Family support and medication helps former Marine to cope

by Billie in North Carolina

My name is Billie and I have schizophrenia. I grew up in a small town, and was born in a small tin house. As time went on, I joined the military in 1975. I was in the Marine Corps for four years. I traveled to a lot of nice places such as Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Philippines, Hawaii and Alaska. I was discharged in 1979, and then I moved to California for three years. In 1992, I found out I had schizophrenia.

My family came and got me because I was very sick mentally. I got to the point to where I heard voices, saw things, and stayed depressed most of the time. I was put on medication, which helps me cope with my illness better.