WordCamp Miami 2017: Developing with Mental Illness

Darkness is an old friend, and Orlando WordPress developer Adam Soucie has come to talk with you about it. He has battled depression, bipolar disorder, and come to terms with being on the transgender spectrum for over 15 years. He lived to tell the tale, so in this talk, Adam shares his story of how he hit rock bottom, got help from professionals, medication, and the WordPress community, and is now thriving running a WordPress business.

Transcript

1. DEVELOPING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS GETTING BACK UP AGAIN
2. DEVELOPING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS ABOUT ME ▸ Based in Orlando ▸ WordCamp organizer ▸ Accessibility Advocate ▸ Mental Health Advocate @adamsoucie | @impossiblycr8v
3. I’M NOT GIVING UP TODAY. THERE’S NOTHING GETTING IN MY WAY. IF YOU KNOCK ME OVER, I WILL GET BACK UP AGAIN. Poppy the Troll @adamsoucie | @impossiblycr8v
4. Time for a story
6. DEVELOPING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION ▸ Mood: anxiety, apathy, general discontent, guilt, hopelessness, loss of interest, loss of interest or pleasure in activities, mood swings, or sadness ▸ Sleep: early awakening, excess sleepiness, insomnia, or restless sleep ▸ Whole body: excessive hunger, fatigue, loss of appetite, or restlessness ▸ Behavioral: agitation, excessive crying, irritability, or social isolation ▸ Cognitive: lack of concentration, slowness in activity, or thoughts of suicide ▸ Weight: weight gain or weight loss ▸ Also common: poor appetite or repeatedly going over thoughts
7. DEVELOPING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS WHAT DOES NOT WORK ▸ “Just try being happy” ▸ “Spend more time outside” ▸ “You just need more exercise” ▸ Any “advice” you get from friends that are not doctors or therapists @adamsoucie | @impossiblycr8v
8. WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT ▸ Talk to a professional. ▸ Psychologist or Psychiatrist ▸ Primary Doctor (GP) ▸ Get. HELP. DEVELOPING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS @adamsoucie | @impossiblycr8v
9. DEVELOPING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS RESOURCES ▸ TEXT CONNECT TO 741741 ▸ 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) ▸ 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) ▸ http://www.spsamerica.org/ ▸ http://switchboardmiami.org/suicide- prevention/ @adamsoucie | @impossiblycr8v
11. DEVELOPING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS CONTACT ME ▸ @adamsoucie or @impossiblycr8v (company) ▸ adamsoucie.com or impossiblycreative.com (company) ▸ If you need to talk, I’m here for you.