For the most part I’ve stayed with antipsychotics. So I guess I owe it to that. Cannot believe it’s been over 7.5 years since my first and last psychosis. Pdoc told me having a psychosis was inevitable, will happen and I can’t avoid it.
Has any other people with dx of schizophrenia managed to stay symptom free in terms of psychosis.
I still get symptoms obviously but it’s more anxiety related.
This is presuming my NHS first dx is sza. My secondary dx is bipolar. I go with that most times.
Well can’t claim to be 100% symptom free but I haven’t had a major episode in 2 years and that’s huge for me. 7 1/2 years symptom free is definitely a huge accomplishment, I’m very happy for you!! 
That’s awesome, ish!
When you were psychotic 7.5 years ago was it caused by anything, such as a medication change or stress?
I am no longer diagnosed with psychosis and Paroxetine is helping with the negative symptoms.
Life is better and longer off of the newer antipsychotics. Everyone who possibly can get on the lowest effective dose or on geodon ought to. These drugs have too much negative impact on our metabolism. It’s a little age related weight gain, the rest is atypical aps.
I wasn’t on any medication at the time but loads of stress and anxiety. It was a completely different experience. I also think I had mood symptoms but the pdocs just saw me once a week for 20 mins and said sz.
i read long ago that about 1/3 only ever have one episode.
but if you’ve taken antipsychotics your brain has created more dopamine or the neuro one. stopping an antipsychotic can cause a worse psychosis than your initial one.
but keep in mind, i was told my riperidone is just a tranquilizer.
and the science of treatment might be lacking
It’s been nine years since my last psychotic break. I’ve had some psychotic symptoms since then, sure, as well as some serious mood symptoms, but no full-on psychosis for nine years now.
When I was first put on an AP (Zyprexa) in 2003, and I asked what it was, I was told it was an “anti-manic.” I think the dr put it that way so I would be willing to take it. At that time I did not believe I was psychotic, so if he had said “antipsychotic” I probably would have been unwilling to take it.
My pdoc told me the course of the illness goes up at the 10 year mark. I mean, you are very likely to have a 2nd break at or around 10 years. More likely for women too I think he said.
Crickey isn’t that positive 
Sorry for bearing bad news. It was a long time ago he told me, I don’t remember all the details. I’m searching for some real data.
This one was interesting:
http://coloradorecovery.com/course-of-schizophrenia
Men and women show different patterns for developing the disorder. Males are more likely to have their first episode in the early to mid-20s. Females have two points where the first episodes are most likely to happen. The first is in the late-20s and the second is after 40 years of age.
https://www.gulfbend.org/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=8805&cn=7
My doctor told me the mood stabilizers he was giving me were for migraines and vomiting. 
The downside of that was that I didn’t realize the worsening symptoms I was experiencing were negative side effects. I had a total psychotic break and it took six months to figure out it was due to the meds.
It has officially been one full year with no psychotic symptoms for me. I still have anxiety and PTSD symptoms, but even those are getting better!
I’ve been on meds for almost 4 years now consecutively pretty much every day at least some med…Still have symptoms but that’s okay.