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Hi Robin, Hi David : I think thew two of you hit the nail the nail on the head when you talked about perseverance. From my history, I was in denial of my illness for almost 20 years. This meant, of course , refusal of treatment , lack of any medication and a compounding of symptoms. How wonderful, Robin to find a doctor early on who could stick with you in good times and bad. I think that relationships like that are the exception , not the norm. By the late 90's I had seen at least 20 different psychiatrists, each with their own particular and subtle way of treating me . I have been seeing my current doctor for about 3 years. Don't get me wrong , I'm not knocking the medical profession, I'm the one who ultimately makes the choice.
Take care
Don Fraser
P.S I can be reached at don2fsr@yahoo.ca
My first two psychiatrists/first two years after diagnosis, I was never given any hope for any level of recovery. They both gave up on me, said I was untreatable because they had tried a few antipsychotics and mood stabilizers w/o success. And I had already suffered suicidal depression for years. They told my folks to stick me in a long term care center and get on with their lives. Did they ever have a second thought about how that might make me feel? No. In fact, I quickly agreed that I was beyond hope. And went on to attempt suicide 3 times. My third and present psychiatrist had no limits concerning options for treatment. Of course, every med or med cocktail has it's own set of unpleasant side effects, and I suffered through many to find the right one for me. But my doctor always had hope. Hope that I would return to a normal life, hope that I would be able to work, to date, to brighten the lives of others, to be spiritually awakened, and regain much of my formal potential. Thank God for hope and the people who give it to us!
Carolyn
My first two psychiatrists/first two years after diagnosis, I was never given any hope for any level of recovery. They both gave up on me, said I was untreatable because they had tried a few antipsychotics and mood stabilizers w/o success. And I had already suffered suicidal depression for years. They told my folks to stick me in a long term care center and get on with their lives. Did they ever have a second thought about how that might make me feel? No. In fact, I quickly agreed that I was beyond hope. And went on to attempt suicide 3 times. My third and present psychiatrist had no limits concerning options for treatment. Of course, every med or med cocktail has it's own set of unpleasant side effects, and I suffered through many to find the right one for me. But my doctor always had hope. Hope that I would return to a normal life, hope that I would be able to work, to date, to brighten the lives of others, to be spiritually awakened, and regain much of my formal potential. Thank God for hope and the people who give it to us!
Carolyn
Carolyn:
I was really fortunate to find a psychiatrist in 1956 that provided me with what today can only be called as "best practice treatment." He was a jewel. I was able count on him, even from 3,000 miles away, until his death in 1974. For years after that the road wasn't so smooth, but about five or six years ago, I found another jewel. Both of these psychiatrists have taken at my word and have shown me the kind of respect and compassion we all need and deserve.
DON'T YOU DARE GIVE UP YOUR HOPES AND DREAMS. Our hopes and dreams make us what we are.
Robin
I do not suffer from schizophrenia, but have been priviledged to work with clients in various stages of this disease and it's rehabilitation. This article is so authentic and hopeful and real and is filled with realistic hope. Thank you for your perspective!
My experience was initially one of shock and grief for those with this illness, because the disease seemed so cruel and the treatments so inadequate. But soon I came to see the triumph of the human spirit. Some of the most remarkable people I have ever meet are in ALL stages of rehabilitation and struggle. There have been moments where I have longed to give a client just ONE DROP of this hope you hold onto.
Sojourner:
What many people assume when they see someone struggling with a mental illness is that the person aflicted is weak. Without exception, I have found that everyone I have encountered with a mental illness is far stronger than their critics, and have more patiance, understanding and compassion.
I believe that hope and love are what sustain us all.
Thank you very much for your comment.
Don't ever abandon your sojoun. It will certainly be a part of your legacy.
Robin
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I know that if I didn't see the light at the end of tunnel I may not be here now. There has been lots of dark despair in my life, but deep down inside myself I knew there was hope. Even if it was a sliver of hope, it was something to grab onto.
Thank you Robin for your insights and sharing your life with us.
Dave
David:
Although all of our experiences are uniguely our own, like you, I too in my own way, have been in the darkness clinging to a sliver of hope. Without that sliver, I know wouldn't be here today.
A tiny ember can start a raging fire. This is a cliche precisely because it is true and everyone knows it.
Even in our darkest hours, it's when we share that tiny ember of hope with others that need it too that it can grow into a raging fire. Love and understanding have little value unless they are shared with others.
Please continue to blog.
Peace,
Robin