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Thanks

I ended one of my groups the other day by going around the room and letting people share what they are thankful for.(I lead closed groups, not open to the public, at various facilities).

I am thankful that I am able to function well, organize, research, and to lead groups. As you probably already know, if you follow this blog regularly, I have come a long way to get to where I am now. In the past, schizophrenia tried to hinder me, take away my speech, make it hard for me to recognize family, and almost kill me by my excessive paranoia and determination not eat or drink. But now, I have hold on my brain disorder; I take my medication regularly, I continue to learn more about different mental illnesses, and I have support of family, friends, and health professionals.

What are you thankful for?

If you have a mental health concern such as schizophrenia, you are not alone, I can understand you. If you are a caregiver, family member, or friend of someone living with a mental illness believe that recovery is possible and that your special someone can get better. I am living proof that people living with a mental illness do come back and live productive, independent lives!

For those of you learning what schizophrenia is for the first time, it is a thought disorder that is difficult to treat but is treatable. There is no cure for it, yet, however with a combination of medication and support people living with schizophrenia can lead fulfilling lives. I am one of them.

If you want to learn more about schizophrenia visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia (Canada).
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Comments

Galen said…
I just found your blog last night, and I know I'll be doing a lot of reading, catching up on previous posts and keeping up with new ones. My son has schizophrenia (disorganized type) and has lost a lot in the last 3 years since his first episode. I hope to learn how to better help him from your insight. Thanks to you, for sharing your experience.
November 22, 2009 at 3:42 PM
Wanderer said…
Hi Ashley,

Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment and for wishing me a Happy Thanksgiving. I wish the same for you and your family as well!

I am so thankful that I survived acute psychosis without hurting myself or others. I am thankful for my family who have been extremely kind and supportive of me. I am thankful for my ability to be creative through painting, writing and music. I am thankful also for this online community where individuals can share their experiences with mental illness and support each other. Really, I am thankful for so much. And I have found that when I was in the midst of severe depression that focusing on gratitude helped to pull me up out of the worst of it.

May we all have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Kate
November 22, 2009 at 3:53 PM
Anonymous said…
I like your blog a lot but sometimes all this positivity is just a little too much...
November 23, 2009 at 8:01 AM
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