96 British Journal of Occupational Therapy March 2010 73(3) Research Introduction Women with enduring mental illness are poorly represented in the litera- ture, particularly in occupational therapy writing. There appear to be few studies focused specifically on women, leaving a gap in knowledge (Wahl 1992). Payne (1995) discussed the difficulties of ‘seeing’ this particular population, suggesting that the specific needs of individuals and subgroups become organised around the most dominant group. In the case of people with enduring mental illness, the most dominant group is perceived to be men who suffer from schizophrenia, overshadowing women and increasing their invisibility. Harlene and Bernard (1994, p83) asserted that for these women ‘invisibility enhances [their] vulnerability’. Life history offers one way of seeing the whole person: presenting the woman’s whole life experience, engaging with her life before, during and after the illness experience. Harlene and Bernard (1994, p85) advocated that ‘women’s lived experience should be the starting point for all health efforts’. This study examined the experiences of five women living with enduring mental illness in their communities. The study is purposely about women. This is not to say that men are treated differently or better; however, the focus here is on women. Literature review Women with enduring mental illness form a major part of the occupational therapist’s work in the United Kingdom yet the literature gives little insight into their specific needs or concerns (Craik 1998). ‘Rip that book up, I’ve changed’: unveiling the experiences of women living with and surviving enduring mental illness Elizabeth Anne McKay Key words: Enduring mental illness, women’s lived experience, life history. The lives of women with an enduring mental illness have been little researched within occupational therapy. This study explored the experiences of five women living with enduring mental illness in their communities. The women were interviewed over a 2-year period using the life history method. Data were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data set was analysed in two ways. First, from the narrative analysis, an individual unique narrative of each woman’s life was created. Secondly, the data were analysed using the constant comparative method. This paper presents the findings from the constant comparative analysis. Six themes were identified, which lifted the veil on the experience of living with and surviving enduring mental illness. Each theme represented a section of the women’s lived experiences: a specific frame of the bigger picture of their lives. The themes were present life, life roles, relationships, illness transitions, help and cultural context. The findings highlighted the complex life roles and needs of the women over time. They unveiled how the women became agents in creating a better life for themselves and others. Practitioners have a role to play in creating meaningful and safe environments that encourage social inclusion and recovery. © The College of Occupational Therapists Ltd. Submitted: 2 July 2009. Accepted: 14 October 2009. Correspondence to: Dr Elizabeth McKay, Head, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland. Email: elizabeth.mckay@ul.ie Reference: McKay EA (2010) ‘Rip that book up, I’ve changed’: unveiling the experiences of women living with and surviving enduring mental illness. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 73(3), 96-105. DOI: 10.4276/030802210X12682330090370