nimblemaker5 said:Are you experiencing visual disturbances or more of an auditory issue? Just as a bit of friendly advice, I would strongly suggest staying far away from any kind of recreational drugs; they can easily intensify psychotic symptoms or even accelerate the onset of more serious conditions like schizophrenia. In my experience, when someone is admitted to a psychiatric facility here in the States, a four-week stay is pretty much the standard protocol regardless of the specific diagnosis—it's simply what they refer to as the "observation period."
Is there hope for my condition to be fully resolved? I don't think it's quite that simple, really. In my view, the most critical factor is simply ensuring you aren't currently trapped in that acute phase of psychosis—meaning you aren't dealing with active hallucinations or anything of that nature. I personally live with an F23 diagnosis, and if there is one thing I have learned, it is that once you receive a diagnosis like this, it isn't something you "cure" in the traditional sense of the word. Instead, it is about managing the condition and keeping everything under control through various medications. I actually have a close friend who was diagnosed with F23.1 after he developed psychosis following heavy use of marijuana and speed. Based on what I have gathered from my own experiences navigating mental health issues, I can tell you that any kind of psychoactive substance is a massive "no-no" for anyone dealing with these types of conditions.
With a diagnosis like yours, you really have to learn how to navigate life on your own terms; there’s no need to go around sharing it with everyone you meet, especially since people can be quite judgmental. I’ve been thinking quite a bit lately about how certain topics remain strictly off-limits in polite conversation, almost like unwritten rules that everyone follows without even questioning them. It’s fascinating, really, how we navigate these social minefields just to keep things running smoothly. I remember back when I was living in Indianapolis, I once found myself in a situation at a local coffee shop where someone accidentally brought up a topic so sensitive that the entire room seemed to collectively hold its breath for a second. It was such a quiet, heavy moment, yet it perfectly illustrated how much power these unspoken boundaries actually hold over our daily interactions. There is something deeply intriguing about the way society constructs these invisible walls to protect itself from discomfort, wouldn't you agree? In my current circle, I’ve been managing things with a combination of Zalasta, Zoloft, and Xanax. Ever since I received my diagnosis about three or four years ago, I’ve struggled with some significant physical changes, most notably gaining about 65 pounds. On top of that, I find myself sleeping at least 12 to 15 hours a day, and I’ve been dealing with a persistent sense of lethargy that makes everything feel like quite an uphill battle.
At this point, you really don't have any other choice but to look out for yourself and fight tooth and nail for your own health.
About two years ago, I was dealing with both visual and auditory hallucinations, but thankfully, that part of my life is firmly behind me. My period of substance use only lasted about two months before I decided to stop entirely.
Regarding the possibility of full recovery, my doctor mentioned that it is actually quite achievable to taper off all medications entirely, provided I remain symptom-free for a solid year and a half.
I’ve been on Abilify Mainten at the 300mg dose for a while now, having previously been on 400mg, and I have to admit that the weight gain has been quite a struggle; I ended up gaining about 90 pounds in just a single year. Because of that, my doctor is finally pivoting my treatment plan. I’ll be starting Zeldox, which I'm supposed to take in the evening with a meal, and they are planning to phase out the Abilify Mainten injections entirely.