What would you like to accomplish?

[Droopy]

I feel like I've already accomplished a lot since I've gotten well, but there is something else I'd like to do. I'd like to collaborate with other people who have the same illness that I do and a writer and put together a book about schizoaffective disorder. I've looked around the libraries and the internet and there is very little on this topic. The most I've found was a brief description of the illness in one book in my local library and two out of print clinical books on the subject on the internet. I'd like to put together something like Kay Jamison's "An Unquiet Mind." It is an autobiographical look into the mind of someone living with manic-depression. I think a similar book about schizoaffective disorder would be comforting to people who are diagnosed with the disease and their families. Just to know that people can come through a mental illness, even a severe one, and live a positive, productive life I think would be a source of hope. I know Jamison's book really helped me in that regard even though we don't share the same illness. She was diagnosed with manic-depression when in graduate school after she had a serious breakdown. She got treatment and went on to get her Ph. D. in psychology. She has written some books on the subject of mental illness and I think she's now a professor. That kind of story is inspirational to me. I don't think my life has been interesting enough to fill up a whole book, but I think that if several people got together along with the skills of a good writer then we could put something together.

What would you like to accomplish?

[DemExpat]

1. Sounds like a good idea, Droopy!

I also have often thought of writing a book on how I have experienced living with my mental problems, and how I have learned to deal with them - creating a fulfilling life despite the psychological/pschiatric problems.

I am happiest with the "accomplishment" of having raised two phsycially and mentally healthy children despite my handicap, and am now in the middle of earning my University degree in Human Geography/Social Sciences at a British Universtiy here. I took a year off after succumbing to overstressing myself with the pressure of studies and final exams each year, but am taking a lighter course load starting in February to get back into the swing ot it, and to try to avoid my usual perfectionist (and fear of failure) tendencies!

Doing more with my drawing and painting - like connecting some spiritual themes to animals, people, nature and places that I have loved - is another item high on my "want to do" list......

Plenty to keep me busy for my remaining years...:D

:hi:

DemEx

[Droopy]

2. Good luck to you in your endeavors

Raising kids is a wonderful accomplishment. I'm not a parent, but I understand that being one is a difficult job. My sister had a baby girl two years ago and I think I've gotten a little taste of what it is like to be a parent through her and my little niece. It's wonderful watching the little girl grow and learn new things, but I can see also that it is a great challenge to raise a kid properly.

I hope you do well in school. If there's something I've always wanted for myself it is a college degree. I tried to go back to school, but unfortunately I was not up to the challenge. It was a big blow to my ego to realize that there were people ten years younger than me and just barely adults who were so much smarter than me. But I get along alright despite not being the sharpest tool in the shed. And what the hell, the world needs blue collar people just like it needs professionals so I've learned that it's not all bad working for the man.

[DemExpat]

3. Thanks!

Raising my kids was the biggest challenge I can ever imagine facing - especially done making it my responsibility to try to not impose my handicap upon their psyches.
I also enjoyed it tremendously, being the sucker I am for kids and animals....:-)

Droopy, you might find the desire to go back to your studies in future, but not with the intention to show anybody how smart you are, but to learn!

It still is tough, also being a mature student, and I know what you mean by getting an ego kicking by seeing others "smarter" than you, but so what????????

I love learning, love pursuing a goal that I have always regretted not obtaining.

As long as you like your job well enough, you could always study "on the side" for your enrichment!

:hi:

DemEx

[Droopy]

4. I didn't mean to imply that I was in some sort of competition in school

I really don't have what it takes to get a college degree. I thought that after I'd been through what I'd been through with my illness and performing a pretty tough job (I'm a trucker) that I could do anything in college. I tried two different majors and it was clear that I just didn't have what it takes. I was there to get a degree so I could get a good paying job. There was just nothing there that I could do that would land me in a good career.

The idea that I was not too bright was only exacerbated by those around me who could do things that I couldn't do even at a younger age. It was definitely a learning experience for me. If anything it makes me respect what people have to do to get through college. There's a lot of things I don't understand and never will. I just have to accept that.

Regarding going back to school for enrichment, I might do that sometime if I ever find myself with enough extra dough. There are a few areas of interest that I have (religion, writing) that I'd like to know more about, but not necessarily something that I'd try to get a degree in.

[DemExpat]

5. I see.....but as you say it was very good learning experience....

and very good to learn to recognize and accept personal restrictions and boundaries.

I also wanted to give it a try so that later I would not have regrets that I never had tried....

:hi:

DemEx

[mdmc]

6. I too would like to write a book

I would like to create a comic strip.
I would like to raise a healthy family.

I currently help people to remain in the community with community based services.

[CoffeeCat]

7. Good question...

I would like to write children's books
I would like to help survivors of sexual abuse
I would like to pay off my student loan.
I would like to continue to raise my young daughters in a healthy, loving environment.

I wish all of us the strength and drive to make all of our
dreams come true.

:hug:

[TZ]

8. I think thats wonderful, Droopy

Don't let your struggles at school discourage you at all. I was a pretty okay student but there were always plenty better than me and it did frustrate me sometimes that I had to struggle and fight and still come up short to some whom it seemed to come naturally.
As for what I would like to accomplish...I would like to know that my work contributes to better treatments for chronic illnesses and hopefully can contribute to overall better medical treatment maybe even better treatments for mental illness..
Also my ambition is to be a science writer, so I want to better educate people about things like mental health! I would love for it to lose its stigma as "crazy" and be more accepted as genuine chronic illness with organic roots..Understanding would lead to more funding which could lead to better treatments.....

[Droopy]

9. It's hard to believe that this thread is 3 years old

It seems like I just wrote it yesterday. Thanks for reviving it.

I still have not accomplished what I stated I wanted to in the original post. I do have four stories together from people I've met who have the disorder, but that's far from being enough to make a book out of.

[DemExpat]

10. Well, Droopy, sometimes books take a lot of time....

I hope you find ways to get it moving along to your wishes.

:hi:

edit: I just completed all work for my BSc Human Geography with Politics degree 3 weeks ago.....and am recuperating from the Herculean effort it took me! :party: :silly:

DemEx