I just got back from a NAMI support group. It was a very good meeting we covered a lot information related to coping with mental health, our attitude toward stigma, and various bizarre experiences. Afterward, I felt energized, uplifted, and empowered like the way church makes me feel, it was very good. I really enjoyed the company of my friends who are also in recovery from different mental illnesses. I look forward to next week's meeting!
To learn more about schizophrenia visit Embracing My Mind, Inc., NAMI, Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia (Canada).
My name is Ashley. I started this blog in 2008 to record learning experiences, coping skills, and life as it relates to schizophrenia. In the beginning, it was my sister's idea to start this blog, I did not know what to expect. However, I've journaled since childhood so it was therapeutic to articulate thoughts and feelings online and to get a response. I take medication to treat my illness, however, I am not opposed to alternative forms of treatment. Here is my story...
The Author
- Ashley Smith
- Atlanta, Georgia, United States
- If you do not remember anything about my story, remember this, I had to go to jail and to the state hospital for five months to learn about my schizophrenia, in spite of this experience God tuned my situation from bad to good. Out of my issues came about my joy and passion to work in the mental health field- leading by example, supporting peers, and sharing with the world that schizophrenia can be managed with proper treatment and support- I am proof! I believe you can be too.. I encourage you to read my blog to discover how I am coping with this illness.
4 comments:
I love NAMI. I don't go to the support group here anymore, but I am involved with the Consumer Council. We are a small group, but we are very dedicated to advocacy, and I enjoy being involved. I'm glad you have found NAMI to be helpful to you, Ashley.
Thank you, Jen!
I suffer from paranoid schizophrenia as well. I find the hard part is even realizing i have it.. then acceptance of it is just emotionally agonizing. I don't quit suffer from hallucinations, but sometimes the people around me make me feel that i am, which brings me back to the realization that i have schizophrenia. I'm lost. The people around me still have hope, im sure, but are expecting way to much from me, and get mad because i don't understand. everything goes in one end of the brain and out the other, for me and them. I'm looking for help from somebody but am not sure where to start. :/
another thing that bothers me is. keeping relationships during recovery. that's why i initially stopped.
Hi Corey B.,
I understand you and I are on different stages of recovery, as is everyone living with mental health concerns, with that said, don't let others influence your progress with the illness and continue to seek support.
I commend you for seeking support and coming forth as a person living with mental health, managing schizophrenia or any mental illness can be difficult.
Initially, I had a hard time with it, especially taking my medicine, but as time passed and I learned more about schizophrenia along with a lot of support from family, peers, and health care professionals, it got more and more manageable.
Recovery is a process that cannot be rushed. Although I am not a health care professional, from my experience, I would suggest to you to seek as much information about the illness as possible- a great book is The Complete Family Guide to Schizophrenia. Another great reading, that does not talk like a doctor but is in a more realistic way is one of my favorite books on the topic of schizophrenia, Welcome Silence My Triumph Over Schizophrenia.
Also, I am an advocate for the advantages of participating in a support group. Another great resource is the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), they provide FREE support groups (and online chat groups) across the United States (at www.nami.org).
Whenever you are ready, I encourage you to try peer support again by attending a support group.
Thank you for your comment, I am confident that others can relate to you, I appreciate your candidness and wish the best for you and your supporters.
Best regards,
Ashley Smith
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