ive had mental health issues from infancy starting with autism so my status as being neurodivergent is definitely part of me and doesnt define me but does help to shape who i am
It is a huge part of who I am also and it does effect my life a lot.
I have heard that it is noticeable even my mum said I come across as a bit different as such but she thinks I have Aspergers and am a sensitive person.
She refuses the schizo stigma despite that she has seen me psychotic and in hospital and she even argued my psychiatrist.
It affects my life too much to not be a part …
I do love 
people
And like some of my mans people .
I am nolonger paranoid delusional about my family and I am nolonger isolating from them after years I now want good relationships with them.
I have only recently said I’m a schizophrenic but still believe some delusions and paranoia etc
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I consider it a part of my identity.
Like @freakonaleash said. I feel like I am me with a disorder which is also a part of me.
A big part of who I am was shaped by the episodes, my delusions, what I went through, made me who I am.
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I agree.
Same with me.
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It is, however I hate the fact I have to hide it constantly. If I am having problems I cannot talk to anyone and it’s all internal battles that I am fighting and it feels like my voice has been taken away because not even my family can call it what it is. Schizophrenia…
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Yes, I have had sza for so long it’s shaped me and it’s part of me now. Not all of me - just part of me.
Yes, sza is part of my identity. My identity was forged around my childhood, teenage, and adult experiences in life and a large chunk of that was experienced post-psychosis. Through my psychosis, I actually learned about myself and what I would be like under extreme duress.
Now, I live a lie and have been hiding that sza (which is nearly 50% of my identity) for about a decade in undergrad, grad school, the workforce, and my social life. That experience of lying to cover my sza molded my identity, too, so now the 50% that is not sza is now entangled with the 50% that is sza, if that makes sense?
There’s some saying that when you live a lie, it permeates every aspect of your life–not just the part related to that lie. I regret nothing though; the alternative would have been discrimination and a loss of opportunities due to the bigotry and ignorance of Normals. It is my identity and I am okay with that. It’s a horrible illness and I’m not ok with the illness, but I am okay acknowledging the effects it has had on my life and perceptions.
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That’s a unique way to look at it. I would question what the hell is going on but roll with it. A deep sigh of relief. I still know who I am.
sz is me too…it defines my whole personality
Though if I was dragged to an abandoned factory and tied to a chair etc. another identity woyld emerge I think
It need not be part of my identity. If it was a crucial part of my identity, I think I would feel a need to tell every one about it. When I was symptomatic, with a lot of positive symptoms, I told everyone about it. Now that I’m in remission, I have the luxury of keeping quiet.
First what is identity? Its when you get concious in general and then add yourself with the world…create your identity. Maybe if i ask myself what i love in life…or how i wanna contribute to the planet…you could find out your identity.
My identity is someone who doest wanna stand out.
If sz was my identity then i would be someone who loves being sick?
My psychotic episodes forced me to see a cowardly scumbag side of myself under extreme stress that has made me feel disgusted with myself and it makes me think I might be going to hell when I die if that is who I truly am and I often want to commit suicide so I don’t get flashbacks of my intentions while psychotic or how I hurt others while psychotic mentally and emotionally. I’ve been trying so hard to pull my life back together so that I don’t have live with the stigma of schizophrenia or as a pariah for the rest of my life. I didn’t even tell disability services at the university I’m at right now that I have schizophrenia although I told the last two colleges about it. I hide it and try to pretend to be normal as much as I can. I feel like doing anything is like 10x harder than before and I’m pretty much incapable of happiness anymore. I think about the fact that I have schizophrenia at least twice a day when I’m taking my Meds. I still compare myself to normal people and lament that it will have taken me 11 years to get a 4 year degree. I feel like an idiot and a failure and incompetent. When I really think about the fact that I have schizophrenia it makes me want to give up because I know I’m crippled but the thought of having to tell others pushes me forward as does the fear of homelessness. I know I’m lucky that the Meds get rid of the voices for me so I if I just push myself hard enough past the negative symptoms then I have a chance at a somewhat normal life.
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To the extent that i cant carry a conversation or do basic things that most people can do, i would say yes, it is a part of my identity.
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