Real Stories, Real People: Serious Mental Illness
George
The onset of serious psychotic symptoms was sudden and dramatic for “George,” a 51-year old man living with schizoaffective disorder. In George’s compromised reality a mental “Star Chamber” was holding him on trial for crimes too terrible to fathom. These florid hallucinations left him wandering the streets shouting at unseen forces out to destroy him. Due to his hallucinations, George was unable to physically care for himself, refusing showers and fresh clothing. Although kind hearted and mild mannered by nature, people avoided the scary-looking “crazy” man. George’s only real support was an older brother who let him sleep in a dilapidated trailer behind his house. George avoided the outside world as much as possible. A small disability check kept him locked into a dreary existence.
Through Centerstone, George was invited to participate in research studies sponsored by Centerstone Research Institute and Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital. One study that looked at higher doses of injected of Risperdal Consta for people deemed to be poor responders at typical dosage levels proved to be almost immediately beneficial for George. In six week’s time George’s delusions were dramatically diminished. The accusing voices in his head hushed to the point he had to strain to hear them and most days they were simply gone. George himself came to see that the “Star Chamber” and the voices were not real. With support from Centerstone’s case management team, George is now on track to move into his own supported-living housing. The once wild-eyed, unshaven man is now transformed. George now smiles easily and lights up any room he enters. While sad about the years lost in a delusional maelstrom, George is determined to focus on his future and the greater promise it now holds.
A true story from Centerstone Research Institute, Nashville, TN.
Elizabeth
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Her doctor suggested that she apply for the Club House, where she was accepted in December. Since she has been coming to the Club House she is much more settled in her mind and her symptoms have lessened. She became better when allowed to leave the Club House to assist with presentations, talking about the Club House to people who might seek help at the Club House.
A true story from COMHAR's Clubhouse Program, Philadelphia, PA
Annette
“Annette’s” struggles began at age 14, when she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. It was at this time, that her mother, also suffering from this illness, committed suicide. When she needed friends the most, she was ostracized by her schoolmates once they learned of her illness. Throughout her life she had the loving support of her father and sisters.
Annette's 26 year struggle to take control of her illness was sidelined numerous times due to repeated hospitalizations. For this reason, it took her 10 years to earn her Bachelor's Degree. Her efforts to be independent were also impacted by her illness costing her to lose employment several times.
In 2001, Annette sought help at Pacific Clinics. As she started to manage her symptoms, her work hours and responsibilities were increased. She was doing well until 2003 when she relapsed and was hospitalized four times in an eight month period. It was during this period that she learned self-help techniques to gain control of her illness--and she's never looked back.
Once back at work, she worked part time in Pacific Clinics outpatient and day treatment CalWORKs program. Now that she has her life on track, she shares her personal experience with clients and works hard with them to help them understand that they too can gain control of their illness.
In just five years, she went from consumer to a full time mental health worker (case manager) at Pacific Clinics. She has been struggling with her illness for 26 years yet she never gave up hope. Her compassionate and heartfelt message to others with mental illness is, "If I can do it, you can do it too."
A true story from Pacific Clinics, Arcadia, CA
Linda
“Linda” was only 4, but she remembers clearly that the tornado picked up her house, smashing it into a tree. That was only the beginning of Linda’s stormy life. She was sexually abused by family members and bounced around from home to home.
She escaped the abuse by marrying a man just two weeks after she met him, believing that she could turn her life around. Instead, he turned out to be an abusive man who was addicted to drugs and alcohol. She realized that no one could save her from this life of hell but herself.
It was then that she called the Mental Health and Mental Retardation Authority of Harris County (MHMRA). She would receive counseling and medication and the support of one special counselor, Pedro Pena.
Linda says, “It was then that I realized that I was a person, and I deserved a good life. I understand that I have mental illness, and that I am just doing the best that I can. MHMRA saved my life … no, MHMRA helped ME to save my life.”
Linda now volunteers with MHMRA, telling her story in order to let other people, especially women, know that they don’t have to go through the type of abuse that she went through. She wants others to take control of their lives and turn them around the way she did.
A true story from MHMRA of
Steven
“Steven,” who suffers from bipolar and OCD was at times so out of control that he would assault verbally (and sometimes physically) the very people who were trying to help him. His OCD symptoms resulted in such excessive hoarding that he was evicted from many apartments, and had three homes condemned! Steven was simply a mess.
Finally, Steven started working with a PACT team, who helped him obtain stable housing and organize his apartment. Starting with the team wasn’t easy as he didn’t trust them at first. The PACT team encouraged and supported Steven in an effort to put his life back together. However, Steven was able to overcome his doubt and finally realize that he was in the driver’s seat of his own recovery.
He is now enrolled at a local community college and earning excellent grades. Steven is continuing with his recovery and now has hope for the future. He has certainly come a long way in his recovery and looks forward to making more progress.
After finishing his education, Steven wants to become a peer counselor and use his experiences to give others hope. He believes hope is the key to helping people overcome and manage mental illness.
Mirna
“Mirna” is the youngest of five women from a Mexican family. Her father had come to the
A CalWORKs H.A. counselor who works with the Adult Education program received a request to see Mirna because she was in a personal crisis. At 21 years old, she had two children and was in a relationship where she experienced domestic violence. She had few English language skills and no job.
Mirna began participating in the mental health treatment program, attending individual and group sessions. During this time, she communicated that she had other sisters in similar situations. All of them were invited by Catholic Charities to various activities, workshops, monthly family meetings, and some individual advisory sessions.
Mirna and her sisters were encouraged to change their lives by overcoming barriers to becoming not only emotionally but also economically self-sufficient.
Mirna remained highly motivated and has accomplished many important goals despite her personal difficulties. She continued studying ESL and is now working toward earning a GED. As part of her efforts to reorganize her life, Mirna has also worked to improve her parenting skills. Currently, she works as a janitor at night and volunteers in the mornings as an administrative assistant. She is planning to work in the property management in the future.
The family recently pooled their assets in order to buy their first home together. This would only have been possible through the emotional growth they experienced, which was the important first step to attaining self-sufficiency. Mirna's story is evidence of the support, guidance, and compassion that helps individuals in crisis gain the resources and determination they need to accomplish their life goals.
A true story from Catholic Charities’ CalWORKs Health
Sam spent most of his adult life in state mental hospitals in four different states. Psychotic and self-destructive behaviors made it difficult for him to obtain services outside a hospital.Last January, multiple providers met to coordinate services to move Sam into the community. He was placed in a men's residential facility at the local mental health authority, with round-the-clock supervision and daily involvement by multiple service providers.
Today, Sam is celebrating his one-year anniversary out of the state hospital and is living in his first apartment. Services through the mental health system have become less intensive.
Sam credits the local authority staff for supporting his goals and even helping him return to school by arranging for a used desk and schoolbooks. While he still struggles occasionally, Sam has direction and hope and is making progress toward his biggest goal — living a productive life in the community.
A true story from Weber Human Services, Ogden, UT
Shirley moved into her community almost 35 years ago. Employed in the retail field, she had steadily moved up the ladder — from merchandising, to managing a department, to opening a new store.But things weren't all they seemed. After the sudden and unexpected loss of a sibling, Shirley became depressed and started drinking heavily. For almost 10 years, she moved from job to job to avoid being caught. But eventually she lost her job, and had a heart attack.
She had become friends with a community mental health authority employee who suggested she visit a group for people with mental illness to get support and encouragement and see a counselor.
Shirley was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Six months later ? with therapy, medication, and alcoholism education — the highs and lows had evened out and the panic/anxiety attacks had stopped.
Today, Shirley works with the homeless and mentally ill at the same center that helped her regain control of her life.
A true story from Southwest Counseling Solutions, Detroit, MI
One year ago, 27-year-old Matt described himself as, "A heart attack waiting to happen." He weighed more than 300 pounds and had a two pack a day smoking habit.
Diagnosed with bipolar disorder in his senior year in high school, Matt had been hospitalized twice. During one six-week stay, he gained 25 pounds.
Matt's weight had wildly fluctuated before. As a college freshman suffering from depression, he lost 119 pounds on only cigarettes and diet soft drinks.
He joined Monadnock's In Shape program which offers him the services of a personal trainer to focus on health and nutrition. Now Matt looks at diet and exercise differently, and excels in the cooking class. He has learned how to judge the nutritional values of foods by reading the information on the packaging.
He's also gained self-esteem through his athletic success, particularly in tennis, and gained perspective on his mental illness. "Now I don't view myself as Matt with this major mental illness. It's a component of me but not me. I try not to make it forefront of my entire being."
A true story from Monadnock Family Services, New Hampshire
