Transformative Stages

During those semesters, I relapsed in my battle with depression. I was originally diagnosed at the age of nine but learned to manage the disease with the proper tools of guidance of professionals. The transition from college to the next step presented me with many new challenges that reignited my triggers. After having the disease in remission for so long, I had forgot how to handle my struggles on a day to day basis, so my academics took a hit. The process of learning to cope, build myself back up, and continue moving forward has been tough but has made more confident in who I am as a person, a student, and as a future

Do something with your lives! Don't wait around for something to come to you, go out there and find whatever it is you want to do! Try to live your dream, by overcoming your negative thoughts and habits, and making a difference! Don't go around trying to gain approval from others or to convince them that you're good enough because the only person you need to convince is yourself!

when something is wrong. I was so stressed out about graduating and being “stuck” at my job of five

There is no exact meaning of recovery in mental health. Professional meaning of recovery differentiate between clinical recovery, where there is no symptoms, and social recovery, where one live on their own even if symptoms continue (Social Care Institute for Excellence 2007). Recovery is the process of coming back to a normal state. Other meanings see the growth of people controlling their own life and the taking of responsibility for one’s own behaviour and well-being as the basis of recovery. (Anthony, 1993)

In the fifth stage “the dark night of the soul” Dr Gordon addresses suicidal urges you might encounter. According to Gordon these feelings signal “a turning point, not an end” Readers are encouraged to face these feelings head on and meditate. Spirituality is the focus in the sixth stage of the seven-stage process. Gordon is nervously cautious to note the difference between your religion and spirituality— “The connection between ourselves and something greater than ourselves” Meditation and prayer are recommended even if you are not Christian or believe in God. The last step of Gordon’s process is called “The return,” this step is a celebration in ways that depression has been lifted from your human being. Gordon offers 10 simple ideas to the help reader practice as they try to move forward with their lives the list is as follows: Relax, move, be aware, practice acceptance, have patience, take time out of your day, don’t fear the future, ask for help when needed, trust your brain, and heart, and celebrate everything no matter how

I decided to leave Bear River, and transfer to Box Elder High School. I was better for a couple weeks, but I found myself to be “out of place”, since many of the other students have made their friendships in grade school. Transferring back to Bear River my Junior year, still doing poorly in almost all aspects of my life; school, social groups, family, I felt like this world would be better without me, and I was ready to take a drastic, irreversible step. Fortunately, I did not go through with my plan, and I was diagnosed with depression. Soon after I was diagnosed; I tried to get back on track, to the best of my ability. I started participating more in groups, clubs, and organizations, and that is when I truly found out how much I loved Future Business Leaders of America, otherwise known as

Has depression ruined your life and taken away the enthusiasm and zest you once oozed? Have you forgotten what it is like to feel true happiness?

The transition period refers to the time between the end of the presidential election in November and the inauguration of the new president on January 20th. During this time the president will elect 4,000 new government personal, new cabinet members and government department and agency heads, including 1,100 people that need to be approved by the senate. The transition team's job is to make sure the new president has a smooth transition, and also knowing who the best personal would be for each government job relating to what's going on the in the world today. Trump's Transition team is led by vice president-elect Mike Pence, and it has six vice-chairs with Chris Christie, Ben Carson, Newt Gingrich, Michael Flynn, Rudy Giuliani, and

I’m sure it won’t be breaking news for you, but life can sometimes be a little messy. On the journey of recovery there are outstanding successes and exhilarating points, but there are also setbacks and roadblocks that can derail everything you worked on.

It is easy to understand this if you picture an athlete who has worked hard for years to compete in the Olympics. They make it there, they win the gold, and then they return home. What now? How will they spend their time now? Before, their focus was solely on competing. That consumed their thoughts and their lives. Therefore, once they have met their goal, reached the pinnacle of success, they often experience a letdown of sorts. You loved one might experience something similar after winning their long-fought battle over their mental health.

This is about embracing your recovery to the full and becoming all you can be. Decide that you want to fulfil your potential spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically. Join programs, read books, take classes, learn how to meditate, make new friends, start a new

‘Recovery from a mental health problem can be understood either as an outcome or as a process.’ Also known as ‘clinical recovery’ an outcome is present depends on whether the symptoms/problems are present or absent (Serafín Lemos-Giráldez 2015). Usually involving a reduction or absence of symptoms and a significant improvement in occupational and social functioning, an outcome does not change from person to person. On the other hand, individuals who go through a process in order to live a joyful and fulfilling life, experience personal recovery. (Serafín Lemos-Giráldez 2015). This form of recovery involves learning to become self-managing of one’s illness, whether recurring symptoms are at that point in time present and working towards a self-caring, independent and fulfilling life. The definition of a satisfying like varies from one individual to the next. This is why each consumer’s recovery journey is personal and tailored to fit their goals and beliefs (Serafín Lemos-Giráldez 2015).

When you are truly happy, things seem less upsetting and it's easier to forgive. Therefore, focus on being as happy as you can and the energy that comes from that will help you work through the issues you've had with more

The past month has been one of the worst time periods in my life. Why? The main cause was stress, relationships, and the feeling of being lonely. My friends at lunch were all scattered in different sections of the building and I ended up going to my programming class every day. My dad resigned from his job, my two best friends moved away, and I was unable to talk about it with my parents, friends, and even my youth leaders. Normally I’m fine talking with people, but I had so much going on that my brain couldn’t process it all. Then exams came and I thought that I was going to break, I didn’t. However, about a week ago my mother told me that we would be leaving our church, which meant leaving all of my friends. I couldn’t take that as I currently was, it was going to kill me both mentally and emotionally.

Depression is not, “one step forward, two steps back.” It feels much more like “one step forward, a hundred steps back.” It feels like I’m going nowhere. It feels like any accomplishment at all is followed by a hundred setbacks. Depression takes away all of your motivation and drive to do anything. Depression tells you thoughts such as, “It’s not worth it to get out of bed today,” or “You’re worthless, stupid and no one cares about you.” Even though it is all in your head, you somehow believe it. Anxiety continually throws “what if” thoughts around your head. That is the cruel reality of living with both depression and anxiety. With my anxiety, it is hard for me to drive to therapy every week. I am constantly overthinking everything, no matter how big or small the activity is. As I drive to therapy, my stomach aches. I get sweaty palms, and my heart race increases. I feel shaky and lightheaded, but I keep driving because I know therapy will help me in the long run. My mind is already making me feel nauseous the closer I get to arriving. I have become home-bound and just the thought of getting through the day provokes anxiety. I feel extremely uncomfortable, out of control and helpless. Extreme anxiety has pushed me to the point of self-harming that began in October 2016. I try to keep busy but I have lost interest in the things that I enjoyed the most like Reading, going out with family, and going to places that requires me to be in social situations. My lack of interest and enjoyment in activities has caused animosity in my personal relationships and family. I know longer have friends. I have mood swings that range from angry outbursts to excessive crying. I was the "go getter", the person you could always rely upon to get things done and now I have no motivation, interest to doing anything or energy to go anywhere. My motivation and self esteem sinks lower than any kind of