Mental Health Bookclub discussion

**Yep, introductions! Please feel free to introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about yourself.**

So, to get the ball rolling: If you're here I want to thank you for joining and becoming a part of this network.
I'm Crumpet; hopeless book junky, creative and someone with a strong interest in the mental health profession.

Experienced with living with Anxiety & Depression, I knew many wonderful people without similar experiences, but also found that being with friends with similar experiences to be a valuable and inclusive thing.

I wanted to create a similar support group for other young people and adults going through mental health problems with just such a need, hence this group.

I hope M.H.S provides a space for everyone here to share, connect and grow towards their own form of healthy.

Hello Crumpet :) I'm Tom, fellow book addict, budding photographer and crazy cat man.

I have lived with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and related anxiety issues for many years now. I feel very strongly about advocating for better treatment and support of people with mental health issues everywhere, and also helping to dispel some of the myths about mental illness, and hopefully remove some of the stigma surrounding it.

I'm glad to be here, I hope this provides a safe space for people to share their experiences and grow, as Crumpet said :)

Hi Brandi,
it's great to have you on board :) And I hope it proves useful to you
x

My name is Nick, and I have had on and off struggles with depression and anxiety. I have done a great job managing my anxiety of late, and so I wanted to share a short book I wrote on how I went about managing my anxiety (8,000 words). I would be happy to send it free to anyone who would be willing to leave me an honest review. More than that, I just want to be a helpful resource for people dealing with what I've dealt with in the past, as it is not fair to live a life full of anxiety. I'm excited to get to know you all.8 Steps to Eliminate Anxiety

Hi Nick,
thank you for sharing your book with the group, sounds interesting!

Hi, I see this group is pretty new, which is intriguing. I mean, it will be intriguing to be witness of its building up.

I decided to join because I'm struggling myself with mental illness (though I won't say what exactly, at least not for the moment) and this is the reason why I have always been very interested in all things surrounding mental health. I like it that this is a small bookclub, I hope I will get to know you all and share good, interesting and mindful reads with you.

Hi Marina,
welcome & thank you for sharing, it's lovely to have you on board :)

Thanks Book Crumpet :-)

Hello. My name is Leif Gregersen. I am a book hoarder of sorts (I culled the herd a couple of years ago but still buy every book that interests me). I have written and published 8 books, two of which are memoirs that tell the story of my life with Bipolar Disorder. The books are called, "Through The Withering Storm" and "Inching Back To Sane" and I get the best response for them selling them one on one to people I give public presentations to through my local Schizophrenia Society. I plan to write more books about mental health, the concept of conquering stigma is big in my life. I have a blog/website where I talk about writing, about mental health, and where there are links to videos, my published work samples and ordering and other information about my books. The site can be accessed at www.edmontonwriter.com and I would love to hear from anyone who has checked out the site or my books and has feedback. I should note that my memoir, "Inching Back To Sane" was awarded an honorable mention in the New York Festival of Books contest this Spring.
Leif G.Inching Back to Sane: My years with Bipolar Disorder

Hey guys!

If anybody would like some free copies of my positive psychology books please message me!

As a new self-published author, it would be great if you could help me build my presence by reviewing my books.

Here's the links for a better view:

http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Posit...

http://www.amazon.com/Law-Attraction-...

Kind regards, Joey.

my name is charleigh and im 22 years old.
I suffer from PTSD, generlized anxiety disorder and an eating disorder. I also have a whole host of physical illnesses too
I love books, they literally take me away from reality!

Hi Charleigh,
good to hear from you! I hope that you find the group useful and fun :) x

Hello everyone,

At the risk of repeating that what I wrote in my profile I have joined this group to promote my upcoming first book The Voice In My head, a verbatim style memoir on the acute stage of my first relapse in bipolar affective disorder. It is my vain hope that I can help raise awareness of this stage and open up an often inaccessible world.

The rest of the time I'm just me.

My friends call me weird.

Hi everyone! I've just joined this group.

My name's Rachael. I'm 24 and currently living with chronic anxiety and depression. I've been off work since the new year (which sucks) and none of the treatments I'm getting seem to be working, but hopefully something will soon!

Book are my ultimate escape from reality and I've been reading a lot this year since my anxiety got really bad. I love fantasy, sci-fi and YA contemporary but I'll read anything that sounds interesting.

Anyway, that's me! Thanks for reading:)

Welcome everyone!

Hey there, my names Breanna. I'm currently in recovery for an eating disorder and I've been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, depression, and body dysmorphic disorder. I enjoy nothing more than curling up in bed and reading a good book. I'm new to the community. Hoping to make some friends

Hi Breanna!

Hi. New here not for sure how this works. Let me know if I do something wrong. Wrote a book about our family's experience with MH system. Not a good one. Ending is even worse. Someone died. Wrote the book to try to make something good happen out of something bad. "Christopher's Story: An Indictment of the American Mental Health System."

Topher wrote: "Hello all!

My name's Topher Edwards (pseudonym). I have been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, major depression, and generalized anxiety disorder. A couple doctors have even called m..."

Hi Topher, I just wanted to tell you that the two Amazon links are not working...

Hi Everyone!

My name is Kierra (key-air-rah) and I am a mental health and substance abuse worker. I joined this group to learn more about real life issues, get book recommendations (fiction and non-fiction) on mental health.

I read through each introduction and I look forward to learning and growing with you all!

Hi Kierra,

very nice name.

Are you on Pinterest, by chance? I have a board over there where I collect books (fiction and, especially, non-fiction) on mental health. I haven't read all of them, but I use it as a way to take note of what I find interesting. You can check it out here, if you like: https://it.pinterest.com/marinataffet...

♥ Kierra ♥ wrote: "Hi Everyone!

My name is Kierra (key-air-rah) and I am a mental health and substance abuse worker. I joined this group to learn more about real life issues, get book recommendations (fiction and no..."

Looking for a powerfully emotional and thought-provoking book to read this holiday season? Surrounded By Madness is the memoir of a woman who loses both her mother and daughter to mental illness, shedding light on the plight of people with mental illness and their families. You won’t believe how broken our mental health system is! A must read. Follow this link:
https://business.facebook.com/surroun...
The book is available through online booksellers. There is a link to all online booksellers that carry it at www.SurroundedByMadness.net.

Topher wrote: "The link has been updated! Thanks for letting me know, Marina!"

Thank you, Topher!

Marina-

I would appreciate it if you would post my book, "Christopher's Story: An Indictment of the American Health System" on your pinterest page.

John

John wrote: "Marina-

I would appreciate it if you would post my book, "Christopher's Story: An Indictment of the American Health System" on your pinterest page.

John"

Done, thanks for the suggestion!

Thanks, Marina!

Marina wrote: "Hi Kierra,

very nice name.

Are you on Pinterest, by chance? I have a board over there where I collect books (fiction and, especially, non-fiction) on mental health. I haven't read all of them, bu..."

Thank you! Yes I am! Thank you for the link.

Jonathan wrote: "♥ Kierra ♥ wrote: "Hi Everyone!

My name is Kierra (key-air-rah) and I am a mental health and substance abuse worker. I joined this group to learn more about real life issues, get book recommendati..."

Sounds interesting, will definitely download that.

Hi Kierra- I looked at Surrounded by Madness. It looks to be something like my "Christopher's Story: An Indictment of the American Mental Health System>'
It is available at http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_...

John wrote: "Hi Kierra- I looked at Surrounded by Madness. It looks to be something like my "Christopher's Story: An Indictment of the American Mental Health System>'
It is available at http://www.amazon.com/s/..."

John, I would like to speak with you about your experience selling your book. You may contact me by writing to Jonathan.Brill.wh82 at Wharton.UPenn.edu.

Hi. My name is Nix. I have Borderline Personality Disorder and Depersonalization disorder.

I have always been a big reader, and usually have a book in my purse.

I eventually want to write a book about my battle with the health care system and my disorder.

Hi Nix, welcome! I see you are currently reading Get Me Out of Here: My Recovery from Borderline Personality Disorder, is it good? I have it on my Kindle and have meant to read it for almost a year now.

I like the name of this group Mental HEALTH Bookclub. Well chosen. I deal with schizophrenia and depression, as well as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity to boot! No bueno! However, I have published twenty books including my bio A Schizophrenic Will: A Story of Madness, A Story of Hope and Guide to Natural Mental Health: Anxiety, Bipolar, Depression, Schizophrenia, and Digital Addiction: Nutrition, and Complementary Therapies I love to read when I have time! I am a GR Author, William Jiang, MLS and I am currently giving away FREE Kindle Copies of Facets of the Mind: Assorted Poetry and Prose of William Jiang, MLS. Currently it is #15 in the Poetry category on Amazon.com, Just under Leviathan, and on the same page as Homer's Illiad and The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe! (So excited!) I'm happy to be here!

Hi William, welcome!

Marina! Gratzie!

My name is Judy, and I struggle with Bipolar Disorder amongst other co-occurring conditions, etc. I love to read and write, and am presently studying to be a peer counselor. That being said, I am happy to be a new member of this group.

Hi Judy, welcome to the group!

Just wanted to announce my new group: "Author Group: William Jiang, MLS" hope some of you would like to have a forum with yours truly :) Best, Will

Judy wrote: "My name is Judy, and I struggle with Bipolar Disorder amongst other co-occurring conditions, etc. I love to read and write, and am presently studying to be a peer counselor. That being said, I am h..."

Hi Judy. I know the struggle. My memoir about my experience with bipolar disorder has been published if you would like to learn what happened to me. http://www.amazon.com/Escape-Myself-M...

Book Crumpet wrote: "**Yep, introductions! Please feel free to introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about yourself.**

So, to get the ball rolling: If you're here I want to thank you for joining and becoming a p..."

I'm Tom and I was diagnosed with bipolar II in 1993 after many years of misdiagnosis. I speak and write about the illness from the perspective of my experience and as a brother of two siblings who committed suicide too afraid of stigma to ask for help. My memoir has just been released: http://www.amazon.com/Escape-Myself-M...

Hi Tom, welcome to the group. Sorry to hear about your terrible loss.

I just found this group and I think it will be extremely helpful to me and hopefully my story will help others. My name is Doreen and I have severe depression and anxiety. I know in the general world there is still stigma attached to mental health but my view is I know I have a problem and I'm getting help for it. There is nothing to be ashamed of with mental illness. There is so much we don't know on how the brain works. I think we should all give ourselves a pat on the back for dealing with our issues. Hope to contribute to the group.

Hi Doreen, welcome! I think you're absolutely right in what you say :-)

Hi everyone,

My name is Joshua. I struggled with Schizoaffective disorder for 10 years, and have since recovered. I am publishing a book about my journey and how I healed.

I am happy to have found this group, and look forward to participating!

Warmly,
Joshua

Hi Joshua, welcome! I'm so glad to know you've recovered :-)

Hello everyone,I'm a 18-year-old Italian girl who's been struggling with depression,anxiety and social anxiety for about two years and a half,I'm looking for new friends and people who can understand my issues because my current friends think I just need willpower to get out of this bad condition..so feel free to talk to me anytime:)
I'm new to reading,I've always been into tv shows and films but I've never actually thought reading could be this good so I'm getting started now (I'm SO late I know!)..I appreciate suggestions on books too:) have a nice day all xx

Hi Beatrix, welcome! I'm Italian, too :-)

Hi all,

I'm Martha, I have generalised anxiety disorder and a bit of residual PTSD following a trauma a few years ago (think I've managed to kick most of it, but I think it blurs in with the GAD).

I blog about my experiences with mental health, sexual violence and other bits and pieces (including books) at Martha Is

I also just started reading The Worry Cure: Seven Steps to Stop Worry from Stopping You after reading an article by a fellow GAD sufferer where she said this was the best book she'd read about it. I'm only a few pages in, but the descriptions of the rules around worry that our brains have created are pretty damn accurate so I'm on board so far!

Looking forward to hearing more about you all,

Martha

Hi Martha, welcome :-)

Hi Paul, welcome! I tried mindfulness some years ago, and although I'm not practising it anymore, I found it was somewhat useful. Of course you'd have to practise it every day for it to work properly.