Spotlighted Blogger: Bipolar patient Andrea of “Lithium and Lamictal”

How do we know we’re truly living in a Health 2.0 age?  Recently, we’ve discovered that a number of PatientsLikeMe members have fascinating blogs chronicling what it’s like to live with their respective health conditions. For example, we told you in August about the acclaimed gastroparesis blog “My Broken Stomach,” written by one of our… Continue reading Spotlighted Blogger: Bipolar patient Andrea of “Lithium and Lamictal”

What Patients Are Thankful For

Thanksgiving is a time for remembering all the reasons you have to be grateful.  For patients who face numerous health challenges, this can mean reminding yourself of all the things you have gained – not lost – since your diagnosis. One theme that we’re especially proud to hear our 120,000+ members express is how thankful… Continue reading What Patients Are Thankful For

Is Today the Day You Quit Smoking for Good?

That’s what the American Cancer Society hopes. Today, November 17th, is the Great American Smokeout, now in its 36th year.  It’s a day for quitting smoking or making a plan to quit.  The reason for doing so is pretty compelling:  tobacco use is the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the… Continue reading Is Today the Day You Quit Smoking for Good?

Giving Caregivers the Recognition They Deserve

“The true strength of the American family finds its roots in an unwavering commitment to care for one another.” – President Barack Obama November is National Family Caregivers Month, “a time to thank, support, educate and empower family caregivers.”  There are more than 65 million family caregivers in the US who day in and day… Continue reading Giving Caregivers the Recognition They Deserve

It’s the Season for Seasonal Affective Disorder

Now that daylight savings time has ended, the days are shorter, and before you know it, it’s nightfall.  Has this affected your mood? Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also known as seasonal depression, is a condition marked by a period of depression that occurs during the same season year after year.  In most cases, that season… Continue reading It’s the Season for Seasonal Affective Disorder

Competing Against MS: An Interview with MLR

PatientsLikeMe member MLR was an avid BMX (Bicycle Motocross), MTB (Mountain Bike Racing) and Motocross athlete his entire life – until he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) last year. After having to give up the sport he loved, MLR began to suffer from depression. Today, however, he’s happy to report that he’s racing again… Continue reading Competing Against MS: An Interview with MLR

Reflecting on National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Have your health conditions ever caused you to lose a job? Or prevented you from applying – or getting hired – in the first place? October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an event that aims to recognize the skills that those with disabilities bring to the workforce and promote employment opportunities and access for… Continue reading Reflecting on National Disability Employment Awareness Month

What Patients Are Saying About Physical Therapy

Mobile.  Active.  Independent.  How close are you or the patient in your life to those attributes? October is National Physical Therapy Month, which is designed the highlight the role of physical therapy (PT) in restoring and improving motion.  According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), the benefits can include enhanced quality of life as… Continue reading What Patients Are Saying About Physical Therapy

Get Healthy for Good: An Interview with Catie Coman of the National Psoriasis Foundation

In August, we recognized Psoriasis Awareness Month on our blog and shared some facts and figures about this autoimmune disease, which affects 7.5 million Americans. One of the statistics we shared is that psoriasis often occurs in conjunction with other serious health conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, heart attack and obesity. What these conditions share is… Continue reading Get Healthy for Good: An Interview with Catie Coman of the National Psoriasis Foundation

Mental Illness Awareness Week: Stigmas, Stereotypes and Sharing

On Tuesday, we recognized Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 2-8) by sharing some of our mental health members’ vivid descriptions of what depression feels like. Today, we’ve taken a look at what else our members are sharing – or not sharing – about more than a dozen mental health conditions at PatientsLikeMe. On the site,… Continue reading Mental Illness Awareness Week: Stigmas, Stereotypes and Sharing