Depression and Pyrography AuthorLizette MendozaSurviving Depression My Remarkably Powerful Story of Healing
This is my remarkably powerful story of surviving depression, P.T.S.D., and personal loss. Through pain, setbacks, and resilience, I discovered healing in the most unexpected place: pyrography, the art of woodburning. My journey is not only about survival but about finding strength, creativity, and purpose in the face of darkness.
Early Life in Puerto Rico
I was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The vibrant culture, warm sunshine, and stunning beaches made my childhood unforgettable. Yet, behind those moments of joy, I often felt lost — searching for my place in this big world. I carried confusion and silence, never fully understanding why life felt so heavy at times.
In 1978, still in high school, I enrolled in a small technical institute called Advanced Computer College. That was where I had my first encounter with computers. A spark lit up inside me. Fast forward to 2001, I proudly earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico and began teaching at the same university. It was a milestone I had worked hard for, but deep inside, I still hadn’t found where I truly belonged.
Struggles and Diagnosis
Living With P.T.S.D. and Depression
In 2006, I moved to Florida to work as a bilingual internet help-desk technician. But in 2009, an asthma attack changed my life. After seeking medical help, my doctor recognized the weight I had been carrying for years. He referred me to a psychiatrist, and that’s when I was finally diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (P.T.S.D.) and depression — conditions rooted in the childhood trauma I had endured but rarely spoke about.My Descent Into Darkness
With treatment, I tried to move forward, but in 2013, depression consumed me again. Crisis became a daily reality, and by September I lost my job. I hit rock bottom. In October 2014, I was admitted to the hospital for nine days. Group therapy was hard, but it showed me I wasn’t alone. There were others fighting battles just like mine.The Turning Point Through Therapy
Therapists and medications helped me stabilize, but the questions never left me: Where do I belong? Why do I feel so broken? For years, I struggled in silence — until two dogs, "Cano" and "Wallie", gave me a reason to belong again.Loss and Grief
Saying Goodbye to My Beloved Dog "Cano"
"Cano" wasn’t just my dog — he was my anchor, my family, and my reason to fight through each day. In 2019, I lost him, and with him, I lost my balance. The grief was crushing, and my depression deepened into a darkness I couldn’t escape.How Loss Opened the Door to Art
My therapist encouraged me:That’s when I turned to YouTube and discovered pyrography — the art of woodburning. With trembling hands and a broken heart, I began to burn my tears into wood. Every mark carried my grief, but also released a little of the weight I had been holding.Try something for yourself. Find a way to let the pain out.
Discovering Pyrography as Healing
My First Encounter With Woodburning
At first, it seemed so simple — just fire and wood. But pyrography quickly became a meditation, a lifeline. For a few minutes each day, I could escape the crushing waves of depression and focus on creating something that carried both my pain and my love.A Meditative Path to Recovery
Burning wood became a way to burn my sorrow, to transform loss into something tangible. It connected me to "Cano’s" memory and gave me moments of peace I thought were impossible.Sharing Healing Through My Manuscript
As pyrography became part of my daily healing, I realized I couldn’t keep this discovery to myself. I began writing a book — Depression and Pyrography: A Way to Fool Your Brain — to share how art therapy saved me, and how it might help others facing similar struggles.Depression and Pyrography A Way to Fool Your Brain
This manuscript is not just a book. It’s a tribute to “Cano”, to “Wallie” (who still walks beside me), and to every person battling depression or P.T.S.D. It’s proof that healing can come from unexpected places — even from fire and wood.
Building a Community of Support
Creating a Website for Mental Health
After the COVID-19 pandemic, finding consistent therapy became difficult. Instead of surrendering to isolation, I used my computer skills to build this website. A space where others struggling with depression, P.T.S.D., and anxiety could find community, healing, and hope.Connecting With Others Through Art
I know how painful it feels to carry silent battles. Through this community, my manuscript, and my story, I want others to know: You are not alone. Healing is possible. And even in the darkest moments, there is always a spark waiting to ignite hope.
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Moving Forward With Hope
I am grateful for everyone who has supported me along this journey. My biography is more than survival — it’s about transformation, about finding identity through pain, art, and love. My story honors “Cano’s” memory, celebrates Wallie’s companionship, and reminds anyone reading: Your story matters too. You are not alone, and you are stronger than you think.
Continue Your Journey of Healing & Hope
After exploring Depression and Pyrography, we invite you to discover more ways to find strength, creativity, and support through our community resources.