My name is Amanda and I am a 30 year old female.  I was diagnosed with mental illness at a young age. My life of abuse started when I was three years old.  It did not end until I was probably 18.  I have tried to hurt myself lots of times in the past but at the same time was refusing treatment and was refusing to take my medication the proper way.  In 2013 I was living in a group home and I found out that my brother had committed suicide.  That was my wake-up call.  I decided I wasn’t going to harm myself anymore and that I was going to follow all treatment that was offered to me.  So this resulted in me having to have all of my medications monitored by my case manager.  After a while of doing well I had several set-backs but I am now on my medications everyday.  I am in complete control of my medications. and I go to treatment like I am supposed to. I am no longer arguing with my mom like I was in the beginning. I have a more positive look on life and I am a lot happier.