Cool!

It’s a scary thing to do, First, because you’re putting yourself out there for everyone to stare at. Second, there’s always a possibility that someone will think badly of you because they misunderstand mental health problems.

I don’t know if it gets easier–I still feel uncomfortable writing about my mental health, and I’ve been doing it for quite awhile now, because sometimes it *does* feel whiny. But it’s important, and I guess the important things are hard.

BM, I appreciate your input. You’re one of my blogging heroes. It’s thorough because, like any self-respecting geek, I made an outline of my subject matter first. How’s that for OCD?

On the CBC show, I think I’m recording for them on Monday. It won’t be the piece I posted here, but a different one. I’m a little nervous about it, but I’ll post about it then! It seems like a really fun opportunity.

Michelle, actually, when I mentioned it on your blog was the first time I had talked about my depression challenges in a public forum. After making references in a couple of places, I decided it was time to tell my story – not to dwell on it or whine about it, but as you said, to let others know they’re not alone.

-bm

Thanks for writing this. I’m going to forward it to some friends who constantly struggle w/ the isolated/what’s wrong with me feeling. Sometimes it’s the sense of community from people who struggle alongside, and not outside, that makes all the difference.

I love the way your mind works.

-bm

Thank you for sharing… I especially liked seeing the ‘geeky’ graphs. (Visuals are always a good thing.)

It’s always good for those of us who suffer to know we aren’t going it alone, because even if one cognitively knows depression is a biological disorder that is suffered by millions, so many people are afraid to talk about what they have gone through because they fear social stigma, we end up feeling alone, or like freaks, or like weak creatures who are simply unable to cope.

Well that’s bullshit. We’re not weak, and we’re not alone. And if people can’t accept us for that–their loss.

Because you can always replace “stuff.” People, not so much.

I’m glad you’re on the right track.