@VanDam im also an English teacher and have been for 22 years. But for the last 12 years it’s been on and off. I’ve a masters in TEFL which was very interesting when doing it but not so practical in the country I’m in.
I got sick at 38 and was a very high functioning adult prior to the illness.
I am holding down a job now and I am still married and have a son but I am nowhere near the man I used to be.
I am 50 now and I think this is as good as it gets. It’s still a major disappointment.
So it depends on how you measure success.
The reason I’m asking so many questions is that I’m not sure if I’m schizophrenic. I’m on all the medicines which are needed to keep me stable and I have had a few psychotic events over the years. I have severe paranoia which scares the@#¥& out of me. At first I was diagnosed with a personality disorder and been on meds for that. But as situations have changed in my life I’ve picked up more schizophrenic traits. I’ve been medicated as a schizophrenic for the past 3/4 years but I have my doubts. I used to hear whispers and have psychosis often. But only a few definite schizophrenic events. I wonder if I’m high functioning, over reacting true schizophrenic or not. Of course I don’t want to be but as of late I have the heavy feeling of acceptance to this sickness, I know you’re not drs. But you all have valuable knowledge and I ask of you am I schizophrenic or not? Sorry for the rant I just feel lost.
We aren’t suppose to try diagnose other members. Plus it’s hard to do with just a snapshot of your illness. I would refer you to this:
https://www.healthyplace.com/thought-disorders/schizophrenia-symptoms/how-is-schizophrenia-diagnosed
@Bowens im sorry I don’t know all the forums rules yet. I understand though that no one can diagnose truly apart from my dr. But he is Japanese and it’s my 2nd language and a lot gets lost in translation. I just worry that I’m all these strong medicines and I may be have been misdiagnosed. Everyone personal experiences on this forum gives me a little more insight and even a little acceptance.
Not a problem. It’s easy for even us members that have been here awhile to forget that we aren’t suppose to diagnose. But I encourage you to read through that link. You seem like a smart guy and should be able to come to some sort of conclusion on you own based on the criteria listed for sz diagnosis on that page.
@Bowens thank you. The past month I’ve been more accepting in my diagnosis. Previously I haven’t done much research on schizophrenia. But now I’m reading as much as possible on and offline.
Of course the final diagnosis is up to a doctor
Thank you. I went through some very rough patches where I wasn’t sure if I was gonna make it. But now I am bathing in the sun.
That’s cool. Which country are you from?
@VanDam im from the uk but I have been in japan for 22 years. It has its pros and cons but where I live is so beautiful I don’t get homesick often. The mental health care here is great. I’m very lucky to have the dr I’ve got.
Great, I teach Japanese students online. Through our conversations I know Japan isn’t for me as the work life is very stressful there. I’m very happy in Thailand though.
All these answers sound good! Sadly I’m not high functioning lol. But this thread sets up some gold standards for my goals in recovery!
My case manager and psychiatrist both believe that I am high functioning and capable of a lot. But I think this is due to me being able to present well e.g wear nice clothes and am hygienic and can be well spoken at times.
I don’t think they realise how much I struggle with simple things. It’s kind of annoying to be told that I could be doing so much better when I’m already always putting 110 percent in to just maintain the level of wellness I’m currently at.
@Ozzyskits i know exactly what you mean. It takes so much effort to bathe and dress well so I don’t look and feel sick. I make the effort for my family so I don’t worry them so much. I use so much energy to project that I’m not I’ll to the outside world, it makes me wonder whether I’m actually sick or not. But then from a high I come crashing down in a wave and usually an event will happen be it paranoia or psychosis or even a massive panic attack. I never used to feel such things but now they are so common. I isolate most of the time and only get sorted to go to my psychiatrist and then my diabetes dr. But I do wonder is it me being lazy or a sickness pulling me down. Recently I started working again and projecting an image of good health and mental stability. But I could only hold that persona for a month and then I crashed and had to quit. For me this was huge. But I thought I could do it as a “norm”. But as everyone had told me I failed.
@neanderthal yeah I feel I understand. I started a job recently and on my second shift I had a massive panic attack and left the job site. The stress caused me to have mild delusional thoughts as I was driving away from work.
It’s bloody hard dealing with this condition!
I would consider myself a high functioning schizophrenic. I work a part-time job, live in a lovely area and have a couple of pets.
@Ozzyskits i feel your pain. Just before starting your job we’re your symptoms light and you felt you could succeed? I thought I had it all together and would be able to work but everyone else doubted me. They were right but I said it’s better to try and fail rather than not try at all.
@Sezbot241 how long have you been able to be successful without a crash? What kind of pets do you have? Pets are quite a responsibility. I have a small budgie. Very easy to take care of and I don’t feel as lonely when everyone else is out. Also very grounding for me too.