Five years ago,a specialist told me I needed two anti -psychotics to treat my illness.

   He was right.   Some of you might find that info. useful.  Until then nothining worked. It had been 25 years of frustration for me and my family.     The two drugs are serequil and olanzipine.          In 2005 I was honored at an awards ceremony in Vancouver, BC and accepted the Courage to Come Back award from Coast Foundation Mental Health.Since then I have worked (until this year) for the BC Schizophrenia Society inthe "Partners in Education" program here in Nanaimo.       We are making progress .  The public is becoming aware.    Early intervention is a reality,not just wishful hindsight.

Groups like United Way are helping , but sadly a significant number of people with this illness are untreated.and homeless,A  recent survey conoluded that about half of Vacouver's homeless had mental health issues.     Unfortunately, many of them have turned to "self-medicating" or taking drugs and abusing alcohol. It's sad.

One of the difficulties , as many of us know , with treatment is that drugs have side-effects.    The newer or "atypical" drugs have fewer side effects but have issues of their own and may not always be available to the consumer.

I'd be interested in any ideas from anyone !   I'm easy to talk to.             Don F.