PatientsLikeMe ™

This is a completely new bio since the last one I had on here was from 2008. I opened that biography by saying “I find it very difficult to tell my biography without referring to my pathology because it is hard for me to remember a time when I didn't feel sad, hopeless, worthless, etc.” I wrote this before I got treatment and when I was in a very dark and depressed state of mind. I no longer view myself as being synonymous with my illness and I now have much better times to reflect on and to see that things have progressed in the last three years. That doesn’t mean there aren’t bad times, it’s just that the good days outnumber the bad ones now.

I won’t go into my condition history or treatments because you can view all that in my profile. Since I am more than my diagnoses, I’d like for you to know me as a person first. First of all, I am a student at the community college here. I’m only taking two classes this semester and I’m not working towards a degree at the moment. I already have a B.S. and I’m just looking to see if I can still handle the rigors of school after being out so long.  My memory definitely isn’t what it used to be (thank you p-meds), but I’m really enjoying my classes and I’m considering trying to get a MSW.

I enjoy reading, exercising, playing with my cat Spike (my profile picture), and playing Rock Band. Finally, I got a job back in July working as a Recovery Specialist at the mental health agency where I receive my mental health services. This may sound odd, but part of the requirement for the job is that you must have a mental illness. And while my pdoc and tdoc and case manager all work in the same building, I only see them when I have scheduled appointments- I can’t just drop in when I want to.

Part of my job is to plan recovery activities for the mental health agency. As an example, we are planning a recovery conference right now that is all about promoting the idea of recovery from mental illness. I lead groups on advocacy and healthy living, among others. I have spoken on the importance of mental health funding at both the state and local level. I'm a huge believer in recovery and I want to use my experience as a consumer to help others living with mental illness. If you are involved in a similar role in your community I'd love to hear from you.

BTW- In saying all this I don't mean to suggest I'm completely recovered and have all the answers to everything. I still have down times and occasional hospitalizations, but overall I feel much better than I did when I first joined this site.