Overcoming Schizophrenia

  This interview dives into the beginning of my recovery dealing with my breakdown and legal intervention which is more common than not. Watch and share, thank you! I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of this project... The Let's Talk Project is funded by a grant from the Association for Psychological Science Fund for Teaching and Public Understanding of Psychological Science. The goal of Let's Talk is to share the expertise and experiences of BIPOC mental health researchers and providers, as well as clients living and thriving with mental health challenges.

Whose to blame for my mental illness? Is it me, is you?... I presented a NAMI In Our Own Voice program for another Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) class yesterday. After the presentation, one of the class participants came to me and told me he felt responsible for my mental health. He worked at my old college and felt like he or someone from the institution should have been there for me when the symptoms of Schizophrenia seemed to have got the best of me. While I attended that school, I did not have insight into my mental health. In fact, I did not even know what a mental illness was! Even when the symptoms of Schizophrenia tormented me, I did not know it was beyond my control. Many times, I prayed and meditated for peace of mind and for the angels to protect me as I go to my destination. I was very religious and had delusions that I was prophet of God. I prayed for protection because I felt like I was fighting a spiritual battle everyday. In other words, spiritual welfare between me an...

Since my diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia in 2007 I have participated in several support groups and trainings to be a facilitator. Therefore, I have heard many of my peers discuss different concerns from side effects of medications to lack of support, and many other important matters. Even though what I am about to discuss may NOT apply to you as a family member or consumer (a person living with mental health concerns) it occurs quite frequently, and thus is the reason to bring it to one's attention...I am talking about denial. Denial in the sense that it is refusal to believe or accept a person's diagnosis of mental illness. Denial comes in many different forms for both the consumer and the family member. In fact, denial is a manifestation of stigma. In short, stigma is criticism of a person on the grounds of their affiliation with a group (that being mental illness) based on lack of understanding or stereotypes. For example, common misconceptions about schizophrenia is tha...

Recently, I brought my health concern to the Office of Disability at my college and it worked in my favor- I received the support that I needed and I did not feel belittled, misunderstood, or stupid. There were counselors that took my health concerns seriously and wanted to help me succeed. They offered additional tutoring, classroom accommodations, and a separate testing area, which I did utilize. I am not sure if all colleges have a disability office, however, it is worth looking into for additional support. For those that are interested, there is usually a process such as getting a letter from your doctor. The letter has a lot information about the individual with the mental illness, including diagnosis, special accommodations, etc. Therefore, if you would like to receive more support from your college look into the guidelines of the disability center. Finally, college is going okay for me. I am still adjusting to school and participating in groups. In fact, I performed my first NAM...

The NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) In Our Own Voice: Living with a Mental Illness (IOOV) training was phenomenal! Many of my peers left the training with a feeling of pride in having a mental illness. Way to go! Correction: the presentation is 90 minutes. It includes five segments: Dark Days, Acceptance, Treatment, Coping Skills, and Successes,Hopes, and Dreams. We stop the video to elaborate on each section in our personal experiences. There are two presenters and the presentation can be fulfilled in a variety of settings. There is one element of the presentation I would like to discuss in more detail, Successes, Hopes, and Dreams. In the training I told the audience about this blog, which is a success because of you- Thank You! In addition to the blog, I shared information about my non-profit organization, Embracing My Mind, Inc. and how I would like to operate a wellness center with various groups to help people on their journey to recovery. My volunteer work with NAMI...

Today I had a little setback, actually it is a HUGE setback, it's about my school. I visited a financial aid counselor to discover that my school has not received my information from FASFA yet. It is a four week process and tuition is due next Friday, I know I cannot get that kind of money in time. Therefore, my financial aid is on hold so I will not be able to start school this semester. This upsets me, but not totally. I'll focus my attention on facilitating more groups and carrying out needed trainings, such as Georgia's Certified Peer Specialist Project . The training is for people living with a diagnosis of mental illness or dual diagnosis. It prepares people to provide peer support to other individuals living with a diagnosis. There are organizations that seek Certified Peer Specialist (CPS), this certification would definitely benefit my organization Embracing My Mind, Inc. It costs $85 excluding hotel expenses. I've applied to the training before but was denied...

I am going back to school in January 2010. I am very excited about this opportunity and this new challenge. Prior to my diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia I dropped out of college because of many stresses. Since then I have attended a junior college and now I am transferring to a four-year university to get my bachelors degree in marketing. I have overcome many hurdles to get to where I am now and I am very proud. Because of my mental illness I plan on taking a light course load. However, I will continue to maintain my blog, Overcoming Schizophrenia , and my support groups with Embracing My Mind, Inc. To ensure success at my endeavors I will continue to attend group therapy and cooperate with my mental health professionals by taking my medication regularly, keeping appointments, and communicating needs. This is huge ya'll! Going back to school has been my goal ever since I stopped attending college in 2007. I am moving forward in my life and in my recovery, and I am very happy!!!...

Prior to my diagnosis of schizophrenia I was very active in school and extracurricular activities. I played a role in cross country, an internship, AWANA church program for youth, and school. Eventually, my illness interrupted my studies and I was forced to drop out of school temporarily due to the stresses of school, finances, and life changes. I worked for a little while until my illness took that opportunity away from me too when I had a nervous breakdown. When my illness was made known, everybody (i.e. psychiatrist, therapist, mother, treatment team) suggested that I make a change and to take things slow for a little while. Therefore, I did not work for the first year after my diagnosis, and I applied for Supplemental Security Income. In the meantime I participated in a clubhouse for young adults and I was fortunate to return to school for one class. Making the change was challenging for me, because I am used to juggling so many different activities. After it is said and done, I am...

As mentioned previously, I wanted to start college this spring, however, I owe my last school money so I need to pay them back first before I can obtain my official transcript. Plan B is to study business and marketing on my own time until I can start school hopefully this summer. Lately, I have been well. However, I need to talk to my doctor about the side effects of my medication because I shake sometimes when I am not cold, and I breath heavy. I applied for state medical insurance, but I will not know if I've been approved until a couple of weeks. I also checked out my credit report which was not well since I owe the school money. How do you improve your credit score? My family is preparing for Thanksgiving. We will celebrate the hoilday over an extended relative's house, I decided to bring the candied sweet potatoes even though I do not know how to cook, my mother will help me prepare the dish. I am excited about the dinner, I love being around family and friends.

Yesterday I visited a college and gathered information on the requirements for spring admission. The deadline for spring admission is mid-November. I plan on applying to the school, and the whole idea of returning to school excites me. It shows progress in my recovery. I look forward to starting school in January and being enrolled part-time for starts. My major is Business Administration. Prior to the onset of schizophrenia I was going to school, working, and running cross country. But when schizophrenia interrupted my life it snatched away everything. Now I am slowly picking up the activities I used to do and going to school is a major part of that. Recovery is feeling like your old self again, and when I am in school I will feel like the old me again.