MELISSA
My name is Melissa and I am a 44-year-old married mother of three from Southeastern Georgia. I have been suffering from Bipolar 1 disorder since I was 15 years old and have been in and out of hospitals since I was 18 years old. I have been placed on so many different types of medications and various combinations of medications to try to get the right fit for me to be as “normal” as I can be.
I finally found a great combination of medications to help me, along with meditation and cognitive behavioral therapy, and my regular therapy sessions for me to live a very productive and happy life. I know that that sounds like a lot of work, but it is easy and becomes second nature after the first few weeks and it is worth the effort. I am happier now than I have ever been in my 44 years.
I also suffer from panic attacks, PTSD, and somatic symptom disorder. The CBT and the meditation really help me. I have also decided to give back and I became an ally for NoStigmas and a peer counselor for iprevail. I am also a crisis counselor for the crisis text line. I want to help others see that there is a life out there, and that they are not alone. I am always around if anyone needs someone to lean on, for questions about iprevail, NoStigmas, or the Crisis Text Line. I am happy to chat one on one with anyone, even a public meet up if that would help someone in need. Remember that you are not alone in your fight, I am here to fight with you.
