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Stages of Mental Illness

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

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Abstract

Type
Editorial
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2014 

In this painting I tried to make sense of my illness. The shapes represent my personality, they disintegrate from left to right with the passage of time. The background colours stand for changes I went through, i.e. the white blast represents the death of my Dad when I was 16.

This painting is 6 foot long and if it continued, the shapes would reassemble into some kind of order. I have hope for the future.

My episodes of psychosis have occurred less often as I get older. I work as a self-employed artist which allows me to work at my own pace. It is very therapeutic. I have insight into my condition and know when to ask for help. Although I cannot prevent schizophrenia, I have learned to live with it.

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