Pat Deegan Interview on mental illness and education

Summary

Dr. P shares her inspiring journey of overcoming schizophrenia to earn a PhD. She discusses her struggles with paranoia and anxiety during her undergraduate studies, using strategies like tape recorders to cope. Dr. P emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance, acknowledging her ongoing challenges as part of her identity. She highlights the value of her degree in opening doors for herself and others, particularly in the mental health field, and the significance of finding her life's purpose in helping psych survivors.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The individual with schizophrenia managed to earn a PhD despite significant challenges.
• 🤔 They experienced paranoia and intense fears, which made attending classes and focusing on coursework difficult.
• 📝 Initially, they kept their condition a secret due to fear of being expelled from school.
• 🏆 They developed coping strategies, such as using a tape recorder in class, to manage their symptoms.
• 🏥 They had multiple hospitalizations but have been out of the hospital for 12 years, indicating resilience and progress.
• 🤝 They eventually found support in the consumer and peer movements, which were pivotal in their recovery journey.
• 💡 They came to accept their condition as part of who they are, rather than something to be cured or hidden.
• 🏫 In graduate school, they continued to face challenges but learned to manage their condition without disclosing it to professors.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 They have a family, including a partner and a daughter, showing that a fulfilling personal life is possible despite mental health challenges.
• 🔑 A PhD was seen as a tool to open doors and create opportunities, not just an end in itself, but a means to help others.

Q & A

How did Dr. P. D. overcome the challenges of schizophrenia during her educational journey?

Dr. P. D. struggled with many symptoms, starting with taking one course at a time and using strategies like bringing a tape recorder to class to cope with her paranoia and anxiety.

Did Dr. P. D. experience any hospitalizations during her educational journey?

Yes, Dr. P. D. had nine different hospitalizations, with her last one being in 1994, which she has been out of the hospital for 12 years.

How did Dr. P. D. deal with the fear of being discovered as having schizophrenia during her studies?

Initially, she kept her condition to herself, fearing expulsion. She used strategies to manage her symptoms and gradually built up the skills needed to succeed academically.

What was Dr. P. D.'s approach to accepting her schizophrenia?

Dr. P. D. came to accept her schizophrenia as a part of who she is, embracing her vulnerabilities and trauma issues, and recognizing them as a source of compassion for others.

How has Dr. P. D.'s perspective on mental health and recovery evolved over time?

Dr. P. D. realized that recovery doesn't mean becoming 'normal' but accepting oneself, including the challenges and vulnerabilities, and using them to connect with and help others.

What role did the consumer and peer movements play in Dr. P. D.'s life?

The consumer and peer movements were pivotal for Dr. P. D., providing a community where she could be her whole self and find support and empowerment.

How did Dr. P. D. manage to continue her education despite her hospitalizations?

Dr. P. D. was determined to continue her education, even with hospitalizations in the middle of her studies. She managed to do so by being persistent and focused on her goals.

What was Dr. P. D.'s motivation for pursuing a PhD?

Dr. P. D. pursued a PhD not just for the degree itself but as a means to achieve her higher purpose of developing materials and advocating for psych survivors.

How did Dr. P. D. handle the stress and challenges of being a clinical psychologist with her own psychiatric history?

Dr. P. D. found it difficult and had to avoid participating in certain practices like restraints that reminded her of her own experiences. She focused on her goal of helping others.

What advice does Dr. P. D. have for others struggling with mental health issues while pursuing education?

Dr. P. D. advises finding one's purpose and saying 'yes' to it, using the degree not just for personal gain but to open doors and help others.

How does Dr. P. D. view the concept of 'normalcy' and its relation to mental health?

Dr. P. D. views 'normalcy' as an illusion and believes that everyone has struggles and vulnerabilities. She encourages embracing one's own experiences as part of being human.