I was talking to a close friend a few days ago and I asked him this question, “Do you ever feel like everybody else ‘gets it’ and you just don’t?” “All the time.” I was heartbroken to hear that answer. I care about this guy and love him dearly, so obviously I wanted him to … Continue reading Why change is possible
Author: DFunk
Handling setbacks
Raise your hand if you have never failed anything. If you raised your hand, this blog isn't for you. For the rest of us, dealing with setbacks is one of the toughest aspects of mental health recovery. When things seem to be going well, a setback feels almost inevitable. It's like I am anticipating a … Continue reading Handling setbacks
River in the wasteland
My mental health problems left me in the middle of a barren wasteland with no relief and no hope. Any thought of relief at the time was only a mirage, which would soon dissipate. I had no idea where I was or where I should go and I constantly felt defeated. It’s a strange realization … Continue reading River in the wasteland
It’s time to be Honest
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to deduce that there is a stigma with mental health. I went to school (dropped out and went back) to study child and youth development, and I can figure it out. My question is why? When I was in the stranglehold of OCD, I never really felt shame in … Continue reading It’s time to be Honest
You don’t have to be perfect
"Back to square one." That was the calling card of my OCD. Every time I felt some relief from a compulsion, every time I thought I had gained some ground in getting my life back, I would step on a mental land mine and it would blow me back to the beginning again. OCD is … Continue reading You don’t have to be perfect
Compassion for the afflicted
The word compassion has always brought me so much relief. I rode the mental struggle bus for the better part of a decade. Relief was rarely one of the stops. When I did find relief, it was typically from the word compassion. Compassion is seeing the deep seated need of another and being moved in … Continue reading Compassion for the afflicted
Starve your OCD brain
Have you ever wished your brain had an off-switch? Maybe you have, or maybe know someone who has said this before. I felt this. Sometimes I still do. It would be very convenient to be able to turn your brain off whenever things got too heavy. I felt this especially when I was in the … Continue reading Starve your OCD brain
The Dark Night of the Soul
Pain is inevitable. If you go through life trying to avoid it, you will only invent a new kind of pain. Pain is only possible because joy is possible. Pain is the longing for the rest and stability we were designed to experience. Joy is the realization of it. But, there are seasons where pain … Continue reading The Dark Night of the Soul
Where is God now? pt. 2…
***Before you read please understand this is not intended to serve as a word of division or a political stance, only as my reaction to recent events as they relate to our mental health. I wholeheartedly support people fighting for justice and equality in every arena, and I want to be a part of the … Continue reading Where is God now? pt. 2…
Joy in Depression
Depression is such strange topic. How do you talk about something you can't put your finger on? I don't know about you, but my depression feels like an ominous cloud that looms and keeps me from enjoying things fully. I don't choose it. I don't want it there. But it's there. I was talking to … Continue reading Joy in Depression
