My Art My Recovery

I have struggled with anxiety most of my life.

I remember being ten years old. My siblings were older and had left the house, so I lived with my parents. I think they did their best to support me and I did get counseling, but never sought it myself or thought that I needed it. I always thought I could handle everything on my own, until as an adult of 30, I realized I could benefit from some support. I enrolled in inpatient services and stayed the first time for two or three months, then went back for a couple weeks at a time off an off over the next two years. 

I now attend groups and have found a way of managing medication. The groups have helped to keep me from isolating which only makes things worse. When I first sought treatment, I discovered art during my inpatient stay. It was like turning on a faucet—I started painting and I couldn’t stop. Today I use acrylic on canvas. It is one way I deal with the anxiety and I really enjoy painting.

I am a different person today than I was 3 years ago. I am no longer homeless or using and committing crimes. I am sober and have housing. I am working my recovery and my artwork is a big part of that. I believe that what keeps people from getting support is the stigma around mental health. People look at you differently when you tell them you have a SMI diagnosis. I think the only way forward is to face the stigma head-on and stop worrying about what other people think. Stay focused on recovery.