Recovering from Schizophrenia

Recovering from Schizophrenia

By Larry Wheatley

Recovering from this mental illness is not easy. The cause of this, for me, was being hurt and then hurting back too much. Owning up to this realization is the first step to taking responsibility for my actions.

It has been 26 years since I plunged myself into the abyss of schizophrenia. I believed I would have reached the plateau of sanity that I have today if I had not mixed alcohol while taking medications. The problem I had was that I was taking my medication, seeing my therapists, and following their politically correct dictums. Though I did all this, I was still depressed and schizophrenic. I told myself that my ex-wife was out at night clubbing while I had to drink at home and not be in the sexual revolution that existed prior to the beginning of sexually transmitted diseases.

Now I’m glad I was precluded from those Bacchanalian times. The rancor I had for my ex-wife, who I believed was instrumental in bringing on my mental illness, is gone.

Now I love life. I have joie de vie. I’m doing all the things I wanted when I came home from Vietnam. I belong to a Veterans of Foreign Wars Post. I work twice a week on bingo and am in the Honor Guard. I’m also the legislative representative for my Disabled American Veterans Chapter. I love God, country and my family. I don’t want to sound vain, but I’m also on the board of directors of the Erie County Mental Health Association. I love my church and the people in it.

I have an eclectic appreciation of life now. I no longer want to recoup my former life. Not the money, house and other more material goals I had. Now all I need is a more modest life of food, shelter and clothing. The old corporate vice-president goal is gone. I do appreciate my business education learning from the University at Buffalo that enables me to understand the financial statements at Mental Health Association board meetings.

A message to my fellow consumers about diet. I have found what many third world people know. Rice. Yes rice is inexpensive and a good source of nutrition. When mixed with a piece of chicken, boiled in water in the microwave and a spice added, it is an epicurean delight.

Interacting with people who are more affluent than me has helped me too. They can’t give their money away. They set up foundations to do that. Also, at the art gallery, there are public displays of human creativity that touch the heart, mind and soul of all strata of economic life.

Memory has helped me. I am resurrecting old synapses that help me have pride and dignity of myself from my former life. There are some memories of regret. However, I have repented to God for them and feel forgiven. Now, I’m moving on.

I facilitate a support group for people treated for schizophrenia and schizo-affective disorder. It’s held every Monday evening from 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. at the Mental Health Association, 999 Delaware Avenue at the corner of West Utica, in Buffalo. If you are suffering from severe depression and/or schizophrenia don’t give up your ship. There is hope. In time with the right medication and psychotherapy you will get better. If you need a Peer Advocate Specialist to represent you to your psychotherapist to get a better working medication, then apply at the Mental Health PEER Connection at 716-836-0822.

If you need to sound off about the way your family treats you or other grievances come to my support group, the Grace Group at the Mental Health Association.