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Recovery Road

Fighting the demons, and winning.

Psychiatry
An Open Letter to His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales

Bethany Yeiser BS on November 1, 2024

For years, due to untreated schizophrenia, I refused housing, preferring to be homeless. When dealing with the severely mentally ill, getting people into housing is a challenge.

For years, due to untreated schizophrenia, I refused housing, preferring to be homeless. When dealing with the severely mentally ill, getting people into housing is a challenge.

Psychosis
Psychosis and Reverse Culture Shock

Bethany Yeiser BS on September 4, 2024

Personal Perspective: My first psychotic episode happened following a two-month trip to Africa where I returned home with severe reverse culture shock.

Personal Perspective: My first psychotic episode happened following a two-month trip to Africa where I returned home with severe reverse culture shock.

Psychosis
About Involuntary Commitment

Bethany Yeiser BS on August 6, 2024

A Personal Perspective: Whether or not to take away a person’s freedom and liberty through an involuntary hospitalization is a difficult question to consider.

A Personal Perspective: Whether or not to take away a person’s freedom and liberty through an involuntary hospitalization is a difficult question to consider.

Psychosis
Dromomania: An Uncontrollable Urge to Travel

Bethany Yeiser BS on June 10, 2024

A Personal Perspective: Dromomania is a symptom of some types of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder involving an uncontrollable urgency to travel.

A Personal Perspective: Dromomania is a symptom of some types of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder involving an uncontrollable urgency to travel.

When I present to audiences, I hope to become their schizophrenia hero.
Psychosis
My Schizophrenia Heroes: Elyn Saks and John Nash

Bethany Yeiser BS on May 12, 2024

A Personal Perspective: When diagnosed with schizophrenia, I struggled to find hope. Reading stories of meaningful recovery from schizophrenia inspired me—especially these two.

A Personal Perspective: When diagnosed with schizophrenia, I struggled to find hope. Reading stories of meaningful recovery from schizophrenia inspired me—especially these two.

Me in high school
Psychosis
Finding Contentment With Schizophrenia

Bethany Yeiser BS on April 14, 2024

A Personal Perspective: As a teenager, I was always longing to have graduated from college, but after developing schizophrenia, I badly wanted to go back in time.

A Personal Perspective: As a teenager, I was always longing to have graduated from college, but after developing schizophrenia, I badly wanted to go back in time.

Psychopharmacology
Heart Damage and Brain Damage

Bethany Yeiser BS on March 16, 2024

A Personal Perspective: Because psychotic episodes damage the brain, it is imperative to comply with treatment to prevent more damage.

A Personal Perspective: Because psychotic episodes damage the brain, it is imperative to comply with treatment to prevent more damage.

Personal Perspectives
Schizophrenia and Decision-Making

Bethany Yeiser BS on February 24, 2024

A Personal Perspective: While people with schizophrenia can experience severe psychiatric symptoms, some can form complicated plans and manage to meet their basic needs.

A Personal Perspective: While people with schizophrenia can experience severe psychiatric symptoms, some can form complicated plans and manage to meet their basic needs.

Psychiatry
My Journey to the Psychiatrist Who Changed My Life

Bethany Yeiser BS on December 30, 2023

My first three psychiatrists said I would never work, attend school or live independently. But I finally met another psychiatrist who brought me to full remission.

My first three psychiatrists said I would never work, attend school or live independently. But I finally met another psychiatrist who brought me to full remission.

Psychiatry
My Experience of Schizophrenia and Homelessness

Bethany Yeiser BS on December 1, 2023

Recently the "CARE Act" was introduced in California. It is hoped that more severely mentally ill people will obtain life-saving treatment and pathways to better housing.

Recently the "CARE Act" was introduced in California. It is hoped that more severely mentally ill people will obtain life-saving treatment and pathways to better housing.

Bipolar Disorder
Overcoming My Delusions

Bethany Yeiser BS on November 4, 2023

A Personal Perspective: My delusions soon took over my life, leaving me unable to study or work any job. Today, thanks to medication, they have disappeared.

A Personal Perspective: My delusions soon took over my life, leaving me unable to study or work any job. Today, thanks to medication, they have disappeared.

Psychosis
Schizophrenia and Justice

Bethany Yeiser BS on September 8, 2023

Personal Perspective: In 2006, I was picked up by police and jailed for trespassing on my former university campus. When I went to court, my parents were blamed.

Personal Perspective: In 2006, I was picked up by police and jailed for trespassing on my former university campus. When I went to court, my parents were blamed.

Empathy
Schizophrenia and Support Groups

Bethany Yeiser BS on August 10, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Throughout my life, I had always shied away from joining support groups. However, I now consider some of them to be indispensable.

A Personal Perspective: Throughout my life, I had always shied away from joining support groups. However, I now consider some of them to be indispensable.