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Keeping My Head Above Water

In this stage of my depression, I recognize it was triggered by loss of work. Like many Americans, I'm seeking employment, and I am not the only one struggling to manage my mental health.       Most days, I'm waking up later and later than before. I'm grateful my son doesn't see me struggling. My sister has my son for the school year which is helping me overcome times like this. While acknowledging my depression I strive to improve my outlook and have a productive day. Start with Focus      Combating the low moods starts with preparation. I'd prepare myself for the day by either by creating a "things to do" list the night before or beginning of the day. Striving to stay focused, I listen to motivational speakers talk about entrepreneurship and self-improvement tips. I start my day reflecting on their words and this cuts procrastination and allows me to control self-defeating thoughts. Self-Care and Self-Confidence      Focusing on my sel...
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Interview with Tony Mantor on the Why Not Me the World Podcast: From Crisis to Advocacy

  I appreciate the opportunity to share my story with Tony Mantor and the mental health community. This interview is one of many presented throughout the month of May on his show. Sharing my recovery story is my way of contributing to the anti-stigma campaign for mental health awareness. I had a great interview experience with Tony while reflecting on the events which led to my diagnosis of schizophrenia. My story is one of countless that shows the unfortunate link between mental health and the judicial system... For May Mental Health Awareness Month, veteran Nashville music producer and podcast host, Tony Mantor, continues to present daily mental health-related interviews for the Humanity Over Handcuffs: The Silent Special Series on Why Not Me The World Podcast, commemorating the start of Autism Acceptance Month in April.  "The series purpose is to refrain from assigning blame, and instead focus on developing solution driven strategies," Mantor said about the new podcast ser...
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Guest Blogger - Reality Testing (90Health)

The following blog article was written by Scott Bernard... Thank you, Scott for sharing the information. This type of support will undoubtedly help countless individuals. As individuals with schizophrenia can relate, different people can express very different transitions between psychosis and their baseline state. Some individuals experience the transition as an on-off switch. Initially they may have near perfect insight into the cause of their hallucinations, and the flawed logic behind their delusional thoughts. Then suddenly, they may lose nearly all insight into their condition, and whole wholeheartedly believing in their delusional thoughts, or having trouble differentiating their hallucinations from reality. Then there is another group of individuals who possess a level of insight which tends to fluctuate up or down more gradually. Rather than going from a complete understanding of the cause of symptoms, to a complete lack of insight into the driver of their symptoms, this group...
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Self-Monitoring

It's not the medicine that reminds me I have a diagnosis; it's ongoing self-monitoring.  Every day I follow my self-care regimen. It helps me; rejuvenates me and enhances my functioning. I embrace it.  Frequently, I take steps back to redirect and regroup in order to move forward. Lately, I've been working diligently on projects and striving to uphold that beast mode to get positive results. However, I must force myself to slow down to control stress. Even if it's created by good stressors. Even if I'm determined to finish something and pull an all-nighter, I stop myself and go to bed at a decent hour. I don't want to activate mania and it to worsen into my schizophrenia symptoms. When I'm working hard on tasks, I must increase my self-care rituals. That means making time to practice more stress reduction techniques to boost my energy and uphold that drive. Sometimes, I take a brisk walk around my neighborhood. Other times I stop to listen to nature sounds t...
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