My Journey to Body Neutrality

By: lisa kot stutzman
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I have been attempting to shrink my body for the last 20 years. I tried changing my eating habits. I exercised vigorously. I counted calories. I bought diet pills from the drugstore. When I was at my skinniest, I was acting self-destructive and contemplating suicide every night. I realized I had become a slave to…

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confession: my disorders that I’m most ashamed of.

By: lisa kot stutzman
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If you know me, you know I am usually very open with depression and anxiety, but there are a few other disorders I have that have always brought me great shame and embarrassment. I’ve mentioned them a few times here and there, but never really explained it.  It wasn’t until a few months ago that…

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the inconvenience of mental illness

By: lisa kot stutzman
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I have a tendency to spiral with my emotions. If I don’t get an invite to a friend’s party, I get upset thinking about what I possibly could have done wrong or done better in our relationship. I go back to the time in third grade when a girl told me, “It’s not our fault…

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when your body betrays you

By: lisa kot stutzman
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I came to the hard realization today that I need to learn how to pace myself better. I tend to forget I’m not healthy and try to do way too much, then I end up crashing and feeling guilty and worthless when I am not fully present in a social setting or cannot accomplish my…

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overcoming negative thoughts

By: lisa kot stutzman
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“I am a worthless piece of crap.” “I am ugly and undesirable.” “I am a burden to my loved ones.” “I am better off dead.” Thoughts like these always seem to be on the forefront of my mind. When dealing with mental illness, our minds can be a master manipulator, a liar, and a thief…

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5 simple ways to support your friend with depression

By: lisa kot stutzman
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1. Check in. Just to say hi. Don’t get offended if we don’t respond right away or send you to voicemail, but knowing you’re thinking of us will mean a lot. 2. Send positive affirmations. Depression destroys any semblance of self confidence so hearing genuine compliments from someone is always uplifting and encouraging. Some examples…

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