Tisi (Mental Illness), 2000, by Samuel Schlaifer

From MemoryArchive

Who: Samuel Schlaifer 
What: Recovery from Mental Illness
When: 2000
Where: New York, New York

I would like my new first name after about 53 years of psychotherapy to be "Tisi" -- based on how I recently answered the "Who’s there?" to be let in to my session with Rosy. After I replied "Tis I," Rosy said "Come in Tisi."

I felt I was beyond Samuel, my parents’ creation, and a newly developed personality. I like my new Tisi form especially since I have become very sociable.

My learning began about 1948 after three years of teaching high school mathematics. Coming back from a week’s stay at a Catskill’s resort, initially being very energetic and doing much good, although having very little insight, I started exceeding my energy supply, became depressed and also angrily sensitive. After one outburst, Mrs. Gore (not the candidate’s wife), a gym teacher took me aside and said to go for psychological help. I called my family physician for a recommendation to Dr. Lehrman and I was on my way!

I feel so wonderful about the results of my therapy. Please don’t form an illogical reaction to my 53 years since, as Rosy says humorously, “It sometimes takes 60 years.” I now can practically see depression symptoms in people and am highly motivated to get others started and not to stop too soon.

By now you can calculate that I am a senior, a little over 77 years old, albeit in a kind of second childhood growing up fast. I want to encourage others to keep at it. The results will be more Tisis and a lot of happier people. Reproduced with permission from New York City Voices, where you will also find more information about recovery.