Comments on: Let Freedom Ring

By: Yolanda

Yolanda — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 04:31:17 +0000

I am sure your aunt, mother had a condition called hyperphoria. This condition caused her agoraphobia. I have a blog at agoraphobiawhat.blogspot.com that will explain this condition. I also had a aunt with agoraphobia and I also have it. After finding out I had hyperphoria this condition of agoraphobia is now gone.

Yolanda

By: Becky Green Aaronson

Becky Green Aaronson — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 04:26:36 +0000

I agree with you whole-heartedly, Ruth. She was a remarkable woman who made a big impact on all of us. I’m glad you enjoyed this post.Thanks for letting me know.

By: Ruth Weber

Ruth Weber — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 04:10:03 +0000

I have to say, Margie was one of the most remarkable women I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. Thank you for the moving story and tribute.

By: Becky Green Aaronson

Becky Green Aaronson — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 14:53:11 +0000

Claudia, wow, I learn so much from you! I had no idea about the early years. Not one word of that was ever passed down in our family. It all makes so much more sense. And sharing your discoveries about the connection between food sensitivities and depression–very powerful.

A second it when you say, “My Mom was a very strong, independent and courageous woman all her life…I admire her and Dad for making the very best life they could with the resources and knowledge they had available to them.” So true.

Thanks for sharing all this with me (and my readers)!

By: Claudia

Claudia — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 20:21:49 +0000

Becky, this is exactly why I talk freely about all the odd quirks I have. I have helped a couple people over the years. I have struggled with many of the same issues Mom did. Our bodies are all little chemical plants and what we put in has a huge impact. For me depression springs from trying to live like the average person. So much of what passes for food now days is toxic to me and was to Mom too.
There is of course no one right answer to solve this. Her struggles really began when I was born and she suffered terribly with postpartum depression. Grama G raised me for months, probably why she and I had a particularly strong connection. Dad walked me for hours while worrying about Mom. Yes she did receive “shock” treatment in the mid-late 50′s. It was horrifying to her and did very little for her. When I was in 2nd grade she had a complete breakdown and Mike lived with L cousins and Rob and I lived with G & G S for a number of months. Yes there were some very trying times involved for everyone. But there were also so many wonderful times which in my memory overshadow all the rest. I remember a Mom who went places. A Mom who was always there for us and who made the best birthday parties and holiday celebrations around. When I was a kid all the neighborhood wanted to hang at our house. Our Mom interacted with us and let us be kids and have a great time. I’m sorry the younger siblings didn’t get to see as much of that, although I also remember wonderful times in their growing up years too. It’s just that Dad or I took them to buy their new shoes while Mom stayed home and sewed beautiful clothes and made wonderful doll houses and so many other things.
Yes, watching Mom struggle with life certainly influenced my decision to not have children. I knew at a young age I had inherited much from her, both good and the not so good.
Sounds like looking on from the outside was perhaps tougher than being there. And once again points out talking is a good thing. Carrie is right, we did worry about you and your family. I know Mom was aware of her differences and I also know that she had a very happy and fulfilling life in most ways. She treasured each and every one of her family and oddly enough sent us out into the world to live. She loved hearing back from us and listening to our accounts.
I also know that many things happened in Mom’s life that were out of her control and did nothing to improve her mental outlook. Life. She loved the finer things in life and did what she could to create beauty around her.
Of course we all had different relationships with Mom depending on our places in her life and our own personalities. My Mom was a very strong, independent and courageous woman all her life…I admire her and Dad for making the very best life they could with the resources and knowledge they had available to them.
I look forward to our next get together and sharing more stories about our 3 Mom’s, the most influential women in our early years and remembering the 3 of them laughing uncontrollably over nothing and every thing!

By: Becky Green Aaronson

Becky Green Aaronson — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 23:30:06 +0000

Thanks, Maurita. I appreciate your kind words. I’m glad I could share this story with you.

By: Maurita Corcoran Adler

Maurita Corcoran Adler — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 23:12:39 +0000

Really enjoyed this post. Wonderful family photos, and writing about your family so honestly. I appreciate that.

By: Becky Green Aaronson

Becky Green Aaronson — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 17:58:02 +0000

Jenne, welcome to my blog. Thanks for taking the time to read this post and leave a comment. I appreciate your two cents, and like your idea about helping people break out of boxes and labels. In my aunt’s case, it’s hard not to classify her agoraphobia as a mental illness because it was so severe and so long-lasting, but I am by no means a psychiatrist–just a family member who loved her dearly. I see your point about not wanting to use a word like mental disorder or mental illness though, as a way to avoid unintentionally wounding somebody, but with this post, I was purely trying to express the idea that mental health is just as important as physical health, hoping to encourage people to look upon it that way, and not wait to get help if necessary.

By: A blogger’s Journey from 1st post to the 100th… | Being Arindam..

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 10:50:49 +0000

[...] words for me; so that I could keep on writing without much caring about readers. I still remember Becky passing on a award to my blog to pass on some real inspiration. I still remember the first comment [...]

By: Jenne' Andrews

Jenne' Andrews — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 02:27:33 +0000

Hi– This is a heartfelt piece and it’s very good to demystify and encourage sufferers of agoraphobia. But I would be very hesitant to use words like mental disorder and mental illness. These terms can be wounding and so easily misused. Phobias are phobias, whether or not they’re classified in the DSM. It’s best, I find, to help people break out of boxes and labels rather than sticking them on. xj