Voices of Recovery: Pat Deegan

Dr. Patricia E. Deegan is an independent consultant specializing in research and education about mental health recovery and the empowerment of mental health consumers. She is an activist in the disability rights movement and draws on her own perspective of recovery from schizophrenia as a teenager. She is creator of CommonGround, a web-based application that helps consumers prepare for visits with mental health practitioners in order to better advocate for their treatment and recovery. She is an Adjunct Professor at Dartmouth College School of Medicine and Boston University, Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Services.

[@keithcoupland5199]

Pat Deegan's story and her wonderful ability to write with passion as well as scholarly style has deeply influenced my recovery and many students and peers I have worked alongside. This short film captures the essence of her journey.

[@matthewtaylor621]

This is an inspirational video. I was diagnosed with schizophrenia about 6 years ago. I have completed 9 graduate credits at New York University's Silver School of Social Work and received all A's. I am currently on break from school, but work full time during nice weather as a landscaper, and part time as a snow shoveler in winter. I am currently taking a low dose of antipsychotics. I wanted to ask an open question to people with experience taking antipsychotics about a scary mental state that involves dizziness, very obtrusive auditory and visual fields, and extreme fear. The state has only occurred when I am on HIGHER doses of antipsychotic medications. Again, the events are frightening and feel like they could be described as a type of psychosis, but they only occur when I am on HIGHER doses of antipsychotics, which seems to resonate with Pat's opening statement in this video that the medications felt as disabling as the disorder. The distressing experience seems to be triggered by physical exertion or stressful social experiences, such as being in a crowded room or after an 6 or 8 hour shift of hard manual labor shoveling snow. Has anyone had similar experiences? I am hoping to become a mental health professional but am distressed by the constant push from my doctor to increase my medications, and the increased medication appears to correlate to this intermittently occurring mental state that makes it difficult and frightening to work hard.

[@Nycholletta]

I watched this video in my peer support training class and I came here to subscribe and watch more videos. I am intrigued.

[@justin8079]

Pat Deegan is an absolute legend, was an inspirational lady.

[@MichaelSkinnerMusic]

Thank you Pat for all you have done to help others. You are an amazing human being of compassion and insight.

[@scottmurray3490]

Powerful and this never gets old

[@susanhayward2549]

Inspiring. I love your passion for your mission. It's awesome!

[@lynzeilough6861]

So very inspiring. I have DID. And I too have my sights set on doing something in the Mental health field, but really did not think it was possible. My Peer support counselor told me about Pat Deegan and I just had to hear your stories. Thank you for sharing.

[@mandac9122]

so inspiring, thanks for all you do

[@westleygartside451]

I had a similar experience where I was diagnosed with schizophrenia at the age of 16 and put on a medication for 28 years and I have been off of the Medication for around two years now and I'm very well. I use personal medicine every day. I hope to meet and talk to Pat one day so we can chat about our personal experience's.

[@joelbevien3423]

Wonderful case vignette! What an inspiration! I am only a peer specialist and the whole world is ahead of me!

[@joelbevien3423]

Full Speed ahead God Bless us all!

[@kimberlypoer8164]

I am currently studying to become a PSS and this video has truly inspired me.

[@Ellen-f6i]

Thank you for sharing and you are an amazing woman.

[@theblacksun3951]

She's the best.

[@din04]

so wonderful

[@mauricewasserman5516]

Much respect

[@Brittanyfrances]

Strong minded.

[@Brittanyfrances]

Amazing

[@monicam48]

You go girl!!!

[@charubala6307]

lot of love to you :)

[@Nancy-ow9wy]

I don't have schizophrenia but have been diagnosed bipolar disorder with psychotic feature and tbi, I would like to know how did she come off from meds, I try but it seems hard and I fear and don't want to end up in a hospital again 😢

[@michaelatausova3576]

♥️💯♥️💯♥️💯♥️💯

[@kimlec3592]

Dignity.