Schizophrenia

@Ayesha you have given a very positive spin on your disorder. I have schizophrenia myself (with depression also, but not sure why I'm not schizoaffective?).

I used to be considered high functioning, but due to my depression being out of control, I have lost many of my abilities to function. I also have breakthrough symptoms with voices, delusions and paranoia. I doubt I will ever be completely symptom free. However, I've embraced the hearing voices movement and attend regular voice hearer's groups where we talk about learning to live a good life despite symptoms.

My illness started very young too (16 years old), but I wasn't diagnosed until I was 30, 4 years after I had a complete nervous breakdown requiring extensive hospital admissions. In a lot of ways I'm still learning how to cope with my illness.

hey,

I do well and am considered high functioning but on these meds I sleep 10-12 hours a day and often have a nap as well.

I too have breakthroughs but for me they are controllable on these meds.... I don't have 2nd gear anymore...I used to have 5 gears to work etc if that makes sense. I'm continually stuck in 1st gear but that is the trade off.

Mentally. Do well. Socially and constructively I do poorly. I am on a pension for years...but I try to hang in there....horses for courses for sure!

Rogueone.

Like you @Ayesha, I find myself socially inept. Kinda weird because when I did a Myers-Briggs personality indicator test, I was considered extroverted. hahaha!

@Ayesha, if I could get to a high functioning capability, despite symptoms (I also have depression and anxiety with my sz), then I would be a pretty happy camper.

You sound very inspirational! 😄

hey,

Yeah good for you! It's not easy and I have a few of your same problems. I was symptomatic from 14 till finally diagnosed at 29. Lot's of wasted years but I'm not bitter.. I did what i could do and did surprisingly well in certain periods.

I have lot's of friends and am pretty social. I still play competitive cricket at 46! I'm not that good but I love it....I can compete with the normals and that is cool.

I appreciate what your saying. It's hard to form bonds and deal with a mind that is suffering. But it's doable and that isn't a bad thing!

A good shrink is a great thing. Especially in this day and age! I get 15 minutes tops with mine but he's a gun....he asks a few questions and see's how you are......Love the man dearly but it's a hard cop....he's in demand in this day and age!

I consider that there's no High Functioning with schizophrenia. Your tagged with the worst of mental illness and most folks have depression and anxiety as well. It's a perfect shite storm for sure.

Rogueone.

@Notsomentalau @Appleblossom @Shazab @Shimmer @rogueone @Queenie @Ayesha @R4012Hello all. I thought I'd update you since you guys have been so kind and caring. Thanks so much all of you, for your support and stories. Honestly, it means a lot. So, I moved towns. Which meant finding all new help. It would have gone a lot smoother if not for the aforementioned psychiatrist; who diagnosed me with schizophrenia. turned out to be super dodgy. Upon recieving his notes and file on me my entire team of new mental health professionals were completely dumbfounded. He denies ever diagnosing me with anything other than a simple depression and will not tell them why I am on all the right medication for bipolar/schizophrenia. I am now forced to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital because they are completely unsure of what the hell is going on for me. I'm on a shit ton of medication, I'm incontinent, I can't sleep in my own bed, I can't be left alone, I either don't sleep or sleep too much and I have 1000tons of trauma and emotional issues. I'm kinda in the shit. Does anyone else have severe emotional numbness? No empathy? Detached from emotions? Can't feel love? Thinks they're the best person to have walked the earth? Has no respect for other people? Can't form emotional bonds? Just wondering. Sorry if this all sounds depressing or anxious....honestly speaking I have very little feeling left so I really don't know how I feel going through this. It's hard though. It'll get better and honestly it's a releif knowing I'm going to hospital. Thank you all again for everything. I'd love to be more personal in my response but honestly it is very hard for me to delve into all of this.