Knowing that there are others like ourselves can be the most reassuring and life-affirming fact we can learn. This is a place to share our stories about our Amish upbringing and how the values, lessons and rejection we were taught continue to affect our daily lives. 
​
THADDEUS SCHLABACH  (FOUNDER)   I grew up Old-Order Amish in Holmes County, Ohio. Later, my family also attended the New-Order Amish and Conservative Mennonite Church. I was never baptized into the church, and completely left the community at age 21. I accepted that I was gay at a fairly young age, around 14. I struggled deeply with it for about one year, convinced I would be sent to Hell--I even contemplated suicide several times. At some point when I was 15, it just clicked...I knew who I was. I felt some guilt and a lot of judgment, but no longer feared being gay. However, I knew it was something I had to hide from my family, my friends and my community. 

When my parents discovered that I was gay at 17, they burst into tears and sent me to a non-Amish, ex-gay religious counselor. It's one of my only memories I have of my parents crying. The Amish are a stoic and unemotional people. They were blindsided by my confession and had no idea what to do. They were more afraid of the other church members finding out about me than I was. To make a long story short, I'm now 29 and living in Savannah, Georgia. In 2005, I met the love of my life and have been married to Jeffrey Garris for nearly five years. He's a writer, and he has encouraged me to start this website. I still struggle with issues of openness and feeling judged, but with a patient husband by my side I'm living a wonderful life. My parents have never met my husband and remain reluctant to do so. I think their emotional distance is even harder on him than on me. 

Exercise motivation dramatically fluctuates on a weekly basis, and even small disruptions can cause you to fail. Having a plan B will keep you from veering off course. If you miss a morning workout, try walking at lunch or an afternoon break.

Playlist: The struggle of mental health

Depression, schizophrenia, suicidal feelings—too often, these experiences stay private. These speakers who’ve struggled with mental illness boldly share their stories, in hopes that others don’t feel so alone.

7 talks · Curated by TED

Being physically active in a green space outdoors improves mood and strengthens self-esteem, both of which are major motivators. It takes only five minutes to reap the feel-good benefits, so do a lap around the local park.

Stuck in a downward spiral of negativity? Write what’s bothering you on a piece of paper, then tear it up and throw it away. Sounds dramatic, but the act of trashing the ideas also helps to purge them from your mind. The impact of our thoughts can be magnified or reduced depending on what we physically do with them.

For many people, summer is an exciting time. People will go on vacation, work on their gardens, and enjoy the warm
weather. Unfortunately, summer can lead to depression in people. PsychCentral, a website geared towards mental health issues shared 5 things that cause summer depression.

1. Summer seasonal  affective disorder – In approximately 10% of individuals who experience SAD, their bodies work counter intuitive to everyone else. The longer summer days and warmer temperature actually bring about unhappiness.

2. Changes in schedules – Summer for parents with children can bring about a change in mood. Children are out of school and trying to find a babysitter can be stressful and expensive. Furthermore, vacations can cause disruptions in sleep-wake cycles, appetite, and other routines that occur throughout the year.

3.  Body image – Summer equals sun and sand.  It can also equal poor body image.  People tend to feel self-conscious about their bodies.  For them, summer can be a grueling time where they would rather stay covered up.

4. Financial problems – Vacations or even stay-cations can be costly for people. With the rising cost of gas and the already increased costs of hotels/motels during the summer months, summer can be expensive if one wants to travel. For parents of children, this can also mean more money going into groceries. Children also want to play sports or camp and this can increase depression symptoms.

5. Heat – people who live in warm weather locations or areas of the country where the humidity is unbearable can become depressed easier. Staying inside may be boring for some who want to get out but can’t. Buying takeout food which may not be the most healthy could be also done which can lead to depression. 
 
Anyone experiencing depression during the summer months can do a few simple things that can make summer more exciting and get one out of the summer blues.  
 
1.  Get plenty of sleep –  While summer months may have more sunshine during the day, our bodies still need
plenty of sleep.  We need to be rested both physically and mentally.

 2. Exercise – Summer can be fun and give people the opportunity to get out of the house. For those who need something other than the gym, try going out and rollerblading, biking, jogging, rock climbing, or swimming. Mixing up exercise routines can be fun and easy to do in the summer.

3. Be social – Being  around others is always positive and helpful for people dealing with depression.  We as humans are
social creatures and love interacting with one another.  
      
4. Planning something fun  – this does not mean that you have to go on vacation.  However, plan an event that you can do that would be fun and exciting (i.e. family cookout, taking a short trip to someplace nearby that you have always wanted to go). Doing things like this will keep you motivated.

5. Get on a schedule – Begin planning how you want to arrange your summer schedule as soon as possible  to work around the kids being off school, if you are off from work during the summer, or other things that may cause your routine to be off. 
Humans love routines and the quicker you can get on a routine, the better off you will feel.

If you are still experiencing summer blues, don’t hesitate to talk with your medical doctor or mental health provider about your symptoms to determine if any changes need to be made.  
 

Simply desiring a healthy lifestyle can encourage good-for-you behavior. People who have an intrinsically positive attitude about physical activity are more likely to engage in what experts call unintentional exercise, such as walking a little farther instead of parking in the closest spot, which helps them to burn more calories and stay healthy.

Sign a contract with yourself outlining a goal you want to achieve. This simple commitment moves you form the contemplation stage to an action phase making you 10x more likely to achieve your goal.

Helping others protects your health and lengthens your life. It’s the care and compassion you offer, not the kind of aid that matters. Any time those feelings prompt you to lend a hand, you may reap the benefits. Volunteer at a soup kitchen, humane society, or donate an item to charity.

Do the bleak winter months get you down  more than you think they should? Maybe you have seasonal depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder or SAD. Seasonal  depression is a mood disorderthat happens every year at the same time. A rare  form of seasonal depression, known as "summer depression," begins in late spring or early summer and ends in fall. But in general, seasonal affective disorder starts in fall or winter and ends in spring or early summer.
 
What Causes Seasonal Affective Disorder?
  
There are two seasonal patterns with SAD. One starts in the fall and continues through the winter, and the other starts in late spring or early summer. The fall-onset type of SAD, often referred to as "winter depression," is better known and easier to recognize -- and we know more about it than we know about its counterpart.
 
Hormones manufactured deep in the brain automatically trigger attitudinal changes at certain times of year. Experts believe that SAD is related to these hormonal changes. One theory is that reduced sunlight during fall and winter leads to reduced production of serotonin in the the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that has a soothing, calming effect. The result of there not being enough serotonin is feelings of depression along with symptoms of fatigue, carbohydrate craving, and weight gain. Because foods high in carbohydrates (chips, pretzels, cookies) boost serotonin, it is thought that they have a calming,
soothing affect on the body and mind.
 
SAD usually starts in young adulthood and is more common in females than in males. Some people with SAD experience
very mild symptoms and feel out of sorts or irritable. Others have debilitating symptoms that interfere with relationships and productivity. 
 
Because the lack of enough  daylight during wintertime is related to SAD, it is seldom found in countries within 30 degrees of the equator, where there is plenty of sunshine year round.
 
What Are the Symptoms of SAD During Winter? 

People with SAD have many of the normal signs of depression, including:

• Decreased levels of  energy 
• Difficulty concentrating    
• Fatigue
• Increase in appetite
• Increased desire to be alone
• Increased need for sleep 
• Weight gain
   

What Are the Signs of SAD During  Summer?

Symptoms of summer SAD include:

• Decreased appetite
• Trouble sleeping
• Weight loss

How Is Seasonal Affective Disorder Diagnosed?
  
It is very important that you do not diagnose yourself with seasonal affective disorder. If you have symptoms of
depression, see your doctor for a thorough assessment. Sometimes, physical problems can cause depression. But other times, symptoms of seasonal depression are part of a more complex psychiatric problem. A health professional should be the one to determine your level of depression and recommend the right form of treatment.
 
How Is Seasonal Depression Treated?
  
There are different treatments for  seasonal depression, depending on the severity of the symptoms. Also, if you  have another type of depression or bipolar disorder, the treatment may be different. Many doctors recommend that patients with SAD try to get outside early in the morning to increase their exposure to  natural light. If this is impossible because of the dark winter months, antidepressant medications and/or light therapy (phototherapy)  may help.
 
What Is Light Therapy for SAD?

Light therapy for SAD uses a full-spectrum bright light that is shined indirectly into your eyes. When you use light therapy, you sit about 2 feet away from a bright light -- about 20 times brighter than normal room lighting. The therapy starts
with one 10- to 15-minute session per day. Then the times increase to 30 to 45 minutes a day, depending on your response. It is important not to look directly at the light source of any light box for extended periods in order to minimize
the risk of damage to your eyes.

Some people with SAD recover within days using light therapy. Others take much longer. If the SAD symptoms are not resolved, the prescribing doctor may increase the light therapy sessions to twice daily. Those who respond to light therapy are encouraged to continue until they can be out in the sunshine again in the springtime.

Does Light Therapy Work for Seasonal Depression?

Some researchers link seasonal depression to the natural hormone melatonin, which causes drowsiness. When light strikes the human retina, a process in the body decreases the secretion of melatonin. Light modifies the amount of melatonin in the human nervous system and boosts serotonin in the brain. So light therapy has an antidepressant effect.
 
Experts now believe that light therapy may be an effective treatment for people who have eating disorders, insomnia, and major depression (unrelated to SAD). Researchers have found that when depressed  patients without SAD take antidepressants and use light therapy, there is an added benefit of increased energy and improved mood.
 
Can I Prevent Seasonal Affective Disorder?

If you have been diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder, here are some things you can do to help prevent it from coming back: 

• Try to spend some amount of time outside every day, even when it's very cloudy. The effects of daylight are still beneficial.
• Begin using a light box when fall starts, even before you feel the effects of winter SAD.
• Eat a well-balanced diet, including sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals as recommended by the FDA. This will help you have more energy even if your body is craving starchy and sweet foods.
• Try exercising for 30 minutes a day, three times a week.
• Stay involved with your social circle and regular activities. Social  support is extremely important for
  those with mood disorders, especially during winter months.

When Should I Call my Doctor About Seasonal Depression?
  
If you experience feelings of depression, fatigue, and irritability that come at the same time each year and appear to be seasonal in nature, you may have a form of SAD. Talk openly with your doctor about your feelings. Follow the doctor's recommendations for lifestyle changes and/or treatment if you have SAD.

If your doctor recommends light therapy, ask if the practice provides light boxes for patients with SAD. You can also
rent or purchase a light box, but they are expensive and health insurance companies do not usually cover them. While side effects are minimal with light therapy, be cautious if you have sensitive skin or a history of bipolar disorder.

Source: Web MD: http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/seasonal-affective-disorder