Schizophrenia - General Discussion

Lawrence Bailey77 As expressed by:
I’ve officially gone off the Fevarin. I can't help but wonder—was I just feeling incredibly nauseous because of it?

To be perfectly honest, I ended up tossing most of my medications in the trash.

I've been trying to cut back on the xanax lately... I really only reach for it when I need help sleeping, mostly because it’s the one thing that keeps the nightmares at bay.

I’ve been grinding all day trying to find an alternative, but honestly, I’m coming up empty. It’s a tough spot to be in. As long as things stay this difficult, I feel like my true self—but then I take the pills and suddenly I just feel sick and drugged out, which honestly makes me even more depressed. I suppose I'd rather deal with the psychological and physical ache of reality than face the realization that I’ve turned into a total zombie.

There is just so much weighing on me... it’s been dragging on for such a long time. Honestly, no pill or medication seems to actually fix anything; they only manage to dull the symptoms. And if I’m being completely honest—though it's a difficult thing to admit—it feels exactly like when I have a drink to numb the pain. It doesn't solve the issue; it just makes me feel like I don't care, as if I'm forcibly stripping away parts of my own identity just to ignore the reality of what's happening.

The thing is, I am actively seeking help, but the real dilemma lies in the balance: how much of myself am I willing to let someone else carry, and how much am I still trying to shoulder on my own? 🙂

They keep trying to convince me that I’m actually normal. It gives me this flicker of hope, I guess—this idea that there might be a real chance I'll actually feel alive again. You know, like how I used to feel? Most of the time, not just in those occasional, fleeting memories. It’s been like this for a few years now.

My mother-in-law seems to be doing much better on Brintellix. In the beginning, she had quite a few side effects that bothered her, but those passed, and now it actually seems to be working. From what I can tell, Olanzapine works for her too. It’s wild because when she was taking Brintellix alongside Zyprexa, she looked like a walking corpse. She spent most of her time just lying in bed—zero communication, total lack of motivation, neglecting her hygiene, and just completely losing interest in everything. She lost so much weight and just let herself go. That went on for about three months. It honestly makes no sense to me how that could happen if Zyprexa and Olanzapine belong to the same drug class with the exact same composition, just made by different manufacturers. It simply doesn't add up. Which means, in all likelihood, she wasn't actually taking her therapy—specifically the Zyprexa. She lied to us; she promised she would take it and then totally betrayed both me and my husband, though I suppose that's beside the point. She probably thought that just the Brintellix would fix her, which is impossible. And that state she was in? It was a psychotic episode, at least according to the psychiatrist I consulted. I eventually found a massive pile of pills among her things—three or four entire boxes of Zyprexa—with only a couple of tablets missing. She’s okay now... well, as okay as she can be given her condition, but she is functioning. She isn't spending the entire day stuck in bed anymore. Personally, I have taken over her medication management; I give her her doses every single day and make sure she swallows them right in front of me, since I keep the pills myself. Unfortunately, she refuses to help herself. I can't wrap my head around whether she somehow finds it "comfortable" to be sick—as if being ill allows her behavior to be tolerated—or if she simply doesn't grasp the reality of what's happening to her. She knows she has a mental illness, but it’s like she doesn't realize just how much that illness has taken over her entire existence. It's also heartbreaking because the illness has progressed so far that it's affecting her intelligence and her motor skills. She trips over her own feet and drops things constantly. And let me be clear, she doesn't just look clumsy—I know what actual clumsiness looks like, and this is different.🙂It’s really just about whether her motor skills are actually improving or not. Honestly, even on her "best" days—whether she's taken her medication or not—it's pretty obvious where things stand. I honestly can't picture her ever coming onto a forum like this to talk about how she's doing. I don't think she'd even know what to write, let alone be able to grasp what any of you guys are saying. Her ability to communicate is... well, let's call it "minimal." It would probably just be small talk, like asking about the weather, or complaining about the economy, or how much gas prices have spiked lately. A conversation with her would go something like: HER: "Hi." ME: "Hey, how are you?" HER: "Fine." ME: "How was work?" HER...😁So, there was this long, heavy silence. Then, after about two minutes, SHE just breaks it: "Got a cigarette?" Me? I’m like, "Yeah, here you go. Can I get you a soda or some coffee?" She goes, "Sure." And then... nothing. Just silence again. She picks up her things and leaves. Bye. I’ve tried so many times to actually have a real conversation with her, but it’s impossible. It’s just a constant loop of "Yes," "No," "Fine," "I don't know," "I don't want to," or "I will." Or she’ll just make some random comment about whatever is playing on the TV, and that’s it. It is incredibly rare—like, vanishingly rare—that she ever asks me how I am doing or anything even remotely personal. The root of all this, from what I can tell, is probably twenty years of improper treatment or, frankly, no treatment at all. But I don't blame her. How could I? And I don't blame her parents, who have both passed away now. My husband told me what he remembers from when she was a kid, and she never really wanted much help; she always felt like everyone was picking on her. I just don't know... We fight for her as hard as we can. I don't expect much, really. My only real hope is that things don't spiral further—that she doesn't wake up ten or fifteen years from now and look at me and my husband like we're total strangers. But man, it is so, so difficult. Especially mentally. It hurts. It’s heartbreaking to deal with that level of indifference, and having to maintain this endless reservoir of patience when you don't even get a "thank you" for it... it wears you down. But you try to find peace with it. You try to learn not to take it all so personally.

Kudos to everyone here who keeps the conversation going regarding this topic. I honestly wonder if the core struggle for people living with this diagnosis is that tendency to withdraw entirely and just shut down communication with the world. Personally, I don't hold any prejudices against any kind of mental health condition—not this one included—but sometimes the whole situation can be just so exhausting. It’s hard when you genuinely want to help someone but feel like your only real option is to suggest medication. It feels a bit tragic, truly, but thank God those treatments work; when my mother-in-law hits her lowest points, things get incredibly intense, and without the meds, we simply wouldn't know how to handle it.
My advice to you is this: as difficult as it may feel, please stay consistent with your medication and keep working on yourself. It helps maintain a level of control, and hopefully, it might even lead to recovery or at least help you regain a sense of reality, which is a huge step toward healing... please don't fall into the same trap my mother-in-law did for years. If you don't mind me asking, are you currently working? And do you live on your own or with someone else?

Being sick in this modern, cutthroat world—it’s just not a winning hand. Everywhere I turn, people look at me like I'm some kind of broken machine—stigmatizing me at every single turn, really—with only a handful of exceptions to break the pattern. Honestly? It makes me terrified for what comes next. My health is a volatile thing, a constant balancing act, and I live in fear that I might hit another breaking point. And let's be real: who in their right mind would hire someone if they caught even the slightest hint of instability? Right now, I have this narrow window of opportunity—this chance to actually focus on myself and try to find some semblance of stability. It feels like an incredible luxury, though a fleeting one, because I know deep down I won't be able to sustain this lifestyle forever, much as I'd love to stay in this bubble.🙂

I get it—I'm angry at people too. Believe me, I am. But lately, I've been realizing that getting worked up over all this nonsense is just a massive waste of energy.

Hang in there, everyone, but don't forget—you only get one shot at this life.

Rebecca Reyes70 said:There’s the known, there’s the unknown, and then there’s this doorway standing right between the two worlds. Once you step through that threshold, everything that used to feel straightforward suddenly turns into a tangled mess, and your entire perspective on existence shifts beneath your feet. For me, my ticket into the unknown was schizophrenia, and after spending so much energy trying to run away from it, I finally realized that running is pointless; you just have to embrace it. I remember reading an article once claiming that schizophrenia primarily impairs our ability to reason by distorting our perception of reality. But that really brings us to the deeper questions, doesn't it? What even is reality? And how do we define "normal"? Who decided where the boundaries of normalcy lie, and what are they even measuring? If you happen to be part of the majority, you're considered normal. Ever since I can remember, my view of the world has been a bit skewed; I’ve always felt like a misfit because my thoughts and interests don't align with the rest of the crowd. When I was finally hit with a schizophrenia diagnosis, I spiraled into a deep depression. I ended up being hospitalized four times in an attempt to "get cured," mostly because I just wanted to fit in with everyone else. That was until I realized there isn't actually anything about me that needs fixing. They tried to "treat" me by essentially poisoning me with various pills that were supposedly meant to make me normal. I was passed around between all sorts of doctors, from obscure practitioners to the top-tier psychiatric elites at places like the Mayo Clinic. I never truly understood the logic behind the treatment process, because in reality, they aren't trying to cure you—they're trying to force their own perspectives onto you, molding you to see the world exactly like the masses do. And the funny thing is, they don't even realize that they aren't normal either. Nobody is. Not a single "normal" person is capable of true independent thought; nobody possesses a genuine personality, because every person is just a byproduct of their environment. We are all fed these pre-packaged ideas of who we ought to be. People don't decide who they are; their surroundings decide for them. From the time we are toddlers, we absorb the exact same patterns of thought as our parents, and those views stick with us for life. Most people don't even bother thinking for themselves because everyone else is doing it for them. It’s always been this way, though as time passes, values shift and human personalities evolve along with them. Times are pretty bleak nowadays, honestly. People are being manipulated by television and mindless pop music that screams that money and other bizarre superficialities are the ultimate virtues. And then they try to fix me, just because I have a "distorted" view of reality. But the reality I see is incredibly depressing, which is likely the main reason for the high suicide rates among those diagnosed with schizophrenia. We see the world for what it actually is, and we see people for who they truly are. "Normal" people are nothing more than puppets; everyone carries these imposed values that are ultimately hollow. Take diamonds, for instance—they are practically worthless, yet they're assigned value by some person who thinks a shiny rock is equivalent to love. If I had to choose between being "sick" or being "normal," I’d pick sick every single time. I can't wrap my head around the idea that my perception is the problem; to me, it's the rest of the world that looks bizarre. People go to extreme lengths just to belong to a majority that tells them if they don't mimic their idiot idols or wear certain designer brands, they are somehow less valuable. And apparently, because of that, I'm the one with the warped worldview??! I read these incredibly shallow articles about schizophrenia and how it affects people, and I find myself wondering who writes such nonsense. No psychiatrist in the world, no matter how brilliant, can truly explain what it feels like to live with schizophrenia. I’m writing this because there is this persistent, desperate attempt to "help" us simply because we aren't like you. In my opinion, we might actually be the ones who are normal. Because if you really sit down and think about it, you are the ones with the impaired perception; you are the ones with the bizarre outlook on life. We've reached a point where a "normal" person effectively lacks free will and doesn't think independently. If you think I'm wrong, just take a moment to look at everything that defines you as a human being, and you'll see that it isn't actually *you*. Those aren't your thoughts, your desires, or your convictions. You aren't what you think you are; none of it was ever your choice or an act of free will. If you reflect deeply enough, you'll realize you never even had your own unique perspective on the world; the people and things surrounding you manufactured the person you are today. You aren't normal just because you're part of the majority; you're just part of a group that is anything but normal.

I find this post quite compelling; it offers some genuinely interesting perspectives.

When one views the world through a purely subjective lens and describes their own experiences, others often struggle—if not entirely fail—to truly grasp them. Full comprehension is difficult. Some people might get it, depending on their talent, patience, and capacity for empathy.
If someone believes they are perfectly fine while the rest of the world is flawed, and builds their entire worldview and attitude upon that premise, they certainly have the right to feel that way. However, there is such a thing as objective observation. A person might claim to have achieved a higher level of consciousness or transcendence, believing they see the errors of society more clearly than anyone else, while simultaneously behaving erratically in every other aspect of life. They might grant themselves too much liberty—using crude language, being unnecessarily provocative, or acting out in polite social settings... laughing inappropriately, making faces, or being overbearing. They remain blind to these behaviors, convinced they are doing nothing wrong, while from an outside perspective, it is glaringly obvious that something is amiss and needs correction.
One must strive for equilibrium, balancing their internal world and perceptions with how they interact with others. It is necessary to view one's actions rationally and maintain social harmony. Regardless of whether society is "normal," one must function flexibly within a community. People generally won't tolerate erratic whims or harsh insults—something I have personally experienced from individuals dealing with psychosis who were under medication.
A person should have their own inner world and convictions, and those convictions deserve respect, but respect must be mutual. If one cannot respect others, adaptation becomes impossible, and adaptation is vital. Community is what allows for survival and genuine fulfillment; any attempt at total isolation carries heavy consequences unless one has a massive amount of money sitting in a Chase account. While developing the spirit and consciousness is important, developing social skills and maintaining harmonious relationships is equally essential. No one is perfect, not even in our current era, but how does one change the trends of society? That is the question. There is no simple answer...

I honestly can’t say I’m surprised when people dealing with schizophrenia develop a bizarre persona—it's almost a defense mechanism. Though, from their perspective, it’s actually everyone else who seems warped. To me, most people just perform emotions, harbor strange intentions, and live with this constant mental noise—obsessing over trivialities and endless chatter. How are you supposed to connect with someone like that without creating some sort of equally bizarre, artificial self just to bridge the gap?

Maintaining social ties is... difficult, after everything involving psychosis and those transcendental experiences. Don't get me wrong, I have friends, but they are people who have seen things—either because they've been through it themselves or they're hovering right on the edge of psychosis—so they understand how fluid reality really is. With them, we can discuss higher beings or unmanifested realities; what am I supposed to talk about with "normal" people? Sex, money, or gossip about neighbors? None of that interests me.

My psychiatrist keeps insisting that the whole point of my recovery is "resocialization." But frankly, I have zero interest in being social. I much prefer the solitude of my own mind—a mind sharpened by psychosis and the experience of unmanifested reality.

Look, I know firsthand that you can live a perfectly normal life with schizophrenia... I’ve been running a blog for years on the subject—just search "Schizophrenia is just a crisis" on Google if you want to see how someone actually navigates this thing from the inside.

driftingraven122 said:I honestly can’t say I’m surprised when people dealing with schizophrenia develop a bizarre persona—it's almost a defense mechanism. Though, from their perspective, it’s actually everyone else who seems warped. To me, most people just perform emotions, harbor strange intentions, and live with this constant mental noise—obsessing over trivialities and endless chatter. How are you supposed to connect with someone like that without creating some sort of equally bizarre, artificial self just to bridge the gap?

Maintaining social ties is... difficult, after everything involving psychosis and those transcendental experiences. Don't get me wrong, I have friends, but they are people who have seen things—either because they've been through it themselves or they're hovering right on the edge of psychosis—so they understand how fluid reality really is. With them, we can discuss higher beings or unmanifested realities; what am I supposed to talk about with "normal" people? Sex, money, or gossip about neighbors? None of that interests me.

My psychiatrist keeps insisting that the whole point of my recovery is "resocialization." But frankly, I have zero interest in being social. I much prefer the solitude of my own mind—a mind sharpened by psychosis and the experience of unmanifested reality.

I’m not much for socializing either; solo activities suit me better. But...
necessity eventually forces you to be social.

How do you expect to earn a living if you don't have any connections?

driftingraven122 said:I honestly can’t say I’m surprised when people dealing with schizophrenia develop a bizarre persona—it's almost a defense mechanism. Though, from their perspective, it’s actually everyone else who seems warped. To me, most people just perform emotions, harbor strange intentions, and live with this constant mental noise—obsessing over trivialities and endless chatter. How are you supposed to connect with someone like that without creating some sort of equally bizarre, artificial self just to bridge the gap?

Maintaining social ties is... difficult, after everything involving psychosis and those transcendental experiences. Don't get me wrong, I have friends, but they are people who have seen things—either because they've been through it themselves or they're hovering right on the edge of psychosis—so they understand how fluid reality really is. With them, we can discuss higher beings or unmanifested realities; what am I supposed to talk about with "normal" people? Sex, money, or gossip about neighbors? None of that interests me.

My psychiatrist keeps insisting that the whole point of my recovery is "resocialization." But frankly, I have zero interest in being social. I much prefer the solitude of my own mind—a mind sharpened by psychosis and the experience of unmanifested reality.

So, if I'm reading you right... you're basically saying I'm immature and stubborn? =🙂

It seems almost impossible that two people could be in this exact same state without the condition being contagious... unless, of course, there is something about schizophrenia that I simply don't grasp.☕

P.S. I know plenty of people... wherever I go, wherever I work, acquaintances tend to pop up everywhere... far more often than with my other colleagues. So, if I were truly antisocial, then even the most charming person in the world would be a total fraud 😁... but I just didn't feel like engaging. My ego has become so inflated that I don't see much point in joking around anymore.

Kenneth Campbell said:I’m not much for socializing either; solo activities suit me better. But...
necessity eventually forces you to be social.

How do you expect to earn a living if you don't have any connections?

In an ideal world, I’d probably just head off to a monastery—at least there I’d be surrounded by people similar to myself; if they don't take me in, then maybe I'll just live as a drifter and meditate all day. I worked for two years, but that's really my last resort if everything else falls through. We'll see where reality ends up taking me.

Lawrence Bailey77 said:So, if I'm reading you right... you're basically saying I'm immature and stubborn? =🙂

It seems almost impossible that two people could be in this exact same state without the condition being contagious... unless, of course, there is something about schizophrenia that I simply don't grasp.☕

P.S. I know plenty of people... wherever I go, wherever I work, acquaintances tend to pop up everywhere... far more often than with my other colleagues. So, if I were truly antisocial, then even the most charming person in the world would be a total fraud 😁... but I just didn't feel like engaging. My ego has become so inflated that I don't see much point in joking around anymore.

People tell me I'm lazy. 😁
But honestly, I’d much rather spend my day meditating than being at a job.
Maybe I'll have to head back to work eventually, but I'll probably just end up studying again because psychosis completely drains me
.

Here is a clear example of how someone living with schizophrenia might behave—it can be completely detached from reality, and I know this might sound harsh, but it often comes across as selfish and cold. Back when my son was just nine months old, he was such a healthy little baby, but suddenly he ended up hospitalized. We were in complete shock; it was nothing but misery, tears, and endless prayers. It was absolutely devastating. His grandmother didn't even bother showing up at the hospital. She didn't care, she didn't ask what happened; she just knew he was there, but she remained totally indifferent. On the days I would finally leave the hospital—after spending the entire night sitting in a hard chair by his side, only to rush back in the afternoon to catch a few hours of sleep—she would show up and immediately ask me for a cigarette. She wouldn't even ask how I was doing, let alone anything else. And once he was finally discharged, she just said, "Sorry I didn't come to the hospital, I'll visit him next time he's there." I can't even begin to describe how much that wounded me, yet she didn't even realize she had hurt me. It’s incredibly difficult because you expect empathy, but they simply don't know how to provide it. Even when you genuinely want to help, they push you away. I believe it's hard for all of you too; I know you feel misunderstood and rejected... but then, on the other hand, you reject the help, the conversation, and the treatment. IT IS SO, SO HARD FOR BOTH SIDES...

Please forgive me if anyone feels offended or slighted by this... it certainly wasn't my intention. This is just one of my many personal experiences... and I have had quite a few...

William Evans10 said:Please forgive me if anyone feels offended or slighted by this... it certainly wasn't my intention. This is just one of my many personal experiences... and I have had quite a few...

If that's the case, then you shouldn't generalize it to everyone living with a disorder—because honestly, you won't find two people with a schizophrenia diagnosis who are exactly the same.

William Evans10, what does her behavior even have to do with the diagnosis? That’s just who she is, period. It's not some symptom of schizophrenia.

Henry Garcia9 said:William Evans10, what does her behavior even have to do with the diagnosis? That’s just who she is, period. It's not some symptom of schizophrenia.

But how can it not be related to the diagnosis? When I sat down and had a real conversation with my psychiatrist about this very thing, they mentioned that people facing more severe cases often become "emotionally detached." They lose their drive, they retreat into their own private worlds, they shy away from social interaction, and they struggle to connect with others. Now, I don't know, maybe I'm mistaken. I truly apologize if I've hurt anyone's feelings here; I certainly am not suggesting that everyone fits that description.

We’re all different people, and I’m certainly not saying everyone is the same. There are cases where people live perfectly fine, functional lives, and then there are those who just can't. It manifests differently in every single individual. And once again, please forgive me if I’ve offended anyone; I truly believe there are many of you here who function quite normally thanks to therapy, and I am genuinely happy about that. However, there are also plenty of people who don't take their medication, can't function, and are simply being swallowed up by their illness... and for some, even therapy doesn't seem to work. As for those of you who haven't taken any pills or sought treatment for years, you probably aren't even able to sit here and type on a forum, so I’m certain none of the severe cases are among you. Just think about it—imagine someone suffering since 1987 without ever receiving proper treatment. That's 25 years right there. I'm not bringing this up for no reason; I actually spoke with a professional, a highly respected psychiatrist, about what I described above, and he noted that this is largely tied to the specific diagnosis. She isn't always like this; it depends on whether she is currently in a manic state, a depressive state, or feeling normal. I was specifically describing her behavior while she was depressed. But the issue is that there are so many of these manic and depressive episodes cycling back and forth, leaving fewer and fewer "normal" moments. I am merely sharing my own experience, not labeling anyone else here. It all depends on the person, how long they've been ill, and how intense it is. Does anyone happen to know of a website dedicated to supporting families of those with mental illness? Thank you.

@William Evans10, you can't really compare how someone acts during an acute crisis to how they behave when their condition is stabilized. What you're describing sounds like her being in the middle of an acute episode...

It’s clear that you and your husband have been staying on top of things by consulting with doctors about her diagnosis—schizoaffective disorder, which is distinct from schizophrenia—and helping manage her medication. That level of care is vital and shows how much you truly care for her. If I may suggest, it seems like you're carrying a heavy load regarding your mother-in-law's care, which is incredibly commendable. Because you're so deeply involved, it might help to remember that her reactions during these episodes aren't coming from a healthy place. It helps to let go of the expectation that she can offer empathy right now. When someone is in a depressive state, they simply don't have the capacity for it. It's a bit like expecting someone with a broken leg to run a marathon... if you can accept that reality, it might save you a lot of heartache and prevent you from feeling so hurt by her actions.

Besides, some people just struggle with basic empathy, whether they are dealing with illness or not.

Living with and caring for someone struggling with mental health isn't easy, much like caring for anyone with a chronic physical illness. Anyone supporting a long-term patient needs support of their own. Regarding mental health specifically, while I'm not sure about specific websites for families, there are organizations dedicated to these issues that you could contact for resources. From what I know, family members are often actively involved in their programs...

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

Fortunately, medicine has come a long way, and if you actually cooperate with your doctors, finding the right treatment plan is doable. A good chunk of the emotional instability needs to be tackled through psychotherapy—which, let’s face it, is expensive, but it's worth every penny. I used to crash every two years, but I’ve been doing solid for six and a half now. I haven't dealt with any negative symptoms because I truly believe that any illness, even schizophrenia, can be managed if you put in the work.

Michelle Evans said:@William Evans10, you can't really compare how someone acts during an acute crisis to how they behave when their condition is stabilized. What you're describing sounds like her being in the middle of an acute episode...

It’s clear that you and your husband have been staying on top of things by consulting with doctors about her diagnosis—schizoaffective disorder, which is distinct from schizophrenia—and helping manage her medication. That level of care is vital and shows how much you truly care for her. If I may suggest, it seems like you're carrying a heavy load regarding your mother-in-law's care, which is incredibly commendable. Because you're so deeply involved, it might help to remember that her reactions during these episodes aren't coming from a healthy place. It helps to let go of the expectation that she can offer empathy right now. When someone is in a depressive state, they simply don't have the capacity for it. It's a bit like expecting someone with a broken leg to run a marathon... if you can accept that reality, it might save you a lot of heartache and prevent you from feeling so hurt by her actions.

Besides, some people just struggle with basic empathy, whether they are dealing with illness or not.

Living with and caring for someone struggling with mental health isn't easy, much like caring for anyone with a chronic physical illness. Anyone supporting a long-term patient needs support of their own. Regarding mental health specifically, while I'm not sure about specific websites for families, there are organizations dedicated to these issues that you could contact for resources. From what I know, family members are often actively involved in their programs...

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

I am doing everything in my power to help her. I feel a sense of sadness that her parents, who have since passed away, didn't do everything possible, but I don't hold anyone responsible; I honestly don't know what the standard approach was twenty years ago or if they even grasped the gravity of the situation back then. And I certainly don't blame my husband, because I know it hasn't been easy for him either; he has known her this way since he was a child. And yes... he didn't "inherit" this from her, as he was already past the age where these symptoms typically manifest. 🙂 I truly believe it is difficult to help someone who refuses to accept help, especially since she doesn't really listen to him. But, well... she does seem willing to listen to me at times. Hopefully, I still have enough patience left for her. She takes her medication every single day; I personally make sure she takes it right in front of me. Let's just hope there won't be any more of these bad episodes or setbacks. Thank you all for the support.... Best, 🙂

Megan Cooper6 said:Look, I know firsthand that you can live a perfectly normal life with schizophrenia... I’ve been running a blog for years on the subject—just search "Schizophrenia is just a crisis" on Google if you want to see how someone actually navigates this thing from the inside.

I've been following your blog since the very beginning. You are such an incredible person, facing life with so much pride regardless of your diagnosis!

Robin Lopez2 said:I've been following your blog since the very beginning. You are such an incredible person, facing life with so much pride regardless of your diagnosis!

I'm just trying to get by. Šiza is part of who I am now, and I've made my peace with it. Honestly, there are plenty of days when I wish it wasn't part of the deal... but that's just how I roll, day in and day out.