Are there any others out there that still function well with schizophrenia? There are so many negative stereotypes associated with us and I’m just curious to see if being high functioning is more typical? I am high functioning, but have had to tailor my life a little to be more cohesive with my mind. For instance, I have rental properties which fund my living expenses so that I do not need to worry about working a job that will overwhelm me. The big negative is that I’m so secluded. Very much too introverted sometimes, and now I really have no social life. =(
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No, I’m not high functioning. I’m planning on volunteering at my church for 30 minutes a week preparing the bulletin.
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I own a rental property which partially funds my living expenses. I also receive SSDI which goes a long way towards funding my living expenses. I also receive a pension from a former employer. And that helps out too.
I work sales and consider my situation as high functioning. Important to note that I don’t hear voices. Social life could use a shot in the arm, and being introspective doesn’t help. Glad I work with the public, it’s my alter-ego where I get to socialize with others.
I’ve been told by multiple people including my therapist that I’m pretty high functioning. Have somewhat of a social life, go to school, work part time, etc. No delusions or hallucinations anymore since being on meds.
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I’ve been told i’m High functioning. I work in mental health as a full-time case worker. When well, I feel pretty “normal”, but I’ve had two psychoses that knocked me on my arse. Don’t function well in psychosis.
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A minority of schizophrenics is high functioning, many in this forum are.
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Most szphernic are low functioning like me… take care homies…
I don’t leave the house to go to a job but I run a household, I’ve been slowly getting things running pretty smoothly pretty much on my own. I bring in all the income, I run the monthly budget, I prepare the grocery list but I do require help actually getting the groceries, I pay all the bills, I prepare the menu for the month, I run the kitchen, I delegate chores for part of the housework and do part of the housework myself, and I parent a 16 year old (but he’s very low maintenance), I make the schedule and make sure everyone gets where their supposed to be (including a kid that doesn’t even live with me, she just needs rides so she goes on the schedule) So basically I’m a stay at home mom. Does that make me medium functioning at least? It’s hard to believe I used to be able to do all this and work up to 50 hours a week, No wonder I had a nervous breakdown.
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Nice! The only area I truly struggle is making friends. I cannot seem to find situations where I end up with friends in the end. I go to the gym almost everyday, but people kind of keep to themselves at the gym. I want to find a new hobby, but it’s so hard to gain the confidence to go out and do that.
When I am occasionally social, it feels like I am using my alter-ego too. Like no one REALLY knows me.
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just don’t have the money to be high functioning…
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When I’m well I can function just fine. I wouldn’t say I’m as high functioning as someone without sz. I’m getting there, though. Since I started on abilify I’ve been very consistent in my life but it does cause anxiety. I’m hoping that L-theanine will help me.
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Sorry to hear that 
I am actually getting to a point where money is much less important to me, though I am aware of how important it still is to have at some capacity. I am selling my real estate this year, and moving myself into a camper. I just no longer want or need the responsibilities that come from having a house and all the bills that come with it. I just want to live freely and cheaply while exploring as much as I can and being able to pick up and move anytime I feel the need to. Hope everything works out for you!
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In some areas I’m high functioning but overall I’m mid level functioning.
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I’m doing well now, but at different times I had difficulties with maintaining good hygiene, managing my money, drugs and alcohol, etc. Also, sometimes I stopped taking my meds, which made things even harder. I think isolation brings on a lot of problems, but I also realize that the ilness itself can make it hard to be around people or make new friends. Have you thought about partial hospitalization? It’s like a day program where you do groups and talk with different people about symptoms and stuff. To be honest, I couldn’t handle it, for me personally it made things worse. Everyone is different , there’s a tendency with professional advice to suggest the same tteatments for all patients, which kinda sucks. But maybe you can find a friend or two you get along with well that has some insights into what you struggle with. Hope this helps.
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I would describe myself as mediocre functioning.
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Not diagnosed with schizophrenia. Would describe myself as medium functioning. Never worked,no friends, live independently but with quite a lot of support.
I’d say I’m mid functioning right now. I’m finicky about my hygiene and I try to maintain some level of orderliness in my living space. I seize every opportunity to get out of the house. I socialize with online friends. I’m okay with my life besides the fact that I’m not working atm. Before I got sick I was able to work stressful jobs with relative ease, though maybe that ability’s still with me; won’t know until I go back to work. 
I might find I’m even more able to handle a stressful job now that I’m medicated.
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I would say I’m fairly high functioning. My bcm and therapist seem to think so, as do the instructors at the psych rehab I attend once or twice a week when I feel like it. I am currently on SSDI since July but am looking to go off it entirely if possible when I’m ready to go back to work, which I pretty much am. The biggest hurdle in my life is that I cannot be alone in the house after the sun goes down due to my hallucinations. My parents accommodate this but even being alone in my room can be difficult. Which is why I’m seeking overnight work, Itll get me out of the house most nights, ive done it before and I loved it
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