Not coping with my Schizophrenia

That's very interesting @Sylvia26

Thank you for sharing and posting.

I'm not too knowledgeable about schizophrenia, but as I read, I notice that you have a strong awareness of reality. Most people don't have this level of awareness, so I guess it's a start.

Despite not having my own lived experience in this area, I have heard the strategy of setting boundaries around when you will 'listen' to the voices. I hear you have them all the time.

I wonder if you can try setting some of these boundaries in? e.g. say you will listen only for an hour in the morning and night, and that's it - then stick to these boundaries?

Please know you are not alone.

Hi @Sylvia26

Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling fed up with the symptoms. Anybody would, it's a lot to cope with. I have to agree with @tyme, you sound really strong and self-aware. I'm sure that doesn't make it easy to bear with it though. And yes, the housing market is a real problem! Not the easiest solution there.

Take care of yourself. I can't begin to understand what it would be like not to have silence whenever I wanted. I hear you and send you good wishes 🩵

Hi @Sylvia26

Oh my goodness, been in the same boat the past several years. Different diagnosis (schizoaffective) but there’s plenty of schizophrenia in me and particularly paranoia.

The neighbours. Yep, I have heard them constantly talking about me at different places I’ve lived in. Currently the voices aren’t on the intensely psychotic range that you are experiencing but I have commentary voices coming from one side in particular quite regularly.

You say you have tried all the techniques and are exhausted by it. I get it, especially when they don’t often help. I don’t want to throw any more techniques at you, especially when it’s all so overwhelming.

There are heaps I use so if you want to know any please ask.

I will mention just one that helps at any time with anything mental health-distressing-related. And that’s self-soothing. You just put yourself in a safe place in your house and hold onto your hand (I know, seems so unnatural) and let the voices do their thing, just don’t try to challenge them. Just accept them. You do have schizophrenia. Do not be ashamed of these voices, they are totally normal for anyone living with your condition. Be kind to yourself and give yourself time to find your tiny little comforting voice to say affirming things to yourself. Sometimes this helps me to relax and find some peace in my chaotic, noisy mind, if only for a little while.

Sorry is that’s all overwhelming. You can adapt self-soothing to anything that works for you.

And about suicidal ideation. Gosh, with all the management you’re doing, no wonder you feel pushed over the edge. Management is a 24 hour job so be very kind to yourself. You are amazing and strong and worth the fight and the rest. So be gentle on yourself and rest your body and mind as much as you can. Maybe then you can just forget about techniques for awhile and do some enjoyable things even with the voices ongoing.

Sometimes I feel we all just need a break from our massive illnesses. But if you can try to have the break even though you know in your subconscious that it just doesn’t seem to go away, that might be okay.

I hope you can have a good day and find the chance to have a moment or two of relaxation. My moments change like lightning so I’m here for all the good moments and hope they are enough to get me through the bad.

Do not give up. You are full of good qualities and thank you for sharing your story. I feel like I am not alone in what I’ve experienced with neighbours the last 10 years of my life. Thank you!

Thanks for sharing @Jade30 . That's so helpful to hear your experiences.

Thanks @tyme.

I forgot to mention that the technique you talked about, referring to allocating a set time to listen to the voices, is a really helpful one for me. I’ve used it a number of times before where it’s been possible. Thanks for sharing.

How are things @Jade30 @Sylvia26 ?

@Jade30 , I'm glad setting time aside for the voices helps 🙂

Hi @tyme thanks for checking in.

And @Jade30 @8ppleTree thanks for your messages, they definitely calmed me.

I'm still struggling with the voices and paranoia at home and suicidal thoughts.

Last night was a tough night.

I spoke to a family member, but they can't seem to cope with my symptoms and issues anymore than I can.

I failed to mention I am also a recovering/relapsing alcoholic and last night I drank as a last resort to ease the voices and paranoia.

It is a very temporary and toxic coping strategy but it works on occassion.

I am also working on self compassion with my counsellor and mental helplines always work as well.

Thank you for your responses and concern. 😊💕

That's tough @Sylvia26 when family just can't support anymore. I get it though. As much as I support other people, I find it hard to support family because the relationship is just too close. There's only so much you can say.

What other supports do you have, or strategies to help you through the tough times so that you don't turn to alcohol (if that's what you want).

Please know you are not alone.

Sorry for my delayed reply @tyme. Been overwhelmed and overstimulated by life but I’m ok.

Not too many voices from next door, what a relief. I think it helps that my neighbours are nice enough but I never really talk to them, I’m too anxious that if I do, the voices will ramp up if I think I’m more on their mind and they actually do end up talking about me a lot.

Hope things are going ok for you @Sylvia26 . Hope you have a bit of calm going on. Sounds like things are really tough. Do you have a room in your house where the voices are less? My bedroom isn’t as exposed to neighbours as much as the rest of my house, which is a fishbowl, so I tend to hide in there.

Hope self-compassion helps. That’s a biggie for me 😌

Hope you’re doing well @tyme thanks so much for checking in.

Hey @Jade30 @Sylvia26 ,

Glad to hear from you both.

I hear that life gets in the way of things and it's even harder when voices are involved.

What do you do to help you manage?