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Stories Narrative research project stories There is a Way Back
Stories Narrative research project stories There is a Way Back
There is a Way Back |
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coping strategies | education/learning | exercise | gardening | healthy eating | hospital | housing support | medication | medication (-) | money | outdoors | seeing things differently | self help groups | self knowledge/learning/growth | self management | stress | support from family | support from mental health professionals | taking control | volunteering
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Published: December 2005 This story highlights how caring for ones physical health, taking calculated risks, having control in one’s life, self-knowledge and self-monitoring have aided recovery. Up until about 8 years ago I was having really bad tension episodes and was in hospital. Then a friend suggested I ask to try a type of medication that he was on and see if it helped. I asked my doctor if I could be put on it, he agreed, and wonder of wonders the tension episodes stopped. They had been going on for probably about 7 years; so for a year I was just happy not to have them anymore. Then I got the flu, which meant I had to come off the medication and go back into hospital. Two things happened in hospital: firstly I was put on a medicine that made the tension episodes begin again and secondly, funnily enough, I rediscovered the energy and the strength that I used to have before illness, hospital and medication. So anyway, I was coping with the flu but the new medication clearly wasn’t right for me so they eventually put me back on the other medication and the tension episodes stopped again. Because I really felt as though I had been through something difficult and got through it, this gave me the confidence in myself to start doing things again, so that’s basically how the period of motivation started that’s been my recovery. When I got out if hospital I was given a housing association flat. It’s a flat like anybody else might live in which I share with two other people; we’ve got our own rooms and get on fairly well together. In a way it’s like having the best of both worlds because you’ve got all the home comforts and everything, and at the same time if you don't feel well there’s always someone on the end of the phone to talk to. When I was unwell I never even used to get up in the morning, it was usually after midday and I never had breakfast. People had said to me for years that you should have breakfast in the morning because it sets you up for the day, and I just thought, oh yeah. But then I finally got around to it and now I even look forward to my breakfast and it’s true, it does give you a good start to the day. I’ve also discovered that I quite enjoy cooking so it’s not like I’m having fish and chips every night, I’m eating food prepared with basic ingredients and I’m very physically fit compared to what I used to be. I do truly massive bike runs, they started off being about 30 miles and I now go between 50 and 60 miles; I love being outdoors really. I go to mental health support groups in my area and have taken courses in things like computers and cookery. I think keeping busy definitely helps me to stay well. I have been lucky because I get very generous benefits where I am at the moment and my mum’s also set up a trust fund for me whereby I can get money for holidays or hobbies or whatever, it’s a huge help. I think it’s important to be able to take a calculated risk with something and go for it. Funnily enough I’ve actually got something like that at the moment, a gardening project that requires a 3-day commitment and I’ve been thinking about it for ages. I feel it’s time I should make a commitment to it and at least give it a try because I do enjoy gardening and being outdoors. I find it helpful to have people that I can bounce ideas off and speak to about decisions like this, so I have a key worker supporting me at the flat and I’ve got a CPN. There’s also a girl from the Social Work Department that comes and takes me out occasionally and discusses how I’m doing; so I’ve really got a lot of people - and my mother as well. I’ve had ups and downs since coming out of hospital but I think I’ve learnt my lesson as it were; if I’m having bad times, whether it be tension episodes or whatever, I know not to overreact but just to sort of see myself through. I just get a pot of tea and get my pipe and put the radio on and listen to the radio for a while and that relaxes me. Sometimes I find all I need is a wee chat and then I’m all right. Last Thursday I was due at my mum’s but wasn’t feeling too well. When I arrived she had a visitor, and I thought, oh no I’ll have to wait until the visitor goes until I can speak about how bad I am feeling. But in the end the funny thing was that during just the normal chitchat of the conversation, it suddenly brought me round and I was feeling better again, you know? So it’s different ways, different times. When I look back to my early teens I had no inkling that I would end up in the mental health system, and it is a bit of a shock when you first realise that it’s happening to you. But there is a way through it and it’s not forever, and it is worth getting through it. I would say recovery for me has been a buzz. Everyday it’s a bit of a buzz. Just to think that after everything that I have been through I’ve still got something that makes me find life worthwhile. I feel part of society now, rather than feeling on the outskirts; I feel that I’m back, sort of back in the fold. 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. Click here to go back to previous page |
Story Tags
activism community/socialising/inclusion coping strategies creativity depression employment (+) exercise female hospital male medication medication (-) peer support (informal) and befriending seeing things differently self knowledge/learning/growth self management sense of self support from family support from friends support from mental health professionals supportive spouse/partner taking control talking therapies voluntary mental health services volunteering 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.
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