Bipolar type 1 with Schizophrenia and major depressive disorder

Welcome to Forums @Brave1

Glad to hear that you are not giving into your voice. How do you do this? I ask becaues perhaps it can help others who read this post.

Nice to meet you,

CB

Hi Brave1

I guess from your description of your diagnosis is that you have schizoaffective disorder. Is that right?

The voices are a constant in my chaotic existence. Unfortunately hallucinations, delusions, voices and manic and depressive episodes are characteristics of our MI. Fortunately the medication combination I take, whilst onerous, helps to control my symptoms and voices to a certain extent.

I have found that nothing completely takes the voices away and all that I can do is live with it by managing that particular symptom.

It is true that helping people has also helped me enormously because the effort taken and interaction needed in assisting people crowds the voices out.

There are many many strategies to assist in managing voices and some psychiatrists and health professionals are very adept in the successful implementation of these strategies in conjunction with the patient.

I have a bit of a team thing going with my psych and healthcare providers to help me understand and implement these strategies. Nevertheless it is a constant challenge as you know.

I am not sure is you have had admissions to the MHU or acute care clinic but I have found admissions a bit of a respite when things get tough and I use it effectively in this way.

It is sometimes easy for non MI people to trivialise the concept of "voices" for schizophrenics, because it is indeed a difficult concept if you have never suffered from the constant third party running commentary.

keeping constantly busy and not trying to negotiate with the voices are just two of the strategies I use.

I have never had a violent element to my MI but again there are many successful strategies that can be employed to keep both you and other people safe.

Insight into issues such as violent behaviour and triggers for it, is an excellent starting point. I find once I am able to articulate a symptomatic behavioural problem I am on the way to managing it to the best ability of both myself and my health team.

I wish you all the best on your journey successfully managing your MI.

Hi @Brave1

I'm sure you will have much to share with others here

What's your relationship like with your sister and parents now?

what's your favourite movie @Brave1 ?

So @Brave1 do you like the movie Brave? I am not a big fan of current Disney movies, but I really liked this one very much. Also am a HUGE fan of the orignial Fantasia - I can still remember going to the pictures to see it when it was first released!