Give me your mental health HOPE stories

[GreenApplesBlueSky]

I’m coming to nearly 3 months after hospitalised psychotic episode. Can drive again soon!
Please give me your stories of hope after an episode. Did you go back to work? A new job? How were/are you on meds? I’d like to hear about finding joy again...

Hello, I've not been where you are, but wanted say, well done you. Fighting your demons is incredibly hard and you are doing a fantastic job x

We can vote for Labour and regain our mental health services.
There's some hope!

Heh heh abso not quite what I had in mind!
Thank you so much wannabe! I am looking forward to doing some work again! Thinking about volunteering.

My DH had psychotic episodes and was in hospital 8 years ago, he went back to work and has led a normal life ever since.

He has depression but it is well managed with just antidepressants, he hasn't needed to take antipsychotics since.

I wish you well and a speedy recovery, give yourself time and kindness to recover

Thank you so much, Futureplanning this is exactly what I need to hear. Very well done to your DH! Thank you, I will do that...

I haven't had a psychotic episode but had a fairly traumatic year of anxiety and depression which led to me having suicidal ideations. I had a social worker and psychiatry services' input.
I was off work for a year and left that job as it contributed to my awful mental health.

After that I went back to a new job on a very part time basis. This led to full time employment a year later. I am so happy there.

I had to work really hard with the agencies involved but honestly, my life is better than it was before I was sick. I am not on any medication now and my confidence and self esteem are the highest they've ever been. I had some workshops on PTSD which really helped my understanding of how my brain was working and that everything was not my fault.

I am now a happy person. I can face adversity and overcome things which previously would have knocked me down.

I feel so much improvement in each area of my life. I know know the early warning signs that I'm feeling down again and I can act on these, up the self care and take a step back to catch my breath without freaking out that everything will fall apart.

I wish you well op, sometimes I think my breakdown helped me see what changes I needed to make and force me to make them.

Sunny thank you for sharing your story and very well done. YOu sound amazing! I am toying with a new job but I am fearful of the forms to complete. How did you get yours? I have PTSD and ASD too. I’m getting there. V slow pace and boring days but getting there... a new job would help.

PS. My CON says exactly the same as your last paragraph... sometimes these episodes are the mind’s’ way of telling us to change.

*CPN not CON!

I've not had a psychotic episode, but about 13 years ago I was sectioned, I was always seen as miserable and grumpy and misbehaved from being a teen. I drank to try and cope, it worked for a while at least externally. I had my daughter and 3 years later completely broke.
Through medication, therapy and learned to recognise signs and what to do, I wouldn't say I'm cured (because I'm not sure you ever really can be where mental illness is concerned) but I'm literally a different person. It's obvious now that I had problems from teen years, but my parents didn't do mental illness, so I didn't get any help or even insight.
I'm good now, I worked at it, and it was really scary at times, but I'm now the person I always should have been and I love it, I am still getting to know this person, and don't recognise my reactions sometimes when I deal with something properly, rather than having a melt down.
I've had a few jobs since then, and just got better and better, been promoted, earn a bit more, am a much better parent, friend and relative.
You have got this, you're going in the right direction and yeah, it's scary at times, but so, so worth it. Well done on your progress so far and best wishes for your continued recovery 💐

I haven’t had a psychotic episode but suffered from PTSD and severe depression. I struggled through school and eventually had a full breakdown and attempted suicide my third year of uni. I was very ill for a few years, I dropped out, was unemployed, couldn’t get out of bed, endless nightmares and panic attacks. Mental health services were wonderful and helped get me through.

Getting better was gradual but started with getting a job as a TA in a special needs school, which I loved. I had EMDR which helped enormously, started seeing friends again and taking care of myself a bit more. I met my partner and fell in love and accidentally got pregnant very soon into our relationship. There were a lot of concerns from SS and mental health about me having a baby in case I couldn’t cope, but I managed really well and love being a mum.

My daughter is now nearly 2, I’m engaged to her dad and I’m studying to become an occupational therapist. I’m overall really happy with my life. I do still have to be very aware of my mental health- I can’t handle stress as well as maybe most other people can and I have to take extra care to make sure I get enough sleep, exercise, down time etc. But things are good :) and I never thought I’d say that a few years ago.

Doodoobear and riotlady both your stories have given me so much hope. I am feeling more hopeful and your stories are a huge help. Thank you and VERY well done!

@GreenApplesBlueSky There is hope when you have / have had psychosis but there are downsides as well depending on your diagnosis.

I had a bad psychotic breakdown in 2012 I was very delusional & sadly lost the career I'd trained for as a result.
I was put on one anti psychotic that didn't work & then put on Aripiprazole & slowly recovered over several months.

I've been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, also have traits of BPD & have epilepsy.
I have a job as an HCA on a surgical hospital ward which I enjoy.
My best friends have stuck by me & I have a social life.

But the negative things are I can only work part time as I get very tired on the meds. (I take 25mg Aripiprazole, plus an anti depressant & two anti epileptics.)
Also when I get tired & stressed I get paranoid about other people, plus I have breakthrough psychotic symptoms still when very tired eg I have hallucinations. Luckily I do know that they are not real.

I still haven't got over losing my career.
I've been told by my psychiatrist & by a peri natal psychiatrist that they want me to be in a stable relationship before having a child & to stay on the meds which could put the child at risk, so I now realise that I may be childless unfortunately.

I'm lucky though as I said I have a good job, my managers are aware of my diagnosis & are very supportive, I have a nice house that I bought when I had my career, I don't seem unwell or medicated to others, I have good friends & family, and a pet.

About two years ago I was so ill I could barely function. My children had been adopted. I could barely cope with Tesco.

In November 2017 I got a diagnosis for a dissociative disorder.

I have been in therapy for 14 months. I am struggling less and making improvements everyday. I write a blog and am writing a novel and also this weekend I coped with a trip to London. I am not on any meds as they don't work for me.

This would have been inconceivable 2 years ago. I am not quiet able to cope with work at the moment but I am hoping in time it will happen.

My DH had a severe depressive episode, a nervous breakdown, 12 months and a whisker from being sectioned. He gave up v high power high stress job. Wotks sensible hours now, still on some medication but not much. Has to consciously think about being kind to himself.

But oh so much better.

My brother in law was hospitalised about. 11 years ago after psychotic episodes and mania. Since then he has managed his illness through medication initially and then diet and exercise. He has also got a PhD and married and bought a flat and a dog with my sister as well as working full-time and working on a book.
It can and does get better.

I have had very severe depression and perioda of suicidal thoughts and self harm. I'm on medication and have been for most of my adult life. I am also married with 2 kids. A job I love and excel in and thanks to therapy a much kinder attitude to myself. It's been baby steps but I've been well for 4 years now and my life finally feels like I'm living it instead of just being alive.

Thank you to you ALL for uplifting stories. I come back to this thread a lot since I posted and read all your cases. It's so good to hear about the comebacks. Next week I will be able to drive again, which will make my recovery easier. I am feeling very stable and with it. My meds make me feel a bit spaced out sometimes but on the whole I think I am recovering well. I am being kinder to myself and trying to be in company as much as possible. THANK YOU.

Glad to read that you are getting on well

@GreenApplesBlueSky so glad you are feeling better and recovering. Remember your story - you'll be in the position to help someone else struggling in the future and at least for me, that helps me make a little sense of it all. Wishing you a continued recovery and good health 💐