Photo taken by contributor Lori Goodwin who has fought a lifelong battle with severe anxiety, depression, OCD, and PTSD. She has had many people in her family also struggle with mental health issues, including a mother with depression; father with anxiety, depression, and OCD; and an uncle with schizophrenia. Three of Lori’s four children also suffer differing combinations of anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and/or chronic insomnia. Lori is a long-time single mother who’s had very little in the way of resources except courage and resilience. She feels like a sensitive soul trying to find a place in what feels like a loud, angry, cruel world.
About this photo: “This photo depicts the extreme isolation and loneliness I’ve felt much of my life, as I’ve tried to hide my fear out of shame.
Pariah: One that is generally despised, rejected, avoided. Outcast. Outsider. Rock-the-dysfunctional-boat rider. Pariah: One who speaks when no one else will. One whose fear is great but whose courage is greater still. Pariah: Shut out, cut out, you need to butt out. Invisible. Ignored. Step aside, make way, can’t afford to be seen with you. Pariah: One who is exiled by the tribe because she told the truth while they just smiled and lied. Pariah: Damned. Feared. Baffle-them-weird. Pariah: Anxiety. Integrity. I, myself, in league with me. Victory.”_____
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