The IVC Borderline Literary Journal

A Real Slippery Slope - Complete Essay - by Kentrell Olden - English 009

 

Kentrell Olden

Mr. Lewenstein

Eng 009

1 July 2019

                                                          A Real Slippery Slope

           In high school I felt on top of the world. I had a job.  I was driving a silver 2008 impala to School, I was an honor student  and sports athlete  with a great group of friends.  I loved it. I wasn’t Mr. Popular but I was cool with everyone kind of middle class in the social world at school. Then one day everything changed. When my mother said “We are moving, ” my stomach cringed with tightness. My world changed at the blink of an eye. I only had two more years left in high school. 

   I sat with a despair look upon my face. I was like any other typical kid I wanted to graduate with my friends from the school I started with. Little did I know that would all change. As I tried to pick up my life in a different school,  I had no idea it would be that difficult. The places I’ve been and the choices I made with the people I hung out with could’ve been my downfall. Dropping out of high school may have  led me down a road of despair and trouble:  A real slippery slope.

          Changing high schools in the 11th grade was one of the biggest challenges in my life. Throughout high school I always had friends and my sports. However all that was about to change with just a few simple words,”we’re moving”. Along with shock of moving, I had to deal with the realization I was about to lose my friends, the sports I played,  basically everything I’ve known for the last two years. Finally the big day came to move, as I stood in our old living room my heart raced as I  stared at the old  fireplace. It had white bricks surrounding it with an outline mark of where our family picture hung. As the floor creaked while my family moved stuff out i reminessed of the old memories we were leaving behind. It was time to see my new school my new world. The school was huge with a large field right across from a store,the school had giant black gates around the school 3 stories with 11 buildings. A giant illuminating sign stood out front the field that read scotlandville magnet high school in black in gold.  As we drove down the street from the school we made a left on the high way till we went down to blocks to the light and made a right over some train tracks my new neighborhood. The house was on the corner 4 bedroom brown with black trim a garage and outside laundry room. About 2 months after moving it was time for school to start back up time to be the new kid all over again. While people reconnected with their old friends I had to make new. Even though it was tough, I tried to make the best of it until I just couldn’t anymore. In fact I just stop caring. My grades slipped I skipped school till one day I just never went back. Finally I had to face my mother on my decision which she would not like. As she poured her heart out i could see the swelling in her eyes from crying I didn’t want to listen, all I could feel was the unfairness of moving away to have to switch schools, so I left for good.                                                                                                           

       Moving out my parents house at 17 was tougher than I thought. Although I thought it would be easy I was soon proven wrong. Me moving out meant I would have to pay for everything now food, rent,water,lights,etc. However I did have a job making good money for a kid not an adult. So me finding a place to stay at my income caused me to move into a poverty stricken neighborhood. The neighborhood was run down rows of beat up houses stretched down the street. You can smell a strong stench of urine and the odor of homeless people,as they passed down the street pushing over filled baskets. As the immature kid I was the area didn’t matter all that mattered was I had my own spot. After the first month of living on my own I realized my income wasn’t enough to survive after I paid all my bills I was left with 17 dollars and 36 cents.  In fact the 17 dollars had to go on bus fare for me to get to work since I no longer had the luxury of my mother’s impala. So that means I was broke nothing to my name but a house. The hunger of my stomach growled as i sat in my living room touching the lining of my empty pockets. This led me to think I can just do like the guy down the street and sell drugs to get by for food and extra money. The money was great I went from being broke to 400 dollars extra a week in my pocket. However with selling drugs your at risk for death, robbery,and jail. And I couldn’t see that at the time, as I sat in my house on my black couch ,letting the cushion take over me as my feet sits up on the brown table as the smoke of marijuana filled the room. I always carried a gun on me. Which at the time I seen no problem with I mean 85% of the neighbors carried so where’s the problem right. I would soon seem to regret that decision as I notice the crowd around me changing in many ways.

           The people I hung around sold drugs the crowd of people were bad. None of them had finished school half of them didn’t have drivers licenses all they did was make money illegally, which I didn’t mind since I was doing the same. Me being young and simple minded I felt the money was too easy to pass up so who needed an education little did I know I was going more and more down a slippery slope. And what was at the end of that slope death or jail luckily the birth of my son help me see the light and get back on path because I refuse to let my son grow up without a father like I did. He saved my life and don’t even know it.

 

 

 

 

 

EMT Spells Future - Complete Essay - by Joshua Morris - English 009

Joshua Morria

Professor Jay Lewenstein

English 009

2 July 2019

 

EMT Spells Future

    I was attending Imperial Valley College in the spring of 2019; This started my long road of events. With my major in Emergency Medical Services (EMS), I decided to take EMT 105.  This is a class that teaches the national requirements to become an Emergency Medical Technician.  I chose this field because I always seemed interested in the work EMS workers do, and how they do it. I loved this class with all my heart.

I also loved how they pushed you. In order to pass the class to the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) standards, you had to take the class, pass the skills evaluations, pass the final exam with a B or better, and you had to complete two 24-hour shifts one in the hospital, and the other in the field. I never knew during my field hours would shape me as an individual. My first patient on the ambulance made me realize the world of EMS is what I’m made for - and I would never trade it for anything else. 
           
    It was April 29th. This was the day I did my field time on the Ambulance. I went to Calexico Fire to get the best experience  because I would be on an actual ambulance instead of an engine. When I arrived to the building I felt the cold air around since I had gotten there at about 0655 in the morning t was still kind of dark outside and of course cold. I walked to the step and I knocked in a professional way one of the firefighters opened the door and let me in. The air in the building was comfortable. My freshly shined boots echoed down the hall as I met the chief he was a great guy. he did not treat me like student he treated me as one of the firefighters he even told me “Hello I’m the chief here at Calexico Fire now get to your desk bitch!” He said this with a playful tone. I sat at the desk and filled out the papers I needed to begin the day.

    Not so long as I sat down I was called out to the “box” as they call the ambulance. I went out to ithe box good old 72 and as to protocal was given the orientation, I saw all the gear an EMT would carry to all kinds of calls. As I sat on the rear bumper of the ambulance I was getting ready to ask a simple question before I heard a sound like never before. The sound seemed to be a mix of radio tones and a telephone and the words “Unit 72 respond to” I cannot put lots of details on the address or the area due to the laws of HIPPA. But I looked at the firemen who I was talking to and he just said in a happy tone “OOOOOOO you’re going on a call.” At that moment the Ambulance door was slammed in my face rudely I may add. I sat in the captains’ chair and buckled up. I looked through the viewing port and looked at the two crew members I had at that moment. They were veterans of the EMS world so they were calmer than rats on a junk pile. I sat in the chair thinking to myself ‘This is real.. This is a call” my heart raced and my mouth went dry I was excited yet scared at the same time. I went back through the port and ask “Is there anything I should  back here?” I asked the man in the passenger seat looked at me with a smile and said “Hold On!” without warning I felt myself go forward for the Ambulance went from sitting to a full pedal to the metal screech. The siren almost defended me as we went down the road at 80mph. I felt every turn as if it was a roller coaster. After one Hawaiian roller coaster ride of a response we came to a stop at a private residence me being the EMT and the grunt of the team I was given the work of grabbing all the gear we would need, not knowing details I grabbed the basic trauma and medical bag, they carried the basics of C-collars, Pulse Ox meters, artificial airways and other gear we could use if we needed to on this call. 

   I entered the home of the patient. I did not know what I was going to encounter that day, no amount of training would prepare me for this encounter. I enter the home to see an elderly lady no taller than 5’0 she was screaming in a way I could never imagine her eyes were wide like that of a dog looking at food “AYUDE A MI MARIDO, ESTÁ EN LA COCINA, AYUDA A ÉL!” I only knowing basic Spanish I could only really understand Husband and Kitchen. I tried to calm her down with basic Spanish I knew “Por favor, señorita, siéntate, por favor.” After this I caught the smell of death. These are the best words I could use to describe the smell: it was the type of smell your stomach wrenched at and your nose scrunched. I turn to look into the kitchen and the paramedic was talking to an elderly male on the ground in prone position, blood, waste, and vomit surrounded him his screams made my heart break.

    “Por favor ayúdame no puedo moverme estoy asustado.” I ran over to him I got on one knee and helped the paramedic roll this man over onto his back, I looked into his eyes they were that of a kid who is in the dark. I ran out to get the stretcher as I was told to by the Paramedic after getting the stretcher ready outside we picked up the patient. He was so light: it felt as if I was carrying a kid instead of a full-grown man after we put him on the stretcher. I noticed something the medic did not his skin was pale cool and clammy. “He’s in shock,” I say to the medic as we begin rapid transport we put him on high flow O2, and provide care. As we went to the hospital the patient looked at me and said something that would never leave my heart “Me recuerdas a mi así que tienes la misma mirada en el ojo y el disco para guardar.” After the medic translated my heart dropped it hit me hard. 
    
    After we got him to the hospital and into a bed it gave me time to reflect as we drove back to the fire station. I thought about everything I had done in EMT 105 and the stories the instructor shared with us, and now after doing the call with that patient I realized at that moment This is what I’m made for I would never trade this job for anything else in this world. And if the things called bills did not exist in this world I would do this job for free.

Even though that patient unfortunately to my knowledge passed away the will always sit with me as my first call and the one who shaped my future.

Only Guarantee Is Sacrifice - Complete Essay - by Alex Arrellano - English 009

Alex Arrellano

Professor Jay Lewenstein

English 009

3 July 2019

 

Only Guarantee is Sacrifice

The most impactful decision I’ve had to make?  Joining the military has made me the person I am today. The military is known to make individuals more appreciative of the little things in life that most take for granted. Everyday as society evolves and becomes more sophisticated and more accessible to everyone, we begin to lose value for simple commodities in their lives. Being in the military means that you are willing to sacrifice your own life, your home, your loved ones and your safety for the safety of others, a selfless act that goes under appreciated. Hearing the voice of your loved ones as you endure these difficult times was one of the few privileges taken from me. The option of sleeping comfortably is nonexistent since you have to always be on watch and on guard any dangers that can occur anytime of the day.

     Before lunch time approaches I’m left with a letdown not knowing when the next time I will have a home cooked meal from my parents. Although being in the service you do endure many hardships you realise it’s all worth it because you remember who you are doing it for ;not for yourself ,you are doing it for your friends,for your family for all your loved ones in order to ensure that they don’t have to endure these same hardships themselves.

    From sleepless nights without someone to talk to to missed holidays with your loved ones, being in the military is one of those jobs where communication and the ability to see your loved ones is never guaranteed. “Communication , the human connection, is the key to personal and career success.”as said by Paul J.Meyer. Communication with your family and friends is a privilege that I for a lengthy amount of time I took for granted. Communication is one thing that most people in today’s society overlook due its easy accessibility. The average person sends/receives 94 text messages per day whether it being to or from your family,friends or even co-workers there is always constant communication throughout the day. When I was in Marine Corps Recruit DepotSan Diego attending my 13 week long bootcamp the only form of communication were hand written letters which would take approximately 3-5 days to arrive to the desired destination and another 3-5 days if they happen to have responded the same day the letter arrived and the letter was opened. Even once I graduated boot camp there would be field ops that would last week to months where communication is not available at all and you would not hear from the outside world the entire time you would be there. You would be unaware of everything that is going on in the outside world and having that uncertainty of your families whereabouts and safety is constantly on your mind. The undesired absence of communication is just one of the sacrifices every military member including myself have to get used to.A reality that was always in the back of my mind. Through the absence of common necessity of communication every call I get I answer ,every text message I respond , every meet up with my friends or family I’m able to go to I attend simply because it’s something I wish I could do when I wasn’t able to.

    One of the things I missed most perhaps was the home cooked delicacies and proper sanitation, the legitimate Mexican cuisine that does not come from a bag that can be stored for years to come. Most of the time in tactical environments your food and sanitation resources are scarce. The only thing you’d eat for days could be pure mre’s which are chemically processed foods made to keep you alive and made to have a long lasting expiration date. 

    When it comes to proper sanitation in a tactical environment where the priority is mission accomplishment there is none; you clean yourself through wet wipes and that is the everyday routine. Through living without proper showers and warm food I have grown to appreciate any meal that is cooked and any shower even if short.

    Subsequently, being in the service you are promised several things two of those things being sleepless nights and loss of comfort at a certain point. The sleep required for an eighteen / nineteen year old is seven to nine hours a dream of mineSleep in the service is luxury on your list of priorities while the security of your brothers and mission accomplishment require being awake vital.

    When In a field environment that few hours you do get of sleep isn’t in the coziness and safety of your own bed.  It’s on top of an is -mat in a sleeping bag with grasp of your weapon at all times and ready to wake up and fight at a moment’s notice. Through the long hours of work I have learned to value sleep greatly every minute is a valuable minute when it comes to sleep so when the necessity of being awake is gone I will not hesitate on that opportunity.

   The hardest decision of my life has also become the one im most grateful for. Even through the long hours and difficult times, It’s made me who I am today.Through the lack of communication I have learned value every conversation I have whether it being an important topic or not.Also, I have adapted my body to sleep through the hardest occasions and be awake when it’d be the darkest hour. Every meal is a good meal there is no such thing as a picky eater in my body. I have learned anyone can survive through the harshest environments if it’s all you have you adapt and conquer and you make the best of what you have.

 

Elton John: Bulimia Breaks Rock Icon - Complete Essay - by Isac Ponce - English 009

Isac Ponce

Professor Lewenstein

English 009

17  July 2019

Elton John: Bulimia Breaks Rock Icon

     Elton John in the late 70s was in shambles. He was  abusing drugs and purging his body of any food he may consumed. In addition to his addiction to cocaine, he also suffered from bulimia nervosa. After a visit with Elvis Presley at his mansion,  Elton had decided to turn his life around and take up the offer his lover at the time gave him to get rid of his cocaine addiction. "He looked terrible, all bloated, with hair-dye trickling down his forehead. he already seemed like a corpse,” Elton said of the meeting.  “I knew that if I didn't do something now I could end up in exactly the same way." Elton John wanted to kick his addiction and do something about his health during this time. Elton really wanted to change his life with the love of his life. In a new attempt to redirect his life he moved to a new home in Holland Park.  He turned a new leaf and for the better only to make more hits like "I'm Still Standing" in 1983.

     He seems more happier in more recent interviews that I've seen. Anyone can change with the right motivation. Music Icons like John Lennon or Jimi Hendrix have been influential with their music. But behind the curtains there's always a problem, and those problems manifest themselves in the nastiest of ways. John Lennon had a drug and alcohol addiction, Jimi Hendrix also had his drug problems, and Elton John had a cocaine addiction. Rock icons like these make music that people all over the world enjoy. We listen to the music and we watch the interviews, but so many of us actually don’t know what goes on behind those doors. We don’t see what it is like for music stars like Elton John live. 

     When he was able to overcome his drug addiction, not only did his career take off, but his life took a turn for the better. For example when he agreed to a detox he uprooted his life Phillip Norman gets clarification about Elton John’s detox process in the article “Elton John: Back from the Brink of Hell.” According to Norman, “Eltons lover also had an addiction problem, and begged him to accompany him into “detox.” For initial therapy, each had to make a list of the other’s worst faults” (Norman, par. 27). Elton John asked Norman to come to his house for an interview since Norman had published a book about the first 43 years of his. Elton wanted clarify any misconceptions, and even extend more of a helping hand to Norman. He gave more info about his life past the mid 1990’s, and his detox process. It's good that Elton invited Norman over to clarify what has happened in his life; it allows us to understand him a little bit more, and get information straight from the source rather than some tabloid on the internet. Elton is a great musician that needed help during those times and didn’t deserve any backlash because of his sexuality. He had a very successful career, but that didn’t stop him from going into a drug addiction and even worse a mental illness that manifested during the later y 

     A person with bulimia will negatively see themselves as overweight and will do anything to lose that weight until they are satisfied. However, a person with bulimia would never be satisfied. Typically they would abuse laxatives, overwork their body during exercise, and purge their body of any food they have eaten. Elton John during 1990 had this problem for six years. According to the article by Norman Elton John’s breakfast would be large and he would engorge in it, yet purge it all. “It was all through being paranoid about my weight but not able to stop eating” (Norman, par.10). Bulimia is a nasty illness that can damage even the best of us. Neurotransmitters such as serotonin have little attendance in patients with bulimia. Other chemicals like tryptophan which are essential to making serotonin are also missing and or in low amounts in the brain of a bulimia patient. However there is an FDA approved medication that induces the production of serotonin, which can significantly increase the amount they had before. Studies show that individuals with bulimia have lower amounts of serotonin than regular healthy individuals. Bulimia is most common among females and males rarely have it. However males and females still have close enough reasoning to develop such an illness even at a young age. Females are more inclined to develop bulimia due to social constructs and peer perception, along with teasing from parental figures. Men are similar they have the desire to change the way their body looks and will either try to gain muscle or go the same route females do. Males having a type of eating disorder is not common so it needs to have more attention because it is possible even if it's unlikely. Treatments for bulimia include going under psychotherapy and antidepressants. Dietitians and a mental health professional are also there to assist anyone that has been diagnosed with bulimia. Treating bulimia is a long process and even when you think you are done it may still come back. Some bulimia patients have gone back to purging and abusing laxatives in times of high stress. Those that may have bulimia again have to go through the process again in attempt to get rid of it.

      Furthermore, some people may feel depressed and guilty constantly bulimia is not a healthy thing to go through. ”A quarter of those with anorexia and bulimia are men, and 40 percent of binge eaters are men as well. The legendary singer, songwriter, and pianist Elton John said he had bulimia for 16 years before he sought treatment for it and a cocaine addiction in 1990. He said he was in denial, and he thought it was something he could fix on his own.” (Eating Disorder Hope).

    In the article “Elton John: Back from the Brink of Hell,” Elton John invites Norman out to his house to get some facts straight and some more info on Elton’s life. Norman talks about Elton’s detox process along the way, and how the death of Elvis presley has encouraged Elton to turn a new leaf. I think the best example is the one regarding Elvis, because without that I don’t think Elton would be with us today. I think Norman has done Elton justice by setting the record straight. He gives us new perspective and shines a light on his detox process. Elton is doing better he is still doing concerts to this day. Some people don’t think so but they are wrong on September he is playing in Salt Lake City.

I think Elton John is still a great musician and no matter how old he gets he will still grab the attention of any listener. Through writing this I learned that Elton did have bulimia but he is better now. I also learned the effects of bulimia and how it can negatively affect someone's life. No one should have to go through bulimia alone. Elton John is a good example of “it getting better.” 

Work Cited

Brown, Mick. “Elton John Interview.” The Telegraph, Telegraph Media Group, 25 Oct. 2010, www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/8080705/Elton-John-interview.html.

“Bulimia Nervosa.” National Eating Disorders Association, 22 Feb. 2018, www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/by-eating-disorder/bulimia. Accessed 23 July 2019.

“Bulimia Nervosa.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 10 May 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bulimia/symptoms-causes/syc-20353615. Accessed 23 July 2019.

“Bulimia Isn't Beautiful: Celebrities with Eating Disorders.” Eating Disorder Hope, www.eatingdisorderhope.com/information/eating-disorder/bulimia-isnt-beautiful-celebrities-with-eating-disorders. Accessed July 23, 2019.

Norman, Philip. ELTON JOHN: Back from the Brink of Hell.Vancouver B.C: The Vancouver Sun, May 1992. Newspaper. 

“Reality And Myths.” Reality And Myths, realityandmyths.com/elton-john/.

 

Brooke Shields: Depression Rains Down on Her Star - Complete Essay - by Oscar Garnica - English 009

Oscar Garnica

ENG 009 

Professor Lewenstein

24 July  2019

Brooke Shields: Depression Rains Down on Her Star

   People Magazine’s "Brooke Shields Lashes Out at Tom Cruise," shows an individual who suffered from postpartum depression.  Her name is Brooke Shields. She was going to have her first baby, but once she gave birth something unusual happened. Once she saw the baby, she felt like she did not recognize the baby. Brooke felt depressed and she wanted to abandon the baby because she did not want to care for a stranger. Once she gave birth she tried to feel for the baby. Although she tried her hardest, she was just not able to love her child. Once she shared her emotions with media she was attacked by a few people such as Tom Cruise.

    Those people criticized her for taking antidepressants after having her baby. She was only taking them because deep down she knew she had to care for her baby. Brooke is a woman who was affected by postpartum depression which means that she thought her baby was a "stranger." This affects a vast amount of new mothers but sometimes they don't consider it something serious so they brush it off to the side. There is something similar to this which is called "Baby Blues," but PPD is NOT the same thing, because it is much more serious and deadly.

    Brooke received extreme criticism from people for her talking about taking antidepressants to keep her at a good state of mind. Although giving birth to her first child may have been the most exciting event of her life, she felt something missing, as if her baby was a " complete stranger". Postpartum depression may be mistaken for baby blues at first, but the signs and symptoms are more intense and last longer, and may eventually get in the way with your ability to care for your baby and handle other daily tasks. Symptoms usually develop within the first few weeks after giving birth, but may begin earlier during pregnancy or later up to a year after birth. All of this adds up to the fact that any woman can be affected by PPD which should raise more flags and have more people support the new mothers. PPD could affect all women which means it leads to a higher chance for abandoned or neglected children.  However, the children are not to blame, but the mothers aren't to blame either, because they didn't have the intention to leave their newborn shortly after birth. I want to shed light on PPD because we all come from a woman and she could've had the desire to leave, but she stuck around. I want to display what mothers feel when it comes to those that do have thoughts of leaving.

    This article talks about what Brooke Shields went through but to show support for her baby. Although, she might not have been your ideal mother she tried her best to be an amazing mother that her child deserved. She took medication to attempt to love her baby but she truly tried to make sure that her baby was in good hands. She states her baby was a "complete stranger" which raises questions if she even cares for her newborn. She did care for the baby but she felt disconnected to it and had a very hard time caring for her. Given the fact that we all come from women shows that we need to support our ladies when it comes to giving birth. Not all women need help but its a good idea to offer help because they need to be there for their baby so the infant may grow with a strong foundation. When a new mother sees her baby for the first time you would expect her to love the baby at first sight, but unfortunately for Brooke Shields that was not the case. Although she did not feel cold towards the baby, she did not want to be there for the baby. We all see Brooke as a strong person,  but others don't. She was taking anti-depressants which made people very mad and caused her to get attacked via media for not being able to deal with it herself. Although giving birth to her first child may have been the most exciting event of her life, she felt something missing, as if her baby was a "complete stranger"(Kirkus Review 1). To feel like your own baby is a stranger shows that there is something there that you cannot explain which makes people wonder. How and why does a mother feel this way?

    The article "Brooke Shields: Her Controversial Secrets Revealed" shows a layout of Brookes' life and it shows all the things she has been through. Brooke has been through abuse in her life and it has made her stronger when she got older, but when she was younger it only made her life that much harder. Once she was affected by postpartum depression it gave her a new perspective on life. I don't see things the same way, because what I have read is traumatic stories about mothers who have had negative thoughts about themselves.

Any mother can be affected by this, so it is critical that we support our new mothers during this stage. Brooke has achieved so much even after her abusive upbringing it shows everyone that it is possible to bounce back from a rough start. The argument was in Brookes' favor because the author knew what she had gone through and what she has accomplished. Brooke has been in the spotlight since she was young which caused her to not have a regular childhood. Although she had been put through abuse by her mom forcing her to take roles she didn't want to, she still managed to maintain her sanity. Brooke was diagnosed with postpartum depression which made her life more difficult, but she overcame it through support and medication. In the article, the author states "While some argued having a minor in a film of this nature was groundbreaking, others claimed that it was inappropriate to use of a child. People questioned Teri’s management decisions and later, her way – or lack – of mothering Brooke" which shows that people were aware of her mother's control. She made Brooke do the actions she didn't want to commit and people realized it but never said a word. These things make it seem like everyone was doing something wrong towards Brooke. The writer ends the article on a positive note because Brooke had done nothing wrong in some people's eyes, but she did wrong the community that didn't condone the use of depression medication.  The author made the point that Brooke can accomplish anything with any hurdle that was put in front of her and she says any person can too because we are all people who can set our minds to our goals. I feel that Brooke has been an amazing woman to her family and friends. She did everything she could to help out her family, she never did it to be selfish. Brooke came from a long line of abuse, but she manages to best it and show the world what we can do as a person. We set our minds to goals and we could accomplish them with help from those who care for us.

    This paper showed what postpartum depression does and how it affects mothers. PPD is something that could ruin a family or even a person's mental state. This could affect any mother, so we must support our women who give birth. The women might not ask for help, but we must offer it and make sure they get the necessary rest. The miracle of childbirth is something beautiful and everyone should experience, but once a mother sees her baby she found be showered with joy not regret. With a new mother, they show love and give newborn protection, but if that mother were to abandon the child no one would be around to protect him/her. A newborn is delicate and needs the attention of a mother at all hours and once the mother leaves the baby will grow up with trust issues from early abandonment. For a mother to abandon her child is extremely awful, but we need to come together and help the new mothers so they don't feel depressed and abandon their family.

Works Cited

Mann, Denise. “Brooke Shields' Struggle With Postpartum Depression.” WebMD, WebMD, 15 May 2003,Web, www.webmd.com/depression/postpartum-depression/features/brooke-shields-depression-struggle#1.

Nichols, Hannah. “Postpartum Depression: Tips for Coping with It.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, Web, 7 Nov. 2017, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320005.php.

 

“Postpartum Depression.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 1 Sept. 2018, Web, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/postpartum-depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20376617.

Shields, Brooke. “DOWN CAME THE RAIN by Brooke Shields.” Web, Kirkus Reviews, www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/brooke-shields/down-came-the-rain/.

 

Marilyn Monroe - Woman Split in Two - Complete Essay - by Lynette de Leon - English 009

Lynette De Leon

Professor Lewenstein

English 09

25 July 2019

Marilyn Monroe: Woman Split in Two

         Long before she became famous, Marilyn Monroe developed a frighteningly unstable clinical depression.  No one can be sure if  her mental illness emerged from her unstable childhood, or if she genetically inherited it from her mother.  It was clear, however, she was mentally sick and needed help. She was gifted when it came to acting roles in the big screen, for it came naturally to her. She stole everyone’s heart with her elegance and charm.  In an interview, Monroe discussed her desire to be loved and inability to find this (Werts, par. 3). Unfortunately, Monroe did not have the luxury of being raised by her two parents in a stable home; in fact, she didn’t have home. This Hollywood blonde bombshell grew up without a father.  Then, she lost her mother to a mental institution, relegating her to an orphanage and later foster care. Both professionally and personally, Monroe was exploited left and right with no small degree of her own complicity. Her gnawing need for love, identity and security compelled her though publicly painful marriages, tortured affairs and inopportune career moves. She judged herself most mercilessly, internalizing blame for everything. From watching her on screen many might think of Marilyn Monroe’s life as a dream come true, but for Marilyn the pressure from fame and her abusive childhood turned into a torment of depression and drug use.

      Marilyn Monroe did not like drawing attention to herself. When she attended theatrical sessions, she would take the seat furthest to the back of the room, and she usually speak in a wisp of a voice. Throughout her early childhood years, she was shuffled from one foster family to another and never knew who her true father was. Due to the scars of her childhood, at the age of 29 Marilyn was still naïve and self-doubting, like a child. In spite of that, she used her painful past and present as fuel to thrive and became the perfect devotee for Lee Strasburg, her theatrical professor. One of her greatest fears was disappointing those she loved. It has been known that when a person is weak, they are easier to manipulate. Marilyn’s vulnerability allowed her to become a more successful star as opposed to someone with ego. With time, Marilyn began expressing her thoughts and feelings through her poetry; in fact, she succeeded at it. According to the article “Marilyn and Her Monsters,” in one of Marilyn’s illustrations, she wrote a quote that referenced her early sexual abuse and reciprocal thoughts of it ,“I will not be punished for it, whipped, threatened, be unloved, or sent to hell to burn," illustrated Marilyn. Undeniably, she carried a lot of emotional fragility and a past suicidal with thoughts that developed from the struggles she endured as a child into her adult life. She was a rose with thorns, an imperfect woman like many others, but extremely vulnerable.

    Marilyn Monroe has become one of the most iconic figures in American culture and most recognizable sex symbol of all time. This legendary actress is a fragile individual that was traumatized since the beginning of her childhood. Through trauma and psychological programming, Monroe became a high-level puppet (Hyland. Par. 3). When Monroe entered the entertainment industry, she was encouraged to change her name and her personal appearance. She went from being the brunette hair Norma Jean to what we recognize her as today, platinum blonde hair Marilyn Monroe. Besides her appearance, she was also forced to put on a façade of her true self by hiding her intelligence and interests. Essentially, she was separated into who she genuinely was and who she was made into. After several years of acting, Monroe’s mental illness began to catch up with her. She intermittently began to forget her lines during the filming of Seven Year Itch; In effect, causing the production a major loss of money due to the many retakes that had to be done. Henceforth, she began to participate in substance abuse, taking sleeping pills on a regular basis, drinking to intoxication, and using drugs on set. Consequently, she was let fired while working on another Hollywood film, and ended in a mental institution afterwards, like her mother. The psychological disorders that Marilyn Monroe experienced are often explained by the Behaviorist Theory, when observed behaviors and actions are responsible for the individual’s psychological actions. Also, there is a Biological Theory of Psychology, when a person’s behavior is genetically responsible for the individual’s psychological actions. These two theories are relevant to the behavior of Marilyn Monroe because of the mental illness that ran in her family, and her own illness that mirrored her mothers. Under these circumstances, Monroe’s suppressed true personality by the film industry and her substance abuse created a breeding ground for stress and discontent leading to depression. “I guess I never believed that I deserved to live,” she stated (Werts. Par. 2). “I need to justify my life every hour.” At the of 36, Marilyn Monroe died from an overdose of drugs and alcohol that fueled her final months.

      In the article “Depression and Anxiety,” author Katie Hurley wrote about the causes of major depressive disorders and generalized anxiety disorders. Hurley claims that some people who experience loss and grief, are vulnerable to feelings of depression and anxiety. Oftentimes, certain people might experience the exact symptoms daily, but without a known stressor. As a result, their mood is prone to interfere with their day to day activities such as getting to work on time, lack in proper self-care, and can ultimately end tragically. Clinical depression is like swimming in the ocean and feeling one wave after another crash down on you as you try to grasp for air in between waves. A person who finds themselves in this situation will eventually get tired of swimming against the waves and give up by allowing themselves to be taken by the depths of the ocean. Oftentimes, many of these individuals turn to drugs and alcohol to numb their misery and agony, like Marilyn Monroe. Hurley strongly believes that people who undergo a long-term period with depression or anxiety without receiving treatment may tempted to commit suicide. Not everyone is strong enough to overcome life struggles on their own and need an extra hand:“It is not the normal reactions to difficult life situations we should worry about, but the abnormal reactions to normal life situations we should,” said Hurley. We as humans are prone to many feelings, especially during times of loss and grief. It is not these moments that we should worry about, for it is a temporary sadness. Although, if that sadness persists for more than a month, one should seek professional medical help to abstain from a tragic ending such as Monroe’s.

      Research states that approximately 14.8 million adults in America are affected by major depressive disorder. About 5% out of these 14.8 million individuals will die by die by suicide. Depression is a severe medical illness that involves the mind and body. It affects how you feel, think and behave. Depression is usually characterized by low mood, accompanied with low self-esteem and by the loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities. The symptoms include, but are not limited to feeling sad, hopeless, worthless, fatigue and lack of interest. This can further lead to thoughts of suicide, withdrawal from usual activities and pessimism. The exact cause of depression is still unknown, but researchers believe that it is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain.  Also, there might be a possibility by which it could be hereditary or caused by a stressful life change/event. Depression does not discriminate and affects both Men and women of all ages, races, and economic levels. This chronic illness that typically requires long-term treatment can be controlled with prescribed medication, psychological counseling and other treatment such as Electroconvulsive. Electroconvulsive is a treatment that purposely causes seizures by means of an electric current to help improve the mood of a severely depressed or suicidal individual. It is important for a person that is managing depression to live a healthy lifestyle while undergoing treatment; for instance, he/she should avoid drugs and alcohol because it will only worsen their depression. In addition, eating a well-balanced meal, exercising on a daily basis, getting at least 7 hours of sleep, and seeking supportive relationships can also help improve a person undergoing this severe mental illness.

      Clinical depression is by far the most common mental health disorder in the United States among teens and adults. It is important that we acknowledge its perplexity and dangers. This illness doesn’t discriminate gender, social background, income level, race, school, or achievements. Did you know that 1 in 5 college students have had at least one major depressive episode in a given year? The rates of depression in our society have increased significantly over the past 20 years. While those feelings may be short lived, others with clinical depression will have feelings that are long lived. Clinical Depression is not a feeling of blue or sadness that we all feel at one point in our life; It is normal to occasionally feel this way, especially during a time of loss. After a while, that darkness will lift, and things will start to feel enjoyable again. For others, this is a very serious illness with a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Like an endless loop of discouragement and annoyance with life. It affects how you feel, think, and behave. If left untreated, it can lead to serious behavioral, emotional, and physical problems; Sometimes, even suicide. Although depression can be maintained under control, it may be difficult to cope with in the meantime, and everyone should be aware of the signs and symptoms as well as the prevention methods. Let’s help one another by being aware of how these Mental Illnesses can affect a person and what they might be experiencing. If someone is depressed, help should be given. Recovering from depression will be grievous, and one will require close friends and family, but with enough effort, it can be taken care of.

Works Cited

Spotto, Donald. “Marilyn Monroe's Life from the Orphanage to an American Icon.” ThoughtCo. May 25, 2019. Web. 18 July 2019.

Hyland, Bryan. “The Hidden Life of Marilyn Monroe, the Original Hollywood Mind Control Slave.” (Part-I). November 02, 2018. Web. 17 July 2019.

Hurley, Katie. “Depression and Anxiety: Patients with One, Often Have the Other.” Psycom.net –

Clagiostro, Gina. Mental Health Treatment Resource Since 1986. Web. 17 July 2019.

Werts, Diane. STAFF W. "WHO WAS MARILYN MONROE? / Faithful to Joyce Carol Oates Bestseller, CBS Blonde Details the Legendary Stars Complex Inner Life: ALL

EDITIONS]." Newsday, May 10, 2001, pp. B07. ProQuest. Web. 17 July 2019.

“Marilyn Monroe Lived in Fear of Getting Her Mother's.” Inside Edition. May 08, 2015. Web. 18 July 2019.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Decision to Become a Doctor - Complete Essay - by Karla Miramontes - English 009

Karla Miramontes

Professor Lewenstein

English 009

27 June 2019

My Decisionto Become a Doctor

            When I was eight years old, I suffered a very strong kidney infection due to bad water consumption habits. I also suffered from anemia due to poor nutrition. Since my parents were never at home, and I lived alone with my two younger siblings almost most of the time, the only thing I ate were instant lunch and salty tortillas. As a result, it was very serious, so my mother took me to the doctor. I remember feeling a terrible pain in the back under the ribs and the dryness of my throat when I heard the doctor say these words with a grumpy but gentle voice: "Your daughter will die unless you take care of her better, give her this medicine, and take care of her food and water consumption”. The doctor gave me some vitamins that were delicious like fresh cotton candy, and I loved it. He also gave me many pills that tasted like rotten egg, but my mother forced me to take them. After that, my mom paid more attention to us, and she started making delicious meals and took a part-time job to monitor our health.

         Then I understood that the doctor I saw when I was a child did not want to scare me or my mom, still what he was doing was to prevent a situation that could be irreversible and that could eventually cause my death. His actions not only made my illness disappear, but also made my mother a more attentive person with me and my brothers. After all, I learned without a doubt that being a doctor is a great responsibility and that I liked health sciences. It was the best stage of my childhood. Nevertheless, I never understood why my mother had changed radically. Of course, I will never forget the fear that I felt because of the doctor’s words: "your daughter will die ..." He said more things, but in my head, I only heard those words.

         Later, when I was in high school, I had another kidney infection, so I went to the doctor again. He told me that I would be fine, and that my kidney infection was common and curable. Yet, he explained that if a child develops diseases such as anemia and kidney infections at an early age, the damage caused by these diseases can be irreversible. I liked the doctor's explanation so much, that I became interested in the subject and read some articles on these diseases and their repercussions.  In fact, this experience made understand clearly that if you like your career and job no matter how hard it is, the goal will be achieved, and you will succeed in everything you set out to do. That is the way I think and that is the reason I decided that I will be a doctor. In a career choice, one should feel passionate about their work and their field of study.  I took some health classes last semester because I wanted to be sure and clear about what do I like about a health career.

            I went through nursing, dental and medical classes for two months until I realize that I wanted to learn how the human body works. I saw people who faint when they smelled the odor of fresh blood and burnt bone. It was the first time I saw a real corpse and witnessed an autopsy. At the beginning I was afraid that I would be disgusted, but fortunately, it was something that did not scare me. That is a key: I needed to prove myself that could see and smell blood and still stay conscious.

            The more I read about it, the more I liked it. I felt exited and curious about the human body processes and anatomy, so every time I read something about it, I felt amazed. I learned about the concepts very easy. I was surprised because I did not read much before. I had trouble keeping an open book, but when it comes to medical issues, I can read for hours. I can observe the illustrations of human anatomy and I find myself trying to identify where these body parts are. Although it required that I read a lot and study for long hours, I felt happy.

            Second, I met very enthusiastic and professional teachers who really love their work and encouraged me to follow my dreams. For example, my English professor used to cheer me before and after the exams because although I was a person who used do well in class and quizzes, I had always suffered from Test anxiety.

Even though I studied for hours and tried so hard to be confident during the exams, the nervousness and fear clouded my mind. In fact, every time I saw a test in front of me, it was a struggle. I felt panic and sometimes I lost the notion of time, I would sweat, my body trembled, and I felt that I was suffocating.

            My grades have always been excellent, yet in my mind that had never been enough to calm the test anxiety. However, my English teacher helped me to understand that what happened to me was not a problem of intellectual capacity, it was a problem of self-confidence. In addition, my math teacher recommended that I read several self-help books that could help me to keep my mind more focused on my goals and control my nervousness to avoid self-sabotage in exams.

            Also, my reading teacher told me about some experiences that she went through as a student, so she gave me some advice to overcome my fears and trust my decision to choose a career that would make me feel happy with my work and my life. Little by little, my mind became clearer. After reading some books, listening to my teachers and putting into practice all the advice they gave me, my performance in the exams improved and it certainly helped me to develop self-confidence in my decision of becoming a doctor.

            As can be seen, the second year of college was the most important year of my life because I had wonderful teachers, I met very talented doctors, I got great knowledge in fantastic classes. As a result, all these amazing experiences made me realize that doctor is profession that I want to practice all my life. And although I know that being a doctor will not be an easy path, something I learned is that perseverance, discipline, and self-confidence are key to achieving the goals that you set in life. When I learned all these valuable things, I was able to set a clear goal and believe in my dreams of becoming a doctor. Nothing has made me happier than waking up in the morning knowing that every new day is one step closer to my goal.

 

Schizoprhenia: A Mental Puzzle - Complete Essay - by Sergio Cota - English 009

 

Sergio Cota

Professor Jay Lewenstein

English 009

24 July 2019

Schizophrenia: A Mental Puzzle 

    Although there are studies that shows that recovery from schizophrenia occurs from time to time, there is no a proper way to measure and determine how much patients have improved in their condition. It should be noted that each person is different, even when two persons suffers from the same condition may present different symptoms; consequently, a treatment that works in one patient may have side effects in another. In addition, psychologist Courtenay M. Harding warns that the recovery process is not easy or predictable. According to her, remission "carries the heavy time bomb of impending illness" (qtd. in Boodman). With this in mind, finding the right treatment in a specific mental illness can be a fight against the time that can have a great impact on patients and their recoveries. With many symptoms related to schizophrenia, and taking into account that each person can show different behaviors and effects with respect to their medication, the diagnosis and the correct treatment can be one of the most complicated factors in relation to this mental problem. In addition, a relapse or a symptom that gets out of control is a latent possibility that leaves patients with an uncertainty about what will happen next. On the other hand, probably the most famous case of schizophrenia is the one suffered by John Nash. Nash was a famous mathematician, who suffered from paranoid schizophrenia, and like other people suffering from mental problems, he tried to live a more regular life. Often, he had to take medication and enter many different hospitals several times, but Nash used his intellect to overcome it. So that around age 50 he showed an improvement in his condition even without his medication. Although it was not a complete recovery as he would have liked, it was enough to continue with his life and his career. Briefly, it’s difficult to determine what happens inside a person's mind; consequently, a person suffering from a mental illness can become unpredictable and be a complete enigma to everyone in general. Undoubtedly, until now, the study of schizophrenia is an inaccurate science; in addition, with many symptoms that can occur in many mental illnesses, making a final diagnosis about whether a person suffers from a specific mental problem can be difficult. In the same way, determining the recovery and improvement that the person has over their illness is the same or even more complicated.

    In fact, the discussion about whether a recovery from schizophrenia is possible remains in the minds of experts. It should be noted that there are studies on people who show a recovery; however, these studies do not clarify the level of improvement that the person has with respect to their illness. As well as that, the factors that influenced the apparent improvement of patients remain a mystery. According to Sunday Mail, even experts do not know with certainty what it is that makes a person suffer from schizophrenia; however, they believe that some chemicals in the brain become unbalanced and affect the patient's mind. On the other hand, a person is more likely to suffer schizophrenia if a relative of hers suffers from it. To clarify, schizophrenia is a mental illness that's hereditary, and can go through generations (55). In particular, the film about Nash's life, A Beautiful Mind, shows the struggle that a person with paranoid schizophrenia can have throughout his life. The film shows how such a serious illness can wreak havoc on the person's psyche and how their world can crumble with every new symptom or hallucination that comes their way. However, these details are necessary to get a better understanding about the disorder. It should be noted how Nash uses his intellect to deal with his problem to continue with his life and career, giving hope to people suffering from the same disorder. Indeed, many people including some psychiatrists, still believe that there is no recovery from schizophrenia; consequently, they argue that people who claim to recover had it a wrong diagnosis on the first place. In fact, they are some studies that show that an improvement can happen; however, they do not seem to have a way to measure how recovery occurs, and how well the patient improves. Due to these details, it's difficult for the psychiatrist to declare that someone can be functional; on the other hand, people who work with the topic of mental health, claim that recovery can occur, but once again, because there are no concrete numbers, or a list of facts that show that improvement can happen, on the psyche of a person who is not familiar with mental health problems tend to believe that an improvement can't take place. Obviously, each person is different, so they may experience different progress on the mental illness. In particular, some claim that they have a full recover, others that have a small advance in their person, and a certain group says that they have no progress at all. In conclusion, it's hard to diagnose schizophrenia in a person, and it's even more difficult to keep track of how the patient improves or get worse. The discussion about whether it's possible to full recover still remains, even when some the studies declare that it can happen, some information is still needed to make a final conclusion on the subject.

    Schizophrenia is a multi-dimensional condition and there is no one way to diagnose it’s causes or effects. In Caring for adults and mental problems writer Y. Mitchell attempts to clarify this disease for many of us who fear it. In general, schizophrenia is often related to psychosis, which is a mental problem that causes a person to see reality in different ways. However, psychotic episodes may be present in different mental illnesses, so experts can not only rely on this symptom to treat a patient. Before giving medications, doctors must be sure of the patient's condition to avoid side effects. In addition, not all patients suffer the same symptoms, and occasionally certain symptoms may appear and disappear from time to time. Because of all these symptoms, Mitchell states that experts may have difficulty diagnosing schizophrenia in a patient, and it is even more complicated to diagnose the correct treatment.

       Proof of this is how schizophrenia can affect a person's mood, which is why it’s sometimes confused with a bipolar disorder. Consequently, the person is treated as a bipolar patient, while in reality the person may suffer schizophrenia; therefore, the person's recovery is affected (146). Clearly, the diagnosis of schizophrenia and probably any other mental illness is very complicated and should not be taken lightly. Mental health doctors must ensure that the patient receives the appropriate treatment, so they can begin to recover as soon as they can, but with so many symptoms can be very difficult to reach a final conclusion about the person's condition. Mitchell clarifies that in Greek, schizophrenia refers to skhizein, which means ‘to split,’ and phrēn, which means ‘mind.’ In contrast, according to Eugene Bleuler, the symptoms of divided personality do not exist in patients with schizophrenia. For this reason, Eugene Bleuler states that the first part schizein (split), refers to how the mind of the person tends to separate to see things that are real and others that are just a hallucination (qtd. in Mitchell 146). Due to this, the mind of the person can enter into conflict not being able to have a clear thought. In fact, the most characteristic symptom of a person with schizophrenia is to distort reality, which affects their perception of seeing life. With this in mind, the patient can have complications in his daily life and in relationships with people; also, sometimes people who suffer from schizophrenia tend to isolate themselves to be safe and not to disturb any other person. In addition, Gelder et al. declare that “Ten per cent of people diagnosed with schizophrenia commit suicide usually within the first year of being diagnosed with the condition” (qtd. in Mitchell 147). This illustrates how difficult life can be for people diagnosed with schizophrenia, and how sometimes they can’t handle it or do not have the right treatment to overcome it. As a result, some of them decide to end their lives to avoid suffering. In fact, a person who shows some of the many symptoms that schizophrenia can have should be treated immediately. It should be noted that with proper medication and with the support of family and friends, the patient's life can be greatly improved.

    According to the website Living with Schizophrenia, the illness that John Nash suffered wreaked havoc in his personality and made him a different person he once was; however, Nash's sagacity, perception and intellect managed to help him to improve on his condition (par. 14-19). Definitely, any mental illness can have a series of symptoms that make a person act strangely and schizophrenia is no exception. Schizophrenia can confuse the mind of the person who suffers it with hallucinations, delusions and paranoid thoughts; for example, the diagnosis of John Nash is cataloged as paranoid schizophrenia, which can further complicate the relationship of the patient with the people around him. With a series of thoughts that can make the person feel insecure, people tend to isolate themselves and prefer not to deal with anyone, either because of paranoid or because they are afraid of how other people can interpret their behavior. It must be taken into account that when the patient doesn’t understand his problem and doesn’t receive adequate help, the patient's progress may be delayed. So, even when Nash was socially awkward, he was very friendly in his youth.  While his mental problem wasn't fully developed at that time, once the first symptom appears on 1958 his behavior changes drastically (par. 4-7). Without a doubt, the battle to identify what is happening can be a lonely and confusing road. In addition, it seems that the disease divided his life into two. Indeed, Nash began to become more paranoid and commence to isolate himself from other people; however, later in his life, the great intellect that he developed over the years, would help him understand his situation. Nevertheless, Nash was lucky not to have to go through the old treatments of schizophrenia, such as electric shock, even when they were still present at that time; in fact, the new wave of drugs that specialized in patients with mental problems was emerging, such as Thorazine (par. 12). Because of this, he was able to leave the hospitals while he was still taking his medication; however, the medication used to alleviate his problem had certain side effects in him. Indeed, his behavior changed, affecting the way they relate to others; however, he managed to establish new relationships with the hope to live a more regular life despite his problems. For instance, the website Living with Schizophrenia explains how Nash finds a way to recover: "In the end, he concluded that his delusional thinking was ‘essentially a hopeless waste of intellectual effort’” (qtd. in par. 19), so he decides to stop taking his medications because of the side effects in his person, like the physical ones, slow movements and impotence, as well as mental, not being able to think clearly and not being able to concentrate. In the end, Nash learned to prevent his problem from interfering with his life, even when he still had certain symptoms, he managed to control it. In general, the author uses the life and experiences that John Nash had to go through in his mental illness, and how he managed to overcome it; as a result, they are trying to illustrate that there is hope for people who are dealing with this disorder. Undoubtedly, the most important point is how the intellect of a person suffering from this condition can adapts to these new set of thoughts, and how they can understand and manage them, preventing them from affecting their person on a day-today basis. To conclude, the diagnosis of any mental illness in a person can be difficult; consequently, proper treatment and care can be decisive at the beginning of the symptoms in the individual; However, the will, intellect and ingenuity on how to manage and understand their condition are details that each person must develop and do for themselves. It’s important to emphasize that an improvement can occur, and people with a mental problem should not lose hope, should adapt to this new situation.

    I decided to write about schizophrenia due to the lack of understanding that people have when they mention that specific disorder. In fact, people tend to associate schizophrenia with crazy people, dangerous people, and mental institutions, so they don’t want to take the time to understand and review the information first; as a result, the facts they have in their minds may be incorrect. Additionally, currently the treatment of schizophrenia has evolved enough that electrical shock is no longer necessary, which is often associated as treatment in patients with mental health problems. Undoubtedly, the medicines have advanced so much that a person with schizophrenia can lead a more regular life if the patient has the right help. Besides that, I think everyone should learn, at least, the basic concepts on a given topic before they start talking and giving their opinion; however, it’s rare to hear conversations related to mental disorders on a normal day, for people tend to ignore these issues until someone close to them has a diagnosis with a type of mental problem. Undoubtedly, many types of disorders are still considered as “taboo”, so people suffering from a mental illness sometimes can’t find the necessary help until it’s too late, which delays their recovery. In summary, the more information we have about schizophrenia, including any other type of disorder or disease, the more aware we’ll be of how the symptoms affect the patients, how they feel emotionally, and how they perceive the world. Finally, with more information, we can help them improve their condition and reintegrate in everyday life.

 

Works Cited

Boodman, Sandra G. "Beautiful” -- but Not Rare -- Recovery; John Nash's Genius is Extraordinary. Recovering from Schizophrenia is Anything but.: FINAL Edition]." The Washington Post, 12 Feb. 2002. ProQuest, https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.imperial.edu/docview/409301772?accountid=38876. Accessed 20 June 2019.

Halderman, Alex. “The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel 1994.” NobelPrize.org, Princeton University, 23 Feb. 2001, www.nobelprize.org/prizes/economic-sciences/1994/nash/photo-gallery/. Accessed 18 July 2019.

“John Nash.” Living with Schizophrenia, www.livingwithschizophreniauk.org/john-nash/. Accessed 9 July 2019.

Mitchell, Y. 11 Schizophrenia and Schizophrenia-Type Disorders. John Wiley & Sons, Inc, Hoboken, 2006. ProQuest, https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.imperial.edu/docview/189241756?accountid=38876. Accessed 2 July 2019.

Nye, Louise. “Schizophrenia iii.” DeviantArt, 22 Aug. 2009, www.deviantart.com/hiimlucifer/art/Schizophrenia-iii-134341739. Accessed 18 July 2019.

"What is Schizophrenia?" Sunday Mail, 09 Jan. 2005, pp. 55. ProQuest, https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.imperial.edu/docview/325080490?accountid=38876. Accessed 1 July 2019.