As a woman in my early thirties, I had high expectations for my future. I wanted a decent job, a husband and a home. I wasn’t worried about the little things that were going wrong—the sleepless nights, the restlessness and lack of appetite. It wasn’t until I began hearing (what psychiatrists call) “command voices” that I got scared. These voices were both familiar and strange …

Something is rumbling around inside of me to be heard or felt and I don’t know exactly what it is. I dreamed last night that we had visitors, a couple, and they were eating breakfast. When I asked if they would like some toast the man gave me a long, very exact request with spreads I had never heard of. I felt overwhelmed and frustrated because I knew I couldn’t give him what he wanted. The wife looked exasperated and said something, to let me know whatever I had was OK …