I was diagnosed as a high functioning schizophrenic
You’re extremely lucky !
I didn’t feel lucky at the time, I was in University but I had to drop out and spend 5 months in a mental instution, and for a long time I didn’t have interactions with other schizophrenics to compare myself too.
I was over medicated, overweight and unhealthy. But joining this website really opened my eyes, I’ve seen that a lot of people have it much worse so I think my pdoc was correct in his diagnosis, now I do feel lucky in so much as a I can having this f*cking condition.
I had all the symptoms (hallucinations and delusions) but I was in University, writing exams, doing lab reports for complicated science stuff. I even got an “A” grade in micro and macro economics while completely psychotic.
I know what you mean. I feel lucky too, but just because it could have been so much worse for me. I got off lucky.
I’ve had psychotic full blown relapse at least 4 times, once for 6 months, but still I’m diagnosed as non schizophrenic.
A High Functioning Schizophrenic ought to
- be able to hold a job for 2 years or more
- have a stable relationship with a significant other or be married
- maintain a healthy weight or BMI
- be a part of the community/society and participate in various activities
- be fully medication compliant with prescribed anti-psychotics
I still say it’s when you’re able to pat your head and rub your tummy at the same time.
Oooooops.
Maintenance of a healthy weight and or BMI while on any anti-psychotics is difficult to do even for the high functioning @shutterbug.
I was high functioning at first: studying at university, holding a job and going to the gym at the same time, sadly I relapsed and depression and negatives kicked in
And neurotypicals. I’ve lost 2/3 of the weight. The last 1/3 seems intent on sticking around.
My functioning fluctuates. Some days are good some are not so good.
I function better than I did at my last place, but think I 'm rather average functioning .
The head/tummy performance is intermittant?
That is interesting. I was psychotic while majoring in Statistics as a graduate student. I even made an A+ in a class in an ivy league university. However, after medicine, I simply can’t think about doing all that.
I am highly functional but its a safe bet I’m crazier than most
I drive
Pay bills
Maintain an adult relationship
Apartment is clean mostly
Good terms with family
Always on meds
I have a good job
Buy groceries
… I do all the things I’m supposed to just as a normal person 
i was hogh function9ng before i got it. just had anxiety and add. life was a blast. was shy but had a lot of friends l I ked to party.
We don’t have ivy league universities in Canada. I did my first year at the University of Toronto which is consistently ranked the best University in Canada on most lists. I suppose it’s the equivalent to a University like Harvard in the USA. I was living on residence but that was the year I started having mental health problems so I moved back home and switched to a closer University, on and off for a few years but then I got really sick and dropped out completely. My degree was in Biology. I have one year left if I ever go back.
What is your diagnosis @Zoe ?
Fingers crossed for you, sir.