It Is Never Too Late to Turn the Page and Rewrite the Story of Your Life

Greece

I am suffering from schizophrenia and I dare to say that from time to time this can be very challenging for me. I live in Amfissa, a town in the prefecture of Sterea Ellada in Greece. The majority of the citizens in the town where I live treat me gently and respectfully. On the other hand, some people refuse to talk to me or even mistreat me due to my mental health issues. I could say that this behavior can be so painful for me that I could compare it to the pain of physical violence. This behavior affects me deeply as it makes me recall the behavior of my parents.

My parents were very violent against me, both physically and verbally. I accepted maltreatment during my childhood and my adolescent years. My father was cursing me, insulting me, hitting me at the first chance. During my adolescence, I found the courage to resist and defend myself. I made my own rebellion. The violence that I accepted during these years affects my decision not to create my own family. I was afraid that I could treat my own children in the same way. I could not tolerate this thought. I am still fighting with these past experiences, and I am really proud of myself because I have never been violent against any human being during my life. I consider this as a personal win—a huge success for my own wellbeing.

Living with mental health issues can be very difficult. However, many things helped and empowered me during all these years. First of all, I consider friendship as one of the most important values in my life. Everybody needs a companion in their life. Friendship can make the painful experiences more tolerable, can reduce the fear that I may feel. Friends give me the courage to continue living in a more entertaining way, and give me an outlet in my routine.

Good communication and acceptance from the members of the community where I live improve my self-esteem. I enjoy being in contact with other people, socializing, talking about my interests, such as my love for pets and exercise. I am used to talking to other people about my experiences. This helps me to comprehend my own feelings and thoughts.

I consider exercise as a beneficial activity to face anxiety and stress. Exercising in a systematic way helps me improve my fitness and wellbeing, motivates me to take care of my health and diet, and improves my self-esteem. Generally, I believe that people need motives in their lives to improve, get over their weaknesses, and feel more satisfied. I used to be in a bodybuilding club when I lived in Germany. During this time, I felt very strong and fearless. I could defend myself in an emergency case. I would say that gymnastics is a synonym for power for me.

Fitness is one part of wellbeing. The other part is related to self-awareness. Religion helps me to acknowledge my feelings and my own mistakes. I have CDs of sermons that I listen to every afternoon. These sermons help me to have insight into my behavior. I consider repentance very important in my life. I found the strength to ask God for forgiveness, and I try to find the courage to forgive every person who has mistreated me in the past, including my parents. I believe that forgiveness is a gesture of greatness that helps us turn the page into our lives and continue living more peacefully and happily.

My advice to people who may face mental health issues for the first time is to be patient and determined. Their medicine will help them face their difficulties. Their faith in God and church attendance will help them experience inner peace. They need to think of their life as an open book, which they should read. Every chapter is important because it is a part of our personal story. Every chapter, even the darkest one, can give us the strength to continue our lives...