Share your story – Rebecca Lombardo

Tell us a little about yourself

I am 42 years of age and happily married for 14 years.  I can finally say that I am on my way to reaching my dream. I hope to help people that are struggling with depression find their voice.  I live in Michigan with her husband and 5 cats.

What mental health challenges have you experienced?

Bipolar disorder for 23 years, agoraphobia, self-injury, anxiety, PTSD, borderline personality disorder, panic attacks, suicide attempt, anorexia, laxative abuse, mania/severe depression.

How did you get support for your mental illness? 

For many years I went through the county that I lived in because I didn’t have mental health coverage. You were essentially treated like a number, but you got samples of your medications and it was free. I always told myself, “beggars can’t be choosers”.

I got married in 2001 and it took a few years, but we got wonderful mental health coverage.  I have been psychiatrically hospitalized on three different occasions. The mental healthcare system in Michigan is not good.  I stayed in one facility where I actually got some help, but I was still cutting myself while I was there whenever I took a shower.

The last place I was committed to was in downtown Detroit, and it was a horrible place. I still have nightmares that I am still there. We didn’t get any actual help. Therapy was watching movies or coloring. Thankfully, I didn’t stay long.

Anything further you would like to share?

I feel that I have a lot to teach people. Young girls especially. I would absolutely thrive if I had my own advice column or something similar. Sometimes I see young girls in stores that have scars on their arms like my own. I want to pull them aside and show them mine. Look at this! I’m 42! This doesn’t go away!

I truly want to help people and that’s why I was writing my blog that turned into a book. I hope that I can help even more people now.

If you have a mental health story to share, please click here.  Your story may inspire, encourage or save a life!

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About The Author

Defying Mental Illness

Chuck and Zoe are the founders of Defying Mental Illness (DMI), a Community Interest Company. Guest bloggers have played a very enriching role in making this website a highly recognized website for mental health advocacy. To contribute a blog, please contact us.

Defying Mental Illness – Put a Full Stop, is an organization with a mandate to reach out to those faced with mental health challenges to help them not only defy the disease, but also put a full stop to the stigma and discrimination. Chuck and Zoe are often invited to speak on various platforms including radio and television.

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