A Breath of Fresh Air | Stories from the narrative research project

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A Breath of Fresh Air

Published: September 2005

This story highlights how medication, being in hospital, housing support and social work services impacted this persons recovery.

I’ve experienced mental health problems and I’m now in recovery. I’ve been in and out of hospital for twenty years or more and it’s monotonous - all the time you spend there you are not really getting anywhere. I just felt really drugged up at the beginning - the medication made me feel very, very ill. You just feel like a cabbage, knackered, you can’t sit up and everybody around you is sleeping.

I think because the law and supervision orders changed for people with mental health problems, they became more about promoting good health and discipline rather than control. You are put back into the community, plus I’ve never really been on any tablets in the community, it’s always been a depot injection. It’s very little; you don’t feel like its taking control of your mind, you don’t feel really tired or exhausted, or that you can’t get by everyday. You don’t feel deranged, or under the weather, or psychotic, you don’t really feel negative, because the dose is very low, and it does help a lot.

Back in the community, it takes you a bit of time to get it together. There were nurses in the hospital that used to work with me; they’d come and see me on and off to see how things were working out and to make sure things were OK. Social Work Services have also helped me an awful lot in the past. They helped with discipline and were sort of mates with you; they were more relaxed with you - it wasn’t so much like they were running a ward. They could help you to make decisions more easily, and that sometimes helped - not pushing you into making a decision but trying to show you that things are a bit easier if you only persuade yourself to understand it and look at the situation.

I’ve got the housing support with me just now; this is my second time with them. They help with everything really, socially and day-to-day living. They visit my house, coming every day. When I’m talking to them about things, they help me to understand how to explain myself so that I can get things done. They support you to get things done - not in a hurry but sort of, “Come on then, you’re needing to do this now”, “do you not think you should do that?” and if you say, “Na man” they’ll not push you to do it but they’ll sort of say, “You have to get yourself sorted out here" and it gives you a bit of encouragement. It’s the first time I’ve really had any support like that, and they’re good boys that work with me, making me feel really relaxed with them most of the time. They’re caring people and they do help. It’s important that you get somebody that can work with you. I feel that's really what works with me, coming into the community and not being in hospital.

My family and me argue with one another an awful lot, but they’ve been there all the time. My parents have been around mostly while I’ve had my problems. Sometimes I was close to death and they were there for me. I have two children and would have liked to have to have been there more for them. It's a great relief that I now see them more.

Socially, a lot of things deteriorated over the years, but I'm now starting to mix again in the community. It’s a bit of a relief when things start to come together again, but it takes time. I go swimming for maybe a couple of hours and we go walking about a lot with the support package that I’ve got. I go for a game of snooker, and day-today things like shopping down the town, visiting family, and things like that. I think that living day-to-day does help you to take your time or feel relaxed. Getting disability living allowance also really helps, having the wee bit extra money to get by so you’re not sitting with nothing to do.

Since I got out this time, I feel that I have achieved a few goals. I’ve made myself a bit more relaxed and I feel happier - it’s a breath of fresh air. During my recovery I’ve found it helpful to do various things throughout the day, big or small, so that you feel that you achieve something every day.

This story was written based on this individuals interview for the SRNs narrative research project entitled, 'Recovering Mental Health in Scotland'. More information about the project can be found in the Narrative Research Project section of our website www.scottishrecovery.net.

If you’d like to share your own experience of recovery please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 0141 240 7790 to discuss.

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Story disclaimer

The stories presented here are for information only. They are meant to inspire hope and show that recovery can and does happen. The stories highlight various examples of recovery and we do not advocate any of these experiences as the ‘right’ way to recover. Recovery is an individual and unique process, each person must decide for himself or herself what will work for them. Please carefully consider any decisions you make about your own recovery and consult with someone you trust if you feel unsure.

See our Submit Your Thoughts pages for details on how to submit a story to us or you can contact us.