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Sarah Merritt Ryan

About

Sarah Merritt Ryan is a survivor of Schizophrenia and has been symptom-free of mental illness for 11 years. In what had seemed like a hopeless medical situation, she has cognitively and emotionally recovered from multiple psychotic breaks. Recovering over this decade, she has gotten married, given birth to a son, and has a fulfilling career.

She has an undergraduate degree in Journalism from the Hussman School of Journalism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Science degree in Communication from North Carolina State University. She has blogged for Nami.org about topics related to psychosis and schizophrenia. She is a trained support group facilitator at NAMI who facilitates a weekly group of individuals with serious mental illness, and she is a trained public speaker on behalf of NAMI.

Recent Posts
Forging My Own Path After Serious Mental Illness

A Personal Perspective: It's easy when experiencing mental illness to feel left behind and that you don't have a "normal" life, but you don't have to keep that perspective.

A Personal Perspective: It's easy when experiencing mental illness to feel left behind and that you don't have a "normal" life, but you don't have to keep that perspective.

Self-Love After Psychosis

A Personal Perspective: I thought my life was over after multiple psychotic breaks, but it wasn't. Here's how cultivating self-love directed me into my future.

A Personal Perspective: I thought my life was over after multiple psychotic breaks, but it wasn't. Here's how cultivating self-love directed me into my future.

Connecting Socially After Psychosis

A Personal Perspective: You can feel normal again and reconnect with others after a psychotic break—and even form new friendships.

A Personal Perspective: You can feel normal again and reconnect with others after a psychotic break—and even form new friendships.

The Effects of Rediagnosis

I have been rediagnosed many times with my psychotic disorder. Here is how I make sense of it and move forward.

I have been rediagnosed many times with my psychotic disorder. Here is how I make sense of it and move forward.

Emotional Recovery From Psychosis

A Personal Perspective: Cognitive recovery from psychosis and emotional recovery require equal attention. Here's what the emotional journey might look like.

A Personal Perspective: Cognitive recovery from psychosis and emotional recovery require equal attention. Here's what the emotional journey might look like.

Disclosing Your Mental Health Diagnosis to a Partner

Personal Perspective: Having a hard time disclosing your diagnosis to your partner? Here's what I learned from my experience.

Personal Perspective: Having a hard time disclosing your diagnosis to your partner? Here's what I learned from my experience.

Why I'm Taking an Antipsychotic for Life

A Personal Perspective: Going off an antipsychotic is not worth the risk. I have nothing to prove, and there is too much at stake. Here's how I made this life decision.

A Personal Perspective: Going off an antipsychotic is not worth the risk. I have nothing to prove, and there is too much at stake. Here's how I made this life decision.

Separating My Identity From a Schizophrenia Diagnosis

A Personal Perspective: The day I was diagnosed with schizophrenia, I thought it changed who I was, what people thought of me, and my future. It didn't. Here's why.

A Personal Perspective: The day I was diagnosed with schizophrenia, I thought it changed who I was, what people thought of me, and my future. It didn't. Here's why.

Debunking 4 Myths About Taking Antipsychotics

A Personal Perspective: Here are four personal myths I've experienced myself about taking antipsychotics. Here are the takeaways.

A Personal Perspective: Here are four personal myths I've experienced myself about taking antipsychotics. Here are the takeaways.

Transitioning Back to a Clear Mind

A Personal Perspective: A clear mind was the most important factor in my recovery and emotional process. I can now embrace the present and am free to lead a fulfilling life.

A Personal Perspective: A clear mind was the most important factor in my recovery and emotional process. I can now embrace the present and am free to lead a fulfilling life.