Learning to “accept” the illness is a big step that we all have to swallow. I have schizophrenia but I don’t allow it to define me or who I think of myself as. Once your meds have you adjusted where you are stable you can find happiness. You have to believe that.
Its normal to feel scared, but soon with time, it shall get better.
First off, find a good pdoc (psychiatrist) that has a lot of experience working with schizophrenic patients.
Second off, find a good therapist, preferably a psychologist that has experience working with schizophrenic patients.
Inform yourself, educate yourself on the illness itself and on the medications (Antipsychotics) as much as possible.
It gets a bit easier with time, I would also stay far away from street drugs and alcohol - nicotine as well.
Find support from a group - or come on here, this site can be supportive many times.
Best of luck to you!
Can take a while to find the right drug and get used to what flavor of illness you have. But after that it shouldn’t be that bad.
I think the best advice that I ignored is when my CPN told me their is a strong correlating in people that stop taking there medication or reduce by themselves and those who end up in the phyc hosp.
When I first became I’ll I wanted to make sense of things and at the time I liked the stress vulnerability model!
This includes self medicating or legal highs or other narcotics. So stay away from them esp when your at your most vulnerable. The jury is still out on cannabinoids, but THC can cause psychotic symptoms.
Some people feel better if they drink alcohol, my house mate gets drunk every day as that’s how he “copes”, but can make you sleepy, sluggish or get uncontrollably drunk quickly depending on what medication your prescribed. I drink socially but haven’t had a drink so far over the Christmas period.
Also it’s worth looking at taking some supplements like omega 3 fish oil and vitimin b complex that some study show to be beneficial. Google Dr Hoffer and orthomolecular medicine!
Schizophrenia is no death sentence but is often a chronic condition that some psychiatrists liken to diabetes that is sometimes life long, although there is a percentage of people who recover fully! Somewhere on the site are the statistics.
Been diagnosed with SZ for over two decades. Married. Parent of an awesome teen. Have a career. Have a life. Things are good despite my meds occasionally getting on my nerves. An SZ diagnosis isn’t as devasting as most people think it is, so don’t get too down about it! You’ve still got a wonderful life ahead of you if you’re willing to roll up your sleeves and work for it.
Welcome to the community.
Pixel.
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they started me at 4. I’m on 8 now and it seems to be working pretty well. Although my paranoia is still bad.
I started really loosing my cookies when I was 14 to 15…
But I was hospitalized and diagnosed when I was 17.
My best advice… get help early
Early help… early healing.
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17 when I got sick. Don’t have SZ but psychotic depression. @wildflower PM me if you want to talk ever… you’ll get through this scary feeling and you’ll be living life again.
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I was diagnosed at 19. was hearing things all my life. I’m 39 now. I still take meds and I’ve worked as a teaching aide in college music tech dept. I’ve been considered to be a spokesperson for the medicine I take because I’m so lucid. I’m not perfect but it has gotten better as I’ve stayed clean and sober and have worked with doctors… I still struggle with suicidal anger at times but I count my blessings and try to share love the best I can. Hugs. Be kind to yourself and those with you. You can live a good life !More hugs
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Just know u are u, and ur full of love and compassion. When i was first diagnosed when i had to go to the hospital i was in denial for a long time then i came to peace with it and ive been able to move forward. Its a hard journey but its also a hard journey for everyone. Everyone has their own demons they have to fight in some shape or form. Unless ur one of those people who are always “chipper” and “swell” all the time like a system robot or something. Ull be ok just fight the good fight by filling urself with compassion, eat well, take ur meds and follow ur passion. And if u ever need support we are here to help. Much love to u and hope everything goes well
i’m 13 and my therapist doesn’t wanna go and say for sure i definitely have it and he is trying to not make it obvious cause he doesn’t wanna scare me yet but we just had the first visit in weeks and he is definitely growing concerned with a psychotic disorder. I haven’t emphasized the disorganized speech and bizarre behavior but if i did he would for sure be more concerned about sz in particular. but it usually starts around 16-25 but can even start earlier. weird thing is i’ve been delusional since i was 6.
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