dialectical behavior therapy – Mental Illness is My Superpower

I Get Knocked Down, But I Get Up Again

Chronic mental illness feels like fighting in a lifelong battle you can never win. The exhaustion of getting knocked down, and knowing only you can get yourself back up again, and again, and again, feels like too much sometimes. Depression lies to us time and time again. Depression tells us that we should keep ourContinue reading “I Get Knocked Down, But I Get Up Again”

Shifting a Depressed Brain Toward Gratitude

With the uncertainty of when the COVID-19 crisis in our country will resolve, making plans is difficult. My husband, friends, and I have canceled an international trip twice, for which we spent months planning—something I’m sure many can relate to. The evenings and weekends are blank squares on the calendar, except for an occasional hikeContinue reading “Shifting a Depressed Brain Toward Gratitude”

Willfulness: Personal Enemy Number One

As my physical anxiety symptoms make their unwelcome return, I have been reflecting on the last few weeks. What were the triggers? Why is anxiety increasing instead of improving? Well I think there is one obvious trigger—the stress and uncertainty of the election. Add to that continued worry and difficulty with my fertility journey, andContinue reading “Willfulness: Personal Enemy Number One”

You Are Not Your Thoughts

“Imagine all of the things you would do if you didn’t believe the negative thoughts you have about yourself.” A rush of emotion–shame and sadness that lie dormant deep inside me made their way to the surface as large, sopping tears filled my eyes. I was in my dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) group and IContinue reading “You Are Not Your Thoughts”

My Dialectical Life

Therapy has changed my life by helping me transform rigid thought patterns I didn’t even know I had to more fluid and flexible ones. When I first started, I was able to acknowledge that the world existed in shades of gray, yet I forced myself into a life of black and white, rigid and unforgiving,Continue reading “My Dialectical Life”