I’m here to say that we as people with a sz diagnosis don’t have to live a life of dread and fear and confusion. We can thrive.
My own experience is that I was one of those who thought that because I had a sz diagnosis that I was destined for a life of just existence. Well after being on the wrong med for 20 years and finally letting the research catch up I was able to find a good med. Now after realizing that recovery is more that just popping pills and learning as much as I could about sz I started to make a positive move on life again. I started going to church again. I started to feel more alive and not just hanging out watching TV and having a limited support system of my mom and dad and my care team. I began to take classes again and work part time.
Eventually I went back to work full time after much hard work in class and started working as a peer support specialist. Now I’m a recovery coach and find it very fulfilling to support people in their recovery process. I’ve learned through this job that we can live up to our potential and have a self directed life.
And so can you!
Don’t let the diagnosis hold you back. Pick some goals and go for it.
This is such a positive post! I have been tormented by exactly this head-space conundrum of lack of faith in anything including lack of faith in myself @simpjeff1 . I had trouble getting into the right training programs in my area so I quit trying. I shouldn’t have given up. You’re right to put out a call to action
What drug are you taking, if you don’t mind me asking?
That’s a nice inspirational speech, but everyone’s case is different, and some schizophrenics are treatment resistant. I wouldn’t say that everyone can achieve what you have. I’ve made many goals throughout my life, and have failed most of them, despite my best efforts. People often assume I’m not trying my hardest if I fail something, and this is simply not true.
I’m taking Abilify which is the best drug I’ve ever been on. I’m not keen on trying to play Russian roulette with other ones, but I might try Rexulti. Abilify doesn’t completely solve all my problems. I still hear voices 24/7, but they’re lower enough in intensity that I can function reasonably well. My doctor says it’s difficult to silence them completely. I get frequent headaches if I push myself too hard, and do too much work (this may be partly a side effect of Abilify). I’ve still got paranoid thoughts. On the plus side, I’ve got many goals, and hobbies.
I’m plagued by an awful fatigue. My mind burns out fast. Concentration is extremely difficult at times. My body feels tired all the time, even more so when I exercise, which turns me off of exercising. I have type 2 diabetes (which is probably the cause of the fatigue). Anyways, I’ll keep pressing on. I’m pretty tenacious.