Overcoming Schizophrenia

Over the years, I’ve gained insight on living with schizoaffective disorder. Identifying my triggers, warning signs and needs. Living with a diagnosis is challenging. The greatest trigger - excessive stress.  How can we maintain balance when life is stressful? Can an individual ever classify themselves in a “safe zone?” Your Support Network is Crucial Since my diagnosis in 2007, and periodic medical setbacks, I’ve recognized how I'm susceptible to highly intense situations that can upset my balance. In the past, I didn’t consider myself fragile. I thought I could control my illness and for 11 years I did. Yet, I couldn’t outrun, deny, nor overlook the breath of chaos that eventually came back to consume my mind and create havoc for me and my family. I’ve had three hospitalizations and two arrests.  Based on my experience, the greatest antidote to controlling breakdowns is having a strong support system, but what does that mean? Mobilizing your support network and being prepare...

Surviving life is hard enough in itself, and living with a diagnosis is tough. However, recovery is about working on self and building coping tools to manage the brain condition. The effort into getting well after hospitalization is resiliency at its best.      I define recuperating as the process of creating comfort, building stability, and focusing on developing wellbeing. Recovering after a hospitalization is a journey. I believe each of us should recognize our diligence at recuperating and be proud of ourselves.      After every hospitalization I've developed more insight. I was hospitalized earlier this year and my recuperation stage focused on routine to get me into a good place. Here I'll share 7 methods to recuperating after a hospitalization. 1. Medication. I've learned that it's important to discuss any questions about administering medication with a doctor or pharmacist to minimize complications. In the past, I assumed taking medication at any...

     When I was trapped in my mind's chaos I did not recognize the signals to seek heightened professional treatment. The signals were people's strange facial expressions as they stared at me, my family's determination to see me voluntarily hospitalized, my poor appetite and sleeping routine, and my aimless desires, which consistently shifted and even confused me. I said things that sounded bizarre, but I could not challenge them because my focus sporadically changed to the next thing before I gave it consideration.      I have a good memory and could recall difficult moments. Those times when I was ignored, dismissed, and overlooked. I remember those close to me who I thought would be some of my greatest advocates, but disappointed me. I choose to focus on the solution and not my sad incidents with people. More importantly, I know the individuals who took the time to investigate my situation, and tried to help.      I choose to focus on the ...

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 ...

I have a lot to say, however, I am hesitant to blog about it, because I am working on a couple of books. I will publish a collective piece with peers, and also publish my follow up book to What's On My Mind? later this year (2017). While I am excited to share my recovery journey I am frequently challenged by the ability to appropriately delegate my writings between the blog and book. My "Overcoming Schizophrenia" blog is still my healthy outlet and love... I appreciate all readers and strive to give my love to them forever through my self-expressive writings in order to relate, educate, and to further empower our growing recovery community and tight-knit recovery network; online and in-person. In fact, there have been many times when I got on my laptop to develop a blog entry on life lessons of my recovery, but chose not to complete it in order to convert it into a chapter in my book. Once, I valued my Bible more than anything...then it was my journal; like a safe...

My fingers were itching to share more about my experience on managing mental illness, to write and to share my thoughts, my therapy. I let my mind wonder and started writing a poem. I don't have a lot of experience writing poems but I ventured off into another form of expression. Below is the poem I wrote: My Version of Hope by Ashley Smith I feel a better me is yet to come,   No more naive decisions that make me feel dumb.  Limitless opportunities are on the way, I believe I know what I want and how not to stray.  I see myself as the individual I long to be- free, confident, and classy,  My experiences cannot stop me, Not schizophrenia and depression nor anxiety. Because ingrained in me is an overcomer of adversity. Now I understand how to strive in my recovery, But I cannot take all the credit when it took a caring party. I give thanks to my treatment team, family and peers, Including those online that opened up...

I need to create a better crisis plan because my current plan involves me addressing concerns to my treatment team, which is also needed, but I should include some members of my support network into my crisis plan. I realized my crisis plan needed improvement when I  hesitated on a couple of questions, for example: "who do you want to make decisions for you in the event you can't?" This shows me that I need to sit down with a couple of individuals in my immediate circle to make sure they understand my preferences and how I would like to be treated in the event I need them to make decisions for me.  Do you have a crisis plan? Are your supporters aware of your preferences in the event of a crisis? To learn more about schizophrenia visit NAMI, Choices in Recovery, and Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia (Canada).

I am against using my diagnosis as an excuse for my behavior, and it annoys me whenever a peer does. I do not do that because I value taking responsibility for a my actions, diligence, and being non-judgmental (which I try to uphold, however, I sometimes fail), having this mental illness has humbled me into trying to balance my perception of other people and life situations. However, I do understand that having symptoms can impair rationality, and that is something different than what I am discussing. With that said, I was irked by my parter's lack of understanding and insensibility to my mental health. I told him I may be experiencing mania to describe why I've been on the computer too much, which has become an issue for us recently. He asked me what "mania" was and I defined it as an obssession- which may not have been the best description. His response bothered me, he said something to the effect: 'stop trying to find a diagnosis for everythi...

As a result of my recent blog entry, When Coping isn't Coping Anymore , and comment on other online networks, a few friends and family members called me with urgency to check on my well-being. I guess I did not realize how well I articulated my mental distress, but I needed to write to feel a little relief. The concerning calls and encouraging comments really made me feel that I was important, cared and thought of, and was not alone in the battle with mental illness. Having my support network is important because friends and family could pick up on cues from my active lifestyle or lack of, and my thoughts from online groups and identify my stressful  moments, sometimes when I can't. I appreciate others for reaching out to me, it re-energized my optimistic perspective on recovery and life. Although I still have work to do to acquire and maintain wellness, I believe I can and will get through this difficult time with satisfaction.  How strong is your support network?-...