Giving Voice to Mental Illness

I haven’t been sleeping well lately. And after several nights of limited rest, I finally figured out why. This realization led me to think deeply about Bright Line Eating’s approach towards acknowledging and supporting mental illness. Watch the vlog to hear all about it.


Comments

  1. Oreeia

    You are making a diffrence in people’s life, Susan .
    You touched, moved, and inspired me!
    Thank you!
    You are awesome 👏💕

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  2. Brenda Nelson

    This video is a bit abstruse in places, but it could be a good jumping off place.

    All weight problems and mental health problems will melt before a growing understanding of one’s own Inner Being. I can’t recommend it enough as a companion to this diet program or efforts to become mentally healthy.

    Watch “Abraham Hicks What Is Your Inner Being” on YouTube

    https://youtu.be/dEy0zZcE700

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  4. Brenda Nelson

    I heard you say two opposing things, Susan. ” I had clinincal depression last winter.” And ” I told everyone that my [sic*] depression went away when I did the BLE program, and thats true.” So which is it?

    *Saying my [ anything bad] claims it as yours and holds it to you. Not recommended.

    Medical science believes that physical problems (e.g. weight, illness ) have physical causes and physical cures…ONLY. Not true. All of our problems are psychospiritual at the root…and the ONLY way to truly cure them permanently, is psychospiritually. But your diet, paired with psychospiritual work seems perfect to me.

    IMHO, the only thing you need thats missing, Susan, is your Inner Being. Thats the support you’re craving. Thats the support I was craving. And , once found , all the addictions…marriage, food, work, substances begin to melt away. See Abraham Hicks on YouTube for more on Inner Being.

    Also, many Eastetn cultures consider waking at about 3:00 a.m. natural for people who meditate. Its the perfect time for meditation they believe. I have found this so in my life for the past 30 years. I’m 75.

    Check out my post on FB about BLE and you. Its just my opinion.

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  5. Krista Karp

    I thank you gratefully for being so transparent and willing to help remove the stigma of mental illness. I felt a lot of shame because most of the bright lifers I knew went off all meds when they lost the weight, so I did. I felt like something was really wrong that I never got the happy part of “happy, thin and free”. I have resisted antidepressants ever since thinking my body won’t need it when there isn’t sugar or flour in my system. Wrong. If you can be so vulnerable and honest, then I can too. I am going to get back on them. Thank you.

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  6. hannah bolte

    thank you, susan. i needed to hear this. i’ve been off my meds for nearly a year, but the stress of covid is catching up with me. numerous friends had begged me to reconsider my meds, but i’d been steadfast in my refusal (which had nothing to do with anything you’ve ever said). this vlog just happened to come out the day before a regularly scheduled appointment with my psychiatrist. i listened to your words, and the next day i agreed to go back on a very low dose. as a direct result of your vlog, i now have some hope that soon i will again feel joy at living.

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  7. Kate McGarry

    BRAAAAVO WOMAN! ONCE AGAIN…bringing it with vulnerability courage truth and compassion and ACCOUNTABILITY as the bench marks. BLE is a miracle and even though I don’t follow rigorously at the moment, the principles give me peace and guide me throughout the day. The anxiety has never gone away but having BLE support is sooo helpful. and being able to count on you for truth is a deep precious well.

    in gratitude

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  8. Sophie

    Dear Susan ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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  9. Sherill

    Thank you for your honesty and your vulnerability, I’m glad you have recognized the signs of depression/mania and are asking for more help.

    My adult daughter and I both have bipolar disorder, so what you describe is very familiar to me. In the past we have both been on medication. At this time we are managing well with lifestyle changes (including BLE), and we have each given the other permission to speak up if we see signs of mania or depression in the other. We are giving each other extra support during this difficult COVID time.

    I hope you have someone who has permission to point out to you if you are diverging from the track of mental health. Sometimes a loved one can see it before we do.

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  10. Peggy Chapaman

    Thank you for this vlog. I have greatly benefited from BLE over the past 16 mo, shedding almost 50 #. Learning the brain science of food addiction was an “Eureka” moment for me. Many of my relatives suffer from major mood disorders. I am an advanced psychiatric nurse who prescribes psychiatric medication. I promote good nutrition, a healthy life style and use supplements with my patients. I often wish it was 25 years from now when everyone suffering from mental illness could enter a brain scanner and see the picture of their brain’s disrupted neural pathways that are leading to their symptom. These scans are done now but most are only used in research. Mental illness is neuro chemically created, not a character issue as so much of our society insists on pushing on us. I often ask my patients to think of what their lives would be like without glasses if they needed them. They would cope and live life but not live the life that they could lead when they put their glasses on. I am often embarrassed by what I see other prescribers do to their patients with medication choices and the lack of monitoring the very real negative side effects that can occur with these medications. But I am reminded every time I turn on the TV recently that medications for symptoms like psoriasis can maim and kill as well. Somehow we blame psychiatric medication side effects in a harsh way that we never do for medications for other conditions. But Susan has reminded me of our bizzare thinking at times: a person would rather face a leg removal or their chest cut open for heart surgery than give up sugar and flour!

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  11. Cass barrett

    Thank you, thank you,
    Ahhhh…now I’ll / can rezoom. With different knowledge and expectations.
    once I stop crying.
    Cass 💕

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  12. Candy

    Thank you for your acknowledgement of the struggle. I respect so much! Your work and opinions on subjects that have plagued my life. I am a bright life continuous trier. I was successful with your program and it really resignates with me. But Ive struggled with clinical depression and CPTSD recently and have a hard time climbing back up the steps into that nmf wagon. I love the support you give in the boot camp. It helps to know it will pass and to use bunny slippers. I take advantage of all the tools you offer in hopes to gain some personal power over my life. With the mental illness, it pretty much makes the rules. I am on
    meds and taking your positive psychology class in the bright line mind and I have to say I have learned so much during this class. Some days I struggled to keep on top of the lectures and assignments, But over all I have been blessed to gain so much from it. Thank you for your compassion and strength. Its a powerful example of what we CAN do still. Even in the midst of a debilitating illness. You are Such a gift to many!! Thank you for living your life in a way to give others hope and new direction. Forever grateful. ((Hugs)))

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    1. Bright Line Eating

      Thank you, Candy. Stay close to the mothership and just keep showing up. We’ll be here for you. ❤️

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  13. Katen

    Susan. Omg I love you so much! I am feeling just wierd, kind of down, not driven like usual person that I am. I am not a BLE person but you inspire me so much and I listen to you often. This is exactly what I needed to hear today!! Thank you for being so honest and open.

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  14. Sheila

    Thank you for this message . I am experiencing the exact same. I don’t sleep, I gave away so much money with impulsiveness…it’s like I am just buffering

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    1. Bright Line Eating

      Oh, sending you healing thoughts, Sheila. Hang in there. Reach out for help if you need it. 🧡

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  15. Carol.

    Thank you for your honesty, brilliant mind, outgoing ability to speak about mental illness in yourself, glad you are pursuing your own care.
    Love you big bunches.

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  16. Nicole M Hilton

    Thank you for being such an honest soul, Susan. For constantly holding up a mirror before yourself and asking, “what can I do now to help these people and show them I care?” I feel it. I’ve attempted suicide three times and have DID, among other things. I’m so grateful for the bright line plan and for the light you are. Keep on hanging in there and know that we WOULD miss you if you were gone. Love Nicole

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  17. Jennifer Jones

    Thank you for this video. It made me cry the tears of being seen. I have also recently been through a phase of what I would call death obsession. Not suicidal but preoccupied with death. I also have felt everything is meaningless. It’s so hard because I quit drinking and went WFPB thinking that would solve everything and still the depression hangs on. I had hoped to get off my medications and instead I’ve had to increase the dose. I hate the feeling of this illness being my partner for life.

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  18. jessi

    As someone who was diagnosed with different diagnoses of ‘mental illness’, among which bipolar and schizo-affective disorder, please realize that medication itself can alter the brain and cause it to reproduce the ‘symptoms of mental illness’ that it was originally prescribed for. I know this sounds strange but, see for example ‘Anatomy of an Epidemic’ by R. Whitaker, who dug out this information and plowed through tons of scientific literature.
    In a way psych meds are even ‘addictive’ in that sense that if you go off them (especially if you do so rapidly, which is NOT advised!) the brain needs to completely rewire and recover. Which is why it’s very hard to come off them and coming off the meds often means that the old symptoms re-occur; not necessarily because the person is sick, but because their brain can’t handle the change.
    So if a person cannot come off the medication easily, that has to do with a lot more than ‘illness’. Please be careful Susan talking positively about psychiatric meds. They may work well for a few years and then only increase the problems severely.
    Personally I feel that ‘mental illness’ is totally the wrong word for what is really going on for many people. Often it is a combination of trauma, sensitivity and lack of certain skills that causes what psychiatry calls ‘mental illness’. A lot more than ‘just’ medication or ‘just’ a change in diet is usually needed.

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  19. Karen Madzia

    Oh, my………
    You spoke to my heart, again, SPT!
    I’m sitting here bawling my eyes out (what a weird saying, dontchathink!?) and letting the feelings flow through me that I have been struggling to effectively manage for what seems like most of my nearly 60 years. I’ve been on meds for anxiety/depression for nearly half of those years. You saved my life by writing a book that helped me lose 50 pounds (so far! Will re-zoom soon!). I’ve been off all of my meds (for diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol , anxiety and depression) for the past two months. My 83 year old father has repeatedly been suggesting I go back on them. I’m not yet ready to do that….but my emotional response to this week’s vlog is motivating me to clean up my lines first, and then assess next steps. Thank you allowing your HP to work through you! You are a gift. And I love you!

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  20. Fay Thompson

    Dear Susan. Thank you so much for this vlog. I had tears in my eyes by the end. I realised something . I have an extended family who are all super moderate people, so non-addictive that I sometimes feel I’ve dropped into their midst from a different planet. I’m going to stay with one if them, my aunt, next week and I realised that for the longest time I have believed that they look down on me because of my addictions. I must add that the thought originates entirely in my head; they have only ever been lovely to me. So I thank you for your vlog which gave so much but in particular sparked a realisation..

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  21. Karen

    Thank you. So true for those of us who still need the meds and had our lines bright as ever.

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  22. Tanya Sisson

    This really isn’t my place to ask this but disregarding that and asking anyway lol. Are you sure this isn’t being caused by a hormonal imbalance? I started going through perimenopause in my 40’s and the most annoying symptom was my inability to sleep through the night. I had always been a great sleeper before then. Anyway, wishing you the best and hope it is resolved soon. Hugs.

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  23. Lina

    I thought I could beat depression with meditation and positive thinking but inter end went on antidepressants and they saved me.

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  24. Stephen Burgess

    Thanks for speaking from your heart, you have my thoughts and prayers.
    Stephen

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  25. Bev

    Thank you, thank you,thank for this vlog. I will also say a prayer for you.

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  26. Bonnie

    I sensed something was wrong last September during one of your “personal” vlogs. At that time I thought perhaps you were depressed since you talked about needing to be “introverted.” I was amazed at how many people commented above about depression/anxiety within their families. My mother, grandmother (and possibly great-grandmother), aunts and several cousins have been diagnosed with depression. I, too, have been on anti-depression and anti-anxiety meds for the past 20+ years. In fact, my first clue that something wasn’t quite right was 9 months of insomnia before I sought help, usually only getting 2-4 hours of sleep at night. I was perimenopausal at the time. I’ve tried weaning myself off the meds a couple of times but the results were disastrous. I maintain my meds regimen so I feel good EVERY day. There is not a one-size-fits-all solution but it helps knowing how many of us have these issues. You, too, will find resolution and peace. Thanks for the insightful vlog.

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  27. Anice Curlis

    Hi Susan, I am so grateful for your honesty, your insights, your genuineness. I don’t know if you understand the impact you have on the BLE community. It is far deeper than the food.
    I pray that you gain peace around your mental health issues. Your strength and courage will surely stand with you during your time of reflection and obtaining the support that you need at this time.
    Our younger daughter Donna had schizoaffective disorder. A terrible condition that she fought for 17 years. We loved her dearly but that was just not enough.
    However you have great insight into many aspects of your life, and the current concerns are just another hurdle to climb. Keep climbing Susan and if you get too tired to climb, just hang on and take a rest while you regain your strength. Sending you all my love and gratitude.
    Anice Curlis

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  28. Laura

    Thank you Susan. Had a good cry after watching this. Your commitment on honest and genuine is amazing! And courageous. 🙏🙏

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  29. Susan MS Goldstein

    Dear, Dear Susan-

    You who have offered this enormous, beautiful community so very much, who have bravely put one foot in front of the other creating a world-wide community in a domain that did not exist, are also brave enough to share this poignant and very personal Vlog on mental illness! I cannot tell you how much I respect you!!

    Sending hugs and love and white light to you and each of us on our journeys,
    Susie
    “Susan M S Goldstein on Facebook

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  30. Kitty Katz

    Thank you so much for this. I’ve been thinking about asking you to help those of us who find ourselves in a place where we have very little control over our food, particularly those in medical or psychiatric hospitals, assisted living facilities, or even jails/prisons. We’re probably a small group, but maybe more than you would expect. Feel free to contact me for more specific details.

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  31. Shirley Ammeter

    My dear Susan,I don’t know what I would do without You, BLE , your weekly Vlog . You are an inspiration to so many people in need of guidance. I love listening to you, and the interesting words you share with all of us. I have a daughter that has anxiety, and has struggled. She is on medication and is doing awesome. She is now talking about going on BLE. Praise the Lord. You tell us how much you love us, well the feeling is ten fold. Love you , God bless you and thank you from the bottom of my heart for being in my life. .❤️

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  32. Marilyn Lowry

    Susan, thank you so much for your discussion of mental illness. I have a friend who is truly opposed to any type of medication, and I have felt judged by anything I had to take to manage my depression and high blood pressure. I wrote to you a while back and thanked you for your insistence that Bright Line Eating could bring about weight loss without exercise. All I have ever gotten from fitness people and doctors is that I must exercise to lose weight, and it was so discouraging to me since I had a stroke 4 years ago that has left me with mobility issues no matter how much rehab and treatment I received. I am very limited as to my capability of walking and exercising, to the point that I gave up on losing any weight. I have never been overweight, but I was always active and cannot be now. I WISH THAT YOU WOULD ADDRESS THOSE OF US WHO ARE ALSO LIMITED BY MOVEMENT AND FURTHER ENCOURAGE ANY OLDER OR HANDICAPPED PEOPLE TO TRY THE BRIGHT LINE EATING PROGRAM TO OVERCOME ANY WEIGHT PROBLEMS THEY MAY HAVE. AS WITH MANY ISSUES, THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO ADDRESS SOLUTIONS…AND THE MORE ACCEPTED AND INCLUDED AND LESS JUDGED PEOPLE FEEL, THE MORE THEY WILL STICK TO A PLAN AND BE SUCCESSFUL! THERE IS NO ONE SIZE FITS ALL…AND WE ALL WANT TO FEEL LOVED, ACKNOWLEDGED, AND INCLUDED…THANK YOU! P.S. I am within 2 pounds of my target weight…all without exercising!!

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    1. Bright Line Eating

      Amazing, Marilyn. Thank you for your input. We hear you. 🧡

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  33. Pat

    Dearest Susan, I feel that what you are experiencing is what is called a Spiritual crisis. So much LOVE. XXX

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  34. Maayan Newman

    Susan, I don’t know how you do it. Every week you show up and have something meaningful to share with the community. This week I had tears in my eyes hearing you share your mental difficulties with us. You are the most real person I know…when you say “I love you” I really believe you. You have a tremendous store of kindness, generousity , humanity and smarts…If I have to give the name of a person I admire it would be yours! I love you

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  35. Beth Kiester

    Thank you for talking about mental illness. I have had a hard time listening to your voice. I sensed an incongruency in your words and your energy.

    I know how hard it is to recognize the problem when you are in it whether it is mania or depression. I am glad you are catching it before it gets out of hand.

    I have had my own struggles with mania and depression. It is good to know that I do not have to hide it from you.

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  36. Claire

    oops-realized I inferred your family history might have been peppered with manic depression like mine is…my apologies-I meant to acknowledge that my family history clued me into the possibility that my depressive episodes were out of the ordinary experience of many people and also made me wonder if you had challenges in this direction.
    I did not mean to bring in genetic speculations on your family tree!
    Many apologies!

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  37. Claire

    Ah Susan-I have wondered for a long time if this was both your curse and your gift. A less cyclic person would not have the energy to pull it all off. Bless David and others for your amazing “safety net.” We can be challenging to live with-yet often enormously imaginative, authentic and refreshing….he hee-the authenticity sometimes gets me into a bit of hot water…

    That said-I too-have extensive psychotic manic depression in my genetic history ( every generation), and suspicioned “non-psychotic” levels of it in myself since my late teens-those long stretches of debilitating depression that only having something to be responsible for- kept me from going totally down the rabbit hole.
    My own experience was years of trying various herbs etc when I’d get the “doesn’t matter anyway tireds”, melatonin and herbal thyroid support helped me the most-St. John’s Wort helped my sister-but made me feel like I was on too much caffeine.
    I did a stint on a very small dose of an anti-depressent-and it took me about 12 hours to notice it’s effects-not three weeks. I called it my ‘flat line” weeks-where I wasn’t happy, I wasn’t sad, I wasn’t anything-so I cut the dose in half, then every other day-then went off of it after 8 weeks feeling ever so relieved to have my authentic emotional state back-but-also then:

    FINALLY forgiving myself for having these mood swings and energy swings as a brain chemical state that I had little actual “control” over experiencing, as attempts at positive thinking-meditation- counseling- resting- becoming more busy whatever it was DID NOT WORK. I would be one way one moment-and the next-would feel a whole lot more “functionally normal” or the reverse.

    That self forgiveness went a long way to dis-engaging my self flaggelation, which helped more than any other piece, and kept it in the perspective of a body process that just needed to be gotten through-and not necessarily something that was going to magically go away with adjusted habits. I adopt this mind set with injuries, virus’s, exhaustion, and special events.

    Getting past menopause helped immensely. My hormonal life was not much of a mental health ally and it could be what is making this time more difficult for you-as it sometimes starts over years till it adjusts to the lower levels of hormonal fluctuations.

    Bless you for bringing it up in such a kind, and valuable and as usual-humorous where you can put it-format. I am now in my 60’s and experience more like your great “rezoom” models in my moods rather than the yipp yipp yippeeeeeeeeee followed by the “oh crap here I go again!” sort of steep inclines and declinations. I feel so blessed! Not having the rebound energy is sometimes irritating-but in the scheme of things-so much nicer than the horrible lows.

    Good friends and family are priceless. Children in particular-will call you on any stuff with clarity and amazing insight. By all means-listen to the response of your body and mind as you try anything to help keep you on a more reasonable “track”.

    For some-this does mean life long medication and for others it means occasional medication, “rezooming” on better habits yet again and again-with other tools in the tool box of herbs, counseling, rest and rejuvenation time-whatever it takes. For me-the hallmark became if I was starting to spiral after a week… I’d give myself a week as sometimes we truly are just worn out, tired, or have legitimate reason to be overwhelmed and sad…I’d start on the evening melatonin, I’d go have a good cry-even though I had NO idea what it was about, I’d re-assess my diet, and try to get to bed at a better hour (my buggerboo). In my mid forties-I was finally put on a very low dose of Armour thyroid which helped immensely as well.

    In perspective-these are the experiences that bring forth such fruition of who we are-treat them all with the kindness, curiosity and compassion that we would give someone else, and the listening skill to let them have their “say at the table” without allowing them to take over the conversation so to speak. Bless you all for your constant sharing-and intriguing explorations ahead!

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    1. Bright Line Eating

      Wow. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us, Claire. Love to you. 🧡

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  38. Anu Pillay

    Thank you for sharing and for being vulnerable. This makes it easier to hear you. I too have struggled with anxiety and have struggled for years to find the right meds. Together with an amazing psych we have come upon the right dose and meds with least side effects. It is hard work and takes so much energy to stay one stay in control. I find for me acceptance was the hardest. I’m a generally ambitious and motivated person with drive and zeal. Anxiety hit me in the face in my fifties. I think I always had it but was too busy to recognise. With lots of therapy and immense support I’ve come al long way. I have made it my mission to destigmatise meds because for us some of us it has been our saving grace 🙏🏽🙏🏽❤️

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  39. Katie

    THANK YOU Susan. Surprised to hear of your personal mental health problems but I sure can empathise. I spent decades trying to get off of my psychiatric meds once I was doing better and then falling again into deep holes. But no more. I wasted enough of my life to depression. Now I´m on meds long term and life is better.

    Wishing you well in finding a wise psychotherapist and getting support!

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  40. ROSALYN Saddler

    Thank you so much. I needed this today.

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  41. Cheryl GRECO

    My mom died July 20, and I am depressed now too. She was 95 and it was expected, but still hard. Thank you for this talk. My ex had bipolar and that also contributed to my being depressed then. I have been on antidepressants off and on for many years. As you said, we have to be careful about taking and not taking meds.

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  42. Barbara P Meyn

    Dear Susan, thanks for being so candid. Maybe part of the mania & depression could possibly be hormonal related. You are probably premenopausal . I’m glad you are taking care of yourself. Lots of love, Barbara Meyn

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  43. Olga

    Susan thank you for sharing,
    You don’t have to apologize,
    The right time is your soul time,
    And that was yesterday for you,
    Many people and I struggled and still
    with that mind /soul takeover ,
    Every day we have to try and get
    Better, by our thoughts our support
    group,whatever works for
    Each one of us,
    You ,Susan ,are one of my people
    my company through your vlog
    a habit among others who make me
    Feel better just hearing your thoughts
    3 years almost now that accidentally
    found your vlog at you tube,I can’t
    Recall,but something like that,
    It was August my birthday month
    And I did the famous quiz of yours,
    Anyway,I’m 90% sure that you are real
    And not like most of the
    them with the webinars and
    thousands Of bla bla ,
    I’m from Athens Greece I admire
    you a lot , I spoke about you and
    your movement to many of my
    People,
    Hope your books Soon be translate
    in Greek too ,
    Wish you the best , we’re inspired by
    you,keep breathing,
    Big 🤍 love from Greece
    Olga C Exarchos

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  44. Marietta

    Transparent, brilliant, painful, beautiful, thanks for giving voice to a hard topic in such a real, lovely way. I am so thankful to have found BLE, wow, just wow. With love and gratitude

    ML

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  45. Meade Scrimsher

    Susan-thank you so much for writing this. I have been seriously clinically depressed this summer even though I’m already on medication. I. Have pushed away most of my support group and my food is a mess. My mastermind group is my lifeline to BLE. When going through periods like this-what do you recommend to get back on track? I desperately want to be well. I want to be bright. But I don’t know how to do that when I can barely function at home. I am still functioning at work-but barely. Being an ICU nurse is extra stressful during these times. I had only heard your narrative of being bright helped you get off meds-something I have desperately wanted but I’m not sure is an option for me. Thank you so much for changing that narrative. I just went up on my meds and have been feeling like a failure. Thank you for your recognition.

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  46. Nancy W. Goss

    Just reading comments above shows the overwhelming need to have addressed this issue. Be well!

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    1. Lisa

      Yes. I’m so glad the BLE movement (and Susan) have acknowledged the need to be inclusive and welcoming of all abilities.

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  47. Jody Evans

    I understand and have experienced the stealth like quality of reoccurring depression. It can sneak up quickly and plant itself even if we are vigilante in keeping an eye out for it. I have been fortunate (so far) in being able to manage my experience of this disease using skills from DIalectical Behaviour Therapy, knowing full well that I can never ‘get cocky’, as you say in BLE.
    Kudos to you Susan for your transparency and humility around this disease. Thank you for bringing your ‘humanness’ to this work.

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  48. Anne

    Thank you. Those of us who struggle with weight are also in the different shades of trauma, depression, addiction, mania and depression. Glad you talked about it as it’s a subject we still have difficulty acknowledging. It is a matter that we cloud over with denial, or lack of recognition and lack of acceptance. Again thank you.

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  49. Julia Richardson

    Great vlog Susan. Thank you for your realness and vulnerability as ever. I too have mental illness in the form of depression. And yes eating this way with Bright Line Eating makes some wonderful differences in my life, in terms of being in a healthy right sized body and maintaining that for nearly 9 months now after being in big numbers most of my adult life. And it helps with my thinking, with clarity and gratitude and all of those things. And I work hard at it. I practice a programme of recovery. But I am still taking the medication. Recently I decided it would be a good idea to try to come of the medication. I tried to do it with the right support, tapering and practicing plenty of self care. And I just couldn’t do it. I felt like I’d failed. That I just want doing something right. But that was also part of the illness. Now I am back on the dose I need. Feel more grounded. My creativity and centred self is back. My brain seems to need the medication. I don’t entirely like that about myself but it is true. We all perpetuate the stigma by wanting to escape from the medication. I agree with everything you say in the vlog. It can be over prescribed. Its not always a thoughtful prescription. But for some, maybe many, of us it is necessary. Our brains just need that extra serotonin or whatever to function as our best selves. That seems to be the case for me anyway. So I am sending love and undesrttnading and 100% support for you going through this. Thank you for your amends I appreciate it personally. And I value your courage in showing up right where you are. Love you Susan.

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  50. Mary Palafox

    This video has been long overdue. Many times i thought you (and Everett) had minimized the severity of mental illness for those that have more moderate to severe cases (esp those that experience psychosis or mania). All illness is on a spectrum, and mental illness (which is neurological brain illness), like diabetes, can be mild, moderate and severe. Many think “mental illness” is just psychology, emotional issues or one’s “mind health”. Its not. Depending on the diagnosis It can be a very complex set of neurological symptoms that impairs insight, cognition and consciousness. Some can be especially vulnerable to “quick fixes” or going off medications that ends up severely compromising their wellbeing. leaving them vulnerable to suicide, hospitalization, homelessness, and being arrested. The biggest mistake is when people think “one size fits all”. and compares their health to someones elses. We don’t do this with any other organ of the body. We understand varying degrees of heart, lung, and infectious diseases, but when it comes to acute /chronic brain illness, or injury the public is severely uneducated.

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  51. Katerina Z Seligman

    You are a courageous woman Susan to share with us so honestly about your struggles! THANK YOU!

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  52. Sibel Arikan

    You are so authentic and open and honest. I had tears in my eyes as I watched you blog this morning. You are really wonderful and I thank you for being you😊👍❤️

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  53. Margaret Drumm

    Thank you for your honesty. I have a close friend who is trying to solve her depression with diet, and a daughter who is just beginning to seek help for her depression. It is helpful to hear that diet alone is not enough, so that I can be a better support.

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  54. John Rise

    Hey Susan as someone who has been very healthy and studied natural forms of healing like massage and counselling , also having been a former tennis coach and a fairly healthy guy in general , I have experienced a breakdown twice in my journey of life when my father and two uncles died suddenly under the age of fifty, and with some professional help and support and occasional monitoring of my progress I honestly found two things helped the most on a mental emotional and physiological level which were a book called , Optimal nutrition for the Mind by a excellent holistic healer named Patrick Holford who taught me what mental emotional health issues really are and arise from and how to treat them holistically with food choices and supplements and lifestyles changes ! It’s amazing Susan and been the best book I’ve ever read on this aspect of the subject , so as a big fan of yours and your groundbreaking work and research and someone’ who cares cause some of your teaching have answered my prayers , and I’ve never seen a better healer on food addiction issues that yourself and your teachings have been the most helpful to me than almost anything else I’ve done , I wanted to share this insight with you , blessings and prayers 🙏 and lots of love for you’re own healing and liberation in life and love from within ! I wish you the best in your healing and character development as quite often we are tested for this in a healing journey through life and I’ve also come to realise there is such a thing as a good depression in life and this usually is the stimulus and impetus for us to go and grow deeper from within to heal and transform areas of ourself or lives we may want to improve or when things are going so great in our lives and we’re not used to it and it can feel somewhat overwhelming too , as much success and joy in life can be also challenging and sometimes difficult as well as amazing and wonderful at the same time ! As the Buddhist lama who taught me in Australia calls it the rise and fall of emotions and how to let go or learn to detach throughout either phase to deal with and handle them most effectively and peacefully in life! Also the Chinese philosophy on emotions that too much joy can sometimes be as challenging as too little and we sometimes have challenges when we either can’t move out of joy into other emotions so well or can’t move into it so well from other emotions! So just
    a short email that turned into a novel ! I hope you find this of some benefit on your journey as it right now ! Sincerely best wishes from john rise from Australia 🇦🇺! 🤗 ! Also my own quote on mental health and healing for me goes like this “ Healing from Mental (Emotional) illness , It takes everything you’ve got and You’ve got everything it takes ! Same applies for recovery sometimes huh ? Passionate peace and compassion, to you Susan !

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  55. cecily hunter

    I, too, suffer from Bipolar II. I was on meds for mood stabilization and for depression for several years. I did get off of them successfully in my late thirties and managed with CBT and exercise, and therapy. But, I will say that it got pretty bad during peri-menopause, which you may be in. My sleep got terrible for several years, as did my bouts of depression. But, after menopause it has eased up. My sleep is pretty good, and my depressed episodes are shorter and not usually debilitating.
    I hope you can find some help, and support. Mental illness is so painful, and so isolating.

    I am on day 3 of BLE and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your honest engagement, and for your open heart.

    Sending you mush love, Cecily

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  56. Nancy Arvold

    I’m a psychologist – and have a history of Bipolar II as well , so recognize hypo mania – I don’t think you owe an apology at all – it is hard to notice – and I think in today’s world we are all impacted by so many things that are traumatic. Give yourself a break and be gentle with yourself. And your candidness is lovely.

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  57. Not the only one

    Thank you for this. I have had depression since I was 8, and have been on antidepressants since my twenties (I wish I had agreed to it sooner but I was stubborn and times were different). I have been on BLE since 2016 but have only ever gotten halfway to goal despite never breaking flour or sugar and being perfect on all lines for over two years. I am a 27 BMI and down 40 pounds yet still have high blood pressure and prediabetes and polycystic ovary and many other health issues. I wanted to be off all but have actually had to add some since starting BLE. My depression has been back terribly since January and I am often suicidal. I have felt judged by others in the BLE community for taking medications and for not reaching goal, as if I just need to try harder. I have been absent from the online community because I felt so judged. Depression is very real and I am so sick of hearing I just need to cut dairy or grains or red meat and then I will finally lose the last 30 pounds and be off all my meds.

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  58. Claudia Brauer

    Thank you, Susan, for sharing your vulnerability in public. We still have so much stigma around mental illness, that isolation is many times the accepted social norm. This vblog is more tumely than you could ever imagine.

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  59. Antoinette

    Thank you for being very honest and open about mental illness.
    THANK YOU!!
    We are all in this together!
    Your honesty and compassion resonates with me.

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  60. Tina

    I meant to say Nitric Oxide not Acid . Cardio Miracle looks great as far as supplements go. I just want to maintain my happy weight.

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  61. Dee

    Hey Susan. First and foremost, congratulation on your anniversary. That is quite an accomplishment. I hope you read this. Not to minimize the mental health aspect at all, but it may be useful for you to look at your neck and upper back musculature. It seems tight and when you said about the chiropractor, I figured you have trouble. It almost sounds like you may have had flare up of your previous head/neck injury from when you fell maybe adding to this problem. Any head or upper body and neck trauma, even a slight one can reflare, for lack of a better word, a previous TBI. Monitor sunlight in the eyes for a while and notice if you’ve had any headaches. Be careful with the chiropractors. Unless they do a lot of tissue work. Went to them for better part of forty years and finally realized it didn’t really help. My body just couldn’t handle the jarring anymore. Might have gotten some toxins in your food. Even the best of food is potentially being grown in less than optimal soil and could have some contamination. Drink some distilled water for about a week and do a detox. Love ya.

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  62. Mari Dominguez

    Good on you, Susan. I am a nurse studying to be a psychiatric nurse practitioner. I struggle with mental health issues in my family and within myself. It’s so hidden, yet this is everywhere, all around us. No judgment is key. So many external forces in our lives seem to blow oxygen on those flames of self and other judgment. Thank you for your honest compassion.

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  63. MARGARET TURK

    This is the flip side of depression and it is just as dangerous as depression. If you were having a heart attack would you treat it with food while you are having it. No you would get medical help. After you get medical help you would eat the best diet to prevent a future heart attack.

    I say it again. I am very worried about you. If you are in a major manic episode treat it as you would a heart attack and get medical help as soon as possible so it is not so severe. As I said both my son and I have this and know how dangerous this condition can be left untreated!

    This said you will need someone to advocate for you to get the help you need. The system waits too long to give people proper care. They will tell you see your doctor and try to treat yourself at home. Tell them if you were having a heart attack would you treat your self at home. Mental illness is still not very well understood. I would demand a Spect Scan because they can see what is going on in your brain and how to best treat it.

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  64. Tina

    Thank you for addressing mental illness. Great Vlog.
    Are you familiar with Cardio Miracle(supplement) that Dr. Christian Northrop is promoting? It adds Nitric acid to your body for 12 hours. I am 61 yrs old and feel that that would be good for me. Would it mess up my Bright LInes? I have lost 50 pounds since Jan 28!! Thank you for saving my life!!

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  65. Elisabeth Handler

    Susan, I am just starting to pull myself back from five months of real torment, especially around food. I have been in therapy for years, and was just starting to move into a whole new, positive way of living and appreciating myself when COVID hit. The quarantine and the fear and the loneliness and the fear of deprivation and of worldwide disaster just did me in. My Indulger just got on board and rode the fear train for week after week. I am finally, with much effort, finding my way out of this and back to Bright Lines. But it’s been about mental health every step of the way. Thanks for this blog. It really resonated.

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  66. Debra Adams

    Thank you, Susan , for sharing your story. Twenty + years of diagnosed clinical depression taught me to be more open about my illness without feelings of shame. It’s surprising to me how many people I know are being treated for varied levels of depression. I’ve never been in a support group, but I imagine that could be an additional helpful resource provided to the BLE community.

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  67. Sharon Peck

    Wow Susan. You are one amazing woman. I’m not a Bright Liner but i love your vlogs.

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  68. Jack Junior Pullin

    Thank you Susan for the talk I eat organic as much as possible, have trouble sleeping,work out with the weights, do yoga a little not like I did 20 years ago at 70 you have to do what you can .I appreciate your talk, Good Luck,Stay Well, with love,Jack

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  69. Diane

    Yay, way past time the BLE acknowledges that following your bright lines is not a panacea for every condition that people have. I was diagnosed with epilepsy a year ago and had someone flat out tell me that if I followed a keto plan within BLE guidelines, I should be able to ditch my meds. Easy for them to say, they didn’t have to deal with the fallout of a skull fracture, bleed and air on the brain and then in another episode a fractured collarbone and stitches in my forehead. It’s encouraging that diversity of mental health is being spoken about in this forum. Treating people with a mental health challenges differently is a bias, just as it is for treating able bodied and disabled body people differently. I applaud Susan for talking openly about her struggle. Humanity, not just this community, would be better off to be accepting of self and others, however they are mentally, physically and spiritually. We do not all need to be the same and withholding acceptance because people are different, is cruel and disrespectful. Kindness and compassion rule!

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    1. Lisa

      Well said Diane. This is not just about us an individuals, but also how we are accepting and inclusive of others and all experiences. Any program or community needs to keep looking at ability bias.

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  70. J

    Its scary how timely your blogs are. Thanks.

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  71. Michele Metz

    Dear Susan, You will feel better. It is hard. It might take time. You are going to get better. Thank you for your vlog.
    “Better Living Through Kale” was what I said to a therapist in April 2017 when I explained why I had gone off my anti-depressant (and happened to be barely functioning at that moment). On his advice and that of another therapist, I resumed the anti-depressant that month–and have been on it ever since– that is MY crystal vase.
    It is not a personal failing– for anyone– to take medication.
    We do get to feel better with the right kinds of help. We all deserve it.
    You WILL FEEL BETTER.

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  72. Sarah Katzin

    Thank you for your bravery in shooting this vlog. I have had several episodes of hypomania myself. I have taken medication and been weaned off it, but after it happened again, I decided to rather be safe than sorry and stay on a maintenance dose even though I am doing well on BLE. Mental illness runs in my family. My mother suffered from severe bipolar disorder and it was excruciatingly hard growing up with her. A few of my adult children have mental illness. It is something I have had to accept, even though my heart aches for the people who suffer. For me, if medication can help me, I look at it as a tool for which I am grateful.

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  73. Tara

    Susan, I started this program nexus of a friend. I went through, or am going through the boot camp right now. You know what ?!? You just made this REAL for me. You did. You are a real person, with real struggles. We all are. But you have probably opened more doors than you realize.
    Thanks for being brave. Thanks for trusting…us.
    Onward and upward…. but I’m right now looking for Onward and downward (LOL) and it’s happening in just 4 days. I feel promise. I feel hope and now more than ever before dieing and chamfer “these” habits… I’m feeling… less alone.
    With love,
    Tara

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  74. Tracy Stewart

    Thank you so much Susan for your open discussion and apology to clients with mental health challenges. Approximately 1/3 of my family has bipolar disorder and I’ve watched them struggle over many years. And one of the biggest struggles is the shame of not being able to fix it on their own without medications. So, I know that this vlog is hugely healing and beneficial. Your honesty will probably save lives. Bless you for being your authentic, honest self. I love you too.

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  75. Kelli

    Susan, this is why I think you are such an exceptional human. When you learn about something and know that you can do better, instead of doing what many public people do, which is to be prideful and not want to acknowledge things that may have been not quite on the money… you accept that you are not perfect (as none of us are) and do better when you know better. I love you Susan. Truly. You are a tremendous human being and I’m proud of you. I was one who was worried about the clean lines = no depression connection. I’ve struggled with it as a co-morbid condition of chronic migraine, which also does not subside no matter how I eat. Both are diseases that have to be treated differently for each patient but that doesn’t mean the advice isn’t great to get your diet as clean and in check as possible. There is no question that this is critical to treating chronic illness. But for many, when they have the expectation that doing those things will set them free from the illness and it doesn’t, it’s devastating and they feel shame because they are back to the pharmaceuticals again. I’m not one of those anymore. Thankfully, I’m past that phase of life and have learned that the pharmaceuticals are just a necessity for my life. If I don’t stay on a low dose SSRI, I am plagued with periods like yours, of wanting to die because my life is not worth living and no one really cares and the pain is too much to bear. But with them, I’m evened out and see joy in every day. I don’t know why this happens to us, but I’m not going to live like that. I refuse to. I love my life as I know you do. We don’t have to be in that kind of dark pain emotionally. It will drag you into a deep dark hole it becomes very hard to get out of. And that’s when it gets scary.

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  76. Wanice Mottola

    Bright Line Eating is a low-fat diet, and low-fat diets are linked to mood disorders. It’s especially important to eat Omega 3 fats, which come mainly from animal foods, so if you’re a vegetarian, that can make it worse. If you research the link between fat consumption and depression, you will find many articles. Here’s one:
    https://www.runnersworld.com/nutrition-weight-loss/a20796499/the-surprising-link-between-fat-consumption-and-depression/

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    1. Susan Peirce Thompson

      Hi Wanice.
      Thanks for your comment. And, I just want to inquire about your cutoff for a “low-fat” diet.
      I’ve been eating this way for over seventeen years and have plugged my daily food consumption (whether I was omnivore at the time, or WFPB, or eating my fat servings as oil and butter or olives and avocados) into numerous tracking systems over the years and the % of calories from fat hovers in the 20-40% range, depending on the specific choices I make for each food category. By my standards that’s not “low” at all. The plan can be ADAPTED to be low fat if someone wants, just like it can be adapted to be keto or paleo or whatever, but as it stands it’s what I would call a balanced macro plan, neither high-fat nor low-fat.
      Offered with love,
      Susan

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  77. Valerie

    Bless your heart, Susan , for shooting and sharing this vlog. Thank you for your transparency and your open heart. What you just shared is helpful not only to those dealing with their own mental illness, but also to close family members, who are often also greatly impacted by a loved one’s process. xoxox Valerie xoxox

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  78. John S. Barry

    I am reading a new book on food and what it does to you. I am only a quarter of the way through the book but it is really changing my ideas on food and eating. Your bright line eating HAS been part of the changes I have gone through mostly because of the Covid thing and basically self isolating for the Covid bug ( for months now ) that has changed my eating habits. Feeling SO much better now.
    I know what you are gong through I spent 13 years looking after my demented mother as she slipped into Alzheimer’s. There was NO escape. Then after she died in 2013 the psychiatrist would NOT admit I might possibly have PTSD ( only soldiers get PTSD, according to him ). His decision cost me $30,000. A couple of months ago something in my brain went CLICK and now I feel like I did more than 20 years ago before all the bad cess happened. SO WONDERFUL.
    At least I believe in you and know you will get through it if you just keep shuffling. As for bad psychiatrists they will suffer the bad karma they brought on themselves.
    All my best wishes for you, and your family.

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    1. Bright Line Eating

      Oh John, what a painful experience you went through. Thank you for sharing your story with us. 🧡

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  79. Jen Copeland

    Thank you, thank you, thank you for your authenticity and your vulnerability! I absolutely love you and appreciate the difference you are making in the lives of thousands. ❤

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  80. PamW

    Susan, thank you so much for this vlog. You might remember me from Ryan Eliason’s course, or that I once told you that the external examiner for my PhD was Richard Wiseman. What I don’t talk about so much is that I’ve lived with suicidal ideation for as long as I can remember. In fact, I still need to remind myself sometimes that most people want to live….

    Despite this, I’ve achieved quite a lot in life – because you can only die once, and I might as well try this or that other thing first, because you won’t be able to do it afterwards, right? These days I don’t think I’m a danger to myself – if, indeed, I ever was – thanks to many years of counselling and psychotherapy, with a bit of medication along the way. I’m very high-functioning, as the saying goes, and I’ve come to recognise my history as a kind of superpower for coaching people who live with mental ill health, both in my own business and for a local mental health charity.

    I once read (and wish I could remember where) that one in 20 people will have suicidal thoughts at some point in their lifetime. I was shocked that the number was so high, and then I was puzzled about how they could possibly know, since it’s not often talked about. The shame around suicidal ideation is huge, and with good reason – most people want to live! I’m all about helping to end the stigma around mental ill health, and today you gave a big voice to something that’s really close to my heart. I’m deeply grateful to you for that. Thank you so much for being who you are, and doing what you do. I love you.

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  81. Amanda

    Hi Susan, I would like to respectively suggest that perhaps you are deficient in some nutrients, and this may be causing some of your neurological symptoms. I know that you have adopted a vegetarian diet for the last couple years, and it may be that you are lacking in vitamin B12, protein, omega 3s, etc. Too little of these essential nutrients may impact your mental health negatively. Some people just do not thrive on a vegetarian diet; speaking from experience, I was one of them. I am now what I would refer to as an ‘ethical omnivore’, choosing my meat, dairy, and egg sources very carefully from regenerative, sustainable farms. Just some food for thought for you.

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  82. Allyson

    May I encourage you and others to explore Dr. Kelly Brogan’s work with nutrition. She is a psychiatrist that no longer prescribes psychotropic drugs. None. She just published a study, randomized, placebo controlled called: The Efficacy of mulitmodal online lifestyle intervention for depressive symptoms and quality of life in individuals with a history of major depressive disorder. The results are so amazing. I encourage you to visit her Vital Life Reset Project……This could be the piece that people can add to accomplish their drug free return to owning your own mind. The results speak for themselves.

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    1. Amanda

      Thank you for mentioning that, Allyson, I was thinking the same thing to suggest to Susan!

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  83. Chris

    Thank you Susan for once again being authentic and Real in a world that sometimes doesn’t know what that means.

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  84. Ariann

    Thank you Susan. Chronic Depression runs in my family. I have dealt with it on and off for 50 years. This time of Covid is hard. The world is dealing with chaos and although I have a lot of support and my business is doing well, I feel the stress all around me. I feel the depression and anxiety encroaching on my world. I am self-aware enough at this point to know when I will need to go back on my meds. It is helpful for you to address this issue. So many feel alone at this time. We are all in this together.

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  85. Julia goldstein Goldstein

    Thank you Susan. In 2018 when I joined ble and read and heard you talk about getting off mental health meds as a result of BLE I luckily knew that wasn’t true for me. As I have bipolar disorder and after years and being stable I understood the difference between my eating disorders and bipolar. The same way after years I saw the difference between my PTSD and bipolar. But I am happy that you decided to address this in a vlog and that you were able to see your own symptoms to get help. Lack of insight whether depressed or manic are gall.arjs of the illnesses. It took me a long time abd trial and error to accept that I had bipolar and meds help me. It took me a while to find the right ones but I am glad I stuck with it. I have not had a major episode though a few small ones in 7 years. I have a management plan and know my triggers enough to try to minimize then but know that this is an episodic illness so watch out for it and protect myself as best as I can. Good luck and great job.

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  86. Amanda Boyington-Lippa

    You’re a beautiful soul. Bless you and all your insights. I was very concerned about your “state of mind” back in the winter when you ran home for a respite. I prayed it would be enough. I lost my beloved brother to depression. You’re right none of us truly know what is right for anyone else. I had had such adverse reactions to medication when I had postpartum 17 years ago that when my brother was spiraling down I encouraged him to try everything but medication. Now he is gone and like all suicide its one more “what if” I must live with until the day we are rejoined. I’ll never again encourage or discourage the choice for anyone. After his passing I had years that I spiraled Myself and Spent many days thinking about death. Depression is a monster. I’m happy to say I have come through it and the final switch that was flipped 5 years after his passing was coming to BLE. So my dearest Susan…your life, your work, your beautiful heart truly matters to me. I pray you get all the love and support you need. And if I may be so bold, I’d also like to add that please know we will all be here should you once again need to take a little time away. It’s ok. I give you permission! Lol. Much love t you and yours. Xoxo

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  87. Gayla Gower

    Thank you for your brave honesty, Susan. I’ve taken anxiety meds for 4 years, and after trying to go off them twice and failing miserably, I’ve accepted that I need it indefinitely and will just stay on it. Thank you for sharing your experience. We love you.

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  88. Katie

    Thank you so much for this vlog. I didn’t even know or couldn’t even admit to myself that I had anxiety and depression until I got off of flour and sugar and using food to self-medicate. I had no idea. I have had to go on medication because there hasn’t been enough actions I could take that would counterbalance things for me. I have felt very hurt by the story that eating this way = happy. In some ways, yes. And then other profound ways… not at all. I really really appreciate you sharing this. I would also appreciate a big fat disclaimer on parts work and bright line freedom. I don’t believe that it’s safe for everyone to do without a therapist.

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  89. MARGARET TURK

    Please be very careful right down this is sounding like a manic episode. Do you have a doctor you can talk to? You have a medical condition that can be treated if you catch it early. My son has something as do I we can be talking just like you and within a week I and my son would be in the hospital within the week which is nothing to be ashamed.

    Please please please get to your doctor now. It takes at least two weeks for these meds to take effect. The side effects can be difficult but a full blown manic episode is dangerous as depression can too. It is a disease that can kill you if left untreated.

    Get help NOW. Your life has meaning and you help many people. If you mind is tracking this way you need medical intervention just like someone someone is having a heart attack. You call in the doctor to save your life!!!!!!

    Show this to your husband so he can get you help!!!!!

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  90. jill Carlier

    Thank you for your honesty, dear Susan. Love Jill 💗

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  91. Cindy Hauffe

    Thank you for this. I went off all my meds in November (including 2 antidepressants). My eating has be good & I am finally losing weight-down 33 lbs. But between COVID & my best friend moving away & then dying in June- I find myself w/an online shopping addiction Didn’t know why; but I will look into hypomania as a possibility. Thanks that you care & accept everybody.

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    1. Bright Line Eating

      Sending you love and healing thoughts, Cindy. We’re so sorry for your loss. 🧡

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  92. Ann

    Susan, I appreciate SO much you addressing the issues of mental health in this week’s Vlog. I realized that I have been rather militantly anti – medication, holding myself above those who need meds. Oh, wow. I owe amends, too. All my adult children suffer from some form of mental illness, my niece, my brother-in-law all suffer from depression and I often think (privately) that their troubles would be solved by adopting the BLE life style. This vlog truly opened my eyes to the judgement and wall I’ve had up. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am inspired to love better because of you and the expansive manner in which you share your lived experience. I never imagined that an eating practice would so open my heart. thank you

    Reply ·
    1. Bright Line Eating

      Thank you for being so lovingly open-minded, Ann. 🧡🧡🧡

      Reply ·
  93. Bonnie

    I was in Susan’s second boot camp in Feb 2015 and have been very successful at keeping 50 pounds off for over five years now, yet, I still have struggled with depression and anxiety. It did get better once starting BLE, but it never completely left and then eventually worsened. I have refused to take meds, other than an amino acid supplement that has helped my anxiety tremendously. I can’t recommend highly enough a book by David Burns, MD called “Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy.” He also has a podcast at FellingGood.com. I just discovered these tools a few months ago, but noticed improvement. just from listening to the podcast and hearing about other’s with similar issues. Finally, I want to thank Susan for addressing this issue. People don’t talk about it enough. Those who love us but have never experienced it, don’t understand it and don’t know how to help, not that anyone really can help. Even though I’ve battled depression since I was seven years old, mine got worse when I was right about Susan’s age. I think perimenopause might be a factor in worsening depression for some of us. I wished for death a lot of the time, but still appeared to be functioning to the world. I would never have acted on those feelings, but I had no hope, even as a Christian. Depression robs us of hope and joy. I pray that people with these struggles will look into Dr. Burns’ work. Not everyone can afford to seek help, but a free podcast or a book from the library might save your life. Thank you Susan!

    Reply ·
    1. Jennifer Jones

      Thank you so much for mentioning the perimenopause connection. I am also 46 and it has me wondering if this why my depression has worsens day.

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  94. Steven

    Check out Eckhart Tolle

    Reply ·
  95. Lisa Fieseher

    As a mother of an adult daughter with Schizoaffective disorder, I want to express my deep appreciation for your discussion of mental illness in the BLE community. I am also very impressed with your ability to be honest with yourself, recognize your symptoms, and not trigger a denial part. I reach out to BLE community members who share their challenge of living with mental illness in our Facebook groups. I wish I could do more. I would love to participate in some kind of brainstorming on how those of us affected by mental illness can connect and support each other.

    Reply ·
    1. jill Carlier

      I love you and tears are pouring down my face as I remember the shame when I was in the AWOL and on the 12th step and how I started anti depressants and ruined all that hard work and how everyone was so mad at me. But eating clean for two years didn’t bring happiness…. Or mental stability.

      But I’m off them now, I’m on and I’m off because of the mental game and the stigma and I really wanted to believe that BLE could fix everything. And those people like you with long term abstinence and no mental illness anymore just added to the shame and triggered that content voice that had said all my life, “what is wrong with me” why is everyone happy thin and free cause being thin didn’t bring me happiness nor freedom.

      I needed to hear this today, I felt like you spoke to me.

      I’ve been resistant to sticking with BLE cause in my mind, what good is being thin if I’m still messed up? It never changed anything for me except it made others around me happy cause people seem to feel more comfortable around you when you’re thin. But thin brought me no joy. It was like a huge let down cause I thought so my problems would be solved if I just took off the weight…

      Thank you my friend.

      I love you.

      I love how you’ve changed.

      I miss you

      I wish I could see you soon and hug you.

      I saw the girls in that pottery place in Pittsford plaza and wanted to reconnect with you but I felt such shame at gaining the weight back and all the progress with my weight was shot..

      And I didn’t even care, cause I knew losing the weight wasn’t going to fix my mind.

      You don’t know how much I needed this

      I hope you read this.

      I love you I love you I love you

      Jill

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    2. Teresa

      Thank you… my son struggles with the same Illness it is devastating to watch. In response I eat. My bright lines have never stuck. And what is even harder, in some ways, is the collective illness in how people with mental illness are treated and blamed. I am not sure who is sicker really … So as a mother I wear and eat my pain and move my bright lines to try and get relief. Thank you Susan for being honest and open. Your vulnerability and honesty is a healing force for good!

      Reply ·
    3. Bright Line Eating

      Thank you for that, Lisa. We will pass your offer along. 🧡

      Reply ·
  96. Lesley Garber

    Thank you so much for shooting this vlog. I have severe depression and have not been able to get off my medications even with clean lines. This clog was very helpful and meaningful to me

    Reply ·
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