About Natalie Jeanne Champagne, Author of Recovering From Mental Illness Blog

So proud of you nay nay:) think of you everyday:) just wanted u to know ill never forget you...

I just found your writing about depression so ME! Thank you for sharing, it is still applicable today, 3 years after you posted it. Thanks!

Hi Natalie.I wanted to touch on one thing in regards to the stigma of mental illness.I myself experienced a mild alienation at the same age as you because of the discrimination & stigma involved with it.Did you go through the same thing?Also I wanted to pass this info that CMHA got started on January 26 1918 because of WW1 veterans suffering from shell shock by Dr.Clarence Hincks who himself suffered mental illness and Clifford Beers when is was then known as Canadian National Committee on Mental Hygiene instead of the Canadian Mental Health Association one of canada's oldest charitable organizations.I though you'd like to know this.I'm also eager for your answer on the stigma you experienced.

I just noticed and read your entry "Is It Possible To Recover From Chronic Mental Illness?" In it you seem to answer my question (above)--recovery from mental illness implies remission, so mental illness lingers and may resurface. Also, using your ankle injury as an example, that it isn't the same as recovering from a physical injury or illness, which can be cured or healed.
I agree. When I was given a clean bill of mental health after a couple of years of therapy, I could tell that recovery didn't mean problem solved. My psychologist and psychiatrist both recommended that I keep taking a small dose of Wellbutrin daily, though, and that if a depressed mood lasts for two weeks, make an appointment. Still, I didn't realize that maintaining mental health would be so challenging and arduous. I guess I assumed it wouldn't be too difficult after all the hard work I'd done to get back to a good place mentally.
We live, and we learn. Like you say, given the choice--and we always have a choice--it's best to see the glass as half-full. And to keep on. As you also say, we get better. Even if I never achieve my goal of peace of mind, I can keep moving ever closer to it.

I just started reading your blog. I appreciate your courage. Mental illness is easier to deny than to deal with.
I wonder if you think full recovery is truly possible. Six years ago I was diagnosed with depression, underwent a couple of years of excellent therapy with a wonderful therapist, was deemed cured. At the time, I'd say I was, at least conciously. But I think an undercurrent of the illness persists. I know how to avoid the bitter depths, but I'm still somewhat OCD, given to negative thoughts and even self-loathing at times; I somehow find ways to sabotage relationships without realizing till later my mistakes, and have developed an internet addiction to boot. A few times things have been so bad I've sought counseling. I've moved since my earlier life-changing counseling and recovery, and the counselors I've seen here haven't been as effective or as convinced I need ongoing help. Maybe I haven't opened up enough to them. In any event, the more recent counseling has been more of band-aid than anything else.
I'm 62, divorced, a father, a writer (luckily with a retirement pension from teaching for 30 years). I had a very successful and fulfilling teaching career, have friends, do volunteer work, work at my writing (though sporadically, to my distress), am close to my children (though I continue to make things difficult at times, even as I so desperately don't want to), am friends with my ex-wife, play golf, walk, exercise, eat healthy stuff--but I don't think I'm completely over my depression. I learned in therapy I'd been suffering from it off and on since childhood (during which suffered emotional and sexual abuse). So maybe it's hard-wired, a habit of mind too ingrained to undo fully.
Forgive my self-centered babble. I'm curious to know if you think mental illness can ever be cured in the same way the flu can be--you have it, you recover, you don't have it anymore. Or is coping with mental illness the best we can do?

Hi Natalie,
Just read an older post of yours, "Depression is Terrifying," and found it to be a strikingly accurate description of how serious melancholy feels. Thanks. And I enjoy the detail and honesty in your writing and how observant you are. I hope you are helping a lot of people and finding healing for yourself while doing this.
Glen

dear natalie
im very touch when i read bout you, god bless you and u very lucky to recovered from this scary illness. I had a son his 27 yrs old and he is suffering from this mental illness. He was a very brite and smart boy when he was young he start to get this problem when he was 18 and til now he is still suffering from it.

Natalie: I agree with you that mental illness is a disease with a cure, and a lot of controversy. Take care, and thanks for your help on Twitter. I'm older than you, and my generation has some 'catch up' in understanding this media. : 0

Really interesting blog, keep up the good work!

Hi Natalie
Great webcam video. I've followed your link from www.mentalhealthy.co.uk/blogs in the UK (where we both blog). You have such a rich and diverse experience of mental health issues and it's great to see you onboard at Healthy Place.
Thank you for your incredibly kind comments on my blog, to which I've just replied. It made me shed a tear - you have had such a tough life but are such an inspiration.
The very best of luck in all that you do and for the future.
I

Welcome to HealthyPlace! I'm looking forward to reading posts — we have a lot in common! :)
Angela E. Gambrel Lackey
Author of Surviving ED

Very happy (ha) to have found you. really.
DM
depressed in Annapolis

Hi Natalie,
Welcome to HealthyPlace! I'm looking forward to hearing more from you on recovering from mental illness.
I love this:
"I hope readers will hold back very little so we can have an open and honest discussion."
The dialogue is so important, I think.
Glad you're here!
Holly Gray, author of Dissociative Living

I just wanted to say that I look forward to reading your blog!
Michele

Welcome to the Healthy Place team. Look forward to reading your posts!

Welcome to HealthyPlace, Natalie. I'm so happy you're here with us. I'm really looking forward to reading more about you. Thanks for sharing.