9 posts shown.
David Vaughn75 said:It's possible we're looking at post-schizophrenic depression here.
I went through my own little depressive funk for maybe two or three months once, and you know how I kicked it? By getting active in every single area of my life. I’m a huge believer in behavioral psychology—I truly believe that our mental state doesn't dictate what we do; rather, our actions are what actually shape our mental state.
I definitely agree that our actions drive our mental state. When the body goes numb and the mind either shuts down or just goes dark... well, the psychiatrists here in the States can't even seem to agree on my diagnosis. While they're busy arguing over which specific label fits me best, I'll just find something to keep me busy—maybe even a job...
Side note: I’ve been managing a schizophrenia diagnosis for four years now.
I was at an appointment at the local VA hospital for outpatient services the other day, and after talking with the doctor for about an hour, she mentioned she thinks I actually have Bipolar Disorder.
My dad had even pulled me aside a few months back to tell me he thought that was my actual diagnosis.
I’m 24, and honestly, alongside a massive stack of psychiatric records, I’ve got an even bigger pile of paperwork for physical health issues—blood clotting problems, nerve damage in my right arm... the whole works.
Last year, I was actually being proactive. I had a steady job, hit the gym three times a week, and picked up side gigs whenever I could. By June, my doctor told me I wouldn't need antipsychotics anymore because my schizophrenia seemed to have cleared up after three years. I actually argued with him, telling him I’d rather just taper off halfway because I knew from experience how badly I react when I quit them cold turkey. Then, in November, I made the stupid mistake of stopping my meds on my own, which completely destabilized me for the next six months. Once that happened, everything just "snapped" into focus, and I found myself looking back at all the idiocy of my past. After seeing all the mistakes I've made, I just lost any drive to keep going. I retreated into my own little bubble, shut the world out, and that was it.
Now, here I am at 24, feeling more like an old man than a young guy, both physically and mentally.
I just don't see anything left worth fighting for.
So far, Bob has saved me twice, for reasons known only to Him.
Once from a pulmonary embolism, and once from a brain hemorrhage.
I don't understand His plans; I really don't know why I'm still breathing.
People my age usually have something that gives them a reason to get out of bed in the morning. I don't have that.
Just a meaningless existence...
Harold Anderson3 said:Since my diagnosis is F20.0, and you can't technically suffer from both depression and schizophrenia at the same time, I figured I’d share my situation here.
So, as I mentioned before, I am being treated for schizophrenia, but the depressive symptoms are incredibly intense. In fact, they are really my only real struggle right now, mostly because I don't experience any of the "positive" symptoms at all.
My current medication regimen includes antipsychotics like Risperdal Consta (25 mg) and Zyprexa (5-10mg), along with an antidepressant, Alventia XL (150 mg). On top of the depression, my sleep is a total mess; I either sleep way too much or not nearly enough, and there are plenty of nights where I just don't sleep at all.
Keeping up with my studies is becoming an uphill battle—I'm currently at MIT studying electrical engineering—and the university doesn't seem to have much empathy for mental health struggles, so I'll probably have to drop out soon.
Since my highest level of education is just high school, I'm feeling pretty lost regarding job prospects; everything feels so uncertain right now.
I live with my mom and my grandmother; my mom also carries an F20.0 diagnosis and has been retired since she was 35 (she's 52 now).
I think my depression is a mix of internal factors and a reaction to a pretty heavy environment around me.
Every once in a while, I have these brief windows where I feel somewhat "alive" and can actually handle my responsibilities, but most of the time, I'm just struggling through the depression and the constant negative thoughts.
Sometimes I find myself thinking it might have been better if I had never been born, because life just feels like a continuous grind, and honestly, my mother isn't really in a position to be a parent.
I talk to my father occasionally, but he has his own family now and doesn't really care to understand what I'm going through. He remarried and has two new kids; I lived with him until I was 18, when I moved in with my mom because things were getting really difficult with my stepmother. I'm 28 now.
Looking ahead, I feel like I'm just spiraling further, and I can't see a way out of this. There are moments when my thinking feels sharp and intelligent, but other times, I feel completely incapable of doing anything productive.
I have a regular check-up with my psychiatrist today at 2:00 PM, and I plan to lay everything out for her, though I'm not even sure if help is possible in a situation like this. To be honest, as I'm typing this, I'm right on the verge of tears, but that's nothing new for me.
The thought of suicide crosses my mind sometimes, but I know it would be a massive tragedy—not necessarily for me, since I feel quite numb toward myself, but for my mom and grandma. That's why I try so hard to push those thoughts away.
But living like this doesn't lead anywhere either, except toward a complete breakdown. The hardest part is that these issues have been dragging on for years, and there's just no sign that anything is ever going to get better.
But listen, there might be a way out!!!
Back in the 20th century, this scientist dedicated his entire life to studying the traditional diets of Arctic populations—specifically fish-based diets. We're talking massive amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids. There's significant evidence that these specific types of Omega-3s found in fish can help alleviate depression, and by the eighth month of recent studies, news broke regarding research testing whether Omega-3s could assist people dealing with schizophrenia. It turns out they absolutely can.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/298178.phphttp://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/298178.php
Laura Castillo6 said:Look, it’s true that antipsychotics hit everyone differently, but if you ask me, you two might have been slapped with a schizophrenia diagnosis based on some pretty shaky evidence. Honestly, though, even if the diagnosis is accurate, it doesn't seem to be having much of an impact on you guys, which is actually a good thing. You're going to recover; it just takes a lot of patience. I’ve always felt the brain does its best healing while we're asleep. Once you get back into a steady rhythm—you know, hitting that 10 PM to 6 AM sleep schedule, eating three solid meals a day, and getting some light walks around the neighborhood—your body will naturally start to bounce back. Antipsychotics can definitely drain your energy, but maybe try taking them only in the evening? On a side note, I personally tried Ginkgo Biloba extract and found it really helped my focus. You can find similar supplements at any local pharmacy, so why not give them a shot? Since you're already managing psych meds, I don't see what the harm could be in trying a little something extra.
I've navigated my fair share of crisis periods throughout my life. Eventually, things always seem to settle back down into a sort of "normal" after some time has passed.
But when I sit down and really look at the clinical description of schizophrenia and weigh it against everything I've actually lived through... I have to admit, I was given that diagnosis for a reason.
I honestly think your mind is just trying to adjust to how those antipsychotics affect you. I know exactly what you're going through because I’ve been right there in those shoes myself. Please, sit down and have a real conversation with your psychiatrist about this—and if you don't feel heard, don't hesitate to seek a second opinion from another doctor. These medications can come with a heavy load of side effects, though the newer generations tend to be a bit more manageable.
I remember reading about Mark, who appeared on a talk show after being released from a psychiatric facility in Baltimore; he was talking about his experience with Zyprexa and described it as feeling like the medication just slowly sucks the soul right out of you.
Eric Ortiz4 said:My story:
Between the intrusive thoughts and my inability to focus on anything, I finally decided to go see a psychiatrist. Based just on those two things, he slapped an F20 diagnosis on me.
I spent about three weeks checked into a hospital where they basically kept me medicated around the clock. Now I’ve been discharged and sent home with a prescription for Risperdal.
The intrusive thoughts have cleared up, sure, but now I’m dealing with these episodes where my brain just... stops working properly. I get this restless urge to just keep walking and walking. I can't even sit down with one of those books I used to love. Then there's the anxiety—this constant, heavy dread about what's coming next. I’ve lost all interest in hanging out with people, too. Honestly, I'm terrified I won't be able to finish my degree at MIT.
Has anyone else gone through something like this? Any advice on how to get my life back on track? 😕
I also live with an F20 diagnosis. When I first got it, I actually sat down with this veteran psychiatrist—she had something like 40 years under her belt—and asked her straight up how I could recover from this. Her advice was simple: read for four hours a day and take a walk around Central Park once a day; she said it would help stabilize me. I didn't follow her advice at first because I just didn't have the patience for reading anymore, but once my medication stabilized and the side effects leveled off, I realized that reading really does help ground my thoughts.
If the medication isn't working for you, you have to speak up and tell your doctor.
I'd honestly suggest seeking out a second opinion, or even a third, if you truly feel like this diagnosis doesn't fit who you are...
Larry Lewis said:So, how long have you been dealing with that expensive medication? Are you actually seeing some solid remission right now?
Well, I’ve been carrying this diagnosis since I was 20 too—though, if we’re being honest, I’ve certainly put in more mileage than you have.🙂
I’ve been taking that medication since the start of the year. As for remission... well, it could be better. I don't really have symptoms from the illness itself, but my day-to-day reality is just pretty rough. Honestly, it feels easier to just zone out in front of the TV or lose myself in some old-school video games rather than actually facing all these problems head-on...
What medication are you currently on?
Larry Lewis said:How old are you? And how long has it been since you received your diagnosis?
I'm 24. I've been living with the diagnosis since I was 20.
Adam Richardson said:I was wondering if anyone here is currently using Xeplion via injection? I'd love to hear about any side effects you might be experiencing.
I’m currently on Xylem via injection. Physically speaking, I haven't noticed any side effects at all; from what I've gathered, this medication is actually known for having the lowest side-effect profile among all antipsychotics.
As for mental side effects... honestly, I have little to none, though it’s hard to say for sure because I can never tell which symptoms are caused by the meds and which are just part of my underlying condition...
Xylem is definitely the most straightforward option, even if it is the priciest—one single shot runs about $1000. Thank God we have programs like Medicaid to cover mental health costs, otherwise, it would be a massive burden to pay out of pocket...