Is it normal to recover so suddenly from serious mental illness?

75% Normal
12 Comments

At the age of 13, I was getting bullied and then developed mental illnesses as a result. I was diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression, suicidal ideation and self-harming behaviour. I was hearing voices and hallucinating and became a danger to people and myself because I was listening to my voices and doing things like taking knives into school and nearly attempting to kill my parents. I was then admitted to a psychiatric hospital for 10 weeks at the age of 15, before returning home. Then things got very bad again by the age of 17 and I was admitted to another psychiatric hospital for 6 months after killing a black cat due to my voices and hallucinations telling me it was possessed. Well, within the last 2 weeks of my admission, around a month after I turned 18, something just clicked in my head and within a few days I went from being rushed to A&E after a suicide attempt to suddenly wanting to make the most of my life and to learn to love myself. Now, 4 months later, I am a very happy person (not problem free, but a lot better.) Is it normal to be able to turn my life around like this without even trying? It just all got better and I don't know why. I mean, I was seriously ill, and now I don't even hear voices any more.

Voting Results
75% Normal
Based on 12 votes (9 yes)
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Comments ( 12 )
  • Zeikfried
    5 years ago

    Well it is strange! but hey instead of dwelling about your past mental illnesses, you should be making the most of the new life that god granted you!

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    • Alichael
      5 years ago

      Exactly. If things are looking up without a clear explanation, don't try to analyse why, just enjoy it 😊

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      • Zeikfried
        5 years ago

        Cheers!

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      5 years ago

      Thank you very much, that is true. Thanks for the good advice!

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  • KiwiWisdom
    5 years ago

    As you get older chemicals in your head shift and rebalance themselves. If you've taken any medication it can also be the kick in the pants your head needs to adjust itself. If you've found a relative happiness and self love that's just about the best thing you can do.

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  • RoseIsabella
    5 years ago

    Please don't kill anymore cats!

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      5 years ago

      Of course I won't, I was very ill at the time and didn't know what I was doing. I'm much better now and I'd never do that

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  • paramore93
    5 years ago

    You were released after six months after killing a cat? That can't be right. Didn't like the adult ward or something? They're very different to the kid wards, can motivate you to sort your brain out.

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      5 years ago

      The adult ward was horrible, but I don't think that made too much of a difference. I was in an adults psych ward for 1 month before being discharged - I had to wait to come off my section 3 before I could be discharged, that's why it was for 6 months.
      The child ward was very "recovery oriented" in the way that I had therapy twice a week, plus staff watching me 24 hours a day, including being watch whilst using the toilet and showering. The day I turned 18, they shipped me off to an adult ward and I was basically left to my own devices - I was barely talked to by the staff and, in all seriousness, if I hasn't of had this sudden change in my head, I could have snuck blades and medication into the hospital whilst on day leave and killed myself. Adult wards really are terrible places and very unsafe.
      But yeah, I guess the sudden change could have motivated me. It really is difficult to say. It's all very confusing

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      • paramore93
        5 years ago

        Yeah I get you, section 3 can feel like a prison sentence. I got moved somewhere awful too. But it really motivated me to focus on what needed to change, to get out of there asap :P

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        • Anonymous Post Author
          5 years ago

          It certainly can :( 6 months doesn't feel long until you're literally counting the days!!
          I'm very glad you managed to find a better headspace. I'm very happy for you! :)

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          • paramore93
            5 years ago

            As am I for you :)

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