Overcoming Schizophrenia

A friend who is a caregiver has a daughter who was in jail. She shared with me how her daughter made requests and wanted to get out of jail. However, my friend was relived because her daughter was getting help. Immediately, I thought she's in a good place, not due to the environment and circumstances, but because she knew she was in jail.      Catatonia. It is a symptom of schizophrenia that may look different for everyone. I just got out of a meeting where someone's relative experienced catatonia, and their testimony brought me back to that detrimental state that I myself experienced some years back, which I'll never forget. It saddened me. For them and for my past.       For me being catatonic was being absent despite being physically present. I was not responding to anything. For me it was different from psychosis and hallucinations and delusions. While in those states of mind, I was responding to something. Unlike those symptoms, catatonia for me, ...

 In the previous blog article: "Depression: Lost Mail," I identified strategies to combat depression despite medication management where symptoms still dominate. Now I'll discuss ways that I manage lingering symptoms of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Medication is highly effective to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder for me. There are many pharmaceutical drugs that helps control symptoms. Classic symptoms of schizophrenia are hallucinations, delusions, and psychosis. Yet, several more symptoms take form which are not widely discussed enough. Typical symptoms of bipolar disorder include: mania, depression, mood swings, and more. Still, it is common for some of these symptoms to persist despite treatment. And, knowing the cues, studying the diagnosis, and learning myself is essential. I'll focus on lack of expression and tone of voice, irritability, and mood swings. First, lack of expression and tone of voice is a symptom of schizophrenia. A lot of times...

Recently, I lost an important piece of mail, it didn't make it to its destination. Still, all hope isn't lost. And, whether I get positive outcomes or not a piece of mail will be delivered even if I must replace it.  Losing mail is like having a low mood, but belief you will eventually overcome. Despite moments of contentment my depression steadily returns. Like many peers I am wondering why I am still depressed in spite of my commitment to medication management. Generally, my response is to tweak the medication with your doctor. However, "there is no magic pill" or "happy pill" to kill depression. There will be many battles to fight, but we will still win the war. Like so many instances, despite medication compliance some symptoms will linger like my schizophrenia and bipolar symptoms, which I'll tackle in another blog article. Likewise, depression is one of those situations where the mental illness overrides the effectiveness of medication.  However, w...

Sleep can be a coping skill, too. Many times, resting clears my thoughts and helps my mind reset. Sometimes I take a nap to regain my energy to finish the day stronger. Other times sleeping helps me take my thoughts away from an emotional rollercoaster after a disagreement. However, too much sleep can be a sign of depression.       Whether the trigger was a separation from your partner, loss of employment, financial hardship, loss of a loved one, or relationship issues, sleeping too much can be a tale tell indicator of depression. Depression can be a normal response, but when it sets in and effects an individual’s ability to function, take care of responsibilities, personal wellbeing, and inability to connect with others, this state of mind demands professional help.      Again, my energy drainer resurfaced. Still, I am coping with my depression. However, I’ve gained some relief by committing to the activities I’ll discuss in this blog article. Moreove...