Mind, Body, and Spirit as a Unified Whole

Glen Bushers; Sacramento, CA

Have you ever taken a prescribed psychiatric medication?

Yes

In what ways have you found psychiatric medication(s) helpful, if any?

Initially to manage depression symptoms so I could function on a daily basis. Medication in and of itself is not a cure for addressing mental health problems. In my particular case early life experiences, family & social environment played a significant [causative] role.

In what ways have you found psychiatric medication(s) harmful, if any?

Long-term use did not bring continued results desired. It became more a matter of what I was willing to do for myself, rather than depending on medication as a cure.

Are you currently taking any prescribed psychiatric medications?

No

about how long has it been since the last time you took any psychiatric medication?

5 to 10 years

During your mental health care, have you often felt hopeful about your chance of getting better?

Yes. Establishing personal goals such as an exercise routine provided a sense of motivation as well as affecting my body chemistry. It was and still is essentially about understanding the mind/body connection for getting better.

If you overcame hopelessness that you could get better from a mental health or emotional problem, was there a turning point for you? Please describe:

For me recognizing the impact of social expectations from the community where I grew up, family dynamics, & the belief in myself to be better despite what was being projected as my fate by others. I guess in a nutshell I refused to be controlled by external sources.

Tell us what recovery means to you. How would you define recovery from mental health or emotional problems in your own words?

For me recovery is recognizing the link between mind, body, and spirit as a unified whole rather attempting to separate each aspect of one’s self into slots.

How recovered do you consider yourself from any mental health or emotional problems on a 10-point scale (with 10 being “fully recovered”)? Please use your own definition of recovered.

8

Can you give examples showing you have gotten better from a mental or emotional problem, such as how you are doing well or accomplishing goals you have chosen?

I’m doing the work I was meant to do by helping others learn to believe in there own power to get better. I completed an education that was not expected, working on becoming an LCSW, & continue to train in martial arts as a discipline for maintaining focus of mind, body & spirit. There will always be ups & downs in the rhythm of life. The key is how we manage to go with the flow rather than struggle against what is a natural rhythm of life.