Skip to main content

My Creed

Now that I am aware of my mental illness and is recovering from schizophrenia I can help myself and others by promising myself to...

1) Take my medication regularly. I know that without medication I have a high chance of a relapse, recurring symptoms, and going back to the hospital.

2) Educate myself on this illness. I agree that "knowledge is power," and with it I can accomplish a lot. Researching information on schizophrenia will keep me aware of symptoms and news.

3) Tell my doctor if I have recurring symptoms. My doctor is there to assist and to provide solutions for me.

4) Ask for help when I need it. Going to the hospital is not punishment, it is to get well again. So if I feel that it is needed, I will ask for help.

5) Educate my immediate family on the illness. I will share my knowledge with the illness with family to further encourage support.

6) Support others. I will share my experience and offer advice to others with schizophrenia or relatives of those with schizophrenia.

7) Listen to allies. Listen to someone that I can trust, they may see changes in me that I cannot see, and be concerned that I may show recurring symptoms. I will listen to their concerns and seek professional assistance.

Comments

I Am Who I Am said…
Witnessing your commitment to fight this disorder is very inspiring. Rock on!
Laura said…
Knowing how to look after yourself through medication, support, and education is key to recovery. Good for you for doing such a great job.
Kim said…
Sorry Ashley I still don't have enough blogs in Health category may be you can suggest your followers to submit their blogs. And I had one more thing to share with you since last few days I too was bit distressed but now I am feeling better (my exams are approaching). Thats why I couldn't market much. Please be patient. I too am testing waters in this blogging world.
Anonymous said…
Those are 7 awesome commitments. Staying healthy and working those 7 things will help you and a great many. Thank you for sharing them.
aries28 said…
You are right on all counts. My oldest Son has OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and anxiety, this has been a struggle foe mw as well as him. He just moved into his own apartment a few weeks ago, not fully staying there, it will take sometime, if he doesn't take his meds that causes huge problems. I know you are on the right track and I think of you often. I help my Son and always will because I know he and YOU can DO IT! Enjoy everyday! Peace!

Popular posts from this blog

Religious Preoccupation

After a talk, a woman asked me if my faith contributed to my recovery because she noticed that I mentioned it throughout my speech. In addition to that, she told me that she observed people with faith as having a better outcome in their mental health recovery. First, I came from a family with Christian values. My faith in God started to get intense during the latter years of high school, which in my opinion, is when I started having symptoms. In my experience religion plays a major role in my mental health- its delusions, its coping skills, and in my recovery. In medical terms they call my religious rituals and delusions "religious preoccupation." Before I was diagnosed I was highly religious. In fact, I wanted to be an evangelist and to go to a Christian college. I would read my Bible for several hours a day throughout the day, listen to hymns, and meditate. Sometimes I would ignore people if they wanted my attention while I was meditating I was in such deep thought. Also, I...

What Is Remission?

Remission is the absence of symptoms for at least six months with the support of medication. In other words, a doctor who has never seen you before may not diagnose you as a person with schizophrenia anymore. Remission is also high functioning in several aspects of life, living independently, goinig to school or to work, and socializing with other people. However, this does not mean the patient is cured or the illness has went away, the illness is still present, however, under control. Remission is achieved with the assistance of medication. "Published studies suggest that 10% to 20% of people with schizophrenia have remission of their illness as they get older, 20% get worse, but in a large majority (60% to 70%), the course of illness remains relatively unchanged." To reach remission it is recommended that you aim for a stress-free environment. Therefore, do things to relieve stress such as journaling, exercising, talking to friends, listening to or creating music, making a...

The Path that God Chose for Me

I am not upset that I have schizophrenia, this is the life God chose for me. The other day I was telling my mother I am glad I took a break from school, but I wish I had taken it sooner so that I could have recognized my illness sooner. She reminded me that everything happens for a reason, and that had I took a break sooner I would not have been able to know my full potential in college and in life. I went to college and got really involved in it through sports, internships, and mentoring peers. I was involved in so many things, school, church, home, friends, family, you name it! She was right, I am glad I took the path I took. I did not always have schizophrenia, but now that I have it I will work hard to overcome it. I try not to use the word schizophrenic because that identifies the person by their illness and that isn't fair. I am Ashley and I have schizophrenia. I will not let it limit my potential or define who I am. I can and will overcome these symptoms with medication, the...