Skip to main content

15-Year Blog Anniversary

The Let's Talk Project is funded by a grant from the Association for Psychological Science Fund for Teaching and Public Understanding of Psychological Science. The goal of Let's Talk is to share the expertise and experiences of BIPOC mental health researchers and providers, as well as clients living and thriving with mental health challenges.


In 2008, I followed through on my sister's suggestion and started an online journal. I titled this blog, Overcoming Schizophrenia, because I didn't look at myself as a sufferer and victim- I'm a warrior. 

    Initially, I blogged anonymously sharing my story. I reflected on the events that led to my diagnosis and my dreadful experiences living with schizophrenia. I was frank, and still is, about my journey of recovery from day #1. Even though I didn't know what my life would look like I pressed forward by participating in group therapy and volunteering. I had some fears that were stigma internalized, and still have challenges with stigma. However, I choose to focus on hope for better days.

    Over the years, I've learned a lot about schizophrenia and strategies to manage. For example, my coping skills include: therapy, medication and supplements, praise and worship, exercising, taking care of my dogs, and keeping a routine. First, and foremost, recovery is possible in spite of the universal miseducation that lasts through time and distance. My doctor gave me two pieces of wisdom in controlling the condition: 1) control your stress and 2) take your medication; which I work hard on everyday.

    Still, that advice is helpful. Yet, if I were to share three pieces of wisdom for caregivers I would emphasize the importance of 1) offering choices, 2) learning our triggers and warning signs, and 3) and taking notes for coping tips and information to share with the treatment team. Advice for my peers is 1) identify your triggers, 2) keep a support system, and 3) learn and recycle your coping tools. 

    I've endured three hospitalizations and two arrests with my family. While my wellness tools help me everyday, I know they are not a cure and that another setback may occur. Today, I am not afraid of a potential mental health crisis- I have experience! And, my family. I'm confident I'll overcome another breakdown. I have my faith and I'm a fighter. I'll survive this condition no matter what.

    Finally, continue to learn yourself, embrace your self-care rituals, and believe you can overcome schizophrenia, too, because it's possible- I'm proof!


To Learn More about Schizophrenia and Related Conditions and Resources- review the following links:

Comments

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...

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...

Learning more about my Symptoms and Diagnosis

A few weeks ago I asked the question: "Mania or Something Else?" ... Well, I got an answer to my question, plus some! I visited my doctor a couple of weeks ago and he confirmed I was experiencing "hypo-mania," which is what fellow blogger assumed I was experiencing. To my understanding hypo-mania is similar to mania however not as extreme where incidents lead to harsh consequences like arrests. When I was in this state of mind I was obsessed with working on my laptop, I blogged more frequently than usual, and I felt like I was on an upward swing, which was a little unusual, this lasted for about a week and then quickly spiraled down into irritability. After sharing how I was feeling with my doctor we tweaked my medication... I am glad I have a better understanding of myself, now I know how to identify my hypo-mania moments! However, my discussion with my doctor lead to another indept discussion- I shared previous moments of hypo-mania which as a result m...