I do not know anybody who has become successful after schizophrenic diagnosis.
For example, John Nash wrote his theories before he was diagnosed. Do you know?
I consider myself to be modestly successful…
I have a good job, a home, a wife and two little girls. I enjoy dabbling in songwriting.
Psychosis didn’t destroy all of that. I’ve kept it all together!
(Unless you were talking about ‘famous people’)
4 Likes
I’ve not been financially successful for quite awhile but I consider myself to be making gains in personal development.
5 Likes
Elyn R Saks went through law school at ivy leagues while sz. After her diagnosis she went on to become a tenured professor at the University of Southern California. She has her own legal institute, the Elyn R Saks Institute of Law, which specializes in defending the rights of mental patients.
Mark Vonnegut, son of esteemed writer Kurt Vonnegut Jr, also was diagnosed with sz early in his adulthood. Despite his diagnosis, he overcame this and went on to become an MD–doing med school after he was diagnosed— and started his own private practice. He wrote a book about his experiences called “just like someone without mental illness only more so.”
3 Likes
Many people - (including many here on the forum) here are a few that have videos on the topic:
Pat Deegan, professor at Dartmouth College:
Frederick Freese - Psychologist
Elyn Saks - professor at University of Southern California
4 Likes
Elyn Saks is an inspiration.
1 Like
You yourself should define success and not be constricted to the current definition of success.
The little things are a success.
Get out of bed.
Brush your teeth.
Love yourself.
7 Likes
Define successful.
1 Like
I imagine I have encountered some without realizing it. If approximately 1% of the population has schizophrenia, that’s still a lot. The town I currently live in has about 60,000 residents, which means that roughly 600 of us have schizophrenia (if I did that math right). This town is only about 14 square miles in size. That would be approximately 40 of us in every square mile. So while I’m sure the numbers fluctuate by area (not like it’s going to be spread out perfectly even), I have probably encountered at least one of them in my years spent here, and just didn’t know it because they weren’t shouting about it at everyone they pass and they seemed just like regular functioning people. While I haven’t knowingly known any of them personally (diagnosed schizophrenia and succeeding in life), I am sure they exist.
1 Like
john nash =cat (once)
we don’t need luxury life.kind hearted and always helpful.to wish good afterlife
john nash wife not good.
Not in my family but I do know it’s possible reading all the previous posts and info on line. I hope and pray someday I will be able to answer this question with a BIG yes and say my son is this that and everything else!!! I will never give up on him. He wants to become successful but now is second guessing whether it’s possible or not. I told him nothing is impossible. It’s just going to take time.
I feel anyone who manages to better themselves in some way despite this diagnosis can claim to be successful. It’s not about money or material possessions, it’s about personal growth.
Pixel.
7 Likes
as far as money goes, tho I lost my dream of becoming a nurse, I regained my dream of working in Landscape Design, and started my salaried 3,500 a month job on Monday.
I have a wonderful relationship with a girl who, despite having only been dating me for a couple months, is already talking abut kids (OMG I love kids and have always wanted them)
I have my own home admittedly an inheritance…but still I own my home, that’s huge even for NORMAL people.
I am also looking at starting my kennel, which is my biggest dream, provided I can get two female GSDs for a good price with good bloodlines.
But I am also treating my illness and living with it, which in my book is my biggest success since being diagnosed
4 Likes
This topic depresses me. I desperately want some sort of success. I have to prove to my family and voices that I have worth. I am young and feel like I have already lost. I am not a poor student though. In a non-arrogant manner, I rank in the top one percent of my high school class of 500 students(number 4 I think). But, despite all of the AP and Honors and College classes, there is nothing in the end. Voices are still there, hallucinations come back–you can’t win.
This feels like a downward spiral. Anytime during any feat, I could snap and end up in a hospital again. idk
just breath and take it easy. you have accomplished a lot! in high school I was so busy fighting people I was barely getting by grade wise
1 Like
Thanks mate, I was borderline on flipping out. I appreciate your words. I needed the deep breath. 
Successful compared to who? For someone with my diagnosis I would consider myself a success. I’ve worked almost steadily since 1983, I’ve gone to school, and I have had a lot of fun. And I plan to keep doing those things for quite awhile longer. Compared to many people my age who don’t have schizophrenia I have still done OK for myself though obviously there are so many more people who are unbelievably more successful than me.
4 Likes
I also think I’m more sucessful now than I was before my diagnosis. I intend to study and work and have a career, even have a family if its in the cards for me.
Before I was a wreck, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, abusive relationships, didn’t care for anything.
I’m a better person now for others and for myself, and I count that as success.
6 Likes
One thing common with most successful schizophrenics is that they all were fairly educated. I mean they started having problem with their mental health after having completed college studies and/or after having worked in industry.
Google Dr.Fred Frese, Dr.Elizabeth Baxter, Dr.Daniel B. Fisher.
According to his own opinion he says it was bipolar disorder.