this not only to share the story of the episodes and trials I deal with, but to help others relate a little better with their friends and relatives that may also suffer with this.

I never in a million years thought I would succumb to a gambling addiction, but certain circumstances made me vulnerable to that. It didn't help that I lived in Seattle at the time, in proximity to 3 casinos. Here's how the addiction started and "resolved itself", if you could call it that.

Do you have trouble remembering faces when meeting new people? I have this condition, and it's common in my family. I share my research with you in the article.

Learn how to stop drinking alcohol for a month, regain control of your consumption, and improve your well-being.

My dear friend, Alan Mudge, was an armourer during his time in the RAF. He was kind enough to agree to talk to you all about his personal experience suffering with PTSD.

Are you feeling anxious at work and scared you can't cope? You're not alone! Here's some quick tips for dealing with anxiety before and during work.

What does it mean to be mentally ill? How many people suffer from this ailment? It’s more common than you think.

Revenge is a powerful drive, possibly second only to success—and success is the best revenge, so they say. Here are some therapeutic (and safe) ways to work through revenge.

Highly sensitive people make up 15-20% of the population, which translates to millions of people. Why then are they so widely misunderstood? Here are 25 gifts HSPs share with the world.

As a highly sensitive person, I regularly scour the Internet and bookshops for more material that may shed light on this wonderful gift we highly sensitive people know as the HSP trait.

The signs that I experienced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in childhood are revealing, and, at times, surprising.

Nicotine gum and lozenges can be useful when you're trying to quit smoking, but they can create a new, hard-to-kick addiction themselves. Are you addicted?

The love affair between bipolar and fatigue is overwhelming to the person living with this condition, as well as to everyone around him or her.

This is how I overcame the darkness of bipolar disorder by making a few minor changes to create a better environment and an overall wonderful wellbeing.

Smokeless tobacco is a tough habit to give up, but it can be done!

This article discusses the causes signs, and symptoms of eating disorders and how to prevent them. Written by a health professional who has recovered from an eating disorder.

I have been taking the antidepressant Fluoxetine for 1 year now. Here is my experience with the medication and how it has affected my depression symptoms.

This is my story of how I narrowly escaped death after attempting suicide. Life has a way of slapping the very breath out of you—painting the picture of suicide as a reversible option, when in actuality, once accomplished, there is no coming back. Once you're dead, you're dead.

Trying to understand an alcoholic is an impossible task for most non-alcoholics. I used to be an alcoholic, and in this article I will attempt to take you inside the mind of someone who is dependent.

As the daughter of an emotionally absent mother, I've struggled with sadness and anxiety most of my life. After taking anti-depressants for 7 years, I was ready to get off the medication and take control of my own well-being. By embracing my inner child, I finally found peace and joy.

When stress gets out of control, we experience physical distress to the point that we become ill. To keep this from happening, use these three simple techniques.

One in every five of us suffers from a mental illness, yet so many of us are afraid to talk about it. But we know that talking not only makes us feel better, it also saves lives. And if so many of us have a mental health issue, why are we still stigmatizing ourselves?

Quitting smoking is just the beginning. Staying quit is much harder. Here are the tips and tricks that helped me stay off cigarettes and quit smoking permanently. I hope they will help you, too.

Studies show that it may take several attempts to successfully kick the smoking habit. For one person it may take only 5 quits to succeed; for another, it may take 10. For me, it was more than that.

Read about my experience with dissociation, including an explanation of what dissociation is, how I diagnosed myself, and my road to recovery.

I am most often a watcher not a participant but alike a tiny computer I digest images and vocal tones. I am intuitive, empathetic, an introvert, and highly analytical. These are qualities that are often present in shy individuals. There are detrimental aspects of shyness but there are also benefits

How alcoholism damaged my family and marriage.

Prior to 1995, I thought I would be hooked on cigarettes until the end of my life. This article is the story of how I miraculously quit smoking.

Do you have a loved one who is an alcoholic? Understand the nature of alcoholism, as well as your codependent role. I write from personal experience, having lived both sides of the equation.

An anxiety disorder is a serious mental health disorder that is becoming more prevalent in the field of mood disorders.

Learn the similarities and differences between anxiety attacks and panic attacks—based on facts and my own personal experience. Knowing the difference can help a person overcome these attacks.

Have you been fighting your panic disorder for years without success? Learn how I overcame it and you can too.

A short guide on how to run away with your problems.

These are the strategies I use to cope with lack of motivation when I am experiencing a major depressive episode.

The seven deadly sins and gambling go together perfectly. Learn how gambling addiction progresses through each of the seven stages of sin.

My life with OCD, and the tips and tricks I use to control it.

Recently, I approached my doctor about taking some stress leave from my job. I was given 12 weeks of stress leave and used the time to clean, exercise, work on projects, and try new things.

During a panic attack, we feel like we are going to die. Rather than going to the emergency room, use these three steps to bring emotions back to a manageable level.

Do you have a friend with misophonia, or a sensitivity to certain sounds? Here are some tips to be a good, supportive friend to them, from a misophonia-sufferer.

Living with and being supportive of a person with PTSD can be one of the most difficult things you will ever experience. My ex-girlfriend can attest to that.

An in-depth insight into anorexia nervosa—a life-threatening eating disorder that attacks the body mentally, physically, and spiritually. Written by someone who struggles with the disease.

I am a shy person and have improved a lot with the simple techniques discussed here. If you are shy and aren't sure what to do, please read on...

Do you still dwell on a comment someone made to you years ago? Are you still wondering whether you were in the wrong by acting as you did, even years later? Well, I can tell you why, and how to stop.

What a lot of people don't want to talk about, and what your doctor won't tell you. Xanax addiction is serious, and so are the withdrawal symptoms. Here I share my experience.

I want to share my experience with Trichotillomania to show myself and my fellow trichsters that we are not alone. Most importantly, I want to start a discussion based on experience that can help all of us trichsters find solutions together!

350 million people worldwide suffer from depression—that equates to roughly 7% in the United States. Chances are you have loved and even lived with someone who's had experience with depression.

Does your panic disorder prevent you from travelling? Read on for tips and encouragement.

Highly sensitive people often struggle with friendships and relationships. This article explores where the difficulties arise and offers thoughts on how an HSP can form more lasting friendships.

Have you ever wondered how to fake confidence for a job interview, first date or just in general when you suffer from anxiety? Here's my tips for acting more outwardly secure, even when I don't feel that way inside.

Having a spouse with bipolar depression will test your strength and your patience. The most important things to remember, no matter how cliche, is that is not who they are and they need your love.

Are you scared of social situations? You can change it! Read this article and learn how.

Depression is usually misjudged, based on how a person looks. This article is a closer look into my struggle with depression.

These are ways I've learned to cope with bipolar disorder that can help you have a better life despite your bipolar disorder and depression.

Anxiety can make us insomniac. If you can't sleep because of anxiety, read on for a few simple tips on how to get some zzz's. These are the techniques that work for me.

From the time I was a small child, I experienced bouts of depression, or "the plague," as I always thought of it. When I was a child, those dark days were worse than any boogey-man.

Why does my face turn red at the most inopportune times? Is there any way I can stop, or am I doomed to spend the rest of my life hearing, "Oh, she's blushing?" Written by a fellow frequent-blusher.

After 2 years of taking Citalopram for depression, it was time to stop. But the side effects that no doctor talked to me about were serious, including the dreaded brain zaps.

A travel phobia can limit a person's life to a great degree. Are you scared to use public transportation?

Not all drugs or treatments effect people the same way. In this case, taking dexamethasone as part of my chemo treatment led to symptoms of depression.

If you are a highly sensitive person (HSP), you may have faced a variety of struggles with work. This article examines some of the challenges and difficulties HSPs face at work and why they exist.

Having a bipolar dad can feel like a total rollercoaster of emotion as you fare the mania and depression of your parent. Here's how I handled living with my own bipolar dad until my mid-twenties.

Social anxiety can affect all aspects of your life—but it can be overcome. Many sufferers turn to anxiety medication, although this isn't the only option to consider.

Electronic cigarette, e-cig, and vapor cigarette are common names for a personal vaporizer that allows one to smoke without the health hazards of regular cigarettes.

As highly sensitive people, we sense everything—though we might not always want to. At those times when we need to retreat but can't, are we at risk of developing social anxiety?

Anxiety is more common than you think; a lot of people are diagnosed with panic disorder. However, speaking from experience, there are simple ways to reduce your anxiety. I'll share my experience and suggestions with you in this article.

Highly Sensitive Persons (or HSPs) make up 15% of the population. Learn about the joys and challenges of living with this trait.