Hi, and welcome to a spot on the web that I hope you will feel safe at. Right now, I'm calling it A Safe Haven For You & I...or A Safe Haven...these titles got stuck in my head when I started this site...but, I'm open to new ideas or suggestions. My biggest hope is that anyone that comes here will feel free to chat or write about struggles and successes in dealing with phobias, anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) & childhood trauma.
I struggle daily with major depression, social anxiety disorder, triggers from an abusive childhood and an abusive marriage. I have been hospitalized over 7 times...have attempted suicide 5 times.
But, aside from the labels and the "acting out" behaviors...therapists and psychiatrists like to jot down in my charts. I am also a mother to a wonderful 12 y/o son that I love dearly. I am artistic (once in awhile I sell something, so I'm told that makes me an artist?), have been a paid advocate for the mentally ill, and have worked for many years in the mental health field. I also love my 4 cats (one had kittens so we have 8 for the time being)...love music...word games...movies...and real people.
I guess what I'm trying to say with all the above is that I am a human being. A scarred human being. One that is walking down a very long road toward recovery...a road that I have gotten lost on...or made the wrong turno...slipped back...just to remember my way and learn something vital to help me brush myself off and continue on once again.
One of the most vital pieces of wisdom I have obtained is that I recieve the most help from others that are on the same road I am on. The power of a group of people in helping each other to recover is often an amazing and soulful journey to be a part of. I hope that in time, others will find this spot on the web and we can help each other on our journey toward recovery.
