Linda Allison
April 22nd, 2008
Ten years ago, my blood pressure skyrocketed, and I was diagnosed with Raynaud’s Syndrome. Although I wasn’t working at the time, the symptoms of Raynaud’s Disease are devastating - even for a relatively sedentary lifestyle. There are lots of chest pains (angina), throbbing in my extremities, and my hands and toes turned purple and black when I was under stress or out in the cold. This is caused by a decrease in the blood that is circulated because of clogged arteries. The throbbing can be excruciating at different times. In addition, depression was dominant for me because I felt so ill. (more…)
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Joey Pantoliano
April 4th, 2008
I was making my latest movie, Canvas, where I play the husband of a woman with schizophrenia. My research, and the experience of making the film, got me thinking about myself.
Several days before we started shooting, I talked to a friend of mine, Charlie, who actually married my wife and me. He told me a few jokes, we planned on Thanksgiving, and then two days later my wife called to say he’d committed suicide. There was no indication that it was coming.
Charlie was the guy you went to with your problems, he was the guy that always cheered you up. I got scared when Charlie killed himself because I had complete apathy about what he had done. I didn’t realize that subconsciously, I wanted to check out. I kept thinking about the peace and comfort that would come to me if I didn’t exist anymore. Why should I exist? I wasn’t a help to anybody. I’d already gotten everything I ever wanted. All I ever wanted to do was be an actor, all I ever wanted to do was be successful. (more…)
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Donna Ganier
March 7th, 2008
There was a time when I refused to take medications even when I needed them. I was into only holistic options. Things have certainly changed in the past few years.
In August, 2005 Hurricane Katrina came into my life and brought with it Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which required my taking antidepressant medications. I continued even through this to move forward and re-build my life from scratch. I began my life over in Baton Rouge, LA loving the nature, cleanliness and adventure of a new city. I did though miss my family and friends which none were living in Baton Rouge with me. (more…)
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Kathleen Johnson
January 18th, 2008
In February 2006, I embarked on a new, exciting journey with my new husband. Unfortunately I suffer from a number of serious health conditions, including asthma, clinical depression and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). PMDD is a condition that causes severe emotional and physical depression that is linked to premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Each month I take seven different medications. After losing my job and consequently my health insurance, I was paying approximately $450 to $500 each month for my prescription medicines. Without insurance I was not able to get my prescribed doses. I was at the point of wanting to end my life because I could not handle having no where to turn for help. (more…)
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Patricia Stoll
December 14th, 2007
My story isn’t too dramatic, but it’s honest. I have dealt with numerous ailments, including diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. While these things are difficult to deal with alone, I am also clinically depressed. And I’m proud to say I’m no longer embarrassed to talk about it.Talking about it has really been my key to happiness. I started feeling like I was losing control of my life when my mother passed away a few years ago. My husband and I had to move, and everything in my life seemed to be in this phase of change that I could not deal with. I had a breakdown and finally admitted that I couldn’t handle this alone. Admitting that you need help is just the hardest thing to do sometimes, I know. I finally admitted to my family that, yes, I needed some help to learn how to be happy again… (more…)
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Anita Stone
November 30th, 2007
I know what it feels like to not want to get out of bed in the morning. When you are in so much pain as a result of many different illnesses, it’s difficult to want to get up in the morning and continue another day. My story is filled with many chapters of health problems, but thankfully because of my medications, I’ve been able to turn my challenges into happy and healthy endings… (more…)
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Wendy Hauser
November 21st, 2007
In 2004, I was diagnosed with severe depression and hospitalized because of it. Before this happened, I was living a pretty average life. I was happy and healthy and enjoying life to the fullest. However, after I began suffering from depression, I was in and out of hospitals and my normal life quickly disappeared. Depression is a common mental disorder that includes symptoms of depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy, and poor concentration. In fact, depression affects about 121 million people worldwide.For me, the disease took over my life, and I eventually found myself in a life or death situation. The disease haunted me. I had worked my whole life to make a great life for myself and eventually lost everything due to this illness… (more…)
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Colleen Thurman
September 11th, 2007
After having my second child in March of 2005, I was diagnosed with post partum depression and prescribed Zoloft. I have no insurance coverage and the medication runs $110-$150 a month. I began to look for ways to help pay for the medication. I found PPA because my mother had seen a commercial and told me about it. I called the next day and spoke with a real person and about 10-15 minutes later was being sent applications. Upon receiving the applications I filled them out and sent them off. Approximately 3 weeks from the day I called I received my medicine for FREE! This took a huge burden off of me. I am a full time nursing student and full time mother. To not have to worry if my children eat or I receive medicine that I need is wonderful.
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