I suffer from OCD – but not the typical OCD you’d expect. Just as there are different types of depression, like seasonal and postpartum depression, there are different versions of OCD, some more nefarious than others. Personally, my OCD gremlin isn’t as much of a douchebag as others’ little demons, some of whom have driven […]

Today, people all over the world are suffering from the immense effect of COVID – 19 outbreaks. Doctors and medical researchers are working day and night to find a cure for this pandemic. But it will probably take more time and effort to get a solution to this problem. Until then, people around the world […]

Since forever I have suffered with mental health difficulties. Around the age of nine years old, is my first recollection of what I believe was a BPD episode, screaming in the back of the car like a banshee about how ‘my head was going to explode.’…it was probably just a headache but I remember at […]

I was going to college when I was 19 years old just like any other girl I was curious about boys, parties and fun.  It was during this time that I started to break out with acne. I went a long time suffering with skin infections for years so a doctor  prescribed me Accutane. I […]

  In February 2018 when I was 30 years old, I was diagnosed with bipolar II disorder. It all made sense. My maternal aunt has it and my sister was diagnosed the year prior. All the years of misdiagnosis and antidepressants that most likely exasperated my condition, came to an end. I had struggled since […]

My name is Kyle Mitchell and ever since I was in grade school, I felt different.  I grew up going to a very small private school with a small group of friends.  When I was with my friends, I felt like myself.  I felt “normal”.  When I was without them, I felt incredibly uncomfortable doing […]

  I don’t know about all of you, but my mind sure feels much more at rest when I’m reading. Every year, I challenge myself to read at least 30 books, although I just barely make it to my goal. This time last year I had already read four books. This month has been a […]

Just before my 13th birthday, a bully appeared in my head, no matter what I did, no matter how hard I listened to him he wouldn’t leave. Another bully then started talking until my brain was constantly filled with voices and talking day and night. I was scared and didn’t know what to do and […]

Schizophrenia is one of the most misunderstood mental conditions. There is strong stigma attached and people living with it are often portrayed as dangerous. It is diagnosed in the late teens and early adulthood. Some even develop symptoms in their early thirties, but it is uncommon to diagnose over the age of forty. However late […]

The Standing Strong Blog was created as an interactive format where strangers can share their stories of living with mental illness. Whether it be your own or you care for someone with mental illness, your story will help break down the wall of stigma and will encourage others to speak up and reach out. Not […]