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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.

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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.

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

BunniekinsSenior Contributor22 May 2018, 8:00 pm AEST

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

@mrsboots click on the reply button and tag @Sandy1 there is a rectangle box for the question. then post.

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

Unknown userMember22 May 2018, 8:01 pm AEST

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

Hi @mrsboots,

Tonight's Topic Tuesday in our carer's forum is a live discussion between peers and we also have @Sandy1 with us sharing her own experiences for some insight. You can get involved by joining in on our current discussion point - we are looking at coping strategies right now.

If you are looking for some more one on one support you can also call our helpline

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

Sandy1Senior Contributor22 May 2018, 8:02 pm AEST

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

@Shaz51

it's important to keep your hope alive and maybe seeking support outside might help. there used to be carers groups but i don't know if they exist anymore. but by being engaged in things like this forum you might get tips and encouragement. but you have to look after yourself. sorry if that sounds like a platitude.but it is important.

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

BunniekinsSenior Contributor22 May 2018, 8:04 pm AEST

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

@Sandy1 Sandy1 my delusions also happen physically where the voice will attack my body. Has that ever happened to you?

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

Helen26Casual Contributor22 May 2018, 8:06 pm AEST

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

What do you mean physically attack your body, if I may ask?

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

Sandy1Senior Contributor22 May 2018, 8:07 pm AEST

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

@Bunniekins

yes, it has happened and it was awful.

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

mrsbootsCasual Contributor22 May 2018, 8:07 pm AEST

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

@Sandy Does a person suffering delusions really believe what they think they might have done ?

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

BunniekinsSenior Contributor22 May 2018, 8:08 pm AEST

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

@Sandy1 Thanks Sandy1 because when that has happened to me I thought I really was losing my mind....

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

Sandy1Senior Contributor22 May 2018, 8:09 pm AEST

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

Hey everyone we are moving onto the next discussion point.

Loss of identity and hope

On diagnosis the first casualty was my identity. I lost all sense of who I was. It was awful. I didn’t have a job and my life was on the scrapheap. What to say when I was asked the most challenging of questions: hello, what do you do? I hated that question because I had no answer other than my diagnostic label. That defined me and it was so negative. I had no hope, purpose or meaning in my life. I found hope and meaning in my poetry and writing. I developed a sense of self based on that.

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

Unknown userMember22 May 2018, 8:10 pm AEST

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

Hi @zandibrot,

Thanks for sharing this book idea! I am sorry you have encountered such challenges. We also did a Topic Tuesday event last week that you might find useful to read through later around hearing voices here

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