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Starting the Conversation

Many times limited information about mental illness leaves room for speculation and worry, which undoubtedly leads to fear, distancing oneself from discussions, and a poor outlook about the condition for oneself and the general public. However, a discussion about mental illness needs to be had to reduce confusion, isolation, and propaganda. Frequently, I share my story to reduce stigma and to promote the truth.

Whenever I share my testimony of living with schizophrenia I usually get a warm and familiar response that goes something like: 'I know so-and-so with schizophrenia... I wish I would have talked to you sooner because your story helps me understand mental illness more.' Hearing that rekindles my desire to further articulate my crisis history and present-day recovery to share hope and to reduce the lies- the lie that recovery is not possible, the lie that life is over if you have a diagnosis, and the most ignorant lie; the lie that we should not talk about it. 

Sometimes people are reluctant to ask me questions in the beginning because they don't want to get too personal, but I welcome the conversation because the discussion provides insight and understanding. For me, sharing my story is so therapeutic, it enables me to release the dreadful experience of living with the condition, but in a constructive manner. 

The misinformation circulated about schizophrenia and other mental illnesses have an invisible muzzle on that must be eradicated and destroyed. My hope is for society to remove that mouthpiece and to have a lively dialogue about the truth- the truth that people can and do get better living with mental illness, and that an individual like you, your relative, or your partner can live a fulfilling life in recovery. 

There needs to be a frank conversation about mental illness in order to reduce stigma, help others, and to break the cycle of suffering. Talking about my mental illness helps me and others to talk openly about our dark moments and hopeful life after crisis. 

To help start a conversation I encourage you to read my book, What's On My Mind? A Collection Of Blog Entries From "Overcoming Schizophrenia." Available in Paperback or e-Book online at Amazon.com.

Also, if you have a question about schizophrenia I encourage you to ask, you may also email me: ashley@emminc-recovery.org. 

Finally, I am inviting you to an event in Atlanta, Georgia where I will start a mental health conversation, Mental Health Day At The Capitol on Tuesday, January 20, 2015, 8AM - 12PM located at the Freight Depot, 65 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303. The deadline to register is January 15th. For details visit the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network, Inc.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Wish I lived closer. I would be there on the 20th. Good luck!
Matthew Phillips said…
It is nice to see someone who shares the same illness as me and has the courage to reduce the stigma. I have had many relationships that have lasted quite a while before i "spilled my beans" and told them about my illness. I am extremely extroverted and i would call myself charismatic but when you are going through a breakdown its like you are a Jenga puzzle and someone just knocked you down. It is easy to spot the symptoms. I wanted to stay at home in seclusion but my extroverted self wont let me. You just feel like you got bumped back to square one. I just went through a breakdown and felt compelled to do some "you tubing" for a pick me up and stumbled upon the video Living With Schizophrenia. I got excited when i saw your blog! We are definitely lucky that now days there is a community for everything somewhere on the internet. I want more people to foster these kinds of relationships on the web. Every warrior needs a good sensei
TimBowers said…
We found your blog was much handy to me! If u keep up the good job I’ll come back at your website.
Schizophrenia Treatment Services
Mrs. Patricia said…
My son was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia when he was 30s. After a difficult period coping with depression, anxiety and paranoia, My son feels his illness is under control and permanently cure using herbs, thanks to a very effective herbal product called CONSUMMO. In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you and everything will be okay, don't ever give up. check out the link to know more: http://curetoschizophrenia.blogspot.com/ or contact me with this so I can share our experience with you: patberg080@gmail.com
Unknown said…
Satisfying posting. It would appear that a lot of the stages are depending upon the originality aspect. “It’s a funny thing about life if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it.” by W. Somerset Maugham.

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Unknown said…
VICTORY FROM 23YEARS SHIZOPHRENIA

To everyone of you reading this, I pray to God you find breakthrough someday like I did. It’s not longer news that the stigma and discrimination attached to having a mental illness is harder to cope with than the illness itself. Yes, when I had Schizophrenia for 23years, there is never a time I was perceived as being a gentle caring person. I developed schizophrenia so early and the changes were difficult to measure. Horrible Voices, mood swings and delusions and hallucinations play out their effect on me so constantly that they became part of the essence of who I am. I felt something I could not publicly air, it’s nothing anyway; we all have overt or latent prejudices. I spent so much time in and out of psychiatric wards. It was not easy I must confess. I can't think of a time when I wasn't plagued with hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia. At times, I feel like the operator in my brain just doesn't get the message to the right people. It can be very confusing to have to deal with different people in my head. When I become fragmented in my thinking, I start to have my worst problems. I was hospitalized because of this illness many times, sometimes for as long as 3 to 5 months. I began wearing the same clothes each day and seldom bathed. I remember telling my colleagues at my work place that the world is coming to an end; we should take some months off so we can bring it back. Any contribution they have, it should be in writing because there are cameras everywhere. It was funny how no other person knows this except me, yet no one seems to look at things from my point. I was in this lake for years; I thought I was never going to live happy again because I scared almost everyone close to me away. To surmount the whole story, I came across a testimony of someone who had similar symptoms, she understood so well that she made me find reasons to get rid of it by using Herbal medicine, she also promise to refund my money if it doesn't work. Surprisingly, the amount I was charged isn't half the money I have spent on drugs most especially, Clozaril which I was told never to take a day off without. I placed my order for HIPPOSSIMA, from my finding that is the name of the Herbal medicine. It was a miracle how the symptoms drastically reduced just after 5weeks of use. Today, my schizophrenic story is now history. For inquiries, you can reach the doctor via: gregoryalhodgson@gmail.com. Or visit: curefromschizophrenia.blogspot.com. I made it thru and so can you! Though it is not easy, but it’s worth fighting for.
Unknown said…
My heart goes out to everyone who have or cares for a mentally ill person. My daughter was diagnosed with schizophrenia 10years ago, She had gone through several bouts of depression, delusion and hallucinations. She always think CIA agents were spying on her, FBI agents looking to bring her down, everyone is plotting or trying to kill her, which weren't real; over 10 hospitalizations in just four years. Coping with schizophrenia wasn’t easy. She had attempted suicide and all treatment has done little for her improvement. We've finally benefited from some real dedicated support group of people with natural treatment and a small number of friends and family that knew and loved us. Dr (Mrs) Vanessa treatment has turned her life around, she is now without a symptom. I don’t want people to feel that suicide is their only option, know you are loved, you are valuable, you are worth more than your darkness. Reach out and get the support you need and deserve from suicide prevention resources page or email: drvanessah@gmail.com to start your natural treatment, Try to understand the blackness, lethargy, hopelessness, and loneliness they’re going through. Be there for them when they come through the other side. Our hope is that one-day schizophrenia-related brain disorder receives respect, appropriate treatment and an opportunity to live a meaningful and satisfying life in a compassionate community free of discrimination.

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