About This Blog

My blog shares my recovery journey from childhood abuse to living with mental illness. I've been involved in twelve step groups and therapy since 1982. I accepted Jesus as my Savior in 1988. To the best of my ability, I have followed where He wants me to go and what He wants me to do. Maybe you'll find the hope and strength you need through what I write. Maybe you want to stop hurting yourself. Maybe you have a friend who needs help and can benefit from my story. I was newly disabled when I asked God this question: "What do you want me to do with my life?" I closed my eyes and paused for a few moments to still my mind. This is what I sensed from Him: "Amy, I want you to write your story to bring hope and healing to those who are still suffering." And that's exactly what I am doing!

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Social Security Disability

Yes, I'm happy to report another successful medication change finished early this week.  Had to completely remove one med because the sleep factor kicked in on the primary med causing a double sleep affect.  Everything is moving along just fine now.  I can focus, function at my normal level and feel confident and safe when driving.

My first hospitalization was in an outpatient hospital.  Spectacular program that helped people like me cope with the issues that were causing temporary chaos in our lives.  Those issues ranged from depression to abuse to obsessive disorders to bipolar mania.

They served up a large menu of coping tools like grounding yourself.  That's where you have both feet planted on the floor and you are consciously aware of your surroundings.  You are making eye contact with the other person, you are doing a task that requires your thoughts or if you are having a hard time sitting still, you use your 5 senses to keep you grounded.

By the time I was going down this track my psychiatrist at that time talked to me about going on Social Security Disability.  I was mentally and emotionally exhausted.  I knew it could take up to 6 months before I received my first check but I had to do it.  I was the only one who really knew what was going on inside my head and what was going on needed serious help.

Thank God that He sent friends and my church to help financially until that first check arrived.

And thank God that I don't have to worry about working especially when I'm doing a medicine adjustment.

Praise be to God because His provisions are always perfect!