Overcoming Schizophrenia

          I had a terrific interview with Sam an individual living with autism who is also a postdoctoral researcher. Frequently, he interviews people who are living with autism and other mental health conditions.       I enjoyed our interview because he allowed me the opportunity to discuss a lot of different aspects of living in recovery. Our interview focuses on a wide range of topics including schizophrenia symptoms, parenting with a diagnosis, advocacy, romantic relationships, caregivers - my recovery experience.       Do watch this video and learn more about my story and how an individual could cope with a diagnosis such as mine; schizoaffective disorder (bipolar disorder, depression and schizophrenia). I encourage you to review his other interviews as well and to subscribe to his YouTube channel, All Neurotypes Office; www.youtube.com/@allneurotypesoffice7037 and check out his website: www.allneurotypes.com ...

This is a powerful interview because it shares not only my journey in recovery but how I've managed my parenting challenges. The interview discusses my blogging beginnings and especially the stigma of mental illness. Listen to my specific segment starting on 31 minutes into the interview. Click here here to listen. Thank you,  Kaia Findlay and Anita Rao on North Carolina Public Radio.

In my interview with Lauren from Living Well With Schizophrenia we discuss some of the challenges of parenting while living with a diagnosis such as schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder. As a mental health advocate I aim to continue to empower you with information to change perspectives that is to fight the stigma of mental illness, and to connect.  In short, Lauren and I talk about my experience in recovery and how I manage symptoms and crisis as a mother... This is the first of a few interviews that we did.  To learn more about Lauren's advocacy and recovery story subscribe to her YouTube channel, and visit her website, Living Well With Schizophrenia:  https://www.livingwellwithschizophrenia.org/ Thank you Lauren and Rob for the opportunity to provide insight into this much needed discussion for hope and awareness. For our viewers- thank you.

When my eight-year old son said I looked tired and stressed I knew I had to work harder on my health plan. His little voice was on replay in my ear. Generally, he does not talk to me in this manner, but he was concerned and also suggested I take a nap. I understood the subtle attack on my health which my stress created. I had to act quick to prevent crisis and redirect my focus on strengthening my wellness routine.  Therefore, I went on overtime to manage my stress and reverted back to those coping strategies that helped in the past. This meant disciplining my mind to engage in more reading, concentrate on completing word search puzzles, walking around my neighborhood more than once a day, and repeating affirmations, and listening to motivational speakers for more positive messages in order to uphold healthy and productive thoughts. Whenever I cannot sleep I force myself to get out of bed and to carryout activities that will help relax my mind. I read self-development bo...

Living in recovery is challenging, however, it is a part of life for many individuals. Mental illness is more common than not. People with mental health conditions also parent. Despite mental health crisis peers can still manage recovery, and family. I am a lived experience expert on schizophrenia. I persevered through a range of issues related to my diagnosis. I have been in recovery for a few years, and experienced a lot, such as the severe schizophrenia-related symptoms, court-ordered hospitalization, housing discrimination, and projected stereotypes. Still, I work on myself, job, and parenting skills. I am a mother of one. My child is seven years old. Mental illness is a problematic medical condition, but it can be managed with adequate support, treatment, and coping skills. I engage in therapy and traditional treatment, or medication, to help maintain wellness. I practice a lot of coping skills to manage daily. For example, I walk every day, journal, and listen to mus...