Animal Therapy for Bipolar Illness
Donation protected
Hello, my name is Renée and here is my story:
I began formal treatment for mental illness in 1993 at the age of 32. In the year 2000, my diagnosis was formalized as Bipolar Disorder.
Over the course of the last 25 years I have seen some 7 different psychiatrists and over 10 different therapists. I have been prescribed (and taken) over 20 different psychiatric medications as well as Medical Marijuana. I have attempted or planned suicide 4 times and been hospitalized either as an inpatient or an outpatient 9 times. In the Fall of 2017 I underwent ECT (Shock Therapy) as a last ditch effort to manage my illness. Sadly, it drove me into the deepest depression I have ever experienced.
Due to the severity of my illness, I was declared permanently disabled in 2006 and was terminated from my job of 11 years in April of 2007.
Since then I have relied on disability income to meet my basic needs.
There is currently no cure for Bipolar Disorder. The best you can hope for is to manage the high and lows of this disease while trying to maintain some quality of life. In a state of depression every moment is dripping with a pain that inhabits every atom of one's being. Sleep is often the only escape and suicide (as the permanent sleep) seems oh so attractive.
Many people do experience relief through medical treatment but sadly, I do not appear to be one of them. Therefore, I have decided to take a more esoteric approach to managing my illness. One of the tools I am exploring is animal therapy.
I have the immediate opportunity to take horseback riding lessons at a local equestrian center. I rode horses frequently as a young girl and found being near them soothing. I am hoping that being around and working with them now will aid in managing my illness in a more holistic way.
Unfortunately, on a fixed income, this is a luxury I cannot afford. Here is where I invite you to be part of my treatment team. The money you donate will help me to pay for weekly lessons at $50 per week. The lessons will include interaction with horses, care of horses and instruction in English Riding techniques with a qualified instructor. All riding equipment is included. These are private one-on-one lessons.
I have set my goal at $1,000 in order to cover 5 months of lessons. I think this is a reasonable time to evaluate whether this could be an effective tool (one of many) I hope to use in my continuing quest not just to survive my illness but to thrive despite it.
You can share my journey on my blog: The Musings of Dr. Jolly and Miss Hide
I thank you in advance for considering my request.
I began formal treatment for mental illness in 1993 at the age of 32. In the year 2000, my diagnosis was formalized as Bipolar Disorder.
Over the course of the last 25 years I have seen some 7 different psychiatrists and over 10 different therapists. I have been prescribed (and taken) over 20 different psychiatric medications as well as Medical Marijuana. I have attempted or planned suicide 4 times and been hospitalized either as an inpatient or an outpatient 9 times. In the Fall of 2017 I underwent ECT (Shock Therapy) as a last ditch effort to manage my illness. Sadly, it drove me into the deepest depression I have ever experienced.
Due to the severity of my illness, I was declared permanently disabled in 2006 and was terminated from my job of 11 years in April of 2007.
Since then I have relied on disability income to meet my basic needs.
There is currently no cure for Bipolar Disorder. The best you can hope for is to manage the high and lows of this disease while trying to maintain some quality of life. In a state of depression every moment is dripping with a pain that inhabits every atom of one's being. Sleep is often the only escape and suicide (as the permanent sleep) seems oh so attractive.
Many people do experience relief through medical treatment but sadly, I do not appear to be one of them. Therefore, I have decided to take a more esoteric approach to managing my illness. One of the tools I am exploring is animal therapy.
I have the immediate opportunity to take horseback riding lessons at a local equestrian center. I rode horses frequently as a young girl and found being near them soothing. I am hoping that being around and working with them now will aid in managing my illness in a more holistic way.
Unfortunately, on a fixed income, this is a luxury I cannot afford. Here is where I invite you to be part of my treatment team. The money you donate will help me to pay for weekly lessons at $50 per week. The lessons will include interaction with horses, care of horses and instruction in English Riding techniques with a qualified instructor. All riding equipment is included. These are private one-on-one lessons.
I have set my goal at $1,000 in order to cover 5 months of lessons. I think this is a reasonable time to evaluate whether this could be an effective tool (one of many) I hope to use in my continuing quest not just to survive my illness but to thrive despite it.
You can share my journey on my blog: The Musings of Dr. Jolly and Miss Hide
I thank you in advance for considering my request.
Organizer
Renée White
Organizer
Oxford, MA