Overcoming Schizophrenia

I'm grateful for my sanity- I've learned not to take it for granted. I'm grateful for my health insurance and effectiveness of my medications to keep symptoms at bay. More importantly, I'm grateful for my family and extended family (friends). I'm able to bounce back because I have a solid support system and treatment team. Modeling Recovery When my family and I learned about my schizophrenia we didn't know what to expect nor what recovery could look like. Back in 2007, when I was diagnosed, there weren't people- black nor white disclosing their illness on public platforms like YouTube and social media.      There was nobody to model recovery for me- being a young black woman. However, I saw the movie with Diana Ross- Out of the Darkness. A movie made for television about a young African-American female living with schizophrenia. In short, she dropped out of medical school and suffered with her diagnosis. Fortunately, she got involved in her recovery and star...

 Defining Self-Stigma I define stigma as the universal unspoken code of discriminatory beliefs, misinformation, blame, and distain for us- people living with a mental health diagnosis. Examples of the stigma is undeniably found in routine discriminatory practices of disqualifying us in housing and objection to receiving different services and getting opportunities.  Also, ostracizing us in our communities and holding negative assumptions such as being prone to violence. Self-stigma are those negative beliefs turned inward but it goes deeper. It translates into the mindset of "I can'ts," and "I'll never be able to..." Being stuck in that mode of thinking. Gaining Acceptance My recovery foundation started at a psychiatric hospital in California. I was fortunate to have an enthusiastic doctor who believed recovery is possible. This made belief in myself attainable. Accepting my diagnosis became a lot easier when my doctor told me I can go back to school. I had ...

 How can you be a caregiver from a distance? What practices can caregivers implement to meet the needs of the individual?      My step-father is my caregiver. Yet, we live in different states. Still, he's my caregiver and we practice a great system to accommodate my needs especially in crisis. The Trust Factor There are a few elements to maintaining a healthy working partnership- trust and communication. It's challenging at times but manageable.      Trust demands understanding, loyalty, and respect. Whether I'm well or not he listens to me. For example, when I was last hospitalized I gave him direction on who I want to care for my son until I returned home.      We've had three-way conversations with my doctor. My step-father knows me well and can identify subtle signs when I need more support to share that information with my doctor. Communication is Key I've sent him selfies on the phone and he could tell by looking at my e...

Stress, genetics, and life disruptions effects our mental health. Stress is a common trigger for health conditions. Depression is an uncomfortable stage of existence. It's like being out of shape and trying to run a mile. Knowingly starting the mile at a disadvantage. Being out of breath and eventually walking it out portrays a snit bit of the internal battles I live with every day. Depression the Quicksand My depression tries to rob me of my peace to manage daily events. Poor hygiene and high anxiety threatens my livelihood and routine. Depression reinforces how low energy, mood, and lack of motivation to keep moving lessens my quality of life. For me it's like walking in quicksand and reaching for help in any way possible yet unable to get out.     Signals that low moods are dominating my life is the severely heightened need to sleep longer hours and take three-hour naps. Getting inadequate rest after 12 hours of sleeping. When my depression worsens it effects my pay, ...

In this blog article I reflect on my last hospitalization that took place a couple of years ago. I share my process of recuperation. Provide insight on strategies to maintain support and guidance with caregiver and the treatment team. Give tips for you and your loved ones on how to manage the recovery process after hospitalization. Schizophrenia's Mind Wars Early warning signs my mental health is spiraling out of control begins with poor sleeping patterns. Specifically, not sleeping enough. Excessive energy to pull all-nighters. Followed by delusions and a range of false beliefs.     Mine starts with obsessive thoughts and hyper-religious ideas. Frequently, I'm a victim of situations. Recurring ideas of being spied on and followed. My train of thought runs rampant and uproots hallucinations. Going into the Hospital My last hospitalization was in 2022. Initially, I was ordered by my doctor into an in-patient facility. However, released within 72 hours despite my symptoms ...

Enjoy reading this blog? Continue diving into my world of recovery by looking at my blog books. I've reduced the price of all three for the holidays: What's on My Mind? Volume I, Revised Edition, A Collection of Blog Entries from Overcoming Schizophrenia What's on My Mind? Volume II, Coping Takes Work What's on My Mind? Volume III, Controlling the Weight of Depression Click here to visit Ashley's Author Page. What's on My Mind? Volume I, Revised Edition, A Collection of Blog Entries from Overcoming Schizophrenia This is a must read because it's provides a closer look inside my mind during the traumas of being engulfed in my symptoms of schizophrenia but also the triumphs of recovery. It is a record of the beginnings of my recovery and advocacy work. What's on My Mind? Volume II, Coping Takes Work This is a great read that encourages you to consider therapy. Coping Takes Work discusses the benefits of therapy and offers a wide range of coping skills that ...

I'm a mental health support person and take pride in my work assisting others on their recovery journey. My position enables me to work on treatment teams alongside mental health professionals such as psychiatrists, therapists, case managers, and substance abuse counselors.       My job is important because I can better relate to peers with mental health conditions. Encouraging them to press forward in spite of living with a brain disorder that can be debilitating. This position is highly effective, needed, and growing nationwide. The Certified Peer Specialist Peer support is a growing element in treatment services. It's a Medicaid-billable service here in Georgia. Mental health support persons work with clinicians an peers in recovery to promote healthy coping tools and lifestyle habits.      The position is titled, certified peer specialist or CPS. Our job is to model recovery and share our stories when relevant. Moreover, educate peers on their m...

These last few months have shown me how my mental health symptoms comes to the surface in cycles. That's my bipolar element of the schizoaffective disorder. Living with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder can be rough therefore I appreciate my good days when I can get more work done and boost my self-confidence through completing different tasks.     For a while I was waking up tired. Mentally drained without reason. I felt exhausted and unmotivated. Sometimes, I slept my days away.      I'm grateful for my good days. Lately, I've had better days. Now I can get out of bed more easily and concentrate on the tasks at hand to complete assignments. I'm proud of myself for doing the small tasks like house chores and other responsibilities such as work.     I found a way to work smarter and not harder. I'm thankful for what I can achieve. Whenever I pray I give thanks to my higher power for my sanity. I don't take these things for granted.     I've ...

What does your depression look like? How do you fix your face? What can you do to overcome? I woke up to another dreary day. My sight was off as if my glasses were smudged. The fog was thick. My dogs got  me out of bed. They impatiently sat next to me. They took turns pouncing on the edges of my bed to lick me and get me up which is our norm nowadays. Eventually, I gave in to their requests and took them outside.       Afterwards, I distanced myself from them to crawl back into my dark cave. Swiftly, I fell into a deep sleep that was a three-hour nap as usual. This was my first nap of the day. Later, I would retreat into another long nap.      What does your struggle look like? For me, it's struggling to get out of bed. Struggling to manage my hygiene everyday. Struggling to fix my face with the proper mask. Struggling to keep the common areas tidy. Struggling to improve my mood. Struggling... And, struggling some more. Yet, I recognize that I can...

  Lately, I've been writing articles for a schizophrenia group. Click here to learn more....

Image via  Freepik This post was written by Adam C. on living with schizophrenia. Adam continues to contribute great articles that provide effective approaches to managing recovery. I encourage you to read and share your thoughts.  Additional articles written by Adam on the Overcoming Schizophrenia Blog include the following and more: 8 Mental Health Tips for Living With Schizophrenia Get Through These Major Life Changes While Living With Schizophrenia Improving Your Self-Esteem for a More Well-Rounded Life For Addicts, Recovery Means Creating a New Life Stepping Stones: A Journey Through Change with Schizophrenia Navigating life with schizophrenia presents unique challenges, yet it also offers exceptional opportunities for personal transformation. Embracing significant life changes can foster resilience, opening doors to new paths and possibilities. This journey isn't just about managing symptoms; it's about leveraging change to enhance personal growth and well-being. T...

  This interview dives into the beginning of my recovery dealing with my breakdown and legal intervention which is more common than not. Watch and share, thank you! I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of this project... 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.

 My story is featured in the Schizophrenia Oral History Project. In 2017, I shared my experience in recovery with this group. Thank you, Dr. Tracy McDonough for our interview. Click here here to review.

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.

 May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Join me at my book signing 1-7pm at the Nubian Bookstore, 1540 Southlake Pkwy, Morrow, GA 30260. I would love to meet you. Purchase your copy and share. Thank you for your support!

  May is Mental Health Awareness Month. I was interviewed on the SHARE IT WITH CHARLOTTE PODCAST. This is my favorite interview of all time. I enjoyed our conversation. Thank you, Charlotte Lewis for this opportunity to share my recovery story and books. Watch, subscribe, share, comment, and enjoy!

I am very excited to share another blog book with you! I hope you will read it, share it and let me know how you're doing.  amazon.com/author/smithashley Here's an overview of my book:      The book, What's on My Mind? Volume III, Controlling the Weight of Depression is a collection of blog articles from Overcoming Schizophrenia. The articles detail the recovery journey of blogger, advocate, and author, Ashley Smith.      The blog posts cover Ashley's experience with mental health that is examined over the course of 2019 to 2024. Her story shows resiliency at work offering hope, awareness, and strategies to control your depression and keep pressing forward.      The blog entries are uplifting and promote healthy lifestyle habits such as meditation, therapy, exercise, journaling, and a wide range of coping techniques that will undoubtedly help you get a handle on your depression and feel better.      Ashley's message is cl...

 Was there ever a time that you refused to take the meds and how did you finally decide to?  Thank you asking me this question, because it's common and a great discussion. Initially, I refused medication simply because I didn't understand why? One day they started giving me pills. Without a warning, lesson, explanation, handout, or anything! Kinda like, here take this with this tiny paper cup of water and open your mouth to prove it.       It was routine in jail, but I wasn't required to take meds like everyone else before. Therefore, I refused. This worked until one day they threatened to get others involved to force medicate me and administer an injection. I challenged them. Do it! - Was my attitude.       Guards dressed like the S.W.A.T. team rushed in and restrained me. They were quite dramatic because at that point I didn't put up a fight and just laid there while they restrained me. Eventually, when I came out of being stuck and fo...

 How difficult was it to find the right doctor and would you say the mental health system is better in Georgia?  Thank you for this question. In short, I've experienced two states for treatment- California and Georgia. Both offer quality care based on the diverse programs they offer (clubhouses, peer support led centers, respite centers, and more). However, finding that doctor- there will be good ones and not so good ones everywhere.      I've been with my doctor for over 14 years and my therapist over 7 years. Partnering with your provider is essential. I encourage you to participate in your sessions by asking questions. "You get out of it whatever you put in it." I provide my therapist with an agenda every session to cover my pressing concerns and stresses.      Because these sessions are short it is imperative you come prepared to make them work for you. This is extremely important if you have limited options based on distance and transportatio...

For many years I've struggled with symptoms of depression and fight hard to control it. Low mood can manifest in several ways. For me, depression is war on energy, motivation, hygiene, concentration, productivity, anxiety, memory, and the pain of it all. Not being able to function at the level I'm capable of. The inability to finish tasks which used to be second-hand nature, easy and simple. After years of ongoing medication changes I've developed the right approach to conquer my depression with my doctor. Now I take two antidepressant medications, a mood stabilizer, and antipsychotic. Yet, that's only a fraction of the story to overcoming my challenges with symptoms.      I fight the mind wars everyday. In fact, earlier today I fought with myself to get out of bed to take my medicine in order to control the day's battles. My mountain was the burden and challenges to gathering enough energy to get up and move. I laid in bed playing out the role in my head. I envisio...

This morning I slept in, but that was nothing new. These days my depression wins the battles, however, I believe I can still win the war. My dogs got me up and out of bed to go outside. It was about 40 degrees- good thing they were fast at using it. I ran an errand for household supplies. Then decided to cook myself something filling- grits. The bare minimum- no eggs, sausage, nor toast, just grits. Yet, I was proud of myself for that because it required energy which I was able to build on. Now I have my crockpot on and will cook some soup.      I've been struggling for a long time. My doctor and I have been tweaking my medication for years. Now I'm on two anti-depressants, a mood stabilizer, and an anti-psychotic. Still, I'm hopeful we will find a better medication cocktail. It seems the medication changes and dosage adjustments initially boosts my energy every time, this helps bring self-motivation and better days. However, shortly afterwards that great mood and morale...