Name: | Andrea |
Age Bracket: | 20-30 |
Topic: | Bi-Polar |
Location: | Sydney |
Andrea’s Story
My journey with mental illness began when I was 24 and living in Sydney as a hair and makeup artist. Before that, everything was great – I had a beautiful place to live, many friends and a terrific job.
Suddenly, I started feeling paranoid and began having audio hallucinations. When I revealed my delusions to my mom she came straight to Sydney to bring me home.
As we drove to Melbourne, I tried to jump out of the car. Thankfully my brother was there to restrain me until my mom could get help. I was hospitalised with bi-polar disorder and refused medication. My road to recovery wasn’t easy. I lost my job, my home and many friends. I slept nearly all day for almost two years.
Through family support and an amazing doctor, I began to recover. I discovered that talking about my problems help keep you in control and healthy. I also started volunteering in mental health.
Today, my bipolar disorder is in remission, I serve as a consumer advocate liaison for a Mental Health organisation, I am married and just had a baby. I want people to know that recovery is possible and that they are not alone. There are resources out there and help is just a phone call or email away.
Source www.stopstigmasacramento.org