Skip to main content

Tough Decisions Part II

This post is for the individual living with schizophrenia and is making a change.

After my diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia loved ones gave me many suggestions as to how to handle my illness. When you have a serious illness people will try to direct your path, out of love, however, you have to make the ultimate decision. After I was released from the institution I had to make a lot of decisions about my lifestyle. The issues that demanded attention was whether I would apply for disability benefits and live in independent living.

Family was very supportive of me applying for disability benefits because they wanted me to get well and to adjust to my newly diagnosed illness. I was hesitant about applying for benefits because I wanted to hurry up and get back into the flow of things I used to do. In the end, I applied for Supplement Security Income and was approved, however, it took five months for benefits to be distributed. I am glad I took advantage of this benefit because of less financial stress and time to learn me all over again.

Some relatives were hesitant about me moving into a home such as independent living because they wanted me to live with them. Independent living facilities provide assistance with distribution of medication, meals, and offer connections to therapy and recreational activities off site. Independent living is also great for feeling independent, which is why I chose that alternative. I am glad I chose independent living because I got to take advantage of my life and to do the things I want and need to do. While I was living there I befriended other women with mental illnesses, went to doctor appointments on my own, and participated in a clubhouse regularly. The experience showed me what I needed to do to take care of myself living with schizophrenia.

If you are being pulled in different directions about disability benefits, independent living, or other important decisions other people have experienced this too. However, you have to the final decision, so stay on medication so that you can think clearly and make good decisions.

To learn more about schizophrenia and to get support visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness or Schizophrenia Society of Novia Scotia (Canada).

Comments

Anonymous said…
My family would never let me live in independent living. I don't think it's bad. They don't really get why I wanted to live in a home like that. They thought I was just being "crazy"

I live in an apartment with my autistic brother. I'm learning how to live independently even though I am not in an independent living home. They pretty much wanted my brother to be there to watch me... so that I didn't kill myself. I guess it was my family's kind of way of giving me independent living. In a twisted kind of way.

I guess family will never completely understand. They can understand some things... but some things can't be understood until one goes through it themselves.

<3 Stephanie

Popular posts from this blog

No, Please, That's Not Me

Prior to my diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia I did some things that I am not proud of. Now that I look back on things I blame my illness for my poor judgment. I am by no means condoning the behavior I carried out, and will share with you here. I will provide a few instances where my behavior was unlike me and caused an uproar. This post shows how schizophrenia affects other people. This post is for the family members and friends of people with schizophrenia, or showing bizarre behaviors. First, I asked my mother permission to give my friend a statue that was in my mother's house. My mother agreed to give my friend the statue, however, I took her permission a step further to get rid of what she had at my discretion. At the time I did not live with my mother who was away on a business trip. My mother buys and sells things so she had a lot of collectibles, antiques, and other interesting stuff. While my friend and me were in my mother's house my friend saw a lot of stuff that s

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

by A Guest Blogger: For Addicts, Recovery Means Creating a New Life

If you’re struggling to maintain your sobriety, you aren’t alone. There are millions of fighters just like you working toward reclaiming their lives from drugs and alcohol. There are a few common traits that many successful recovering addicts share. Keep reading to find out what they are and how you can follow in their footsteps. They establish new patterns You can’t continue to live your life the same was you did when you were using. You must change and adapt to your newfound sobriety. Consider a career change; many recovering addicts find they have more success by starting their own business. One career that is easy to enter is dog walking. As a dog walker , you’ll reap many rewards including getting to spend time with dogs, which can actually boost your recovery efforts and stave off depression. Dogs have been used as part of a treatment plan for users as young as 11 and come with the added benefit of helping you stay physically active. Plus, being with