Women’s Health Week: Ginny reflects on motherhood and “the perfect storm” of epilepsy and mental health conditions

In honor of National Women’s Health Week, Team of Advisors member Ginny (Mrslinkgetter) shares what it’s like to live with multiple health conditions – including major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder and epilepsy – as well as grief following the death of her son (who also had epilepsy and major depression). On PatientsLikeMe, hundreds… Continue reading Women’s Health Week: Ginny reflects on motherhood and “the perfect storm” of epilepsy and mental health conditions

“I think there needs to be a national-level dialogue about it”: Eleni Pinnow on depression, suicide and her sister’s story

“Aletha Meyer Pinnow, 31 … died from depression and suicide on Feb. 20, 2016.” So begins the obituary that Eleni Pinnow penned about her sister for the Duluth (Minn.) News Tribune. The candid obit went viral and struck a chord with countless readers – in the mental health community and beyond – so Eleni followed… Continue reading “I think there needs to be a national-level dialogue about it”: Eleni Pinnow on depression, suicide and her sister’s story

“When the wind turns against you, adjust your sails” – Member Steve opens up about living with ALS

Say hello to Steve (sheronemus), a member of the ALS community who also struggles with depression. We recently caught up with him to learn about how his life has changed since his diagnosis, the importance of doing what you love and how he manages multiple conditions. Check out what he had to say about what… Continue reading “When the wind turns against you, adjust your sails” – Member Steve opens up about living with ALS

Patients as Partners: Doug on learning about himself through others

Next up in our Partnership Principles series is Team of Advisors member Doug (ducksixty). A writer and former actor, Doug tapped into his creative side and has shared a personal essay about Steve, a neighbor with fibromyalgia who unknowingly helped him realize something about his own experience with depression. Check out his story below and… Continue reading Patients as Partners: Doug on learning about himself through others

“It is definitely a daily challenge” – An interview with PTS member Holden

Holden Montgomery (holdenmonty), an administration support technician for the Air Force Space Command, was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010 and later diagnosed with PTS, depression, and anxiety. He joined PatientslikeMe in March 2015, where he’s been connecting with other vets and sharing how he copes with his conditions. We recently caught up with Holden, and… Continue reading “It is definitely a daily challenge” – An interview with PTS member Holden

Finding Peace, Confidence and Lifelong Friends: An Interview with Psoriasis Patient Erica

Erica was hit by this highly stigmatized autoimmune condition the earliest – she developed visible symptoms at the tender age of 9.  Now 21, she shares her decade-plus journey from being the girl that people avoided in school to an increasingly confident young woman who has finally started meeting others like her, people who are… Continue reading Finding Peace, Confidence and Lifelong Friends: An Interview with Psoriasis Patient Erica

Psoriasis and Bullying

Teasing.Physical violence.Staring.Social isolation.Name-calling. Many of our members with psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune condition that can produce red, scaly patches and other skin symptoms, report experiencing various forms of bullying while growing up.  One relays the story of a teacher who repeatedly sent her to the nurse’s office, assuming that she had a contagious condition.  Another… Continue reading Psoriasis and Bullying

What to Do and Not Do When Someone Has a Mental Health Condition

Have you ever wondered how best to interact with someone who is living with depression, bipolar disorder or another mental health condition?  Have you worried that you’re saying or doing the wrong things? Today we thought we’d share with you some of the tips suggested by our members in a ongoing forum discussion entitled “What… Continue reading What to Do and Not Do When Someone Has a Mental Health Condition

Mike Wallace, Depression and Me

In honor of Men’s Health Week, we are pleased to present a guest post by PatientsLikeMe member tiredoftired, a young man who has been living with major depressive disorder since 2007.  Don’t miss this moving essay about how Mike Wallace’s passing earlier this year impacted and inspired him. As I was driving to therapy on… Continue reading Mike Wallace, Depression and Me

Annoyed or Impressed By Your Therapist? PatientsLikeMe Mood Members Chime In

In a recent blog post by New York Times’ Tara Parker-Pope, PsychCentral highlights “The 12 Most Annoying Habits of Therapists.”  Launched a year ago this week, our very own Mood community has more than 1,300 patients using “Individual Therapy” as a treatment for their condition.  We asked them to tell us some of the habits… Continue reading Annoyed or Impressed By Your Therapist? PatientsLikeMe Mood Members Chime In