Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.
Rachel said she had a happy childhood until she was sexually abused by an elderly uncle. As a direct result she became anorexic and was then in touch with psychiatric services. Rachel's father died when she was 21, and she was hospitalised for the first time at 27. Now Rachel does voluntary work, does plenty of exercise, and has learned to be kind to herself.
Rachel does voluntary work, is in a relationship, and has no children. Ethnic background’ White British.
André describes a 'normal' life doing his university degree but then having a 'nervous breakdown'. He has had three admissions to hospital but is now reducing his medication and looking forward to further education in the future.
André works as a volunteer, and is currently single with no children. Ethnic background: White British.
Kirsty was sexually abused as a child; then had 'strange symptoms when managing a shop. She has been in hospital after having hallucinations and tries 'creative visualisation' to control them, along with her medication. She has had long battles with various addictions.
Kirsty is a volunteer with Rethink and a local housing organisation; she is single with no children. Ethnic background’ White British.
Green Lettuce had problems with anxiety, voices and paranoia. He is now much better and wants to set up his own business. He takes a tranquilizer (Diazepam) and a sleeping tablet (Zopiclone) but no anti-psychotic medication, and thinks time has helped the most.
Green Lettuce wants to be an entrepreneur, lives in the countryside, is single and has no children. Ethnic Background’ White British.
William was badly bullied as a child and developed various obsessions and compulsions. He had trouble concentrating and finds working challenging. He now takes Lustral and Quetiapine which he finds helpful but still struggles with feelings of depression.
William took medical retirement but does volunteer work for Rethink, is single and has no children. Ethnic Background’ White British.
Jenni had a happy childhood with her adoptive family, and started to get depressed as a teenager. Years later she heard voices so went to her GP. She was sectioned and spent a month in hospital. Now she feels much better and is now in a full time job
Jenni is 30, lives in London, works in business and has no children. She describes herself as mixed race, lives in a shared house and is currently doing a number...
Dolly was born in London and had a difficult childhood. She describes her voices as coming 'out of the blue', taking her from 'nothing' to 'completely psychotic'. She spent time in an in-patient ward and it took 7 years to get the right medication.
Dolly is studying film, is single with no children and involved with the service user movement. Dolly heard voices at the age of 14 and in her early 20s was...
Mary's son first became unwell in prison in 2004. He had an acute psychotic episode in 2007. Mary has struggled to get a diagnosis for her son and was shocked at the care he received in hospital. Her son is now stable and living independently.
Mary is a nurse and has helped with the care for her son, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2007. Ethnic background/nationality White Irish.
Georgina's son first became unwell when he was 15. He suffered hallucinations and delusions, but now lives independently, and both he and the family have a range of support in place. Georgina is a published author and works as a consultant.
Georgina works as a consultant, trainer and advocate. She has been a mental health service user and a carer to her youngest son, who developed paranoid schizophrenia at the age...
When young, Pete was abused by a child-minder and began to hear voices. Later he had long periods in in-patient care. Pete is now recovered and describes himself as a 'voice hearer'. He is Chair of the Hearing Voices network in Sheffield, amongst other roles.
Pete works as a trainer and advocate. He is 48, White British, and lives with his partner in Sheffield. Pete has three children
