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

Why Psychotic Breaks Are Not Your Fault

A Personal Perspective: I wanted to believe that I had control over psychotic breaks until I acknowledged that psychosis is a medical illness like any other.

My Reactions When Someone Says I Can’t Have Schizophrenia

A Personal Perspective: You can be symptom-free of schizophrenia while on medication, as am I. Here are my changing reactions over the years when professionals don't agree.

How to Appreciate and Cultivate Self-Awareness After Psychosis

A Personal Perspective: Let's explore the importance of self-awareness (insight) in managing mental illness.

Navigating Relationships After Psychotic Breaks

Personal Perspective: Reconciling relationships with yourself and others after psychosis takes courage.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.