Living with schizophrenia

Hi Tyler77,

good on you for taking the decision to go off substances. I think that you are on the road to recovery and you are right it is not a destination but a constant journey. The road does not end it keeps ongoing all of our lives. But along the way there are very interesting things to experience and life is always beautiful in some way even when there is lots of suffering and disappointments as is the case for people like us with mental disorders. It is a constant battle but worth it I feel.

Hope that everything goes well for you. And as Silenus would say, sending lots of positive vibes coming your way from all of us here.

Hi everyone,

I would like to add to my story.

When I was first diagnosed with Schizophrenia I thought it was the end of my world. I had a young baby to take care of. I cried out in anguish and asked the case worker from the crisis team about how I was going to cope. The case worker said not to worry,' people with schizoprenia cope very well'.

I was doubtful about this because I didn't believe in myself. Having never met a person with this illness and not being able to even spell the word, I didn't know what was ahead of me, I was in the dark.

My family didn't tell anyone about my illness, some members of the extended family still don't know. I became very good at smiling and acting like I was OK for the sake of my family's pride.

I no longer hide my diagnosis but am careful who I tell. I put a lot of effort into life but sometimes fall down and the symptoms return. I get up and brush myself off because I have no choice.

Schizophrenia does not define me. The case worker was right, I do cope well enough. It's for life but will not end me.

i still deal with disorganised thinking. I am aware of it, but somehow it does not seem overly prominent to others.

I am sad that @DefiantPanda is gone. I thought she made a few very relevant and courageous posts that were good for the forum as a whole. So if you read this. Hi from me. Panda. YOU will be missed.

@theaveragejoe
Personally, it is my feeling that you might be drowning out the voices of those that the original post intended to amplify.

It's not that I don't appreciated hearing that you are interested in psychosis, or that I don't appreciate you being an ally. I just don't feel your voice is terribly appropriate here on this thread.

I can't speak for DefiantPanda, I speak for myself.

S x

My mother and ex husband managed their schizophrenia by taking control of what they felt comfortable in. That is working with their strong suites. Neither of them were open about their diagnoses. I think that was wise given what they were trying to achieve in the work environment and as it was a few years ago. She in piano teaching and he in IT. Aspects of persecutionary thinking were/are with them, but in going with their strengths they managed to build a better life than if they caved in completely to being a helpless sick person. It all depends on the person and the circumstances. I wouldnt want people not to get the genuine help they need, because they were diagnosed but felt unentitled. It was just what was possible for both of them and I was in there battling for them and overlooking their shortcomings ... for a while anyway.

My sister's fear and lack of self belief meant a short life (21). My father's life was cut short by over medication and pleurisy (45).

Schizophrenia can be so debilitating. For those you dont know my back story, both parents and sister were diagnosed with Schizophrenia and I married a man with it, but not all schizophrenia is equal ... hmmm.

It has been really hard for me to deal with, but also I feel it has been a privilege to be part of their lives. I am coming to terms with their inability to provide for me and I try to focus on the positives.

If a delusion is obvious dont buy into it, but be kind.