Jan 12, 2023
Listeners in the Spotlight: Tell Us Your Story! (Ep. 58)
Seven listeners share their stories of SMI (Serious Mental Illness) in a loved one - and, in one case, in themselves.
This episode grew out of a facebook post. We had so many volunteers to share their powerful stories that we may do more episodes like this, if you find it valuable and moving. I know we did.
Show notes:
Judith Smith's Support group info:
* judithrsmith@difficultmothering.com
Look Again podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/look-again-mental-illness-re-examined/id1557736942
Mindy and her book: **https://mindygreiling.com/*
*Randye and her book: **https://benbehindhisvoices.com/*
*Miriam and her book: **https://www.miriam-feldman.com/*
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*Linda's "manual":
*I’d like to share some of my manual that I’ve created along the way:*
*· Learn how to distinguish healthy language, judgement and behaviors from unhealthy or unsafe ones*
*· Listen between the lines-try to understand what’s really being communicated-even when it seems so illogical*
*· Clarify what is acceptable and what isn’t, for you, in your life.*
*· Create a ‘board of directors’ for yourself…who will you turn to for various aspects of managing your loved one’s condition.*
*I now engage only with the healthy parts in conversation especially if it starts to escalate. Ignore the unhealthy.*
*I provide what I can to keep my family member safe, fed, housed, etc.-- When I’m too burned out, I allow myself to say, sorry I’m not able to do that now. I can do it later, tomorrow, etc.*
*I’ve reclaimed my home and decide when I can interact with him and when I cannot. Keep limits clear, factual rather than punitive, and make logical sense, rather than a knee jerk reaction to frustration.*
*FInd ways to connect and love in the face of adversity, unfounded anger and blame*
*Hosts:*
*Randye Kaye - was a morning Radio Personality bringing humor to CT families when her own son was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Now she is still a Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author **(Ben Behind his Voices, Happier Made Simple**)*
*Miriam Feldman - is an artist, writer, and the mother of an adult son with schizophrenia. Her book, **He Came in With It** chronicles her family's story and was released to rave reviews on July 21st, 2020.*
*Mindy Greiling - Mindy Greiling was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. She helped found the nation's first state mental health caucus, which successfully lobbied for a significant increase in Minnesota's mental health funding Her acclaimed memoir is **Fix What You Can**.*
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