Recovery Road

Fighting the demons, and winning.

Alone on Christmas

On Christmas Day of 2006, I was homeless, alone and delusional, suffering from untreated schizophrenia. Today, in recovery, I celebrate Christmas with my family at home.

Schizophrenia and Incarceration

When I was finally picked up by police for trespassing on my former university campus, I was confused, thinking it was all a mistake. I needed treatment, not jail time.

To Tell or Not to Tell

I found it hard to disclose my hallucinations to anyone, including family, doctors, and other members of my treatment team.

Schizophrenia and What Happens Before

Prior to the onset of schizophrenia, the prodrome is a period of time where a person’s personality can change.

Schizophrenia and New Dreams

My dream was to study biochemistry at my university, until I developed schizophrenia. Thinking irrationally, I believed I would broker peace in the Middle East.

My Life Today in 2019

I am happy with the new life I live everyday in treatment. Schizophrenia feels like something of my past.

Schizophrenia and Trauma

Schizophrenia is not always associated with childhood trauma. I had a happy, normal childhood and still developed it.

My Dream for the Homeless

I hope someday no one in America will have to sleep outside in the cold rain, like I did.

Bethany with a mental health court judge

Mental Health Courts

Mental health courts are special courts that serve people who have committed crimes they may never have committed if they had not been mentally ill.

Schizophrenia and Survival

Because of untreated schizophrenia, I spent four years as a homeless person, sleeping in libraries and outdoors. Today, with treatment, I enjoy a normal life.

Schizophrenia and Denial

For years, I denied I was homeless and hearing voices. Medication enabled me to face reality and move beyond my homeless life.

Schizophrenia and Hearing Voices

Hearing voices is not like normal thoughts that one might choose to follow or reject. My voices influenced my behavior.

Schizophrenia Is a Brain Disease

Though commonly referred to as mental illness, schizophrenia belongs in the same classification as brain diseases along with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Disease, and stroke.

Schizophrenia and Christmas

I spent four Christmases homeless, delusional, disabled and alone. However, this Christmas, I will spend the holiday with close friends and family.

Schizophrenia and Hallucinations

Thanks to newer medications and treatments, even the most severely ill individuals with schizophrenia may achieve full recovery today.

Schizophrenia and Community

People with schizophrenia often become social isolated. Social reintegration into the community is key in recovery, but stigma makes it difficult.

A New Name for Schizophrenia?

The name “schizophrenia” comes from Greek roots meaning “split mind.” Today, the medical community recognizes that as scientifically incorrect.

Schizophrenia and Hospitalizations

Each of my hospitalizations played a unique role in guiding me on my journey towards a fully recovered life.

Side Effects of Medications

Trying new antipsychotic medications can be discouraging, as medications may have side effects. But they can enable you to have a better life.

Schizophrenia and Homelessness

When I was homeless, I had opportunities to stay with families, but paranoia drove me to sleep outside.

Delusions

Delusions once held me back, but medication restored my sanity.

Schizophrenia and My Wish List

When I was hearing voices and homeless, most doctors would have easily diagnosed me with schizophrenia. Nonetheless, I spent a year without a diagnosis, living outside.