Schizophrenia - General Discussion

Harold Anderson3 said:Honestly, I haven't the slightest clue, and frankly, I don't think they have a clue either.
She's dealing with COVID, schizophrenia, diabetes, edema, high blood pressure, and obesity all at once.
It's a pretty heavy situation, and as I've mentioned quite a few times before, things are looking rather grim.

I read that, though I suspect you probably just got a pat on the back for it...
Hopefully—and I hate using the word—she ends up in the hospital without any debate when the time comes.

Carol Barrett2 said:Honestly, those local leaders are just out there looting everything in sight. 👎

I'm with you, 👍 and +1

It's such a shame you can't hold down a job...
Good luck to you all, though. Living with mental illness is tough.
If you could actually work, maybe try some odd jobs? It’s hard when you're sleeping all day,
but please, try to do something for yourself. Good luck.

wiredmarlin29 said:It's such a shame you can't hold down a job...
Good luck to you all, though. Living with mental illness is tough.
If you could actually work, maybe try some odd jobs? It’s hard when you're sleeping all day,
but please, try to do something for yourself. Good luck.

+1

Carol Barrett2 said:+1

Just a +1?
I don't get it. I'm here trying to show support, rooting for this community, and wishing everyone nothing but better days and easier nights... and all I get back is a +1?
So much for good intentions, I guess.
At least give me a +3.☕

wiredmarlin29 said:Just a +1?
I don't get it. I'm here trying to show support, rooting for this community, and wishing everyone nothing but better days and easier nights... and all I get back is a +1?
So much for good intentions, I guess.
At least give me a +3.☕

Well, call me a clickbait artist then, because I'm officially signing off on that. Thanks for the sign-ups, everyone—wishing us all the best of luck. 🙂

My bad for not being clearer right away—damn, sometimes even online communication is a total disaster for me. In person, it’s even worse.

Even after pulling a solid ten-hour sleep—which, honestly, I probably needed after being out of commission for two weeks or so—I might actually find the motivation to shave today. My beard is getting ridiculous. I guess that’s what happens when you spend most of your time sleeping and living inside your own head. Anyway, I managed to scribble down a chorus for a song about Billie yesterday.

Song posted Monday, February 14, 2022
16:12:39

I know I won't cry, I know I never will, I know I won't cry, not like I did for you, Billie. I know I won't cry, I know I never will, I know I won't cry, not like I did for you, Billie, my one and only love, my everything.

Billie, Billie, my one and only love, Billie, Billie, my everything. Billie, Billie, my one and only love, Billie, Billie, my everything.

I thought I’d bump this thread since it somehow slipped all the way down to page three.

It was actually just 13 years ago that I went through my absolute worst episode and received a schizophrenia diagnosis. I spent six months in the hospital, staying there right up until Christmas 2009, and honestly, I still feel like I haven't fully recovered. It wasn't until I finished another four months of heavy medication that the doctors decided to scale back my dosage enough for me to handle a simple student job stocking beverage shelves at a local shopping mall. So, for ten months straight, I wasn't capable of doing anything at all. Even then, I struggled with this intense, subconscious feeling that I was being watched, even though my rational mind knew it wasn't true. Eventually, that sensation faded away.

What followed were several failed attempts at finishing college; I switched majors and moved from MIT to a technical institute, but I never quite crossed the finish line there either. I did get a bit lucky with work after my studies, managing to hold down a relatively straightforward but well-paying physical labor job for about two years. Then, everything hit at once—the pandemic arrived, followed by that major earthquake in Washington, D.C., which sent me spiraling back into a psychotic and somewhat arrogant mental state. Strangely enough, my brain convinced me the earthquake had been staged. But the most important thing is that during all of 2020, I stayed on my prescribed medication, which was a huge difference compared to how things were back in 2009.

Now, two years later, I find myself in a bit of a lethargic rut, unemployed and living alone. My mother passed away, and shortly after, I lost my job. I’m trying to take it one day at a time, but if I don't find something here soon, I'll be forced to move back to Washington, D.C. It’s not exactly where I want to go, but the job opportunities are much better there. I truly believe my life isn't over yet, and I can't allow myself to just retreat behind four walls at 35 and surrender to depression, loneliness, and being broke.

Harold Anderson3 said:I thought I’d bump this thread since it somehow slipped all the way down to page three.

It was actually just 13 years ago that I went through my absolute worst episode and received a schizophrenia diagnosis. I spent six months in the hospital, staying there right up until Christmas 2009, and honestly, I still feel like I haven't fully recovered. It wasn't until I finished another four months of heavy medication that the doctors decided to scale back my dosage enough for me to handle a simple student job stocking beverage shelves at a local shopping mall. So, for ten months straight, I wasn't capable of doing anything at all. Even then, I struggled with this intense, subconscious feeling that I was being watched, even though my rational mind knew it wasn't true. Eventually, that sensation faded away.

What followed were several failed attempts at finishing college; I switched majors and moved from MIT to a technical institute, but I never quite crossed the finish line there either. I did get a bit lucky with work after my studies, managing to hold down a relatively straightforward but well-paying physical labor job for about two years. Then, everything hit at once—the pandemic arrived, followed by that major earthquake in Washington, D.C., which sent me spiraling back into a psychotic and somewhat arrogant mental state. Strangely enough, my brain convinced me the earthquake had been staged. But the most important thing is that during all of 2020, I stayed on my prescribed medication, which was a huge difference compared to how things were back in 2009.

Now, two years later, I find myself in a bit of a lethargic rut, unemployed and living alone. My mother passed away, and shortly after, I lost my job. I’m trying to take it one day at a time, but if I don't find something here soon, I'll be forced to move back to Washington, D.C. It’s not exactly where I want to go, but the job opportunities are much better there. I truly believe my life isn't over yet, and I can't allow myself to just retreat behind four walls at 35 and surrender to depression, loneliness, and being broke.

Harold Anderson3, good luck with the job hunt, whatever happens!
If you ever end up back in Washington, D.C., you know where to find me. 😇😊

steelwalker13 said:Harold Anderson3, good luck with the job hunt, whatever happens!
If you ever end up back in Washington, D.C., you know where to find me. 😇😊

I wanted to follow up and let you know that, unfortunately, we won't be able to catch up. I actually ended up landing a job out here in the Midwest, working at a chip factory—it's the biggest one in the area and easily one of the most established companies in my town. I passed all the medical screenings, though the downside is that the pay is relatively low, even if it's decent enough for starting out, and the shifts can be pretty demanding. I was given an initial month-long contract, so now it's really just about proving myself as a reliable worker.

Harold Anderson3 said:I wanted to follow up and let you know that, unfortunately, we won't be able to catch up. I actually ended up landing a job out here in the Midwest, working at a chip factory—it's the biggest one in the area and easily one of the most established companies in my town. I passed all the medical screenings, though the downside is that the pay is relatively low, even if it's decent enough for starting out, and the shifts can be pretty demanding. I was given an initial month-long contract, so now it's really just about proving myself as a reliable worker.

And please, don't go trying to lift 110 pounds over there!

Nicholas Bailey3 said:And please, don't go trying to lift 110 pounds over there!

Haha, no way, I'm not doing that. I've already got enough on my plate—I actually need to scale back, not ramp things up. 🙂

Harold Anderson3 said:I wanted to follow up and let you know that, unfortunately, we won't be able to catch up. I actually ended up landing a job out here in the Midwest, working at a chip factory—it's the biggest one in the area and easily one of the most established companies in my town. I passed all the medical screenings, though the downside is that the pay is relatively low, even if it's decent enough for starting out, and the shifts can be pretty demanding. I was given an initial month-long contract, so now it's really just about proving myself as a reliable worker.

Wow, congrats!
I'm genuinely happy for you. 🥳🎉

Hey everyone! So, I’ve been diagnosed with F29. Last year was pretty rough—I went through my first and only psychotic episode, and honestly, it was a nightmare. I ended up being hospitalized against my will twice within just two months. It wasn't until after that second stay that things finally started to settle down. Currently, my med cocktail includes Effexor, Risset, Lamictal, and Parnassian. What’s really getting to me now, though, is what my doctor calls "negative symptoms." I'm talking a total lack of motivation, feeling totally numb, an inability to enjoy anything at all, and this lingering, low-key depression. How are you guys dealing with this stuff? And do you think these symptoms can actually fade away or at least become easier to live with?

Harold Anderson3 said:I wanted to follow up and let you know that, unfortunately, we won't be able to catch up. I actually ended up landing a job out here in the Midwest, working at a chip factory—it's the biggest one in the area and easily one of the most established companies in my town. I passed all the medical screenings, though the downside is that the pay is relatively low, even if it's decent enough for starting out, and the shifts can be pretty demanding. I was given an initial month-long contract, so now it's really just about proving myself as a reliable worker.

Nice one, Harold Anderson3 🙂

Good luck, @Harold Anderson3—I’m still sitting here waiting on my paperwork to clear, so fingers crossed everything goes smoothly

Nicholas Bailey3 said:And please, don't go trying to lift 110 pounds over there!

steelwalker13 said:Wow, congrats!
I'm genuinely happy for you. 🥳🎉

Joshua Perez6 said:Nice one, Harold Anderson3 🙂

Carol Barrett2 said:Good luck, @Harold Anderson3—I’m still sitting here waiting on my paperwork to clear, so fingers crossed everything goes smoothly

So, it looks like the job is off the table after all.
My doctor actually cleared me for the position on my medical forms, noting that I'm fully capable—with the small caveat that I shouldn't operate a forklift (which isn't an issue since I don't have a license for that anyway), but their occupational safety department won't let them hire me because of it. I honestly can't wrap my head around their logic. They already covered my medical exam costs 😢, and now they're just turning me away like this. So, it seems I'm still back on the hunt for work...$233

bluegardener said:Hey everyone! So, I’ve been diagnosed with F29. Last year was pretty rough—I went through my first and only psychotic episode, and honestly, it was a nightmare. I ended up being hospitalized against my will twice within just two months. It wasn't until after that second stay that things finally started to settle down. Currently, my med cocktail includes Effexor, Risset, Lamictal, and Parnassian. What’s really getting to me now, though, is what my doctor calls "negative symptoms." I'm talking a total lack of motivation, feeling totally numb, an inability to enjoy anything at all, and this lingering, low-key depression. How are you guys dealing with this stuff? And do you think these symptoms can actually fade away or at least become easier to live with?

I used to struggle quite heavily with those exact issues, though things are much more manageable for me now. Since I see you're taking Effexor, that's an antidepressant, which should hopefully help ease some of those depressive and negative symptoms. I've been managing schizophrenia for about 13 years now, and while dealing with occasional bouts of mini-psychosis, depression, or mania is almost inevitable, my main goal has always been to find a steady middle ground and stay as far from those extremes as possible. Wishing you the best.

Harold Anderson3 said:So, it looks like the job is off the table after all.
My doctor actually cleared me for the position on my medical forms, noting that I'm fully capable—with the small caveat that I shouldn't operate a forklift (which isn't an issue since I don't have a license for that anyway), but their occupational safety department won't let them hire me because of it. I honestly can't wrap my head around their logic. They already covered my medical exam costs 😢, and now they're just turning me away like this. So, it seems I'm still back on the hunt for work...$233

Dammit.
Who knows... Maybe life's just trying to push you toward a bigger city... somewhere else entirely.
Hang in there, you'll make it 🙂

Harold Anderson3 said:I used to struggle quite heavily with those exact issues, though things are much more manageable for me now. Since I see you're taking Effexor, that's an antidepressant, which should hopefully help ease some of those depressive and negative symptoms. I've been managing schizophrenia for about 13 years now, and while dealing with occasional bouts of mini-psychosis, depression, or mania is almost inevitable, my main goal has always been to find a steady middle ground and stay as far from those extremes as possible. Wishing you the best.

Speaking of emotions, how are you holding up? Are things feeling okay for you right now? Because man, this stuff is killing me—I feel like a total robot sometimes. I'm actually in the middle of switching up my antipsychotics because I keep bugging my doctor about how flat I feel. I'm swapping out Risset for Aripiprazole, so fingers crossed that helps bring some life back!

bluegardener said:Speaking of emotions, how are you holding up? Are things feeling okay for you right now? Because man, this stuff is killing me—I feel like a total robot sometimes. I'm actually in the middle of switching up my antipsychotics because I keep bugging my doctor about how flat I feel. I'm swapping out Risset for Aripiprazole, so fingers crossed that helps bring some life back!

It should help, mostly because Risset tends to ramp up those negative symptoms while Aripiprazole helps dial them back down. That said, neither one is a magic bullet; the effect is usually pretty subtle. Personally, I'm balancing Aripiprazole with Lexapro, along with Prozac and Latuda for the antidepressant side of things. At the end of the day, how you mentally process everything plays such a huge role too; medication is absolutely necessary, of course, but it can't do all the heavy lifting for you.