2-Year Anniversary: The Long and Winding Road

I'm aware that my blog has taken a significantly dark turn.  This may alienate some of my readers who seek happier, brighter topics. I don't think my posts have been negative; on the contrary, I think they've been positive. Positive and educational.

I've been exploring the topic of suicide recently because it's a subject that's quite near and dear to me, now more than ever before.

Yesterday was the 2-year anniversary of the beginning of this blog. When I began, the pool of mental health (MH) blogs was few. It's been amazing to watch other blogs discussing MH pop up. The increasing number shows that awareness of MH issues has grown and people are beginning to take the matter seriously. In some instances, perhaps too seriously.

In the meantime, I'm still trying to figure out the focus of this blog. In the past 2 years, I've touched on the following:

• Major depressive disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Borderline personality disorder
• Suicide
• Mental illness
• General mental health
• Pharmaceuticals with a particular emphasis on antidepressants

But my blog is named depression introspection for a reason. The focus  is to reflect on the way depression has affected my life. The other topics should be secondary components.

Posts that have generated the most hits have been on:

• Suicide,
   
• Social awkwardness,
   
• Effexor/venlafaxine, and
   
• Pristiq/desvenlafaxine.
   

Other popular posts have included the Zoloft/rage connection and the link between Singulair and suicidal behavior. I don't specialize in sharing my experience on wellness and recovery  — those are better left to wellness, withdrawal, and  recovery blogs — but there seems to be a hunger for knowledge. The knowledge that other people struggle with these things and are not alone. That may also explain the popularity of my Celebrity Sensitivity feature. There's some satisfaction in knowing that famous people with a flawless bodies and (perhaps) oodles of talent can also fall prey to the perils of mental illness.

I also need to realize that my blog will evolve as I get older. My experience with suicide and depression are "evergreen" and won't disappear. Will I ever move into the wellness or recovery arena? I don't know. Perhaps. But that's not where I am currently at. Right now, I'm still struggling with a variety of issues, still learning and trying to figure them out.

There a few blogs that I've read in the past (e.g., Living With a Purple Dog) that have since ceased to be written because the authors have felt that they were dwelling too much on their diagnoses (or blogging too often) and not living their lives or that they had finally overcome their diagnoses and were hindering their recovery. I don't know if I'll ever feel that way. I see my blog as an educational tool — not only to teach others but to teach myself about who I am with and without my diagnosis. It will ebb and flow depending on the circumstances in my life. However, I look forward to the day when I can write this blog medication-free.

Comments

[Gianna]

Marissa,
that was a very touching honest post...recovery first and foremost start with honesty...

Love to you and happy anniversary!!

You know you were one of the first blogs I encountered when I dove in and yes, I've watched lots of blogs spring up too...and lots disappear as well...

[Greybeard]

You've been one of my favorites since I first discovered you. I can't imagine that changing no matter what direction you decide to take your project.

Congrats on two years. I think the trait of yours I'm most envious of is your stick-to-it-ivenes. It's amazing to me that in spite of all the obstacles you've become so accomplished. Yes accomplished. You're a wonderful writer and a fine journalist. I'm sure it'll pay off if there's any justice in this life.

[Marissa Miller]

Thanks for the comments, guys. Your blogs inspire me as well. :) It's good to read nice comments after such a CRAPPY day!

[Jazz]

Congrats on the anniversary, Marissa! I enjoy reading your work no matter what you're writing about. You're a very talented writer, and I think you're right--there is a lot of hunger for validation and information out there...that's why people seek out these blogs, I think, to know that they aren't alone, and to get information. You go, girl!