Hi everyone my uncle has schizophrenia and is in mid 60’s living in a group home all his live and he dosent take his medication. he has never had a job,girlfriend, drivers license ,etc. he was diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic when he was 17 years old. I had a nervous breakdown in 2012 and have been in out of therapy as well as hozpiltized two times. I have schizoaffective disorder and I am nothing like my uncle at all I am very different. I play sports, run long distances ,cook , have a job, friends ,etc. will this illness get worse over time ? beacause I went off my meds last year and was hospilazted and heard a voice to kill my parents . I know the voices are not real and have no control over me . I am also seeing shadows and shadow animals sometimes but recently not so much as well as faces on the floor ,clouds ,windows. another visiual hallunation I had was in hospital and sawed writing on the floor saying I am coming for you and saw a demonic face. I’m 28 years old will my illness get worse and devlop into schizophrenia and long term disability ? thanks to those who read and reply to my post.
If your multi episodic then it’s usually meds for life or till better treatments. The meds are better these days but it’s still an issue with side effects and efficiancy. More importantly, early intervention with the appropriate medication leads to better outcomes so stay on the pills!
Hallucinations are positive symptoms and you should be telling your doc. You may need an adjustment. It’s worth while staying away from psychosis and future breakdowns.
As to long term. Some do well, some do poorly and it’s always hard to know. We all respond differently to the meds and treatment. Loss of function is the key. If your not working and suffering in life then get to your shrink.
Welcome to the boards. Lots of nice people around here.
Schizophrenia/ schizoaffective fluctuate sometimes it will be like going through hell other times its almost like it isnt there. Of course that varies person to person.
Many people say it gets easier to live with over time though.
Hi, I think at your age it is unlikely that it will develop into schizophrenia.
As for the disability, it is very subjective, but if you are on meds you will probably remain close to your actual level of functioning.
Hi @DN_89. welcome to the forum. After your bad experience going off meds last year, are you back on meds now?
yes I am back on meds right now. not so many auditory or visual hallucnations . I get them when I am really stressed out and not sleeping well. and sometimes they happen a lot when I am alone. I find that reading,listening to music, playing sports ie running ,swimming,biking, , talking to others helps me out a lot to cope with the hallcunations. I have a good support system with my doctor and I am waiting to go back into therapy after being discharged from them in 2015. I have been stable ever since except for that espiode last year in feburaury the only reason I stopped taking the medication was it was making me feel like a zombie and affecting my running.
I take my meds all the time I just have really bad anxiety about the future and stuff. I don’t want to end up disabled with nobody living in a group home and dying alone that’s my biggest fear
I am taking my meds regularly and telling my doctor about all my symptoms. thanks for welcoming me to the forum. I am glad I can talk to someone when times get rough so that I know I amnot alone in this.
I think that the fact that you are being proactive about your treatment plan is very positive and bodes well for your future.
Having some anxiety about the future is probably pretty common for anyone dealing with a chronic health condition. I would encourage you to discuss your anxieties with a therapist so you can work on some coping strategies.
I share the same fears.
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