Connect with people who understand what you are going through, seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.

47,612Members
1,358,869Posts
1,400,000Visitors

Topic Tuesday // What it's really like to live with schizophrenia // Tues 22 May, 7pm AEDT

Unknown userMember27 Apr 2018, 3:57 pm AEST

Topic Tuesday // What it's really like to live with schizophrenia // Tues 22 May, 7pm AEDT

We are very lucky to be joined by Sandy Jeffs for this Topic Tuesday. Sandy is an author and mental health advocate who lives with schizophrenia. We are lucky enough to have Sandy as a member of SANE's Peer Ambassador program.

For this Topic Tuesday Sandy will be sharing her own experiences to provide us with an insight into what it's like to live with schizophrenia.

Want to receive an email reminder on the night? Hit the 'Like' button below.

______________________________________________________________________

I'm new here - what is Topic Tuesday?

Topic Tuesday runs from 7pm - 9pm AEST monthly. Each month we focus on a different topic, with the session facilitated by a Community Manager or Moderator. Sometimes Topic Tuesday will feature a special guest, who is an expert in the topic.

The first post of the thread (this one) will give you an idea of what the topic is and what will be covered.

How do I get involved?

Topic Tuesday takes place right here! It's text based, so no software is needed. During the session, to keep up with the latest posts hit the 'refresh' button on your browser for the latest posts (it doesn't automatically update). Keep an eye for page numbers at the top & bottom of the page, and jump to the highest page number for the most recent post.

Throughout the session, the facilitator will put questions out for you to answer, usually asking for your own experience on the topic. To contribute to the session, just hit the 'reply' button and share your thoughts. No answers are right or wrong and everyone is welcome to get involved.

If you have any questions about how to use the Forums, check out our Guides.

83 replies

31 - 40 of 83

1...3 4 5...9

In response to: Topic Tuesday // What it's really like to live with schizophrenia // Tues 22 May, 7pm AEDT

HayleyCContributor22 May 2018, 7:35 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // What it's really like to live with schizophrenia // Tues 22 May, 7pm AEDT

Hi @Former-Member,

Yes, it was difficult at the time especially when he was refusing treatment but there were many periods when he was trusting it just took a while to get there sometimes. We had been friends for a few years before his 'symptoms' started occcuring so I think having had an already trusting friendship really helped at the times when he was untrusting of others.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // What it's really like to live with schizophrenia // Tues 22 May, 7pm AEDT

BunniekinsSenior Contributor22 May 2018, 7:35 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // What it's really like to live with schizophrenia // Tues 22 May, 7pm AEDT

@Sandy1 it is something that surprises medicos when I tell them he still hears voices ... they always ask if he takes his medication which he does. I also have schizo but my meds control mine which is great but also I miss them ... do you miss some of your voices now that some have gone? It for me at least is like losing an old friend .

In response to: Topic Tuesday // What it's really like to live with schizophrenia // Tues 22 May, 7pm AEDT

Unknown userMember22 May 2018, 7:38 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // What it's really like to live with schizophrenia // Tues 22 May, 7pm AEDT

Hi @MelbourneWoman7,

It's great that you research into your diagnosis however if you feel confused by it, it is completely fine and encouraged to ask more questions of your doctor (or whomever diagnosed you). You can also choose to connect with a GP and ask questions to get better understanding of your own diagnosis.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // What it's really like to live with schizophrenia // Tues 22 May, 7pm AEDT

Sandy1Senior Contributor22 May 2018, 7:40 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // What it's really like to live with schizophrenia // Tues 22 May, 7pm AEDT

@Helen26

who knows, but i think if someone can find stability in their life with housing it can enable them to have access to GPs they know, to have a network that understands them and can offer suport. but this is difficult to do if the person doen't wnat to engage with.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // What it's really like to live with schizophrenia // Tues 22 May, 7pm AEDT

Sandy1Senior Contributor22 May 2018, 7:45 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // What it's really like to live with schizophrenia // Tues 22 May, 7pm AEDT

@Bunniekins

yeah, I sometimes wonder how it would be if my voices went away. They have never really ever gone away. In a strange way they are so much a part of me that I can't imagine life without them. I have managed to form a tolerable relationship with them but I still hate what they do to me. I have named them tweedledum and tweedledee to mock them before they mock me. it's not nreally working but i try.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // What it's really like to live with schizophrenia // Tues 22 May, 7pm AEDT

MelbourneWoman7Casual Contributor22 May 2018, 7:46 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // What it's really like to live with schizophrenia // Tues 22 May, 7pm AEDT

I find at times questions r not encoraged and that my doctors want me to just accept i have this illness without fully understanding it. This is why i and others may stop taking medication cause we dont understand diagnoses

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // What it's really like to live with schizophrenia // Tues 22 May, 7pm AEDT

Unknown userMember22 May 2018, 7:46 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // What it's really like to live with schizophrenia // Tues 22 May, 7pm AEDT

So @Sandy1 listed some of her useful coping strategies:

So, I plug in my MP3 player and fill my head with music.

I also compose letters to the editor and do mental arithmetic to try and fill the space.

I have team Sandy which I use to keep me in the world intact.

Team Sandy is my friends, hockey team, orchestras I play in and the things I do to help me stay centred. I work hard on making sure my friends stay around me.

I wonder have others here found some good coping strategies that they have implemented with their loved ones, or for themselves while supporting their loved one?

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // What it's really like to live with schizophrenia // Tues 22 May, 7pm AEDT

BunniekinsSenior Contributor22 May 2018, 7:46 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // What it's really like to live with schizophrenia // Tues 22 May, 7pm AEDT

@Sandy1 Hahaha! 😄

In response to: Topic Tuesday // What it's really like to live with schizophrenia // Tues 22 May, 7pm AEDT

zandibrotCasual Contributor22 May 2018, 7:47 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // What it's really like to live with schizophrenia // Tues 22 May, 7pm AEDT

It is the medical model that defines what is and what is not a delusion. Personally I dont agree with pathologising people

In response to: Topic Tuesday // What it's really like to live with schizophrenia // Tues 22 May, 7pm AEDT

Shaz51Senior Contributor22 May 2018, 7:48 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // What it's really like to live with schizophrenia // Tues 22 May, 7pm AEDT

yes thank you @Bunniekins, had the day off today kind of

As a carer, or even someone who might be experiencing life with schizophrenia, how do you cope?-- yes that is a good question @Helen26, my husband is not Diagnosed with schizophrenia, , but has negative thought all day and everyday ,

sorry @Sandy1, @Former-Member, my husband has been diagnosed with lots of things and me coping with his negative thoughts all the times

31 - 40 of 83

1...3 4 5...9