Breaking the Stigma...Holding hands as survivors.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder; Awareness and Support

Some time ago, as many other days, I was searching on the Internet for information regarding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), associations, symptoms, therapies, and any other related topic. Although I have been facing depression and anxieties, the diagnoses I have been given were: Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Major Depression. A psychological test administered two years ago, introduced me to PTSD and OCD, but the results of the test were never discussed in detail with me. My symptoms do meet the criteria for those two illnesses, but there was something else that was not clearly pointed out by the psychiatrists I was seen until September of 2012, when I had my last hospitalization. The Psychiatrist in charge of me at the hospital took her time to observe and detect those symptoms that were misunderstood for so long by other professionals. Finally, I was diagnosed with OCD and some PTSD which bring up the depression and the anxieties. Not only she recognized my illness, but she discussed a treatment plan that was going to start while at the hospital. Those two weeks opened my mind to a new way to understand and cope with my mental illness. Dialectical Behavior Therapy has been my path for the last three months. Mindful awareness of, emotion regulation. DBT has been more effective for me than Cognitive Therapy alone.

My desire and need to know about my mental Illness and the best available tools to cope day by day have motivated me to search for other projects, groups and other people's stories to create awareness, acceptance, as well as, assist those with mental illnesses to belong somewhere in society without fear of a stigma.

One of these new programs is PeaceLove Studio, founded by Jeff Sparr:

I invite you to take a look at this program and its mission and impact:

If you want more information about peacelove visit: PeaceLove Studios

Remember her on Valentines day; Just pick the day

Who says balloons are not a great idea to make her feel she is so

much loved. Fun!!

A beautiful card with those words that support your actions loving her and making her feel she is the love of your life.

A good massage… a professional one. Delightful! A great gift just

for her.

YES!!!!! That's what I mean. Give her the gift of wearing

something sexy for a change. Empty those drawers.

Happy Valentine's Day every single day!!!!

Preventing Homelessness

homelessness is prevented.

Isn't it better to assist a person who knows will imminently become homeless instead of waiting for him/her to be on the streets in order to be considered for emergency housing? Many do not take into consideration that although there are individuals who prefer to be on the streets instead of living in a shelter or apartment, there are others who are able to be independent, care for a home, and even start a new and successful life when housing assistant is provided. Those, like me, who are OCD and Anxiety survivors are not taken into account for housing the same way elderly or people with children do. Having a home brings to many a sense of belonging, dignity and motivation for living a productive life. It is imperative to modify the bureaucratic criteria and processes for people without a home to wait for years (3-10) in order to receive housing assistance. The screening processes do not work properly when they have to deal with people with mental illnesses who are capable to live an independent life. This group is lost in the system because only families with children or elderly individuals are the priorities. Where is the help for those with mental conditions who were professionals at one point in their lives and now are under disability? Where are we in the system? I have been looking for a safe home for a year and still do not have any place I can call home.

If not for me, I am advocating for those who do not have a voice.

Alone but Alive

Being alone is not easy for some; For others is a daily routine.

A true woman

How many times others always need something from you, but do not put anything on the table. Happens a lot, eh? Well I think this its the time to change all that. Today you are a new woman who will not cry anymore and will laugh at everything.

See yourself on the mirror and put up some make up and fix your hair just the way you like it.

Open the window in your bedroom to feel the breeze coming in. Choose the attire you have wanted to used for weeks and do not forget those amazing high heel shoes.

Today is your day to walk and enjoy the environment; go to the park, do your nails or a massage.

There is no more time to cry and let the heart hurt…NO MORE!
You are yourself and if you like being that way, keep it and use all the beautiful and strong virtues you carry.

Love yourself, love your hands, your hair, and your heart.
Today is your day…take it.

Diversity in Beauty

Social Network Sites

There are hundreds of network places to socialize, develop friendships or share common interests. They are the cyber corners where people go and leave in a blink of an eye. Social Network Sites (SNS) are the ultimate tools of communication throughout the media. The most popular SNS are:

Facebook

MySpace

Youtube

Linkedin

Google+

It is our responsibility to use these communication resources in a responsible way in order to preserve the main goals of each Website.

Connecting Multicultural Consumers

More than ever, consumers have been introduced to multicultural marketing that opens the door to a more diverse audience and new product lines. This strategy uses a framework that can include either, an ethnic representation or cultural values. Multicultural TV commercials (for example), while presenting a product, also deal with the aspects of individualism and collectivism in brilliant ways by presenting the differences and similarities of the subjects involved in the commercials.

Lets take a look and a listen to one of the best multicultural commercials:

Ellen Degeneres and Sofia Velgara's Cover Girl TV Commercial. This is a magnificent example of two women with different cultures, values and unique physical attributes who use the same product and have the same opinion about it. The commercial delivers very well the message of individualism, collectivism and diversity. These two women are funny and beautiful, but more important, they share a marvelous time.

Ellen DeGeneres and Sofia Vergara debut Covergirl Tone Rehab Commercial

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder/b.Long Discourse Connection