h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Right, most of you will know this already. About a month ago I suffered a severe nervous breakdown. Stress mounted upon stress and just got worse and worse. And finally I was at the point of having all my problems solved ... and *then* one more thing went wrong in an entirely unanticipated way and I just completely lost it. It's hard to describe ... I just suffered a kind of psychological complete collapse. It was like a computer crashing. I had a blue screen of death. I thought I was going to die. I made it to my friend the preacher's house and after some time scaring him and his family out of their wits managed to get them to phone my psychologist, and she suggested I be taken up in the local psychiatric clinic.

I didn't even know we had a psychiatric clinic here in Polokwane! The last two times I was taken up was at Denmar in Pretoria. The local clinic, Unicare, is much smaller than Denmar (which has extensive grounds and facilities) but nice all the same. In the clinic I got meds two or three times a day, and meals. I saw my psychologist almost every day. I changed over to a new psychiatrist and feel good about that, getting along very much better with him. I first was in a room with five other guys, but later got my own room.

I got along well with the other patients also. I made the 'mistake' of drawing something around half way in ... from which point I had to do drawings for almost everybody! Apart from that, I got along well with everyone. I tried developing and improving my socialization skills. Most of the folks there are very different from me, interests-wise. But we got along well. I even tried out a Cuban cigar!

But anyways I worked hard at figuring out what went wrong. Med-wise I am now on an anti-depressant along with the anti-psychotics. I did NOT experience psychosis this time, it was just my nervous system that crashed. They also did blood tests and found I had slight nutritional deficiencies in iron and Vitamin D. So I'm now getting supplements for that as well.

My 'diagnosis' changed yet again. My new psychiatrist says it doesn't mean much to call my sickness schizophrenia or Asperger's syndrome, it is just a chronic psychotic illness. Treatment-wise we spoke about the *social* aspect. Worst thing my sickness does is alienating me from other people. So now I will try harder to be more social. Invite more people for visits, and attend more social events. I'm not doing badly so far. I've joined a gym again! It's been ages since I last worked out in a commercial gym. I'm very happy about having joined and am so far really enjoying my workouts and am getting along great with the trainer. I'll report on some of that separately from this.

I've also already attended a local concert, which was great. I've received a few visitors too and they tell me I'm not a bad host!

So ... more or less that's what's going on over here. I was in the clinic for three weeks, I'm now out one week. I feel positive.

Thanks for the update, Willem. I'm glad that the clinic is local and you don't have to go to a big city as those are stressful by their very nature. that you have been socializing more. And check whether there is a nutritionist close by so they can make dietary recommendations to improve your nerves. Also consider vitamin B complex supplements---they improve nerve function as well.

Fish oil is also supposed to be good for this---but check with a professional ---sometimes supplements can prohibit your other medications from being effective.

Bravo for pulling through a tough time, and coming out from it sounding bright and hopeful!
I'm glad for the update too.

Willem, I have been out of touch for a while and didn't know about your breakdown. However, it sounds as if it might have been a good thing long term as you seem to be getting better care.

It is good to know you are making progress. I do hope it continues.

Take care, and stay positive.

Websailor

Willem, good to hear you are progressing well and have some new fans of your fantastic artwork! You are super-talented and deserve the recognition. It's a pleasure to know you and hear about your life. Do keep us posted, I think of you often and hope you are well and coping with life's bricks and butterflies.

GB

Hi folks and thanks for all the messages! Doing well at the moment. I am really fired up about training in a gym again! Now I just hope that the friend I asked to take 'before' photos of me would do so soon ... while I still have a 'before'-style physique!

Yes, because soon, you will look like a young Arnold Schwarzenegger - only much handsomer, of course!

phwoar, wish I lived closer and I would be right over with Hiccup's camera

Great to hear you are enjoying being back at the gym

Hullo Willem!

Hi Cactuscafé and everyone! Saw my psychologist today. She says I'm looking all right. Getting back to my life ... still having difficulty getting back with the art and the writing. I changed my lifestyle a bit ... getting out of bed much earlier now, and going to bed sooner also. I cut down my internet time from four hours to two hours a day. I think I can get everything done in that time ... but I realize I did not have a healthy relationship with the 'net. I'm cutting out lots of frustrating stuff I was compulsively checking out even though it didn't have anything to do with me.