Eric Smith: From Music Prodigy to Mental Health Advocate

Tony Mantor: Why Not Me ?

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Eric Smith shares his remarkable journey from child piano prodigy to mental health advocate after battling psychosis and addiction.

His story reveals how finding the right medication after a decade of failed treatments transformed his life from hospitalization and FBI involvement to becoming a Texas Judicial Commissioner on Mental Health.

• Displayed extraordinary musical talent from age three, studying under world-renowned pianists and performing with Grammy winners
• Experienced early warning signs when grades declined in middle school, with a psychologist predicting future psychosis
• Developed full-blown psychosis after getting sober, believing he had decoded assassination plots involving world leaders
• Contacted the FBI about his delusions, leading to multiple meetings before his parents sought help from his former psychiatrist
• Required three hospitalizations over several years before finding success with Clozapine after more than 10 years of failed medications
• Experienced a profound moment of clarity two weeks after starting Clozapine when the "noise" in his mind quieted
• Returned to education, maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA through graduate school
• Now serves as a commissioner with the Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health and runs his own consulting business
• Advocates for better access to effective treatments like Clozapine, which international guidelines recommend after two failed antipsychotics

Visit www.ericwtsmith.com to learn more about Eric's consulting work or to contact him directly.

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intro/outro music bed written by T. Wild
Why Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)

The content on Why Not Me: Embracing Autism amd Mental Health Worldwide, including discussions on mental health, autism, and related topics, is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only.

The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect those of the podcast, its hosts, or affiliates.

Why Not Me is not a medical or mental health professional and does not endorse or verify the accuracy, efficacy, safety of any treatments, programs, or advice discussed.

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1. Welcome to Why Not Me? (00:00:00)

2. Early Musical Genius (00:05:52)

3. Mental Illness Derails Promising Future (00:11:24)

4. Full-Blown Psychosis and FBI Involvement (00:16:15)

5. Hospital Treatment Journey (00:22:09)

6. Clozapine: The Medication That Changed Everything (00:27:05)