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Some of Us are Happy and Content in Our "Insanity."

Name: Anonymous
Date: August 31, 1999

Dear Dr. Siebert:

I want to start out by saying that my husband came across your web-page and was interested in it due to his experience with me. Before I tell you of my experiences I would like to state that at 22 years old I am in a position that most Americans don't reach until their 40's. My husband and I own our restaurant and our own house. We are not incredibly wealthy but we're not poor either.

I would also like to state that I have actively avoided psychiatric help since I was old enough to do so. I have been having auditory, sensory, and visual hallucinations my entire life. I learned at a young age that if I discussed this with my family, I was told that they weren't real and I had an over-active imagination or I was ill. For lack of a better self-diagnosis I consider myself to be mildly schizophrenic.

At one point in my childhood I was abused and split in 3 separate personalities. At this time I stopped having hallucinations (someone else had them.) After spending about 10 years this and managing to convince my parents that I was merely upset over their divorce and other things that just happen in life, I did what most kids did. I moved out and went to college. Even took a few psychology classes. :) It was my then boyfriend, now husband, that began to realize that all was not well. Through many years of understanding and care from him I now realize that and many ways I am blessed. I had friends that would never leave until I was ready to face the world on my own. The things I have seen can not be compared too, they're beauty or they're ugliness. They personalities that I had have fused together into a wonderfully balanced person whose strength still astounds me. I still have hallucinations but since I don't watch TV they're the next best thing. :)

I do not think that I could have reached this kind of peace and happiness if left to the psychiatric community. Even now I refuse to "seek help" from those who would tell me I'm insane. I am happy. I have a good life and a husband who loves me. What more do I need. I have accepted that my world is not the same as everybody's, but whose is.

I tell you my story as an example that we do not have to get well. That being "well" is a matter of perspective. Also if there is anyone who might be helped by my story, I want them to know. I do request that my name not be used. I do have a business to think about and I do not want it to be believed that I am too insane to run my business. After reading your web page I thought you would like to know that there are more success stories out there.

And to those in the psychiatric community who are critical, some of us are happy and content in our "insanity."

--Anonymous

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