Jessica and I met because our husbands were roommates. Crazy how those kinds of things bring you together. She and her husband became newlyweds just 2 weeks after us and brought a sweet little man just a few months after us. It’s been fun to text and talk through our new stages. Jessica always shares the deeps stuff from a real place in her heart where so many can relate.Can’t wait to see all that the next stages of our life brings for this friendship.
My friend, Jessica Farber
What have you OVERCOME?
- I have overcome attempted suicide and suicidal tendencies.
What have you OVERCOME?
To some degree, it seems that everyone is aware of (and talking about) depression, anxiety, and suicide. Media networks are constantly highlighting the struggles of those in the entertainment industry, celebrities, and professional athletes. A few years ago I was diagnosed with PTSD, Social Anxiety, Reactive Attachment Disorder, Panic Attacks, and being a Highly Sensitive Individual (this is not “emotionally” highly sensitive, but rather having your senses of touch, taste, sight, smell, and hearing react on a more alert and alarming level all of the time – think of it in terms of being highly sensitive to environmental stimuli).
- What was your TURNING POINT/PIVOT MOMENT?
It wasn’t until I was pregnant with my son, Jameson, that I realized how much help I needed. I had attempted suicide around the time I was diagnosed but had not needed additional treatment since then. I saw my OB/GYN for a routine prenatal appointment, and she asked me how I was doing. I told her I was struggling with regretting the pregnancy, but that I assumed that was normal. After diving a little further into my thoughts, feelings, and true struggles with it all, she requested that I bring my husband, Nathaniel, to an additional appointment. When we met the following week, it was apparent that I needed serious help, but I was scared. I was hesitant to become so vulnerable in front of the man I loved and whose child I was carrying. I didn’t want to tell him that I thought multiple times about having an abortion, or killing myself so that it looked like an accident.
Sitting in my doctor’s office that day, seeing Nate’s overflow of emotion and genuine deep sympathy for me and my struggles, I realized just how important it was for my well-being to listen to my doctor. Not once before that day had I shared just how deep the hurts were with anyone, and his kindness, gentleness, and honest love towards me embodied the true embodiment of Christ’s love for the world. I saw the way Christ looks at me in his eyes, and I knew that I had the support I needed to make the life-changing decision to seek specialized treatment.
- 5-word life mantra – “Ex Nihilo, Nihil Fit” – Latin, translated for “Out of nothing, nothing comes.” – you can’t sit back and expect life to happen positively, you must strive to create the life that you want.
- Quote you live by – “Be kind to one another,” Ellen DeGeneres.
- How to connect with me:
- blog/website: https://spaghettitude.wordpress.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jesse323
- Twitter: @uapandawife
- Instagram: @uapandawife
- Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/uapandawife/
- LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicafarber3/
