Believe it or not everybody, but, I used to be a beautiful young woman at one time. Today, I look old, ugly and even warped and deformed. My sister used the term “warped”. I believe that this all happened as a result of both age, long term depression and longstanding antipsychotic medications.
My son was the same way. At 19, he was an extremely beautiful young man. Everybody said he was
“movie star handsome”. He got the lead in a local community playhouse on his very first audition. (He didn’t act in it though, choosing to work in telemarketing instead). After 10 years of suffering with sz, depression, and taking multiple psych meds, he lost his looks. Completely. He didn’t even look the same. The disease and the meds warped him. For one thing, he gained about 100 lbs. And he lost that spark of life in his eyes. So sad.
Other than being overweight (which has more to do with a heart condition that limits my activity), I look and present as normal. I know other SZs who also look and present as normal. They are all long term med users.
@shutterbug, Yes, but have they suffered with severe depression all of their lives and for very long periods of time? Every older person I know who has had a lifetime of depression, it shows all over their face.
@shutterbug, I’m just stating my personal experience. I know that it is not true across the board and it can’t be generalized. People are all different.
Yes it’s definitely warped me. I don’t like to look at myself in the mirror any more. One example of what the meds, and possibly the disease can do is the book “Divided Minds” by two twin sisters who used to look alike but looked very different later. You could blame my transformation as well on my inactivity and bad decisions on meds and food I’ve eaten.
I feel like it should be possible to sue pharmaceutic companies / psychiatrists etc because of the way psych drugs affect not only health but appearance.
There are people who spend a fortune on cometic surgery, diets, face scrubs, anti ageing creams and skin treatments etc. If it’s true that workplaces and romantic partners discriminate against someone on the basis of their appearance then the drug induced changes to physical appearance result in financial loss.
I’m fatter and agree with @shutterbug ! I think I look a bit younger for my age but with weight on I look like an uncle, my mothers side. Everyone thinks we’re brothers!
Age wearies everyone @SkinnyMe . We can’t escape that and even normal folk put on weight etc. It’s not easy. It really isn’t but don’t concentrate on the bad stuff. Concentrate on the good. Your a good person and you’ve dealt with a lot!
I know they can make you gain weight. But I think perhaps just age as a whole may have a part to play in it. I am no longer as pretty as I used to look but it’s just because I have got older.
Beauty is from the inside out though @SkinnyMe and from what I have seen of you on this forum you are a lovely radiant person.
Hi Gina, yes these meds do that to you, i have the same problem i cant get rid of my belly and my looks are warped too, im sick of this ■■■■, they promised to make me better i think something else is going on with this health care system
