In 1980, I was forced into treatment. I was convinced that my life was in disarray but not in crisis. I was wrong. My parents were at wits' end trying to figure out a way to get me into treatment. Finally, I would get good treatment, but it took a while for me to realize that I have to take meds to maintain my sanity. My poor parents, after about two years, convinced me to take my meds every day.
Unfortunately, that medication was a first-generation medication. So I was pretty numbed out and zombie-like. I was not hurting myself or anyone else, so in the 80s, this was considered successful treatment. In 2003, I started a second-generation med and I began to do much better.
I started back to work and eventually found love and a wife.
But those 23 years were a struggle, and my parents stood by me as we tried to figure out how the recovery process could be enhanced. I took an occasional class but for those 23 years I leaned on my parents for support pretty heavily. We would go out to dinner every Saturday and a movie! I really looked forward to that!
I later discovered wellness tools that helped in my recovery. I love music and sports and journaling so I do that to stay well along with my meds. I now work as a certified medical/cal peer support specialist! I support others in their recovery process!
We can do well but so many do not due to anosognosia and poor treatment opportunities.
Let’s help those who are not so fortunate!
They can thrive too!
Each story is shared by someone impacted by untreated SMI,
lightly edited for clarity, never for meaning.
Do you have an ask? If you were sitting down with your legislator, how would you ask them to help you?
Please provide housing for those of us diagnosed with SMI!
