High functioning can change depending on the meds. I was high functioning on Abilify for 8yrs but had to stop it due to worsening of side effects. I finished a 3yrs bachelor of science university degree, had a couple of jobs, gym almost daily, driving long distances, hanging out with friends everyday, etc
Now on risperidone I am less functional but have no social problems, I talk to friends daily and we hangout during the summer. I recently went down from 6 to 4mg risperidone so I am improving, my goal is to stay on 3mg or go back to Latuda 80mg on which I was able to work a low stress office job.
As far as work goes, I only just managed to volunteer four hours a week. I was only barely able to handle that. I donāt know if I am high functioning or not. I am managing to live by myself with some help at times.
Thatās better than me. I had one go at voluntary work soon after my first first inpatient stay. It was going round the wards with the hospital library service. I struggled to approach the patients. Found it extremely hard to initiate a verbal interaction . I lasted a week by which time my anxiety and social anxiety levels had gone into the stratosphere.
Iām the same way. For example, Iām too scared to drive a car on the freeway/busy roads because Iām afraid Iāll get in a wreck. Stuff like that. Borderline delusional/paranoid, and certainly catastrophic thinking.
I like to practice guitar and mandolin every day for a half hour but some days Iām too depressed to do both or maybe Iāll do one. I have no car which is good because I have to walk. I clean my kitchen and hardly anything else. I take the garbage and recycling outside. Things have to change, I have to start walking more, Iām getting weak and stiff. I can hold a conversation but not a job. I can read but only one book at a time, I lose interest otherwise. Iām not going to yell at my pdoc on February 3 when we talk on the phone. I get along with the therapist. Iām fairly honest with everyone. The problem with lying is itās addictive; I donāt want to be one of those people who find it impossible to tell the truth, lol. To thine own self be true.
After 4 crippling years with negatives, Iāve had two good years 2018-2020, then I experienced a drawback. But Iām still in a good spot compared to many. Iām not very interested in comparisons, however, I just want to be at my best while symptoms-free.
I donāt know. Iām afraid to go places alone.I rely on my husband a lot. We do things together a lot. Luckily we have a good relationship and we like spending all that time together. Also Iāve started having problems with reading comprehension and horrible memory issues
I seem to function pretty good. But, then again I canāt work because Iām inappropriate in word and deed and because of that, I canāt hang on to a job without getting fired. Also, I canāt drive and donāt own a car.