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African American Women Who Suffers With Mental Illnesses

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What do you do when you are struggling with mental illness. Who do you turn to for the answers? We have the answers for you right here. Take tune. Sista Lorena

Website: http://www.myspace.com/pastorbettylwatkins
Members: 10
Latest Activity: Sep 22, 2008

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ON MENTAL HEALTH IN "OUR" COMMUNITY, Mental Attitude

I use to think that African Americans suffered with mental illnesses due to our history of slavery and bondage. I am pretty sure it played a big part in why some of us feel inferior or like we don't deserve a better life for our children or ourselves. Bondage can be depressing in any form. The biggest bondage is located in your mental attitude. If you think, you can't win, and then you won't. If you feel ugly, then you will treat yourself that way and expect others to treat you a certain way too. Remember by our actions, and re-actions, we automatically teach people how to treat us. Example: if you are walking down the street in any city or township, and someone hollers out to you 'Hey Niggard' and if you stop and look around, you just acknowledged that you were the 'Niggard' they were talking to. If you keep on walking and ignore it, then, you are sure of yourself and who you really are. I want you to know that your mental attitude determines your ability to love yourself and others. Arthrea Franklin put it so well, R-E-S-P-E-C-T, respect yourself and find out what it means to me...and women of color, we have come too far to stop respecting ourselves. I know you heard this before; if you really want a King, then act like, talk like, walk like, and live like a Queen and you will draw your King. The man who takes you home to meet his family generally respects you. A brother told me one time that there are two types of women for a man, one is his daytime friend and one is his nighttime friend. One, he wants to show off and one he wants to hide because he don't want anybody to know he's been with her. Think about it. If a man has to hide me, then obviously, he is ashamed of me or has something he is hiding from me. I am getting off the subject now. I can talk for hours on this topic. Mental Illness is a mental disorder characterized by mood swings; the highs and lows emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. We need a healthy balance in our lives. Emotionally, we need love, and affection. Psychologically, we need to feel appreciated and respected. Spiritually, we need inner peace and joy. Some of us find spiritual balance in a religious atmosphere and some of us finding it in other ways; such as, quieting our spirit with a soothing bath, oil, candles, and soft music so we can just still and re-focus or meditate of good thoughts. The bible says to think on those things that are lovely. The next time you are feeling blue, change your thought pattern and your perspective, think about something good even if you have to go back twenty years to that place of happiness. It will make you feel happy again.
Until next time,
Sista Lore'na loving u.

Discussion Forum

African-Americans created America but get no credit.

Started by LaTisha McGee Jan 20, 2008. 0 Replies 0 Likes

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Comment by Shirley Rushing on September 22, 2008 at 3:56pm: Just want to say hello and to thank you for being my friend.

Comment by Clevette Harris on June 28, 2008 at 7:33am: Hello Everyone my name is Clevette and for the last 8 years I've dealt with epileptic seizures. The books that I written actually speak about the changes that my life has gone through during this time period.

I had given up complete hope on everything until a door opened and the light of Jesus shined through to my storm. Now things may get to the of the barrell but I don't lose faith in my Lord. HE always comes through.

I just came out off the hospital for a 2 wk stay. It was about 2hrs from home so I didn't get visitors either. Normally the Dr's say they didn't find anything to support what I was reporting. This visit they found that and some. I'll be going back in Aug.

Jesus knows how to work it out for me. I claimed this as my year of new beginnings. I'm getting all that I asked for.

Clevette
http://www.qclesurvivesthestorm.com

Comment by praiZe on May 17, 2008 at 10:47pm: I have never, in all my 52 years, experienced Mental Illness, upclose & personal, but the last 3 months of my life, I've witnessed, first hand the life of a schizophrenic, manic depressive woman.

The delusions and co-personalities are too much for one person to bear alone and I'm not quite sure how to deal with her. She has mood swings that vary in the course of a conversation, and I've actually seen multiple personalities emerge as I try to interact with her.

She goes to 3 different therapists each week, and I KNOW none of her therapy is working. She's manipulative and also addicted to prescription meds, and I never know who I'm going to meet on a moment to moment basis.

I find myself waking to her tantrums of one episode of family issues or another and although, try as I might to remain neutral, sympathetic and empathetic to her plight, I wind up continously, throughout the course of a day "talking her off the ledge"

It's difficult, because my level of concern for her, in trying to help her cope with HER day-to-day issues clouds, and muddys the water of the progress in MY OWN LIFE, and I know the distractions are having a major impact on my ability to conduct business as usural.

I was SO glad when I went through the groups and found this forum, and hopefully it will guide me in a process of dealing with a very tough situation.

Thanks for letting me share

praiZe

Comment by Monique on May 9, 2008 at 9:28am: audiodieary.com

Comment by Monique on May 9, 2008 at 9:25am: It's great that their is a site like this to encourage, uplift and educate black women or any women. I myself struggle day to day with my emotions. reasons being because i've been through what most have, many ups and downs. I never really had a good child hood, my mom was abused so that trickled down to me at a young age. I realized seeing one self in the mirror, seeing what sadness does to you personally, physically and emotionally can promt a change. Currently i'm the owner or audiodieary.com. I learned when i would keep a tangible diary of my emotions and could hear my fear i was encourage to find strength and get out. It has help me through suicide, unworthyness and more.