No one taught me how to process taunts, criticism, and outright insults as more reflective of the character of the person lobbing them than of my own character. My unique power as a depressive is that no one can use words to hurt me worse than I have used them to hurt myself.
Read MoreI will upset my audience. Knowing this, I will not leave the stage without giving them effective methods on handling the troubling feelings that will arise. Otherwise, I become a provocateur. Interested only in triggering a response, and having no concern about the recoil. These young people deserve better from me. I will not shelter them from the horror of suicide. I refuse to put a smiling face over depression.
Read MoreIf all I did was have compassion for myself I would soon move into self-delusion, where none of my choices matter because, no matter what, I love myself. After compassion there must be respect, and respect can only be earned.
Read MoreThe idea is simple living, simple actions, simple pleasures, and simple thoughts.
Read MoreOn Thursdays I will examine our evolutionary past to see what I really need to be happy. Hopefully, my research and will help you do the same.
Read MoreHolidays days and winter can be a struggle for many people. I shared Gordon’s stories in an attempt to share the message that there is help for those with depression.
Read MoreMirror Therapy is a potent, introspective tool. I like to have a mirror directly in front of me, and one off to the side. This allows me to speak to myself, and also catch side glances of my reactions along my periphery. The first time I tried this, I spoke to myself from two drastically different perspectives - the depressed me, and the “normal” me.
Read MoreThe more I study mental illness and the structure of the brain, the more I am enticed about how the mind thinks. I know from experience that I can train my mind to recognize distorted thoughts, and take action to think differently, but I have been unable to discern a guiding framework. I have many tools, but where is my toolbox?
Read MoreWould my illness be as serious today if I had gotten treated younger, if I had entered therapy sooner, if I had learned coping strategies earlier?
Read MoreImagine if I lose a leg, and my friend kicks my stump in the middle of a conversation. I would be indignant, and he would no longer be my friend. My friends, family, and coworkers do not know if some off-hand comment will kick my invisible stump. We tiptoe around mental illness because we do not know if what we say will cause more damage. That is the unique dilemma of mental illness compared to physical illness.
Read MoreLife on the 7th Shelf is my way of sharing how a person can live well with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.
The 7th Shelf was written by Dante in The Inferno, as the Wood of the Suicides.
For me, living on the 7th shelf is challenging but I have found my means for winning the daily battle against the worst my mind can throw at me.
We aim to create a space of hope, filled with resources, information, tools, and more for mental health awareness and suicide prevention. We’re committed to Gordon’s vision of sharing different methods of thinking to help those with and without mental illness live more fulfilling lives.
Contact us
corsetti007@me.com
Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for help. In an emergency, please call 911.
If you or someone you know is seeking help for mental health concerns, visit the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) website, or call 1-800-950-NAMI(6264).
For confidential treatment referrals, visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website, or call the National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP(4357).
