Sometimes I feel like large part of my life just slipped away. Some parts of my life I wasn’t doing much except existing. This is I wasn’t going to school, working or volunteering. It seemed my life was just slipping away. Until I found a new med back in 2004. I began to feel like I could focus and get back to work with a level of competency that is necessary to be a peer support specialist. I’ve been helping others in their recovery process for about 8 years. Truly a very rewarding job. I’ve learned so much for myself by helping others. The recovery process is a long journey and requires some work but it’s worth it. What do you think?
4 Likes
Recovery is definitely worth it. I’m trying to recover as much as possible.
Sounds good! The recovery process can be challenging but having hope,making your own choices, finding purpose in your life., I pursuing some sort of spirituality has helped me!
Go get it!
And I must say that work and having a good routine has helped my recovery too!
2 Likes
Recovery for me requires work and support and examples. I am trying to recover to the point from where all I wanted to do was just exist and be left alone. I am trying to get back to the confidence and willpower and momentum in life I had before. The momentum to persist with life rather than just exist with life.
Yes, 10-years of just existing where I was not going to school, working or volunteering seemed as though my life was slipping away. What a waste of 10-years doing nothing.
1 Like
I kinda feel like I’ve wasted my last 8 years after getting sick. I really hope the trend towards well-being continues in my case. I don’t want to waste the only life I will get …
1 Like
I have been experimenting with a routine and it really helps.
But mate, some ppl really can’t work. It’s not about choosing, it’s about needing. Handouts.
I don’t know if u really understand that.
We aren’t all the same.
3 Likes
I agree man… as soon as I can stand to be around more people I will work my butt off man. Living in SSDI is ok but even if I got a part time job I would feel more fulfilled and valued.
My issue is I fall apart when I’m in crowded places. I did fill out an application for my old employer and if they call I might just try my luck 
2 Likes
I agree, not all people collecting disability benefits or receiving government handouts are living in the same situation. What I advise or suggest doesn’t apply to everyone. Not everyone will recover from schizophrenia as the definition on Wikipedia does state some patients will recover in the long-term.
1 Like
Maybe by the time im 60 years old i will have recovered a bit but i doubt it it feels like my brain and mental illness is long term. Theres no relief despite trying different medicines. Im not drooling on clozapine anymore im actually on a really good med for me but still im by no means recovered not at all
2 Likes
Jesus Christ, benefits are set up for a reason. Some people are too disabled to work. Of course everybody wants to work but not everybody is capable and it’s not their fault just like having schizophrenia is none of our faults. Be more in touch with the plight of many schizophrenics on here.
4 Likes
Not entirely true. I am ready for retirement, but retirement isn’t ready for me.
Otherwise I agree with you.
1 Like
Understandable. I am aware that we’re all different and some of us can’t work. But we can volunteer or go to school. Right?
1 Like
School requires funds in many places, a lack of funds is a common problem around here. Distance ed wasn’t an option for me back when I needed it most and I have never been able to last long in a room full of people. I have pushed back in a lot of areas, but there are hard limits I can’t get past. I am doing some schooling now via self-study and online, but it’s not the schooling I wanted when I was younger.
1 Like
So true! And there are many different ways that we can help others.
1 Like
I do not believe one is too disabled to work. There are blind people working for the banks. Deaf people working in massage parlours and paraplegics working in offices.
Explain that!
None of those are the same disability. Nick isn’t wrong to say that a disability can be too much to handle. Have you ever met a “lower” functioning autism person? or a Treatment resistant schizophrenia patient? They most certainly cannot work…
2 Likes
@AppleKidd I would state that only 20% of disabled people can work whereas the remaining 80% cannot. This 20% are not severely disabled and have the motivation to work for whatever reason.
1 Like
What do you do for work @yinyang?
2 Likes