The way I think is that, people who are doing well, probably aren’t on this forum. They wouldn’t be wasting their time. On the other hand, people who are doing poorly wouldn’t be in a position to communicate. So, I think we have the middle fifty percentile of people here. I want to really hear from people who are doing well in life. I want to hear about their experiences as well.
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When I was really sick there is no way I would have participated here. Way too paranoid.
I think you have to have some insight and a little bit of recovery to be here. However, there are some exceptions I have seen over the years.
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I would say that most members here are on the higher functioning side of the coin and your reasoning is solid from my anecdoteal experience.
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As a matter of fact, I think many more people like Elyn Saks probably exist. They are perhaps not gifted like Nash, but if someone is working in a high-end profession, I can see why he would be reluctant to disclose his diagnosis. Having Bipolar is cool, books have been written about creativity and Bipolar, but Schizophrenia is quite off the charts, and despite better treatments and outcomes, it is a shame that less people who are successful are willing to disclose their diagnosis.
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I may add that I am pretty high functioning. I work daily, exercise daily, keep a good regimen, etc, etc…there is structure in my life. However, my failings are due to the cognitive dysfunction associated with Haldol and the illness itself. For instance, today I wanted to start revising Actuarial stuff that I had learned before in order to find a job, but just couldn’t get started. It sounded like too much mental effort. I will try again tomorrow, but focus is hard to come by…
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Before I came here my insight was shocking.
Time + Information really helped me make a better recovery and informed decisions on treatments
Without finding this site by accident, I’d not be doing as well as I am today
Between 1st episode and 2nd episode there was a sort of amnesia…
I refused treatment for a long time
The catalyst for me searching the internet about this Schizophrenia stuff was wondering why I had gotten so tired and fat.
That’s when I finally had the wherewith to actually proactively do something better than accept subpar treatment - or vote for none at all.
I was able to advocate better - sometimes I took it too far, but I am still learning…
So yea, it took 11 years for me to find this place, and so far no regrets
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It breaks my heart that I would have been literally at a million-dollar job if it weren’t for this illness. I was preparing to do algo trading and had I found a job, I would be making much more than a million with 12 years of experience now. Starting is 200k plus bonus. Bonuses are anywhere between 2-10 times of the salary. I am devastated that I had this illness.
Just look at what I have attached are some linkedin jobs recommended for me. It says your profile matches one of these jobs…it is heart breaking.
Now these are just starting salaries with zero experience and without bonuses.
I was never in the business of playing the game for the money. Granted, money is cool but I’d rather be doing something I enjoy, even if it meant earning much less.
I am fortunate enough to be able to work and support myself, although I have relapsed twice. Lessons from past failures are very valuable to me, moving forward.
Nowhere near Nash, in terms of intelligence, I have just enough brains to get by. My major shortcoming is lack of social skills.
Some people who were doing better than most sz have left this forum. I don’t blame them. It can get depressing to read so many sad stories all day, every day.
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I always wanted to challenge myself. It is not so much about money as it is about a high-octane job. They give you a lot of money at these trading jobs only if you are that good. And, I wanted to be amongst the best at what I do.
Now this is my undergraduate institution offering a Master’s in MFE and their starting salaries.
Note that the starting salary has a median of 170k without bonus. I got admitted in this program, but I chose a better program at Columbia University. My friends there are making more than a million but I am not in a position to even talk with them. I am making nothing these days.
Trading job is not just about money- it depends on how good you can be, and if you are that good, then you can make millions. The only way to measure success is your ability to make money for the firm, and, thereby yourself.
I would be an airline Captain by now. Probably flying international routes and making 20 grand a month or more.
Impossible to get there from here but I can still get job offers in the $70k to 100k range but most of them you have to move for so all the extra money would just go to housing somewhere else. I am not giving up my home where I am. I do have a camper though I could live somewhere that doesn’t have a lot of freezing weather in.
Last year I got a $90k a year government contract job that was remote and I didn’t have to move. I got fired after 6 weeks. It is what it is.
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LOL at least you made money last year. I made nothing.
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Before that I had a government job making about $65,000 a year. I did that for over two years. Probably shouldn’t have left. But I got my disability turned back on easily after I got fired.
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60k is not bad, though. Now I am targeting an Actuarial job which may pay 70k starting and 150-200k with 5-10 years experience. But, it is nothing like a trading job- you get to test yourself against the best by competing against the best. Your edge is your brain and creativity. Once you get an idea, it is actually worth in millions. You want this sort of a job-- you want to test yourself at the pinnacle of achievement.
I know its difficult to accept but you need to focus on what you can do now. Not the what ifs.
If i was mentally well id probably of built my company to a point of me making 500k a year. But i cant dwell on that.
But I also cant predict the future. Maybe i could of maybe it could of gone bust due to unforseen circumstances etc… you just never know.
Focus on the now and what you can do.
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Yes, I am trying to target an Actuarial job.
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I would have done much better financially if I hadn’t been hit with SZ, but it is what it is. Married a great woman, have a wonderful daughter, and my life is comfortable. I’m counting my blessings.
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I have some problems with motivation so I don’t work but I’m married with supportive husband and taking my meds has helped. When I was ill I did lack insight but managed to communicate on here in funny writing all running into each other and other problems. But I’m doing ok now.
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Yes I see all are in…
The time I spend on is what I become…
I feel as a community… Share and listening even if I dont get reply someone’s reading …
I feel belonged… And heard…
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Do you get disability? All those jobs you posted say New York City. That’s a really expensive area.
I paid a lot into Social Security when I was working. I paid over $200,000 in Social Security taxes alone. My SSDI is nearly $3000 a month. That’s only like $36,000 a year but when I was working a $65k a year job. After taxes and all the deductions I really wasn’t bringing home any more money than that. Maybe a few hundred dollars.
But a paycheck every two weeks is nice.
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