When I turned 51 I started feeling better and was able to start thinking about going back to work. I took a class to learn how to become a Peer Support Specialist. I learned mostly about the recovery process from behavioral health challenges. I got a job a few months later and my own recovery process when into high gear. Initially I had changed my medication and then I went back to work. I continue to work to this day and I got married and my life is much more full. Amazing transformation from where I was at when I was taking Haldol. Wellness tools, thke right meds, music and physical activity along with work has help me in my recovery process. What has helped you?
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I had a lot of help. Started off by being in Soteria House, a world famous experimental group home for schizophrenics for a little more than a year. After Soteria I was in the hospital for 8 months. The only way that helped me was they put me on medication. From the hospital I moved directly into a group home called a residential treatment home. I lived there with 6 other clients and it was heavily structured with chores, groups, outings and responsibilities.
At the same time I lived in the residential treatment home I was going to a vocational program 5 days a week. There we had classes and groups and went out on crews to do yard work in the community and also did mailing projects for the post office. While I was there they started giving me more and more responsibility and after a series of small steps I got a job for the first time in 2 1/2 years.
I stayed at this job 4 years and at one point I attended a work support group. While I was working there I moved out of the group hime after exactly a year there and moved into supported housing. That worked for me for 5 years. Ever since I got out of the hospital I was seeing the same psychiatrist.
Ever since I got sick I had my families support and they often included me in their activities such as going to movies or out to eat or to parties etc. So I had a lot of help and support and I’m 63 and got sick at age 19 and now I’m looking back at working almost steadily for the past 42 years. So medication, seeing psychiatrists and therapists, group homes, vocational programs and supported housing all contributed to my recovery. I choose to isolate now but my symptoms are way down and if no ones bugging me I feel pretty good.
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Hey Nick, sounds like you’ve had a pretty good recovery. Much more structured then what I experienced. I hope you can get out of the isolation and interact more. I’ve found that in my life socialization and interacting works for me.
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@simpjeff1 are you there to chat to?
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yes I’m here right now.
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Im on Clopixol 500mg every 4 weeks
Its similar to haldol that you were on
Werent you afraid to change meds?
Definitelly scared. But I got to the point where I had to change due to feeling numbed out. Afterall, Haldol is a tdranquilizer.
I made the mistake of stopping to take my Haldol and ended up back in the hospital. The way I should have done it is to consult with my psychiatrist and titrate down and start a new med. Obviously I’m not a psychiatrist so I’m just sharing my experience.
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Yes clopixol is similar
Im numbed out as well. Ive no emotions etc etc
Im afraid of changing meds and having awful side effects or my personality changing. Ive had some bad experiences with meds in the past. I dont cope with emotions
I think youve done awesome by the way!
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I guess theres not much med advice to give really its a trial and error game
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You have a wonderful inspiring story, thank you for sharing.
What helped me is faith to build a foundation on. It has brought me inner peace.
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You’re welcome heartfelt!
Hope and faith that we can get better I feel can happen fir everyone diagnosed with sz!
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Yes,our brains are all different and what may work for you may not work me. Of course there are certain patterns in the formation of our brains so that drugs one Abilify can work!
I hope you find peace of mind and thrive in your life!
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