Motherhood naked, plain & uncensored
Misunderstanding. Misdiagnosis. Chemistry experiments. Intensive therapy. Weight gain. Weight loss. Depression. Mania. Suicidal thoughts. Accompanying anxiety. Substance abuse. Living with bipolar disorder is fraught with a load of obstacles. According to the National … [Read more...]
I am so honored to be a part of this event on Mother's Day and during Maternal Mental Health Month! Sunday, May 12th is the 5th annual Mother's Day Rally for Moms' Mental Health, featuring 24 letters from survivors of PPD, postpartum anxiety, postpartum OCD, depression after weaning and/or … [Read more...]
Disclosure: This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own. I received a Wahl Hot/Cold Massager for the purpose of this review. Oh my aching back! I have had low back issues since high school, a herniated disk discovered in my teens from playing softball. … [Read more...]
Mental health is obviously a big theme around here. Not just the nitty gritty details of mental illness and suicide, but the impact of motherhood on mental health. The every day stuff, as well as the hard to read and hard to think about topics. This May 2013 is Mental Health Awareness Month … [Read more...]
I'd like to introduce you to Kristin McQeen. She is a total BADASS, and she needs our help. For the past 10 years, Kristin has completed 17 marathons and 9 full IRONMAN triathlons while also fighting Cancer. In 2003, she was diagnosed with metastatic thyroid cancer, resulting in 2 rounds … [Read more...]
Words truly have power. The words we tell ourselves, but also the words we use with others. Words can hurt. AND Words can heal. Its up to us to choose wisely. The way we talk to ourselves--our own inner dialog--and the way we express our thoughts to others truly makes a … [Read more...]
Last Thursday I received a phone call from a producer at Anderson Live daytime TV show. "Hi Cristi. Would you be interested in being a guest on our show next Tuesday about the Parenting.com story Xanax Make Me a Better Mom." The story had gone viral and was making news. After panicking for a bit, … [Read more...]
Just an update to Washington State Suicide Prevention Legislation Bill (HB1336), introduced by WA Representative Tina Orwall that I posted about last month. From Rep. Orwll's office, 3/4/13: "Rep. Orwall’s troubled youth bill, ESHB 1336, passed the House today with bipartisan support, … [Read more...]
This week Oct. 7-13, 2012 is Mental Illness Awareness Week. In 1990, the U.S. Congress established the first full week of October as Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) in recognition of the National Alliance on Mental Illness's efforts to raise mental illness awareness. This week mental … [Read more...]
I will never forget the day my mom received a call that her mom/my grandmother had breast cancer. My mom cried in my arms. I was 16 year old and it was the first time Mom had ever done that. The fear and anguish we felt that day is cemented in my memory forever. Last week, my beautiful … [Read more...]
What an interesting week its already been! On Monday Lee Jeans posted my Mom Body Image Roller Coaster post on their Facebook page including this graphic of little ole me. -----------------> Then today MomsRising.org emailed an "Action Alert" to all of its members … [Read more...]
I recently shared with you my struggles with weight, body image and self image in the The Mom Body Image Roller Coaster. And in that post I promised to give you a bit more info about how my husband and I and some friends have been changing the way we eat and the way we look. I know its not about … [Read more...]
The Mom Body Image Roller Coaster. I've struggled with depression for many years. And with it my weight. And of course pregnancy and motherhood brings on a whole new level of mental and physical challenges. Back in 2005 when my husband and I were trying to conceive our first child (for a … [Read more...]
Just before getting pregnant with Ellie in 2009, my psychiatrist suggested I have my thyroid levels checked. She said that some times abnormal thyroid levels can cause psychiatric symptoms such as depression and fatigue, so it was worth a look. No one had ever suggested checking my thyroid before, … [Read more...]
Saturday, November 19 is International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day. If you are a survivor of suicide loss, find local healing gatherings all over the world or to sign up to view online, visit the AFSP.org HERE. If you are struggling, please contact the suicide prevention lifeline at 800.273.8255 … [Read more...]
Saturday is International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day. I think you all have probably heard that I started this blog after the suicide of a dear life-long friend of mine Dina. So this day is my day, but its also the day of so many of my friends and our high school community, who have also been … [Read more...]
Many thanks to Jessie Casteel of West Byron Studio for her passionate and informative guest post about her journey through breast cancer. If you haven't read it yet, please do so HERE. It has invaluable information about this young woman's experience and very unexpected discovery of breast … [Read more...]
Yesterday I was sent two media reports that were very troubling to me. Things that in the past probably wouldn't have frustrated me, but I've become much more educated about mental illness and the responsibility of media in reporting about it. The first sent to me by Eileen (@Calondro5) was by an … [Read more...]
I'm truly grateful to have Jessie guest posting today. Hers is a story of a continuing and recent journey through breast cancer so her perspective and information is invaluable. Don't forget I have a giveaway going on HERE for one of her Spots water color and sterling necklaces in honor of her and … [Read more...]
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