Mental Health Association of Portland – Oregon's impartial & Independent advocate
By Michael Hedrick, The New York Times, Feb. 27, 2014 I still remember the first group therapy session I went to after I got out of the hospital. I was 20 and had been diagnosed with schizophrenia after a road trip that took me from Colorado to the United Nations building in New York City, […]
By Pamela Birrell, PhD, Psych Central, Oct. 2, 2013 Note: This story is based on what actually happened in one instance of psychotherapy. Names and details have been changed to protect identities. It was 25 years ago. I was a relatively new intern at a busy inner city community health clinic and working at the […]
By David Sirota, syndicated columnist, The Oregonian, March 2, 2013 As anyone who has ever experienced a panic attack well knows, one of the most difficult aspects of managing anxiety disorders is having to do it in secret, for fear of being labeled a freak. I can personally attest that such a fear often makes […]
Editor’s Note: First Person Singular showcases personal stories related to mental health. Contributions via email are welcome though we don’t guarantee we’ll use every submission. The following is a true story, in the form of creative non-fiction. And yes, we do know it is not written in first person singular. We think it fits just […]
By Elyn R. Saks, The New York Times, Jan. 25, 2013 Thirty years ago, I was given a diagnosis of schizophrenia. My prognosis was “grave”: I would never live independently, hold a job, find a loving partner, get married. My home would be a board-and-care facility, my days spent watching TV in a day room […]
By Andrew Lawes Ever since my worst bout of depression, I’ve lived in fear of relapsing, of going through the insanity again. There have been a few occasions where I’ve felt it creeping up on me, but I’ve managed to ride the wave – I took time off work; I sought support from my loved […]
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