Schizophrenia does not define who I am. The core of me —that part of me that loves to learn, play the violin, spend time with other people, and try to make a difference in my world—has always been there. When I look back at the difficult times of my life when I was suffering from psychosis, I see that the illness was never able to touch the very core part of my personality. At my core, there is also an unwavering belief in God.

Mental illness can be like a “mask,” covering over who you are, and preventing people from accessing their gifts. Today, the mask of mental illness in my life has been taken away through medications. I know who I am, and the values and goals that are important to me in life. I am a friend and a daughter, a violinist, a tutor, a writer, an advocate for the mentally ill. These are the things that define me, not my schizophrenia.

When people are progressing toward recovery and making plans for resuming normal life, it is important for them to get back in touch with themselves. Patients need friends, family and mental health workers who can encourage them to revisit hobbies such as art, music, reading, and attending sporting events, and also encourage them to find new things to love. Working a job that one likes may provide a sense of purpose, which is mentally healthy. These are the things that make us happy every day, and define who we are as people.

When patients forget who they truly are, they may experience feelings of “psychological dormancy” where they are not living life to the fullest. I experienced this feeling of dormancy for years when I was too sick to play the violin, read, or invest much time in other people.

After my hallucinations disappeared (thanks to an effective medication) my doctor, family, and friends reminded me of who I used to be and helped me rebuild my life. I was able once again to do things I loved, including reading, participating in musical ensembles, swimming, and spending time with other people. I began new activities, volunteering at the local University Hospital, and tutoring a ten-year-old girl once a week. My parents and doctor convinced me to study molecular biology in college again, and I later graduated with honor.

Mental illness has given me a new perspective on life, seeing it as temporal and precious. Today, being an advocate for the mentally ill has become a key part of who I am. In this way, schizophrenia has had an impact on my identity. But at the same time, there is still something about me, at my very core, that mental illness has never been able to touch.

All people, including patients who appear to be the most psychotic, are unique and valuable individuals. Through medications, we can remove the mask of mental illness, and then return to the things in life that define who we are.