Photo taken by contributor Danielle, a writer, photographer, and mental health advocate who suffers from bipolar II. Photography has been a helpful tool in her recovery and symptom management, especially with depression and anxiety.

About this photo: “Many years before I was diagnosed with having a mental illness, I enjoyed dressing up and pretending to be someone else, any else except myself. I think that is why I was so drawn to Halloween, and the candy of course. But mostly that I could escape being me for a few hours. It also happens to fall on the same week as my birthday. This is a week that should have been filled with so much fun and happiness, but I often ended up building it up in my head and then feeling disappointed and lonely, even if many people were around.

Now that I have children of my own, the treat is not candy, it is getting…