Crazy for Life

Depression

Things You Shouldn’t Say to a Person With a Mental Illness

Victoria Maxwell on March 21, 2023

A Personal Perspective: A light-hearted look at well-intentioned advice.

A Personal Perspective: A light-hearted look at well-intentioned advice.

Psychosis

My Psychotic Reality Feels Real to Me

Victoria Maxwell on February 18, 2023

A Personal Perspective: I was talking to my therapist at 2 am. "I have a baby in my stomach. I need to get it out." But I wasn't pregnant. I was, however, psychotic.

A Personal Perspective: I was talking to my therapist at 2 am. "I have a baby in my stomach. I need to get it out." But I wasn't pregnant. I was, however, psychotic.

Depression

Tips to Navigate Deep Winter Depression

Victoria Maxwell on January 25, 2023

Personal Perspective: Everyday activities help pass the time as seasonal depression makes its way out of our systems.

Personal Perspective: Everyday activities help pass the time as seasonal depression makes its way out of our systems.

Depression

Fighting for My Life

Victoria Maxwell on December 29, 2022

A Personal Perspective: “Did you know 'therapist' is actually 'the rapist' if you break it up?” There, that would get this psychotherapist going. But nothing.

A Personal Perspective: “Did you know 'therapist' is actually 'the rapist' if you break it up?” There, that would get this psychotherapist going. But nothing.

Psychosis

This Is My Brain on Psychosis

Victoria Maxwell on December 10, 2022

A Personal Perspective: Something was happening to me. In my belly. Something foreign. I needed to get it out or find out what it was, at least.

A Personal Perspective: Something was happening to me. In my belly. Something foreign. I needed to get it out or find out what it was, at least.

Humor

Why I Use the Word "Crazy"

Victoria Maxwell on October 1, 2022

A Personal Perspective: Yes, I'm an advocate for mental health and I use the word "crazy." So what?

A Personal Perspective: Yes, I'm an advocate for mental health and I use the word "crazy." So what?

Psychopharmacology

Mental Illness and the Process of Acceptance

Victoria Maxwell on September 30, 2022

A Personal Perspective: My acceptance started when people were willing to discuss what prevented me from believing I had a mental illness or needed medication.

A Personal Perspective: My acceptance started when people were willing to discuss what prevented me from believing I had a mental illness or needed medication.

Depression

Waiting for a Guru to Remove the Pain of Depression

Victoria Maxwell on September 25, 2022

This guru holds the last resort for me.

This guru holds the last resort for me.

Eating Disorders

Dieting Put Me on the Fast Track to an Eating Disorder

Victoria Maxwell on June 29, 2022

A Personal Perspective: Food can be a source of pleasure and comfort. It can be a source of struggle. For others, like me, it was both.

A Personal Perspective: Food can be a source of pleasure and comfort. It can be a source of struggle. For others, like me, it was both.

Anxiety

Reassurance Doesn’t Decrease Anxiety or Indecision

Victoria Maxwell on June 24, 2022

I have a great therapist. Andie. Hard-Ass Andie, that’s what I call her. All my previous therapists had a nurturing style. But Andie doesn’t. Thank God.

I have a great therapist. Andie. Hard-Ass Andie, that’s what I call her. All my previous therapists had a nurturing style. But Andie doesn’t. Thank God.

Anxiety

Advice That Would Have Soothed My Anxiety

Victoria Maxwell on June 12, 2022

A Personal Perspective: Advice from my older self to my younger one would have made my path a little less fraught.

A Personal Perspective: Advice from my older self to my younger one would have made my path a little less fraught.

Psychosis

Mumbai's Train Station and I'm One Step Closer to Peace

Victoria Maxwell on March 31, 2022

A Personal Perspective: I can't let this depression and ticker-tape of doomsday thinking sidetrack me. I’m in India, to see a teacher, to find peace.

A Personal Perspective: I can't let this depression and ticker-tape of doomsday thinking sidetrack me. I’m in India, to see a teacher, to find peace.

Anxiety

Do This When Anxiety Feels Overwhelming

Victoria Maxwell on March 28, 2022

Whenever I wake up with "morning anxiety"—and its ticker tape of doomsday thinking that accompanies it—here's what I do.

Whenever I wake up with "morning anxiety"—and its ticker tape of doomsday thinking that accompanies it—here's what I do.

Personal Perspectives

Wait, Shouldn't All Treatments Be Recovery-Oriented?

Victoria Maxwell on January 17, 2022

Here's why recovery messages and hope are so important.

Here's why recovery messages and hope are so important.

Fear

Fear, Dread, and Depression Melt If You Do This

Victoria Maxwell on December 31, 2021

A Personal Perspective: The paradox is the more willing I am to feel and be gently curious about my unpleasant feelings, the more like they will settle and calm a bit.

A Personal Perspective: The paradox is the more willing I am to feel and be gently curious about my unpleasant feelings, the more like they will settle and calm a bit.

Anxiety

This Exercise Can Help Reduce Unpleasant Feelings

Victoria Maxwell on December 15, 2021

In the present moment, there's a chance to find some peace—even if only momentarily. The more you practice this technique, the more often and easily you can discover some calm.

In the present moment, there's a chance to find some peace—even if only momentarily. The more you practice this technique, the more often and easily you can discover some calm.

Cross-Cultural Psychology

Leaders Blaze Trails with Their Mental Health Stories

Victoria Maxwell on November 28, 2021

A culture of mental health starts at the top of organizations, and nothing is more powerful than a leader sharing personal struggles with mental health.

A culture of mental health starts at the top of organizations, and nothing is more powerful than a leader sharing personal struggles with mental health.

Bipolar Disorder

This Is Why Your Mood Might Be Out of Whack

Victoria Maxwell on September 27, 2021

My life goes better when there’s some structure in it. My real low points occurred when there wasn’t enough. If you can relate, and have bipolar disorder, you're not alone.

My life goes better when there’s some structure in it. My real low points occurred when there wasn’t enough. If you can relate, and have bipolar disorder, you're not alone.

Depression

Seeking a Spiritual Solution to My Depression

Victoria Maxwell on August 30, 2021

Depression by nature creates a dangerous cradle of meaninglessness. In my quest to recapture that fleeting but pivotal peak experience, I sought the guidance of a guru.

Depression by nature creates a dangerous cradle of meaninglessness. In my quest to recapture that fleeting but pivotal peak experience, I sought the guidance of a guru.

Anxiety

A Deep-Breathing Exercise That Actually Reduces Anxiety

Victoria Maxwell on July 29, 2021

When the Tasmanian Devil of anxiousness runs amok in my internal landscape, some breathing strategies just don’t cut it. This one does.

When the Tasmanian Devil of anxiousness runs amok in my internal landscape, some breathing strategies just don’t cut it. This one does.