Recovery is Real

Hi All,

I just wanted to send the message of hope. I have Bipolar I, and PTSD. I was diagnosed about 7-8 years ago during my first manic episode. My entire life fell apart when I became sick for the first time...lost my job, left school, was self-medicating with drugs, almost ruined my closest friendships, and started fighting with my family who were torn apart by what was happening to me. I went from being a vibrant hard working, fun loving college student in the prime of her 20's to a lost soul who felt like her life was over. I spent a couple of weeks in the hospital, and went home to fester in my own thoughts. I spent the next year and a half trying to regain normalcy in my life. I finally started doing better, and began going back to school to finish my degree part time. Soon after that I started working again. My relationships were improving. In 2010, I was out of work again, wondering when my life would get on track and stay that way. My therapist asked me what it is that I would like to do for work, and I said I would like to help those who have been through similar things to what I have been through. I started looking online at mental health agencies for jobs, and came across an ad for a "Peer Specialist" which is someone who provides support to individuals with mental illness based on their lived experience. My life has never been the same since. I got the job, and I love it. I had NO idea that anything like this existed. I am now a department head in a psychiatric hospital, and I oversee the peer services department. I am very happily married to an amazing guy. I finished school. I have amazing relationships with family, and friends. We are looking forward to trying to have a baby, and buying a home in the next few years. I look at my illness as an asset now. My job depends on it! I have quit smoking, and have started to lose weight. Do not EVER give up hope. I really thought my life was over, and had I ended it, I would have never known the happiness I now have in my life. I have days where I'm not feeling so good, but that is to be expected when you have a mental illness, but the good far outweighs the bad. Good luck to you all!

Thanks!

CONGRATULATIONS!! Remember to continue to give yourself pats on the back for the positive you're doing. Positive does happen when you want it bad enough. Thank you for reminding me of that.

Hi Sbeau...

What a great story! You sound like you've been stable for a long time. Can I ask what meds you're on? I would love to be stable. Instead I'm stuck in severe depression for the last 4 years. I'm bipolar too. It seems to take forever to get on the right medicine combination. Thanks for sharing!!

Thanks for sharing your story

I take 200 mg of lamotrigine (lamictal) once a day, and 5 mg of abilify. I will add though that meds haven't been everything. They're important but not everything. I have found that being humble enough to admit that you need help (when you do), knowing that the bad times get better, and knowing what helps me stay well has been hugely important. Some of my wellness tools include meditation, strong family support, positive self talk, spirituality, exercise, medication, clinical support, outdoor activities, reading, and the list goes on and on. My biggest piece of advice is to advocate for yourself even though some providers aren't too keen on that, and to remember that NOTHING is impossible. Btw, advocate doesn't mean I'm saying to stop treatment, or not listen to your treaters. If something doesn't feel right, ask questions! It's ok to ask them! For example, you go to your prescriber, and they say they want to put you on something new. It's ok to ask why they are doing that! A lot of people won't! Good luck!

I believe in advocating for myself too. I encourage people in the forum to do it all the time. I've got all the other puzzle pieces going for me its just been getting on the right meds. That's the last puzzle piece for me.

I would love to be a peer specialist. Reaching out to others who are going through a mental illness would be so rewarding. I have my MSW so i can actually be a therapist. They probably just use them in bigger cities though. When I'm doing better I'll check it out.

Thanks again!!