Guest Blogger Sherry Joiner: It was like my head was so much clearer…. before

It was great doing an interview for the Bp Magazing blog with Julie about the differences between schizo affective disorder and bipolar disorder.  Julie asked me to write what life was like for me after I finally had the correct diagnosis of schizo-affective disorder.

 

After the diagnosis, I got on the right meds and that really helped. It was like my head was so much clearer on the meds. Before, it was like it was like I had a block of metal and I hammered on the metal for an hour and then threw it in the fire- then doused it out with a cold pitcher of water- that is how I described my pain.

The cold hard pain of mental illness. 

The meds stopped this. I could finally see that I was not the problem. My problem was living with schizo affective disorder, complicated with living with childhood abuse.  I wasn’t causing this. I went to a new doctor- Dr. Ward T. Smith and he changed my life. I talk about him a lot in my book Sherry Goes Sane.  We talked about my paranoia, depression, hallucinations and flashbacks. He talked with me about the conflicts I was having with people. He helped me interact with others and maintain my relationships and develop my art work and my life with my husband who had diabetes and a few personality quirks of his own.  

 

Julie, you often comment on how happy I am. It’s true.  I always say to myself- tomorrow is going to be a different day. It’s not the same day. I was having feelings of grandeur the other day and I talked to myself and remembered what I could do to manage the psychosis- paint, take a walk, talk to my sister, my higher power or help others who have this illness -which helps me. I lead meditations at the psychatric ward and I help people from going off the deep end. That’s what keeps me going.

Sherry

 

PS: A note from Julie. Sherry,  you help me keep going too! I love your book! Readers, you can click here to read more about Sherry’s book on Amazon. Here is a link to part one of the interview I did with Sherry for Bp Magazine on What is Schizoaffective Disorder?

 

Related posts:
Guest Blogger: Sherry Joiner author of Sherry Goes Sane: Living a Life with Schizoaffective Disorder
My Bp Magazine Blog: An Interview with Sherry Joiner. What is the Difference between Bipolar Disorder and Schizo-affective Disorder?
Book contest with Sherry Joiner author of Sherry Goes Sane: Living a Life with Schizoaffective Disorder