Skip to main content

Testimonials

Testimonials

Question: Has this blog impacted your perspective on mental illness, if so- how?

"Hi Ashley - your blog has been really helpful to me. I'm dealing with my wife's mental illness and reluctance to take meds - reading your writing gives me some perspective, something we all can use. Thanks." Anonymous

"Ashley, I just recommended your blog to another psychiatric hospital! Now, I know you are just a normal person with an incredible recovery to share and continue sharing. But I don't think you will ever know how many people you have encouraged!! You've definitely encouraged me." Anonymous

"I read this post two times. I like it so much, please try to keep posting." Henry
"Thank you so much for writing this blog. I am so inspired by your recovery, honesty, and intelligence!" Rebecca

"You give me hope and a stronger desire to serve humanity. Your recovery story is one of your greatest gifts to the world!" Rodney Ware, Executive Director of ADHD Coaching, Inc.

"Well-written. Open and honest about living with this illness and helping others to cope and overcome daily issues. Informative for lay people to remove stereotypical beliefs and myths surrounding schizophrenia." Margaret

"This is instructive and informative blog on schizophrenia. As someone who also suffers from a psychotic illness I found it helpful to realize that I'm not alone and others have similar experiences.." Rachel

"Fantastic site! I hope everyone will visit and the fear and stigma will be removed once and for all. Thank you for your insight. Very welcoming feel the instant you enter..." Kimberly

"Beautiful site with honesty writing..." Scott

"I like this site because I had no idea what that was until I read your blog." Tyler

"Nice blog site. You provide a good look into a world that seems so closed off. Thank you." Rob

Comments

Anonymous said…
I am all the way in London England and alot of what I've read on your blog speaks volumes to me. I am a 37 year old and a Trainee Freelance Junior Project Manager I have been in recovery for 6 months and I would say my faith has been a pillar of my recovery in addition to stress management treatment and positive focus. I haven't found a blog where someone recovery has been so similiar to mine. I thought I'd let you know how inspirational your blog has been to me. Best Regards
June 9, 2014 at 6:33 AM
Ashley Smith said…
Whoa, London! The internet is a great place to connect with others... Like you my faith helps me too, my faith gives me hope and encouragement to strive forward in spite of my setbacks and challenges... Thank you for your feedback, I am glad you found this blog and could relate.

Warm regards,
Ashley Smith
September 9, 2014 at 12:29 AM
Anonymous said…
Absolutely! I have been inspired to write my own blog sharing my experiences online. I've already benefited just writing about my experiences I feel such a release.
My faith empowers me and encourages me when I feel the burden of setbacks and challenges, I haven't found anything quite as effective in those times.
Writing a blog takes time, once I've completed my first blog entries may be my blog could be featured with the other blogs you list. Or I'm happy to share my experiences.
October 3, 2014 at 2:03 AM
D said…
My son; age 27 was diagnosed with SZ 8-9 years ago. Not understanding anything about mental illness; we thought that his use of street drugs was the reason for his erratic behavior. 5 years later when he was clean for a year or so and after learning more about this illness we came to realize there was more than addiction going on. He struggles between using meds and living at home, then going off meds and wandering to the streets where he rotates between jail and hospitals only to get back on medication and come back home. Your story has encouraged and further informed me.
October 14, 2014 at 7:17 PM
Anonymous said…
I am glad for online communities, where we can share our stories and hopefully help someone else recover. I also went through rough times and can say that one of the things that would have helped most is having people I can see in person and speak to about my interpretations of the world around me. I am fully recovered now and think little of my troubled path, but I continue to medicate as my experience taught me that there is probably no end to the risk of lapsing again. I work a good job as an engineer and need nothing else, except my true friends and family (at least those I haven't alienated). Patience is key to recovery and success. Anyways I highly recommend paliperidone/Invega (since 2010), of which 3mg/day is more than sufficient if your problem is no worse than mine. Risperdal was much worse, causing drowsiness, growth of the chest (moobs) and mood swings when starting to medicate. Please take care of your loved ones and remember Only You Can Save Mankind :) (People-kind to not offend J. Trudeau)
February 22, 2018 at 5:03 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

by A Guest Blogger: For Addicts, Recovery Means Creating a New Life

If you’re struggling to maintain your sobriety, you aren’t alone. There are millions of fighters just like you working toward reclaiming their lives from drugs and alcohol. There are a few common traits that many successful recovering addicts share. Keep reading to find out what they are and how you can follow in their footsteps. They establish new patterns You can’t continue to live your life the same was you did when you were using. You must change and adapt to your newfound sobriety. Consider a career change; many recovering addicts find they have more success by starting their own business. One career that is easy to enter is dog walking. As a dog walker , you’ll reap many rewards including getting to spend time with dogs, which can actually boost your recovery efforts and stave off depression. Dogs have been used as part of a treatment plan for users as young as 11 and come with the added benefit of helping you stay physically active. Plus, being with ...
2 comments
Read more

No, Please, That's Not Me

Prior to my diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia I did some things that I am not proud of. Now that I look back on things I blame my illness for my poor judgment. I am by no means condoning the behavior I carried out, and will share with you here. I will provide a few instances where my behavior was unlike me and caused an uproar. This post shows how schizophrenia affects other people. This post is for the family members and friends of people with schizophrenia, or showing bizarre behaviors. First, I asked my mother permission to give my friend a statue that was in my mother's house. My mother agreed to give my friend the statue, however, I took her permission a step further to get rid of what she had at my discretion. At the time I did not live with my mother who was away on a business trip. My mother buys and sells things so she had a lot of collectibles, antiques, and other interesting stuff. While my friend and me were in my mother's house my friend saw a lot of stuff that s...
6 comments
Read more

What Is Remission?

Remission is the absence of symptoms for at least six months with the support of medication. In other words, a doctor who has never seen you before may not diagnose you as a person with schizophrenia anymore. Remission is also high functioning in several aspects of life, living independently, goinig to school or to work, and socializing with other people. However, this does not mean the patient is cured or the illness has went away, the illness is still present, however, under control. Remission is achieved with the assistance of medication. "Published studies suggest that 10% to 20% of people with schizophrenia have remission of their illness as they get older, 20% get worse, but in a large majority (60% to 70%), the course of illness remains relatively unchanged." To reach remission it is recommended that you aim for a stress-free environment. Therefore, do things to relieve stress such as journaling, exercising, talking to friends, listening to or creating music, making a...
9 comments
Read more