A few pieces, over the past weeks, from you, that I wanted to share with you:
This on coping:
"I am a 62 year old man and have “had” a severe psychosis or mental illness since I was 21. It approximates to “schizophrenia” I guess. I have managed to work in between breakdowns and remain better in my old age.
I have had girlfriends but never married, and a short answer to keeping well is hard for me to declare, but I would say, “Keep busy”. It doesn’t matter what you are interested in whether the history of ants or Fine Art. Just pursue something or other!
My faith in drugs is not very strong though I take anti-psychotics, mood stabilisers and an anti-Parkinsons drug to combat side effects. The side effects can be debilitating. I have found psychiatrists to be a very mixed bunch and have researched into psychiatry and psychology books in an effort to understand my affliction. One book I found useful was Living with Schizophrenia and also, very life changing for me, The Road Less Travelled by Scott M. Peck...but then I like reading!
In the UK there is currently a war between psychiatrists and psychologists over exactly what these “illnesses” are. Modern psychiatry seems to be all about drugs (or, cynically, Big Pharma) whereas psychologists say more or less it’s a way of thinking. (I am with the psychologists personally).
Things that help me are my friends (many afflicted in a similar way to me), and creating music, art and poetry even if it seems bad! Trying to find things to enjoy in this complex world helps.
Above all else if you are the sufferer you must talk, talk, talk, even if in a selfish manner and to just about anyone. I think the so-called “Talking Therapies” are more successful than most treatments.
I forget who said this but it’s very true: “Insanity is a sane response to an insane world.”
- John
This on the recovery movement:
"I am not sure just how long 'Recovery' has been in this country [UK], you would have to ask someone like, Dr Rachel Perkins OBE but I have worked in the Recovery movement for about 5 years and despite the Time to Change campaign and the very great work of many organisations and wonderful service users and carers, (take a look at 'Recovery stories' on Google and You Tube), I remain somewhat baffled how little public debate there is on this subject…
I am not sure but perhaps the answer lies within the 'Recovery' movement, the objectives of which are 'Hope, Control and Opportunity'. Check out Phoenix Arizona and 'Recovery, which is where I believe Dr Perkins began her journey. We know, like most service users and carers know, that apart from hope, we have love. There are no quick fixes but 'recovery' is possible, a quality of life is possible, an inner sense of security is possible, it is possible to conquer the fear, the myth, the stigma, the symptoms that are mental illness whatever the medical label maybe but only if the debate enters the 'JO PUBLIC' domain, will there be real change."
- Sue
And this on the connection between art and healing:
"Much of my focus in thinking and research of late has been on the impact of loss and betrayal as experienced during the AIDS Crisis Years; and, more importantly, development of art which serves as voice and incites a healing communization of this trauma. I am aware this exploration is about my own healing, but I believe that for healing to occur on a personal, community or cultural level, we have to connect with our story…and it needs to be shared. Otherwise we can be paralyzed in "trauma time," that hellish state where the past is too terrible to recall, the present is unfocused, and the future unimaginable. Much literature on trauma directs the survivor to construct and present a personal narrative. Sharing trauma pulls us back into narrative time. Narrative heals and allows the survivor to rebuild the ruins of character and community."
- Daniel
Thank you for talking. For saying hello. And for helping us bring people back together.