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Gratitude

I'm grateful for my sanity- I've learned not to take it for granted. I'm grateful for my health insurance and effectiveness of my medications to keep symptoms at bay. More importantly, I'm grateful for my family and extended family (friends). I'm able to bounce back because I have a solid support system and treatment team. Modeling Recovery When my family and I learned about my schizophrenia we didn't know what to expect nor what recovery could look like. Back in 2007, when I was diagnosed, there weren't people- black nor white disclosing their illness on public platforms like YouTube and social media.      There was nobody to model recovery for me- being a young black woman. However, I saw the movie with Diana Ross- Out of the Darkness. A movie made for television about a young African-American female living with schizophrenia. In short, she dropped out of medical school and suffered with her diagnosis. Fortunately, she got involved in her recovery and star...
Recent posts

Burying the Self-Stigma

 Defining Self-Stigma I define stigma as the universal unspoken code of discriminatory beliefs, misinformation, blame, and distain for us- people living with a mental health diagnosis. Examples of the stigma is undeniably found in routine discriminatory practices of disqualifying us in housing and objection to receiving different services and getting opportunities.  Also, ostracizing us in our communities and holding negative assumptions such as being prone to violence. Self-stigma are those negative beliefs turned inward but it goes deeper. It translates into the mindset of "I can'ts," and "I'll never be able to..." Being stuck in that mode of thinking. Gaining Acceptance My recovery foundation started at a psychiatric hospital in California. I was fortunate to have an enthusiastic doctor who believed recovery is possible. This made belief in myself attainable. Accepting my diagnosis became a lot easier when my doctor told me I can go back to school. I had ...

Trust Factor: Working With an Out-of-State Caregiver

 How can you be a caregiver from a distance? What practices can caregivers implement to meet the needs of the individual?      My step-father is my caregiver. Yet, we live in different states. Still, he's my caregiver and we practice a great system to accommodate my needs especially in crisis. The Trust Factor There are a few elements to maintaining a healthy working partnership- trust and communication. It's challenging at times but manageable.      Trust demands understanding, loyalty, and respect. Whether I'm well or not he listens to me. For example, when I was last hospitalized I gave him direction on who I want to care for my son until I returned home.      We've had three-way conversations with my doctor. My step-father knows me well and can identify subtle signs when I need more support to share that information with my doctor. Communication is Key I've sent him selfies on the phone and he could tell by looking at my e...

Managing Depression and Schizophrenia: Methods to Combating the Quicksand of Symptoms

Stress, genetics, and life disruptions effects our mental health. Stress is a common trigger for health conditions. Depression is an uncomfortable stage of existence. It's like being out of shape and trying to run a mile. Knowingly starting the mile at a disadvantage. Being out of breath and eventually walking it out portrays a snit bit of the internal battles I live with every day. Depression the Quicksand My depression tries to rob me of my peace to manage daily events. Poor hygiene and high anxiety threatens my livelihood and routine. Depression reinforces how low energy, mood, and lack of motivation to keep moving lessens my quality of life. For me it's like walking in quicksand and reaching for help in any way possible yet unable to get out.     Signals that low moods are dominating my life is the severely heightened need to sleep longer hours and take three-hour naps. Getting inadequate rest after 12 hours of sleeping. When my depression worsens it effects my pay, ...