Road to recovery – Trish

Once I accepted my diagnosis I was left with a choice; to deal with it (and get on with life) or not to (and let it overtake me). You may think that the choice is obvious, but for someone who has lived with a mental illness it is not that simple.

Mania is a somewhat enjoyable state - for the sufferer. Unfortunately not for surrounding loved ones. I felt great, while all around me fell apart. For me it wasn’t until the effect of my life affected an innocent child that I saw there was a problem.

In late 2002 I became pregnant. In the last stage of pregnancy I admitted myself into hospital due to the stress of my lifestyle. When I had my baby in June 2003 I felt worse than ever, even though it was the best thing that had happened to me.

My community nurse, John Austin, was a big part in my recovery from here. He really cared and after my partner reluctantly called John, he came and I was admitted to the mothers unit at Graylands.

While I was in hospital the reality of my problem sunk in. I knew I could not get out of it on my own. Shortly after I arrived I remember being on my knees, crying, thinking about how I could take on this great responsibility of parenting. I cried out and asked God, if He was real that I needed His help. I had never been religious, but it seemed divine timing that, at this moment of asking, a lady from the chapel had come in and delivered my child’s blanket (this is done for all mothers in the ward). At the time it seemed insignificant, later I would learn otherwise.

It was still another two years before I contacted God again. Learning I was loved, committing my life to Jesus, I had no hospital admissions. It’s not easy, although it was much harder without knowing the One who made me. Through God all things are possible. Although I will always have the label of ‘bipolar’ patient, I know who I am in Christ, which is more powerful than any label. The Bible now tells me who I am: A child of God, redeemed from the curse of the law, being transformed by the renewing of my mind, and an over comer by the word of my testimony.

Also by Trish: Diagnosis

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