Living With Mental Illness

Jump to a topic:

Three People Share Their Experiences
Getting Help
Managing a Crisis
Know Your Rights

Three People Share Their Experiences

(These three people and their living with mental illness experiences are real, but their names have been changed for their privacy.)

Hello, I am Crystal and along with my friends Emily and Amy we are going to tell you what it is like for us to live with a mental illness. Before we describe what living with mental illness is like, we want you to understand that we don’t think of ourselves as “mentally ill people”, but instead, we think of ourselves as “people who happen to be living with a mental illness”. Anyway, first we will take you through the journey of mental illness before Emily, Amy, and I were formally diagnosed with mental illness. We will talk about the things that we experienced that were similar and, then what we experienced that was different. Then we tell you about our life after being formally diagnosed with mental illness.

Similarities before formal diagnosis: Each of us felt depressed, lonely and inadequate, and we all had a low self esteem before we were diagnosed with mental illness. For Emily and me, both of us had suicidal tendencies and we would think of our own demise. Also both of us were paranoid and thought that people were talking about us. The difference in that was I thought I could actually hear people’s minds saying the bad things. Emily, Amy and I didn’t talk much, so some would consider us shy. Emily and I both didn’t take care of our basic needs, like we didn’t shower, eat, or sleep. We also had bouts in our life where we would just cry. Amy and I were both in abusive relationships. Amy had a boyfriend from the age of seventeen to twenty. During that relationship, her boyfriend would beat her.. And myself, I had a girlfriend for several months who mentally, emotionally, and then sexually abused me. Something that was similar about Amy and I that is interesting, we both were initially diagnosed with the wrong illness. Amy was told the first time that she was a paranoid schizophrenic with suicidal tendencies. Later she would be correctly diagnosed with bipolar illness. I, on the other hand, was told I was clinically depressed with hallucinations until I went through my second schizophrenic break three years later. Then I was correctly diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. Also, Emily has paranoid schizophrenia.

Our different journeys to a mental health diagnosis: Now we talk about the differences between us before we were diagnosed.

Amy was sexually abused when she was five years old. Then as a teenager, she self medicated with drugs and alcohol and believing after first diagnosis that mental health medicine was the problem, she continued to self-medicate. She went to community college from age eighteen to twenty–two, but didn’t finish. At that time, Amy was working at a pizza place. She was dated the oldest son of the family that owned it and eventually began living with him. She broke up with the owner’s son and then lost her job. Finally, at the age 23, Amy took a bike ride dressed in a bizarre manner, was almost hit by a car, and jumped out into road. The emergency workers at the scene took her to Albany Medical Center, and finally to Capital District Psychiatric Center. Finally, she was diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic with suicidal tendencies. After her formal diagnosis of mental illness, and after her second admission to Albany Medical Center, Amy was diagnosed as bipolar illness and was discharged without medicine but continued to have episodes. Amy moved to Saratoga and found herself in a domestic violence shelter where she got kicked-out for drinking. Then she went to rehab for alcoholism, then to Hedgerow House, and finally to a day program where she met a wonderful psychiatrist who finally treated her for her bipolar illness.

Now Emily had bad tantrums as a child. As she got older, she would walk in the mall and think everyone was talking about her. Emily went to a two year college and isolated herself while she was in college so she had no social life what so ever. In fact, she would even study on Friday nights. In college, she started going to a counselor because her roommate felt there was something weird about her. She stopped counseling because she graduated. However, Emily is the only one of us that got her bachelor’s degree, and before she was ever diagnosed!

My story is different than Amy and Emily because I was a “cutter’. I was a cutter until I was 21 years old because I thought cutting myself enabled me to release the pain that I felt no one could understand. Also, in high school, I was felt isolated. However, in college I did a lot of stupid things to try to fit in. I found that right before I was formally diagnosed for the first time, it seemed my brain wouldn’t work and I could not think. . I was in my Organic Chemistry lab and all I remembered from reading the lab from the night before was that the experiment shouldn’t go higher than 165 degrees Celsius. I tried to set up the experiment they way everyone around me was setting up theirs in our little “hoods,” but mine was somehow different. I kept breaking the beakers, so I stopped my experiment and didn’t finish.

You can see we each had different problems and different ways our mental illness diagnosis came about. When you don’t know what is going on, you may find yourself on a long hard road to diagnosis.

Our lives after formal diagnosis: Once we were formally diagnosed with a mental illness, we could see light at the end of the tunnel. All three of us, Amy, Emily, and I now feel that we can work towards our future. Amy and I are working towards our career goals and Emily has had a career for eleven years that she loves. Both Amy and I went back to college after being diagnosed, started going to church, and no longer fearful of “bad emotions” (i.e. being angry). We all have more friends, more positive self-esteem, and we can manage our symptoms.

Now Emily, on the other hand, finds that when she truly knows a person and tells them about her illness, that they accept her. However, she doesn’t tell all her relatives what is wrong with her, though.

I, myself, found Jesus for comfort and hope. Also, where I used to isolate myself, I isolate no longer. For example, my friend had a baby shower recently, and at first I dreaded going. However, I psyched myself up to go. Then the only car I had access to broke-down and instead of making that my excuse, which I would have done ten years ago, I made it my mission to find a ride there. I did go and had one of the best times of my life.

There is light at the end of the tunnel: However, we all agree that people may think that we are “crazy” when we talk about this (i.e., instead of being ashamed or embarrassed)! But we want everyone to know that life for Crystal, Amy, and Emily is a lot better now. So, we want you to know: There is a light at the end of the tunnel after you are formally diagnosed with a mental illness and you finally get the help you need.

Mental Illness – A New York Times Interactive of Personal Stories

Getting Help

If you are experiencing symptoms of mental illness you deserve to get help. So what kind of help is available?

Are you in crisis now?

If you are considering hurting yourself or someone else, or if you feel that you are losing control and need immediate assistance, call 911 or go to your local emergency room right away. They will help assess your situation, determine the level of care you need, and develop a plan to help you.

If you are not in crisis now, then make an appointment with your primary care provider (e.g., your family doctor or pediatrician.)

When people are not in crisis, they often find it helpful to ask their primary care provider (PCP) for help first. Primary care providers are trained to evaluate if you have physical problems that are showing up as symptoms of mental illness and/or if you have a mental health diagnosis. For example, thyroid disorders and heart problems can often cause symptoms of depression and anxiety so a primary care physician will probably do a physical examination, take blood samples and do other tests in order to rule out a medical condition or diagnosis. Some people may not have a primary care provider. If you do not have a PCP, consider finding one. If you do not have health insurance, you can call Saratoga Hospital at 518-580-2021 or visit the Saratoga Hospital website . Many insurances do not require a PCP referral for mental health services, but do require calling a designated number (usually the phone number is on the insurance card with other phone numbers).

Referral to a mental health professional

If your primary care provider feels there is a good possibility you are experiencing symptoms of mental illness, then he/she may prescribe medication and/or refer you to a mental health professional like a psychiatrist or a therapist. However, you do not need a referral from a PCP to go to a mental health professional, so don’t delay getting help when you need it.

Types of mental health professionals

Psychiatrists are doctors who specialize in mental illness. Therapists are trained professionals who help people find effective ways of coping with life stressors as well as the symptoms of mental illness. Therapists have different training and education and may be listed in directories under headings such as social workers, psychologists, or marriage and family counselors. They each have a unique style. It is important that you find a therapist and a doctor who listens to you closely and respects your point of view. Sometimes people have to meet with more than one doctor or therapist in order to find the right fit. You will also need to find a mental health professional whose schedule can accommodate yours and, if applicable, who accepts your health insurance.

How is mental health services paid for?

If you have private health insurance or you have the ability to pay out of pocket, you can ask your primary care provider to recommend the names of therapists and/or psychiatrists and/or you can speak to family/friends. Most private insurance companies and HMOs have mental health/behavioral health websites that list the professionals in their network and covered by their plan. The way to access this information often appears on the back of the insurance card (e.g, the website or phone number to call). Looking through the phone book or online is also a possibility. If you have state-supported insurance like Medicaid, Medicare or Child Health Plus you may want to consider contacting the Saratoga County Mental Health Center first (see below).

Where are inpatient and outpatient services offered in Saratoga County?

There are three main organizations in Saratoga County that offer comprehensive mental health treatment. They are:

Saratoga County Mental Health Center (SCMHC)

211 Church Street

Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Please note: Only outpatient services for children and adults who are on Medicaid, Medicaid Managed Care and Medicare are offered by the SCMHC. People who don’t have health coverage and don’t have financial resources for treatment are offered services on a sliding scale basis. Services are primarily provided in Saratoga. However, limited adult services are available at satellite offices in Mechanicville and Clifton Park. Also, the Saratoga County Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services is a medically supervised outpatient program providing treatment for individuals suffering from an alcohol and/or drug program and for family members trying to cope with the presence of alcohol or drug problems within the family.

Four Winds Hospitals – Saratoga Campus

Clinical Evaluation Services

30 Crescent Avenue

Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Please note: Four Winds does not have an emergency room. Admission to all services is by appointment only.

Inpatient: For ages 5 years of age – through older adults

Partial Hospital Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): For adults (ages 18 and above)

Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program (AIOP): For Ages 13 – 17

Child & Adolescent Outpatient Program: For children & adolescents up to age 17. Provides evaluation, consultation, short-term medication management, and referral services for complicated cases.

For more information or to schedule an appointment call (518) 584-3600.

Saratoga Hospital Inpatient Mental Health Unit

211 Church Street

Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Please note: Saratoga Hospital only offers inpatient adult mental health care. Patients need to go to the Emergency Department for evaluation to be considered for admission to the inpatient Mental Health Unit. Admissions are accepted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for those ages 18 and older. For more information on the referral process or regarding Saratoga Hospital’s inpatient mental health services call (518) 583-8400

For more referral and help options:

United Way Referral Line: Call 211 or visit the United Way 211 website.

NAMI-NYS Where to Call List:

NAMI-NYS Helpline (1-800-950-3228) is staffed by a dedicated team from 10 am to 4:30 pm. An answering machine is operational between hours. The helpline is not intended for emergencies and urgent or important messages should not be left on the answering machine. People can call for information or just to have someone to talk to.

Preventing Suicide Information

NAMI-Saratoga Contact information

Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) Hotlines List

Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) Signs and Symptoms Information

Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) Saratoga Springs

Interagency Yellow Pages – A Directory of Program and Services for Residents of Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties

Managing a Crisis

IF YOU HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND IN A CRISIS

If there is an immediate risk to the physical health of your family member or another person:

If emergency medical attention is required contact the ambulance service directly. This may include situations where the person has caused severe physical harm to themselves (e.g. overdose).

If there is an immediate threat to you, your family member or someone else’s: call 9-1-1.

Any mental health service can assist in these situations, but if there is a high risk of violence they are required to work with the Police.

If you have a family member or friend who is suicidal, do not leave him or her alone. Try to get the person to seek help immediately from an emergency room, physician, or mental health professional. Take seriously any comments about suicide or wishing to die. Even if you do not believe your family member or friend will actually attempt suicide, the person is clearly in distress and can benefit from your help in receiving mental health treatment.

From the National Institute of Mental Health

Know Your Rights

It is important for both the person with mental illness and the supporters of that person to know and understand legal and ethical rights and responsibilities of the person with mental illness, as well as the family and caregivers of the person with mental illness. All residents of New York State including those diagnosed with mental illness are entitled to humane and quality treatment. Additionally, mental health professionals must respect the privacy of individuals under treatment, keeping confidential all information as long as the information is deemed non-threatening to the client or others.

Rights are different, depending on the age of the person with mental illness, intensity and duration of symptoms including potential for harm to self or others. Also, rights vary depending on legal documents in effect regarding guardianship and power of attorney.

For example, a child under legal age has the right to privacy, even from parents. This means that mental health professionals cannot share confidential client information without the written or expressed permission of the client, even a child, unless that child is at risk of harm to self or others. This can be especially frustrating for parents who want to help their child if the mental health professionals have not received permission of the client to share the content of counseling or therapy sessions.

Likewise, an adult with mental illness may not want certain information shared with their spouse, parents, or children and therefore, do not give the mental health providers permission to disclose information. While there are exceptions to this right of privacy, families should be prepared to accept and respect the limitations placed on mental health professionals regarding sharing of private information.

Legal rights also vary depending on whether the client is receiving care as an inpatient in a hospital or not. The New York State’s Office of Mental Health has helpful websites that provides links to inpatient rights and rights applicable to individuals diagnosed with serious mental illness .

MH Info