Nicole Barrett76 said:I wouldn't opt for disability either, though one has to wonder why it seems like only one in every hundred or fifty blind or visually impaired individuals actually finds employment.
It truly warms my heart to see that, despite everything you are battling, you are still able to support your mother.
Yeah, I hear you, and I completely get where you're coming from. Physical disabilities are incredibly tough to navigate. By the way, I actually had no idea you were dealing with such significant vision issues yourself. 😢 As for me, I don't really have a specific reason to feel depressed, yet I still struggle with it. It’s that endogenous kind of depression—you know, the type that hits you without any obvious external cause. I'm doing alright at the moment, though. Nothing has really changed since yesterday or the day before, other than the fact that I finally managed to get some decent rest.
Rebecca Rivera3 said:Harold Anderson3, please, everyone, just speak your mind. Even if it sounds like "complaining"—which isn't how I see it—it’s fine. If someone needs to vent, they should. To me, this is just part of living with an illness. There are highs and lows, and being able to talk or write about them is essential. We all go through rough patches sometimes, and we all deal with certain limitations. That's why we're here for one another.
Are you feeling any better, Harold Anderson3? Were those pills making you too drowsy when you were already exhausted? It all feels very familiar to me because I've spent a lot of time navigating similar circles.
I'm not as mentally stable as I would like to be. But I know why. One reason is that I'm traumatized by the diagnosis itself and everything I've endured—the spinal taps, the multiple hospital stays, spending more time in a hospital ward than at home, things like that. Back then, I didn't even know if I'd ever walk again; I just couldn't feel it. And I spent a long time in a wheelchair... Then, suddenly, it all hit me. It was like a nasty kind of PTSD, and I think I'm still fighting it today. Even tonight, while I'm in remission, that fear can be so intense... it's hard to put into words.
I've talked to others living with MS and with my neurologist, and I learned that depression and emotional instability are actual symptoms of the disease.
Overall, I'm handling everything well, but tonight is just one of those heavy evenings.
Yeah, I'm definitely feeling better. Today is actually the first time this week that I've managed to get some decent, restorative sleep. Hang in there, okay? Don't let things get you down and don't give up. 🙂
Nicole Barrett76 said:Is there any way for those living with schizophrenia to qualify for disability benefits $500 or receive caregiver assistance, similar to what we in the blind and visually impaired community can access?
I realize we are talking about two fundamentally different medical categories. However, I cannot help but wonder—given that many individuals struggling with schizophrenia tend to be socially withdrawn and face such intense stigma—that most of you who are working are likely stuck at minimum wage or just slightly above it.
When you are scraping by on a meager salary, wouldn't even a modest monthly stipend for home care assistance, perhaps totaling around $167, make a world of difference?
It seems to me that securing such support is incredibly difficult because the onset of the condition typically doesn't occur before age eighteen, which is a critical requirement for eligibility.
I actually could have applied for disability, but as long as I’m physically able to work, I intend to. It’s a struggle, I won't deny that, but I really don't want to be labeled as disabled while I'm still this young. Since I'm renting an apartment in Washington, D.C., I definitely couldn't survive on minimum wage alone. My monthly take-home pay is roughly $3,200. The job is physically manageable—nothing hurts, per se—but the lack of sleep when I'm out in the field is tough. The summer heat wears me down, and the winter cold is brutal. Then I head back to Washington, D.C. for the weekend to recharge before heading back out for another five days on the road, and that's been my life for about a year now. I spend quite a bit on food while traveling, plus rent, and I send some money home to help my mom who lives alone, but I still manage to save a little bit at the end of the month.
I honestly haven't been feeling like myself at all this week. Between being completely wiped out and spending the entire day working under the sun, I've just been running on empty. To make matters worse, I didn't even have all my medications on hand until yesterday, so please excuse my constant complaining and any nonsensical posts I might have made. My apologies to everyone; I'm sure I'll be back to my usual self once this passes.
What do you think? I’m working on it. It’s actually a pretty big deal, honestly. I’ve got something even more massive in the works over at my connection there. This definitely isn't the kind of life I envisioned for myself. I feel like I’m just existing, stripped down to nothing—completely exposed and raw. Is this really all there is to it?☕ By the way, I know things aren't exactly perfect on your end either... Sorry, I didn't mean to vent like that. And honestly, why do you even care so much about my complaining? If you don't want to read my ramblings, just skip them, but please don't start a fight over it.😉
Where does this stigma come from—this deep-seated rejection by healthy people toward schizophrenia and those living with it? I’m fully aware of my own condition and my diagnosis, but I’m also painfully aware of the excessive isolation forced upon me, just like everyone else who sees F20 on their medical charts. It simply isn't right. During Hitler's era in Germany, people facing these exact struggles were being systematically murdered through forced selection. Today, we technically have the right to live, but we're often pushed into such profound isolation that it leads straight into loneliness and depression, which can ultimately spiral into suicide. In both cases, whether through malice or neglect, the end result is often a life cut far too short.
P.S. Sorry if this post feels a bit heavy or depressing... 🕺
Carl Rivera43 said:I won't be able to make it this Sunday because there are actually three different games happening during round 20 of the BetMGM Premier League
Starting as early as 4:10 PM
Valmer vs. BFC Daugavpils
Then at 6:00 PM
Jelgava vs. Ventspils And Metra/LU vs. Riga FC
If anyone happens to have a decent laptop with working Wi-Fi, then maybe I can swing by.
Is anyone up for hanging out somewhere downtown this Sunday, June 1st? I was thinking we could nail down the specifics once we see who’s actually interested in joining... 😁
bluerider512 said:So, basically, two or three people meet up once a month on average? Got it. 😁 Not exactly seeing much action here.
It seems like these meetups have really died down across the whole site.
But alright, thanks for the answer. 👍
The last time we actually got together, there were about 12 of us—some from the site, some others... but that was four months ago. So, if you want to be technical, you could say it averages out to about 3 people 😁per month.
Apple Pie and I have decided to cancel our trip. Apple is feeling pretty wiped out, and if I’m being honest, the idea of hanging out with three different forum members all at once feels a bit overwhelming 🕺
So, I figured it was about time I checked back in after being away for a little over a month.
A bit about myself... I’m 31, originally a countryman, and I work down in Washington, D.C. I’ve been working as an assembly technician for industrial hangars for a firm out of Canada, and I’ll be hitting my one-year mark there pretty soon. On the health side of things, I’ve been managing schizophrenia for the last decade, though thanks to my medication, I’ve been able to keep it well under control. My main struggle lately has just been dealing with bouts of depression from time to time.
When I have free time, I really enjoy following sports, getting lost in a good book, watching documentaries, or just relaxing with some great music. Occasionally, I love catching a movie—ideally at a theater—taking a quick little road trip somewhere near Washington, D.C., or maybe signing up for a recreational run. That’s actually the main reason I’m posting here today.
I’m really just looking for some company to hit the movies with, go on day trips down to Miami, or even just grab a coffee and take a walk through the city. To be perfectly clear, I’m not looking for a relationship or anything like that, truly. So, everyone is welcome here, whether you're male or female. I’m not quite sure what else to say without rambling on forever, but if there’s anything else you want to know, feel free to reach out. Best wishes.
Jose Ward4 said:Harold Anderson3, listen, dear, when are you finally going to realize that popping these pills whenever the mood strikes isn't actually helping anyone? I honestly don't know where your head is at right now, but this is probably the worst move you could make. Seriously. There have been so many posts about this. If you’re thinking about tapering off or lowering your dose, you have to do it incredibly slowly—even just by a quarter. These antipsychotics are heavy hitters, especially Haloperidol and Clozaril. You’re just asking for trouble here. Trust me on this. I try to taper down by a quarter myself, and I end up dealing with nasty side effects for a month straight. Trying to quit cold turkey? It’s just not doable. All you're doing is scrambling your brain. By being inconsistent like this, you could actually trigger a state of shock that mimics a full-blown psychosis. That’s a real side effect of suddenly stopping or being irregular with your meds. You're only hurting yourself.
It wasn't like I was trying to quit my medication on purpose, it's more that I just got completely worn out from work, and I figured if I took them, I'd feel even more exhausted, so I skipped a few days in a row and things just started spiraling. I realize now that I have to stay consistent with my meds, regardless of how tired I am, because at least being tired is better than dealing with psychotic symptoms.
Nicole Barrett76 said:Ever since you and a few other key players left, this entire discussion has completely lost its spark.
I truly hope you’re staying busy with steady work, and that your paycheck arrives on time and reflects the actual value of everything you do.
A friend of mine living with schizophrenia receives a monthly injection of Depakote.
P. S. That figure in your profile picture looks incredibly familiar to me, almost as if he were a famous painter. If you don't mind my asking, who is he?
Yeah, I'm working, though I suppose the pay could be a little better; then again, maybe I should probably be more careful with my budget since I tend to blow too much money on things I don't really need.
I headed in for my regular monthly checkup today, and I just got my next injection of aripiprazole after letting a month slip by. My doctor mentioned she’s noticed things have been sliding downhill over the last week—mostly some brain fog, pretty intense mood swings, and a general sense of losing my grip on reality—all because I haven't been sticking to my medication schedule. She also decided to scale back my antidepressant from nearly the maximum dose down to something more moderate, since she thinks having that much Zoloft in my system might just cause total chaos in my head and makes me way too drowsy. I'm hopeful that things will start to level out in a few days if I can actually stay consistent with everything, especially the Seroquel.
If anyone happens to be up for grabbing a coffee, a beer, catching a movie, or maybe just taking a long walk through some nice parkland... I'm pretty much down for whatever. I'm free whenever my work schedule allows, including actually today if anyone's feeling spontaneous 😉