Vivacious

Please say hello to first-time contributor Tip Crawford, a 56-year-old from Northern West Virginia who was recently diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, Avoidant Personality Disorder and Generalized Anxiety. While her diagnoses are relatively new, Tip has been dealing with these challenges throughout her entire adult life, and they have been especially strong over the past 20 years. Tip is in therapy with an emphasis on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and takes an antidepressant. She also helps manage her mental illness by regularly exercises (weight lifting, cardio, toning and yoga), keeping a diary, taking pictures, reading, meditating, practicing deep breathing, listening to lectures, talking to a very few trusted people, and walking with her beloved dog, Samwise…. Though some days it is hard to do anything except walk with Samwise. Those times, she thinks of as ‘dark curtain days’.

About this photo: “This photograph, taken in my yard, is of a flower called Lunairia. Also known as Money Plant and Honesty. This picture is named for the times I feel vibrant and full of life, exuberant and happy! It is also named for the times that I remember feeling those things.”

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Click here to see how we’re expanding to help more people with mental illness!

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