This is a collection of poems and observations dedicated to those who suffer from Mental Illness and those that love them. It is not okay to copy, edit, or re-post my work without my written permission.
5 North
Warm room; cold hall
Cold room; warm hall
The drabness of overly cluttered rooms
Flat expressions & nervous interactions
Common disabilities, known but rarely discussed
Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety, Depression
All different yet the same
Monitored “freedom”
Nurses always looking
Care attendants frequently counting
They always know where to find you
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The Treatment Team
Intimidating
One doctor asking questions.
Others staring, observing, and writing.
I tell my story.
They decide my plan of treatment
Without sharing it with me.
What’s wrong with this picture?
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If I don’t know what to expect, then I cannot be prepared . I need a schedule. A schedule reduces anxiety. Reduced anxiety leads to fewer OCD triggers. Why is this so difficult for people to understand?
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The Shower
When taking a shower for the first time, it would be a good idea to remember that the sink has a sensor-operated water faucet. DON’T put your clothes on the sink. Bra, socks, and jeans were soaking wet.
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A Typical Day
Write, read, sleep, eat
A couple of group therapy sessions here and there
Old movies & limited conversation
Boredom sets in
Is this a sign of recovery?
Mood uplifts
Laughter increases
New group leaders
We all look out for each other
I’m ready to go
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45th Street
Looking through the window, I see glimpses of sunshine touching the tops of the buildings. Lines of tail lights waiting their turn. Some in a hurry, some in no rush. Rooftops cluttered with air conditioning units and heaters. A busy day in Austin and no one pays attention.
~ A. Mac
Stumbling Down the Path 
These are great poems Andrea. Very thought provoking, and make me look at how I view other people, especially when you don’t know if they are sufferers or not themselves. Many of us are undiagnosed or borderline for OCD or depression. What will be the thing that pushes one over the edge I wonder… There has to be at least one trigger, I believe. One problem might be that you don’t know that trigger the first time it happens. Sometimes with disastrous consequences. I think it is so important that more people are made aware of just how much suffering others go through. Rather than platitudes and such like, we should be educated to just be there for our friends and support them through their bad times and share the good ones too. I hope this will make me a better friend to those who need me to be one. Thank you so much for being brave enough to share your poems. May they have as big an impact on other readers as they have me. Big hugs to you. And I am here for you. ❤
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