A Life of Faith With Extreme Challenges

My Symptoms:

Before Help:
Rapid thought process, severe rage and anger, mood swings, using drugs to medicate the symptoms, non-stop crying, hysteria, seeing things differently than most people, paranoia, depression, manic highs (really happy), using alcohol as a stimulant, and unhealthy relationships.

After Help:
Most of these symptoms have been relieved through doctors, psychiatrists, therapy, medications, church, twelve-step programs, really great friends who understood me, my husband, and support from family.

If you have a child with similar symptoms or a husband or anyone in your family, please get help for them. Nine times out of ten, there is some sort of mental illness responsible. Even when they are drinking or doing drugs, it is either alcoholism or drug addiction and that is a mental illness. If you or your family member have tried twelve-step programs and done everything to stay clean - like work the steps, work with a sponsor, and help others - you are probably suffering from an illness that only medication can help.

Mental illness is such a widespread problem, but there is help through your doctor or help through your local psychiatric centers. In San Diego, there are places like Psych Centers of San Diego, an 800 number for crisis help with trained professionals available 24 hours a day, and more. There are so many resources out there for help. Please, please, if you can relate to my story, get help. You do not have to suffer and die. In this new age, the medications are advanced and work very well with little or no side effects. Please take my advice and get help.