I am a stigma fighting role model for people with mental illness. During sophomore year at the University of Notre Dame, I was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. Twenty some years later, I have become a pastor’s wife to Nick Teller and a mother of twin girls. I am also a musician who performs “Tuning OutContinue reading “My Brain Makes Me Proud: My Journey Through Schizoaffective Disorder and Anxiety”
Author Archives: Theresa San Luis Teller
Resilience is a Necessity
The idea of resilience brings about mixed feelings to me. There’s the dread of going through adversity. It feels unpleasant to say the least. Yet, this is only part of resilience. According to AI, resilience is “both a process and an outcome. It’s the ability to ‘bounce back’ from difficult experiences and maintain psychological well-being.” Therefore, resilience,Continue reading “Resilience is a Necessity”
The Legendary Leading Example of Simone Biles
As a former high school gymnast who is now coping with mental illness many years later, I cannot express how highly I think of Simone Biles and how grateful I am for her example. Dropping out of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics competition due to the “twisties,” (a condition where she could not distinguish her movementsContinue reading “The Legendary Leading Example of Simone Biles”
Armor Against My Anxiety
45 Years of NAMI and Theresa
End in Sight: How having Covid and facing down my mental illness demons saved my life
Friday, May 14, I tested positive for COVID. With cold symptoms, anxiety attacks and suicidal thoughts, I came to a turning point that would save my life and completely improve my mental illness condition. Isolation for 10 days enabled the discovery. I have had chronic anxiety for more than 20 years every other day.Continue reading “End in Sight: How having Covid and facing down my mental illness demons saved my life”
Sayings and Platitudes That Fill Me Up
Walk by Faith and Not By Sight
Theresa testifying before Missouri state legislative committee
NAMI St. Louis Blog December 2021
Double Joy!!
The Power of One
Never underestimate the power of one. You could be only one that a person confides in about suicidal thoughts. You could be one leader who stands up for people’s rights. You could be one, starting with yourself, and spread hope and wisdom you’ve learned over the years. NAMI SWI has enabled me toContinue reading “The Power of One”
My Brain Makes Me Proud Blog August 2021
Returning to school can be an exciting time for many. For some, it can present its challenges. As a graduate school student at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), I entered campus in 2013 with a schizoaffective disorder with OCD diagnosis. I had been stable for many years on medications, and didn’t think I needed toContinue reading “My Brain Makes Me Proud Blog August 2021”
My Brain Makes Me Proud: How I Beat Schizoaffective Disorder Blog June 2021
By Theresa San Luis “Story” Teller Unlike a broken arm in a sling or a fresh open wound to the skin, the disrepair of one’s brain with mental illness may not be so visible to others. Many may not believe it exists because it is not so visible; or a person may be unaware thatContinue reading “My Brain Makes Me Proud: How I Beat Schizoaffective Disorder Blog June 2021”
