Michelle Obama said she had "low-grade depression." Is there a low-grade cancer? Low-grade eating disorder? My mother was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer, and died with stage 4 cancer. I do not take any medical/mental health issue lightly. Untreated diabetes, for example, can lead to significant risk factors including, heart disease and stroke, among several other health problems. Likewise, untreated mental illness can lead to death- self-harming and suicidal thoughts. As an individual in recovery with signs and symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, this particular phrase sounds like a scale that should not be applied to mental health. Since 2007, I've been in recovery. And, since 2012, I've held the position of a peer counselor or Certified Peer Specialist (CPS), which is a Medicaid billable service in the state of Georgia. It is my job to motivate peers to stay hopeful about their recovery and to help them tackle goals, such a
This blog is about educating and empowering peers, caregivers, and loved ones with hope for recovery. I describe my experience living with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type. I've been in recovery since 2007. I've experienced setbacks, but also triumphed through challenges. I encourage you to share your thoughts and to believe that better days are attainable. Thank you for visiting. Welcome to my life in recovery... Ashley Smith