Realization

[Jeanna]

I read this book and saw exactly what i have gone through. Page 12 told of Meghan's difficult time saying, "Because I had lost so much respect and affection for myself, I assumed I was equally unlovable to everyone else. I also had managed to distance myself from friends, and they had not seen through my elaborate masquerade to the deserate needs underneath. I don't know that I even would have believed them if they had worked to convince me of their love and concern." This was powerful to me in understanding myself. It is not that i am looking for an excuse for things i have done, but understanding I was not functioning properly helps me to forgive myself and love myself again. Now i can work to stop my unproductive thinking. Has anyone else felt this way? This book helped me realize i am okay and understand what I've been going through. Thank you!!

[April]

I have not read this book, but I am an LDS preson who's suffered from depression. I went to couseling at LDS social services, but it was a while before I came to understand that you can be LDS and suffer from mental illness!!! But in the throws of it, I felt completely alone! Nothing anyone said or did helped me. I got on medication and it really helped....until one Sunday a man in my gospel doctrine class said that LDS people needed to stop taking there anti-depressants and have more faith in Jesus! For some reason that comment made me realize that, that's not how the church feels about mental illness. I looked for some confirmation about this and found ton's of stuff online that talked about depression, and other mental illnesses, were just that--illness. Not a lack of faith, or a need for attention. They are real illnesses and need to be treated as such.

If you had cancer would you just pray and have faith, or would you seek treatment along with that? It really helped me come to grips with myself and realize I don't need to blame myself or feel quilty about it. I have a disease, and I'm being treated for it.

I just have to add, that I'm proud of you for putting this out there!! Part of the problem with mental illness is the stipulation that comes with it. So I think it's awesome you did this. And I'm doing great now!