YOU ARE NOT ALONE - A companion online community discussion board for The Mental Illness Happy Hour podcast with Paul Gilmartin

Oak:

Thank you for that incredibly kind response. I'm glad to hear that you are having success. It gives me hope. I'm also very grateful for the validation. I couldn't help my smile when I read your words. You are a solid individual. I hope the work you've been doing is bringing you peace and joy.

Atomic Cowgirl: This is one of the most useful things I've read in a long time. I remember that one night my mom was trying to pick an unnecessary fight with me. The only response I gave her was "Okay, Mom" in a flat, even tone. She would leave my room and then storm back in yelling about ...

I have also experienced covert incest with my mom. She used to playfully slap my butt when I was going upstairs to bed, smother me with over-the-top affection, undress in front of me and my brother. When I was about 10 she made me attempt to insert a tampon to "practice" for when I would g...

What you feel is valid. Help is out there and I guarantee someone else has been through a similar enough situation that you can talk about it and both feel less alone. You deserve to live a life that includes happiness and joy and the ability to follow your dreams. Please don't give up. You are a wo...

Hey! I am also overweight. I'm a 5'7" woman who weighs about 200 pounds. Ever since I was a child, food has been a thing. My mom and step dad used to obsess about the possibility of me being overweight and would micromanage my food intake, often in ways that would embarrass me immensely (I reme...

Krautpleaser: I also bite the inside of my mouth, my tongue, and my lips (along with scab picking and nail biting). I used to think I was the only one who did it until one day when I was young, I watched my dad do the exact same thing. I could get lost for hours searching for imperfections on my fac...