The Yellow Van:

About the Book

A Story about Schizoaffective and Alcohol Addiction is a true account of my struggle with schizophrenia and bipolar illness.  It has been a life of acting sane and medicating with alcohol.  I usually tell people that I went on a “twelve-year” drunk.

It was only after I got sober, seventeen years ago, at a treatment center, that the mania began to show.  I was actually hypomanic and functional at work until 1999.  By this time, I had long sold the van, and was finally faced with homelessness.

I was actively psychotic for four years and was hospitalized four times.  I am currently in remission, but I have to be careful.  This is my prescription: 1) take your medication, 2) see a psychiatrist, 3) see a therapist, 4) don’t drink or drug, 5) work on your self every day.

It is reported that one in two hundred people have schizoaffective disorder.  Probably half are addicted to alcohol or drugs.  Little is known about this disorder and people don’t like to talk about it.  Rather than this approach, I am exposing my life to provide insight and reduce stigma of all people who are afflicted by this devastating illness.

About the Author

Author Biography Gayle Sabbe received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Tennessee in 1979. She was licensed in 1994. Most of her work has been in the mental health field. Near the close of a twenty-five year career, she worked as a therapist to alcohol addicted clientele, as well as to those who were dually diagnosed (mental illness and addiction). Along the way, she supervised many social workers and counselors who later obtained their licenses. Gayle is currently semi-retired and works part-time for the public school system. She often teaches in special education, and continues to have contact with those who suffer from severe and persistent mental illness.