There is much confusion in the mental health field today. Some of it revolves around what recovery is. One idea is that recovery involves having a partial healing, with the ability to live a meaningful life on medications. The other, means total recovery, with no need of medications.
There are many blogs and websites available for those who accept the first description of recovery. My blog is to reach those who still have a glimmer of hope for an eventual total healing. My own experience with overcoming schizophrenia will be the subject of most of my posts. There seems to be a lack of others sharing their stories, which is a shame because I know many sufferers do finally and totally recover. It may be of interest that, although those who remain ill complain of the stigma towards them, we who find freedom also experience negative stigma (of a different kind). This can make us uncomfortable about speaking out.
If we try to help others overcome, we are told we are giving false hope. I've even had a health professional tell me that I either didn't have scizophrenia or wasn't healed. This attitude goes against a statement in a Schizophrenia Society booklet that says that the brain can recover even into the second or third decade of illness.
Although medications help alleviate our troubles, they don't heal - they are a bandaid only. Our psychiatrists hope that the medications given will give us the chance to work towards our own healing in time.
I hope you will continue to visit my blog, as I do my best to share with you all that I learned and put into practice to find my own healing.
Blessings,
Annie
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Friday, 13 January 2012
Making a positive difference for those with mental illness
I know I'm blessed to have found total recovery from my particular illness, schizophrenia. Knowing the terrible suffering that so many still go through keeps me from just enjoying my freedom, without working hard to help others to reach a similar goal. Although I'd be foolish and wrong to suggest that all who read my blog will experience total healing, I believe that many will find greater peace as they put into practice the godly wisdom and practical insights I learned over the years I was ill. Because peace of mind, soul and spirit were the positives needed to bring recovery to my brain, I'll share how I personally overcame many of the fears, confusions and doubts I experienced. I'll also share 3 specific triggers that began my illness, and that of others, though the circumstances were different.
For those reading this who are partially recovered, but on medication and doing well, I don't recommend or promote discarding medications - that is only for you and your doctor/psychiatrist to decide. However, I do hope that some will read what helped me and, perhaps be surprised to find the reversal of the chemical changes that your brain needs.
Since I'm not an ordained pastor or a mental health professional, I need to state that, as author of this blog, I take no responsibility for any consequences from application of the information read here. I can only give the assurance that, all the suggestions and theories I write about, come from my personal faith experience and through studying different psychiatric publications - and only what helped lead to my healing. Even the medical and mental health professionals don't have all the answers for the growing epidemic of mental illnesses we see today. I hope to get them to listen to what I know worked for me and others that I have peer counselled and spiritually encouraged over the past 12 years. A year of psychiatry, courses and experience in counselling, and pastoral care under hospital chaplains, have all helped me to empathize with people who suffer pain of any kind. The desire to bring others to soul rest and a sound mind has become my greatest life's work at present.
To begin this process, I have become a member of my city's Mental Health Advisory Committee. My hope is to change the opinion of many in the mental health community, who still believe that medication is a must for all, for life. Please pray that I'll be able to do this in a patient and loving manner.
If you have checked out my website, where I share about my book, In HIS WAY and HIS TIME, you'll know my story is endorsed by a Christian psychiatrist. My blogging will likely include much of what I wrote in the book, but in small increments, which may be easier for some to read and absorb.
Please join me on what may be your journey to wholeness.
Blessings,
Annie
For those reading this who are partially recovered, but on medication and doing well, I don't recommend or promote discarding medications - that is only for you and your doctor/psychiatrist to decide. However, I do hope that some will read what helped me and, perhaps be surprised to find the reversal of the chemical changes that your brain needs.
Since I'm not an ordained pastor or a mental health professional, I need to state that, as author of this blog, I take no responsibility for any consequences from application of the information read here. I can only give the assurance that, all the suggestions and theories I write about, come from my personal faith experience and through studying different psychiatric publications - and only what helped lead to my healing. Even the medical and mental health professionals don't have all the answers for the growing epidemic of mental illnesses we see today. I hope to get them to listen to what I know worked for me and others that I have peer counselled and spiritually encouraged over the past 12 years. A year of psychiatry, courses and experience in counselling, and pastoral care under hospital chaplains, have all helped me to empathize with people who suffer pain of any kind. The desire to bring others to soul rest and a sound mind has become my greatest life's work at present.
To begin this process, I have become a member of my city's Mental Health Advisory Committee. My hope is to change the opinion of many in the mental health community, who still believe that medication is a must for all, for life. Please pray that I'll be able to do this in a patient and loving manner.
If you have checked out my website, where I share about my book, In HIS WAY and HIS TIME, you'll know my story is endorsed by a Christian psychiatrist. My blogging will likely include much of what I wrote in the book, but in small increments, which may be easier for some to read and absorb.
Please join me on what may be your journey to wholeness.
Blessings,
Annie
Tuesday, 10 January 2012
Why forget me nots?
Some of my readers may want to know why I've called my blog Forget-me-not friends. There are two main reasons - the first is from my past, the second more recent. When I was young and still living with my parents, my maternal grandmother lived with us. She was limited to a wheelchair and I spent much time with her. One spring day I picked her a bouquet of forget-me-nots from our garden to cheer her. Her happy response led her to ask me to remember her when she was gone every time I saw these small but lovely little flowers in the spring. At first, I did think of her then, but later it expanded to every time I saw them on a greeting card or the word mentioned anywhere. Somehow I felt close to her at those times and that she was thinking of me too.
My love for these flowers grew over the years, especially while I was struggling to overcome a 20 year battle with schizophrenia. Because spiritual fears and confusions were a big part of my illness and caused me to reach out to God for answers and help, I gradually believed that He was also encouraging me to know all would be well whenever I was given to see forget-me-nots in some way. He seemed to say that since He never forgets me, would I try to remember Him more. The forget-me not began to signify peace and a growing hope and faith in God's love, which continues to this day.
Somewhere I read that we are all flowers in God's garden - all unique and treasured for our differences. Some are small and delicate, while others are larger and stand out, but all have a reason for being what they are. I began to see myself as a forget-me-not, someone who needed others beside me to make a show. For those of you who feel insignificant and small, friends can be a blessing to strengthen you, and together we can make a difference in our world. By leaving positive and encouraging comments on my blog, you can be a friend to help me and others grow to be the healthy and beautiful people God wants us all to be. The beautiful blue reminded me of heaven and our spiritual growth, while the fact that we bloom every year in spring reminds me that, although we may go through winter seasons, we'll bloom again and again and again. Wherever we are in our life-journey, hope ensures that we'll always have a new spring by patiently enduring our winters.
Blessings from
Annie
.
My love for these flowers grew over the years, especially while I was struggling to overcome a 20 year battle with schizophrenia. Because spiritual fears and confusions were a big part of my illness and caused me to reach out to God for answers and help, I gradually believed that He was also encouraging me to know all would be well whenever I was given to see forget-me-nots in some way. He seemed to say that since He never forgets me, would I try to remember Him more. The forget-me not began to signify peace and a growing hope and faith in God's love, which continues to this day.
Somewhere I read that we are all flowers in God's garden - all unique and treasured for our differences. Some are small and delicate, while others are larger and stand out, but all have a reason for being what they are. I began to see myself as a forget-me-not, someone who needed others beside me to make a show. For those of you who feel insignificant and small, friends can be a blessing to strengthen you, and together we can make a difference in our world. By leaving positive and encouraging comments on my blog, you can be a friend to help me and others grow to be the healthy and beautiful people God wants us all to be. The beautiful blue reminded me of heaven and our spiritual growth, while the fact that we bloom every year in spring reminds me that, although we may go through winter seasons, we'll bloom again and again and again. Wherever we are in our life-journey, hope ensures that we'll always have a new spring by patiently enduring our winters.
Blessings from
Annie
.
Sunday, 8 January 2012
Hello from Annie - Welcome to my blog
Hi to my friends,
I'm happy to finally get my blog up and running, thanks to my daughter and dear friend.
I'm new to blogging and technically challenged, so please be patient while I learn my way around. Things will necessarily be simple for awhile at least. Looking forward to having friends drop by.
Here's how to find my website to learn more about my journey: http://www.hiswayandtime.com
Blessings,
Annie
I'm happy to finally get my blog up and running, thanks to my daughter and dear friend.
I'm new to blogging and technically challenged, so please be patient while I learn my way around. Things will necessarily be simple for awhile at least. Looking forward to having friends drop by.
Here's how to find my website to learn more about my journey: http://www.hiswayandtime.com
Blessings,
Annie
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