Beyond the Diagnosis: Thriving with Schizophrenia

black and white photo of person looking at the window

Beyond the diagnosis: thriving with schizophrenia. What are the ways I choose to manage my schizophrenia?

I will tell you, when I’m having an episode, I tend to isolate. However, I don’t know if that is good or bad.

I mean I don’t want anyone to see me go through it, but I don’t reach out to anyone for help. I’m pretty much a loner anyway.

People I have reached out to have turned their backs on me, so… I choose to do things myself, deal with it my own way.

Consequently, I am currently having difficulties (brain fog) really bad, so if any of this sounds a little off, I apologize. I keep taking breaks, but we’ll see.

Medical Management of Schizophrenia

Beyond the diagnosis: thriving with schizophrenia. I manage all of my own medicines. Sometimes I screw up and miss a dose, but for the most part, I am pretty accurate.

I will admit, when I have an episode, I don’t always take my medicine. Moreover, I know that’s when I need it the most. Or so they say.

I was put on bipolar med lithium and now I’m not even taking it anymore. I’m currently taking Zyprexa for the schizo and I still keep having episodes.

Is it working? Not so sure. So what am I taking it for? I hate taking meds when they don’t work. What’s the point?

I’m taking all these meds to help me sleep and those don’t help. Again, what’s the point! I guess enough ranting. But, do you see where I’m coming from?

Home Care Management of Schizophrenia

As time goes by and I plan on moving into my own house or apartment, I think I will need help with daily activities.

Especially for the Parkinson’e disease. And maybe for the schizophrenia if it gets any worse. I don’t want to be stuck in a nursing home to sit and rot away.

I’m starting a new project to help me bring money in so I don’t have to rely on Disability and the government for handouts. And have them tell me what I can and can’t do.

Altogether, I want to be fully independent from them and I’m determined to make that happen while I still have all my marbles.

I don’t make enough with Disability to live on my own.

Psychological Management of Schizophrenia

Beyond the diagnosis: thriving with schizophrenia. I am very aware of my limitations with the schizophrenia and other illnesses. But I am also a very determined person.

I believe I am a high-functioning schizophrenic. I’m still able to take care of myself and have a daily routine which I pretty much follow.

The only thing I really deal with on a daily basis is the anxiety. Maybe one day I’ll get beyond it, but until then, I have to deal with it.

For the most part, I’m still able to do this blog which makes me happy. I like giving my perspective of having to deal with it personally.

I will do it till I can’t anymore. Only God knows how long that will be. But for now, I am content with my life and where it is going.

Psychosocial Management of Schizophrenia

Beyond the diagnosis: thriving with schizophrenia. I don’t have my therapist or psychiatrist anymore due to money constrants. Like a lot of people, I couldn’t afford them anymore.

My primary doctor took over managing my meds for me. Tell you the truth, I can’t afford him either, but (so they say) I need my not-so-helpful meds.

I’m caught up in inflation just like most everyone else. I still use some of my teachings from therapist’s with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

CBT helps people:

Identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts
Learn practical self-help strategies
Change or modify their behavior
Have control over their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors

CBT teaches people to understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and reactions.

It also helps people learn how to replace unhelpful thoughts with more encouraging and realistic ones.

CBT techniques include: self-monitoring, journaling, role-playing, relaxation strategies, and mental distractions.

Schizophrenia and Money Management

I manage my own money, sometimes not very well. I’ve been trying to find a house to rent and I was scammed out of money twice. That’s why I say not very well.

So, money has been tight for the past few months. I try not to buy extravagant things or stuff I don’t really need because I’m going to need a lot of stuff for my house.

In the not-so-distant past, I was spending money like it was growing out of my ears. I’ve kind of mellowed out since then and know that I have to save.

See, even some of us with schizophrenia know what they want out of life and go after it. I’m so tired of the stigma with it. It’s not all seeing and hearing things that aren’t there.

Schizophrenia Dental Management

Beyond the diagnosis: thriving with schizophrenia. The reason I put this in this post because I have been dealing with dental issues. I think this is attributed to the meds I’m on.

They make my mouth really dry and over time, they have been affecting my teeth. Within the past couple of years, I’ve lost 2 teeth and just had a root canal done.

I take very good care of my teeth and in one visit to the dentist, I had 7 cavities. I’m thinking what the hell, but I was told it’s probably my meds.

Another reason to get off of them. I swear, the side effects are sometimes worse than the illness itself.

Schizophrenia and Stress Management

My stress for the past few years has really come from the anxiety and not from the schizophrenia. I did have an episode about a year ago, but it didn’t last that long.

My stress is when I leave my safe place (my bedroom), and have to go out in public. I always thought the schizophrenia would get me and not the anxiety.

I never thought in a million years I would be dealing with anxiety this bad. Of course, nobody ever expects anything like that.

Schizophrenia Anger Management

Beyond the diagnosis: thriving with schizophrenia. I don’t get angry about my life. What’s the point.

It could have turned out far worse. I’m pretty much an easy-going person. It takes a lot to get me mad.

If I felt there was an injustice towards me, I will stand my ground. I wasn’t like that a few years back. Before, I let everyone walk all over me.

What changed? I changed! I started speaking up for myself. No one walks all over me now. Although, sometimes I think I’ve gone too far in the opposite direction.

I wish I could go back in time and tell the younger me to toughen up. I am glad I learned that lesson before my death, so my life wasn’t a total washout.

Sum It All Up

Beyond the diagnosis: thriving with schizophrenia. I just thought I’d give you a little more insight on how a person with schizophrenia can so-call “function” in everyday life. To hell with the stigma!

Times are changing so fast, each day is a new adventure. Growing up, I was always on the negative side. Nowadays, I couldn’t be happier.

It took me a while, but I actually look forward towards the future. I’m going to have new friends in my house with the kitties that I adopt.

I love writing these posts and I hope you will continue to read them so I can produce more like them. Stay safe and try to stay positive. Until next time…

Articles About Schizophrenia

-Schizophrenia

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4568-schizophrenia

-Psychosocial Therapy for Schizophrenia

https://nyulangone.org/conditions/schizophrenia/treatments/psychosocial-therapy-for-schizophrenia#:~:text=Psychosocial%20treatment%20can%20help%20a,have%20helped%20to%20lessen%20symptoms.

-Schizophrenia

https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/schizophrenia#:~:text=Schizophrenia%20usually%20involves%20delusions%20(false,paranoid%20thoughts%20or%20hear%20voices.

Have a Good One,

Cindee Murphy
“One Voice In The Vastness Of Emotions”

“Schizophrenia is one of the most misunderstood diseases on earth. It is a physical brain disease, like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and stroke, but more treatable.” — Bethany Yeiser

“I think that I’m a better problem-solver because of my schizophrenia. When you have to question reality every single day, I think that makes you change how you view the world.” — Cecilia McGough

“Whenever I’ve been told to stop — by someone who thought they had power over me, by something that happened around me, by the voices I heard in my own head — I kept going.” — Brian Wilson, I Am Brian Wilson

“Perhaps we are the real experts in schizophrenia. Ask us. Involve us. Acknowledge us. We can offer hope to others who are trapped in the snares of this illness. We can show a light on the path toward recovery.” — Andrew Dugmore