Wendi, I want to compliment you on your courage in bringing up this subject. It is not an easy subject to talk about; having a mental breakdown, and talking about having suicidal thoughts. I am sure you will help other people realize that they can talk about these very difficult feelings. I just want to mention to everyone that the National Suicide Hotline is: 988. Sincerely, Laura
Thanks for mentioning the 988 National Suicide and Crisis Hotline. For readers who don’t know, this is a U.S. hotline available 24/7 for people having suicidal thoughts or other mental health crises (or their worried loved ones) to call or text. Live chat is also available on the website 988.org. I have this info and links to other mental health resources on my website https://mymentalhealthguide.com.
Very well said Wendi. I can relate to tomes in my life where I felt deep despair. At those times, nothing made sense, in the sense of a "normal" life. Three times in my life's what I can recall. The first was soon after I became enrolled in graduate school, I had a panic attack for about 24 hours. I was 22 years old. I was at Central Washington State College (now it's a University), and was enrolled in a Master of Art program in Painting and Drawing. I suddenly realized that I would have to measure up to being disciplined to paint every day. I would have to have my art work scrutinized by a professor who seemed very intimidating at the time. I really got scared about this, and feared I would not measure up, or I would fail. The panicky feelings, and upset stomach didn't stop after four hours in the evening, so I went to the emergency 24 hour Health Clinic on campus. They checked me in for overnight to observe me. I recall looking in the mirror of the room where I had a bed. My eyes were round with fear. Finally, I started praying, and slowly the fears left me, because I realized that God was with me.The next two years I succeeded through the Masters Program, and the professor I had was very good, and supportive of myself and all the eight students in the program. I realized I could stand on my own two feet as an adult, with God by my side. I did have moments of anxiety throughout my life. There is a book called "Tapping the Healer Within" by Dr. Roger Callahan, which has helped me greatly, whenever I have developed anxiety, and or depression, or both. I have used it with clients when I became a Licensed Mental Health Counselor for 22 years. The other two depressing and grief periods of my life was when I lost my brother to death in a hang gliding accident in 1976, and when my husband died in 2015. With both deaths I had very good Mental Health Therapists. I did feel suicidal for one day after my husband died. I felt so sad, and like I was in a big ocean all alone on a small boat. I prayed and God became my partner. Once again I realized that even though my new life without my husband would be painful, I could and did seek out 12 step meetings, my friends, and church to help me. Now I have been in a relationship with a nice man-a widower like myself for four years now. And by the way, I get anxiety feelings sometimes, when I face the painting I am painting now. Then I say to myself, just pick up that brush, and let your heart telegraph through that brush what you want to say, and soon I am feeling pure joy as I use the colors etc.
Thanks for sharing these examples from your experience, Laura, and for the book recommendation! And I’m happy to hear your new relationship is still going well.
Have you experienced a mental breakdown that led to a breakthrough? If you're comfortable talking about it, I'd love to hear your story. Paid subscribers can comment here; others can either reply privately to the email or restack this post with a note on Notes.
Wendi, I want to compliment you on your courage in bringing up this subject. It is not an easy subject to talk about; having a mental breakdown, and talking about having suicidal thoughts. I am sure you will help other people realize that they can talk about these very difficult feelings. I just want to mention to everyone that the National Suicide Hotline is: 988. Sincerely, Laura
Thanks for mentioning the 988 National Suicide and Crisis Hotline. For readers who don’t know, this is a U.S. hotline available 24/7 for people having suicidal thoughts or other mental health crises (or their worried loved ones) to call or text. Live chat is also available on the website 988.org. I have this info and links to other mental health resources on my website https://mymentalhealthguide.com.
Very well said Wendi. I can relate to tomes in my life where I felt deep despair. At those times, nothing made sense, in the sense of a "normal" life. Three times in my life's what I can recall. The first was soon after I became enrolled in graduate school, I had a panic attack for about 24 hours. I was 22 years old. I was at Central Washington State College (now it's a University), and was enrolled in a Master of Art program in Painting and Drawing. I suddenly realized that I would have to measure up to being disciplined to paint every day. I would have to have my art work scrutinized by a professor who seemed very intimidating at the time. I really got scared about this, and feared I would not measure up, or I would fail. The panicky feelings, and upset stomach didn't stop after four hours in the evening, so I went to the emergency 24 hour Health Clinic on campus. They checked me in for overnight to observe me. I recall looking in the mirror of the room where I had a bed. My eyes were round with fear. Finally, I started praying, and slowly the fears left me, because I realized that God was with me.The next two years I succeeded through the Masters Program, and the professor I had was very good, and supportive of myself and all the eight students in the program. I realized I could stand on my own two feet as an adult, with God by my side. I did have moments of anxiety throughout my life. There is a book called "Tapping the Healer Within" by Dr. Roger Callahan, which has helped me greatly, whenever I have developed anxiety, and or depression, or both. I have used it with clients when I became a Licensed Mental Health Counselor for 22 years. The other two depressing and grief periods of my life was when I lost my brother to death in a hang gliding accident in 1976, and when my husband died in 2015. With both deaths I had very good Mental Health Therapists. I did feel suicidal for one day after my husband died. I felt so sad, and like I was in a big ocean all alone on a small boat. I prayed and God became my partner. Once again I realized that even though my new life without my husband would be painful, I could and did seek out 12 step meetings, my friends, and church to help me. Now I have been in a relationship with a nice man-a widower like myself for four years now. And by the way, I get anxiety feelings sometimes, when I face the painting I am painting now. Then I say to myself, just pick up that brush, and let your heart telegraph through that brush what you want to say, and soon I am feeling pure joy as I use the colors etc.
Thanks for sharing these examples from your experience, Laura, and for the book recommendation! And I’m happy to hear your new relationship is still going well.
Glad you broke through, Wendi! I can relate to wanting to escape the torment.
If you’re currently in that torment and want to share more details privately, please email me! You can just reply to the one that contains this post.
Have you experienced a mental breakdown that led to a breakthrough? If you're comfortable talking about it, I'd love to hear your story. Paid subscribers can comment here; others can either reply privately to the email or restack this post with a note on Notes.