Any tips for a recovering Schizophrenic?

|tera|

|tera|

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Do you guys have any tips for me to ease my frustration, anxiety and anger?

I'm on a higher dosage of my medication for 3 weeks now, but I don't feel it working as it should. I feel like a real failure and I am constantly battling with Suicide thoughts and had a few attempts as well.

Are there any supplements I can take? Please don't suggest exercise as I can't even find the strength to do my own dishes, it's just stacking up.

I perform so well at work in my duties, but my own life is a mess.

I am reaching out with tears in my eyes, I just don't know anymore. I keep hurting and mistreating the people I love, especially my family and I don't mean to, I am just so bloody sensitive and edgy about everything. I am going to throw people away and be alone my whole life.

I am trying to get better, but any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you.
 
first off, there's no such thing as 'a recovering schizophrenic' as far as I know, any more than there's a 'recovering diabetic' or 'recovering alcoholic' - there's 'just' schizophrenics, or alcoholics, or diabetics. Whatever. You simply are what you are. Its not a bad thing - but it means you have to 'look after it.' You have to take care of your disease - and yours is perceptual in nature, so it makes it doubly difficult to 'see' what to do about it...

Next, most psych meds take a couple of weeks to kick in. If yours haven't, go see the doc/shrink who prescribed them to you, NOW.
There's no reason you should still be suffering after 3 weeks on a higher dose of something.
The loss of energy etc is just depression, a result of the meds not working. Clearly you need a different 'type' of meds - looking for non-prescription 'supplements' is just a placebo, and really isn't likely to help in the long run.
You need to head to your doctor and ask them for another approach, a different class of meds.
(That said, if you're taking stuff to try and 'numb' pre-existing circumstances in your life, that's another kettle of fish entirely.)
If you do have a formal schizo diagnosis then at least that's something your doc/shrink can work with. Three weeks is too long to still
be experiencing anguish, usually meds kick in after about 2 - but even then, meds (aside from the 'pam family, valium and diazapam related)
aren't useful in the long run, you can't go through life in a haze of valium stonedness. Make an appointment with whoever did the prescription
and go see them. Don't let the illness control you - and don't worry about the loss of energy, thats one of the symptoms of depression.
Your illness is just something you're going to have to stay on top of, forever - like diabetics and folks with any other physical diseases. It doesn't
mean you're dumb, or crazy - but it does mean that sometimes you have to watch out for doing something dumb or crazy, like the suicide thoughts.
Those already suggest that you're not on the right meds. (I'm assuming you havent got extreme hassles in other parts of your life that are contributing to your condition) In which case, ongoing therapy+meds. Meds on their own without anyone to talk to objectively, isn't a good recipe. pills alone are only half the battle.
Hope this helps.
Good luck.
 
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You need a good woman in your life.

These men crap must stop.
 
Thank you LG. I get the medication from a Goverment Hospital (I don't have medical). The Psychiatrist is only at the Hospital a few days in a month, so I have to wait until he is there.

The depression sucks quite frankly.
 
Can't you find out what causes you to function at work & maybe try adapt that to your personal life?
 
try give yourself some daily 'routines' - no matter how big or small, whether its 'clean the place up' or 'walk to the cafe' or something. Make little rituals that get you off the couch at least once a day. Talk nonsense with someone at a shop you go to regularly. Find a local bookstore and go browse books. Or video shop. Social interaction (without booze) is useful, it pulls you out of your head briefly. I know, exercise yadda yadda ... maybe a walk around the block. Just something simple like that without any heavy physical effort like for 'real' exercise. Make some little routines and do them daily. You have to be your own best friend in your current situation, so operate accordingly...
 
For the treatment of depression I have found it useful to augment medication with therapy. So my advice would be to also try and see a psychologist if you can. Although they are quite expensive their fees are well worth it. Medication addresses the hardware and therapy addresses the software.
 
LoneGunman said:
try give yourself some daily 'routines' - no matter how big or small, whether its 'clean the place up' or 'walk to the cafe' or something. Make little rituals that get you off the couch at least once a day. Talk nonsense with someone at a shop you go to regularly. Find a local bookstore and go browse books. Or video shop. Social interaction (without booze) is useful, it pulls you out of your head briefly. I know, exercise yadda yadda ... maybe a walk around the block. Just something simple like that without any heavy physical effort like for 'real' exercise. Make some little routines and do them daily. You have to be your own best friend in your current situation, so operate accordingly...
Click to expand...

I'm afraid of people LG. I'm sorry to be so brutally honest, but I am actually as fearful as a child of any person I don't know. I only talk briefly with my work colleagues and refuse to speak to my family over the phone. I only sms them as I'm afraid of them.

I'm just messed up I know. But I'm scared. I'm scared to land up in a Hospital ward or cell again. I'm scared of being judged. I'm just so fricken piss scared I can cry!
 
As far as I understand it you have to find the right pills. I've been on ten different types of pills and none of them worked, but as soon as they put me on Cloment (Leponex generic) I improved. Everyones brain chemistry works differently, so it takes awhile to find the right drugs and dosage amount so just hang in there.
 
shaunvw said:
As far as I understand it you have to find the right pills. I've been on ten different types of pills and none of them worked, but as soon as they put me on Cloment (Leponex generic) I improved. Everyones brain chemistry works differently, so it takes awhile to find the right drugs and dosage amount so just hang in there.
Click to expand...

If I change drugs again, it will be the 3rd time this year. I just get sick thinking of it. I've puked so much it's not even funny :sick:
 
You sound like you have agoraphobia rather than schizophrenia I'd say, related to general anxiety disorder, I have the same problem but I have used a few self help books rather than medication, also joined an anxiety disorder group but none of them are agoraphobics mostly depressed so I only attend rarely(well twice) because they bore me a bit. I have a girlfriend, supportive family and old friends that I chat with so don't feel suicidal anymore. I don't "enjoy" life as I used to but life is bearable and I understand my problem so can cope.

As an agoraphobic my fight or flight response kicks in when I go the shop, meet people etc, some people react to this as it's instinctive but obviously are clueless and think I'm a pu$$y. But mentally I'm not afraid just my body reacts based on past events that I internalized using mistaken beliefs, so recovery now is facing my fears so my body learns to relax which is hard but I've made progress.

Just my experience/2c
 
Have you tried playing games to get your thoughts off things?
 
If you ask me spend more time outside and less time online. Fresh air will do you good.
 
mk1 said:
If you ask me spend more time outside and less time online. Fresh air will do you good.
Click to expand...

That's such a typical thing to say, you remind me of my dad, a real prick he is.

Thanks for LG's responses, it was something worthwile and constructive. Thanks for the well wishes Scotty. Aqua, I've been diagnosed and re-diagnosed, I'm definitely a Schizophrenic, believe me. Niccia, I'm not much of a Gamer.
 
I also have difficulty relating with people (not as bad as you though) and I also avoid dealing with people as much possible. Lucky for me my life is set up so that I'm never alone for very long. And most people are scared of being judged by others but you have to let go of that or your life isn't going to progress any further. Yes, we're all afraid of falling flat on our faces and what people will say about us when we leave the room but you have to ignore it - we can only really control ourselves (I hope you don't feel like you have no control over yourself). As for other people you can never have any real control over their perceptions or feelings about you, so it's best not to think about it (or try not to). Have you tried meditation at all - it is extremely difficult at first but perhaps it could help?
 
Aqua_lung said:
You sound like you have agoraphobia rather than schizophrenia I'd say, related to general anxiety disorder, I have the same problem but I have used a few self help books rather than medication, also joined an anxiety disorder group but none of them are agoraphobics mostly depressed so I only attend rarely(well twice) because they bore me a bit. I have a girlfriend, supportive family and old friends that I chat with so don't feel suicidal anymore. I don't "enjoy" life as I used to but life is bearable and I understand my problem so can cope.

As an agoraphobic my fight or flight response kicks in when I go the shop, meet people etc, some people react to this as it's instinctive but obviously are clueless and think I'm a pu$$y. But mentally I'm not afraid just my body reacts based on past events that I internalized using mistaken beliefs, so recovery now is facing my fears so my body learns to relax which is hard but I've made progress.

Just my experience/2c
Click to expand...

Silly question perhaps, have you ever tried beta blockers? They kick the flight and flight response in the teeth I've found.

@teraside, I'm struggling with my own mental loopholes, and all I can do is wish you the best.
 
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Tera. I'm going to be honest here.

There is no magic pill out there that will make your problems go away.
Life is not that easy.

Yes, some people need medication and you should talk with your doctor about that but I think the main issue here is your attitude. I've been clinically depressed since my early teens and I've had my fair share of dances with the suicide shadow. I know it well and it still visits me often.

The hard to hear truth is that you simply have to face your problems and slog through them. You have to force yourself to not focus on the negative. You have learn and practice state control and how to handle it. I recommend a book called Feeling Good: New Mood Therapy.

It's going to hard work. It's going to take time. It's going to tire you out mentally like you won't believe. But eventually and maybe even suddenly, things will get better. You'll see a break in the clouds. You'll learn that yes, you can decide how you want to feel(yes, you actually can).
 
teraside said:
Do you guys have any tips for me to ease my frustration, anxiety and anger?

I'm on a higher dosage of my medication for 3 weeks now, but I don't feel it working as it should. I feel like a real failure and I am constantly battling with Suicide thoughts and had a few attempts as well.

Are there any supplements I can take? Please don't suggest exercise as I can't even find the strength to do my own dishes, it's just stacking up.

I perform so well at work in my duties, but my own life is a mess.

I am reaching out with tears in my eyes, I just don't know anymore. I keep hurting and mistreating the people I love, especially my family and I don't mean to, I am just so bloody sensitive and edgy about everything. I am going to throw people away and be alone my whole life.

I am trying to get better, but any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you.
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear you're in the pit.

I have some practical tips:

- eat a good breakfast, protein rich, cheese, meats,
this will stabilise mood swings and maintain your sugar levels

- do an or any activity that will give you a quick feedback and instant gratification
long term projects are not the right choice for you at this time
eg: go do your dishes, later tidy one of your drawers
..any activity which will increase your confidence and will, and is quick to complete

- you're in a loop of creating emotional damage and then doing emotional damage control
.. only you can break the loop
.. controlling your rampant emotions is your top priority
.. you can't keep apologizing and then falling back into the guilt trap
.. thus starting the loop all over again

Cognitive therapy is all about, you, re-programming the way you think & react, yourself.
Identify your weaknesses, identify the things that trigger you.

Take your medication as you should.
Write your thoughts down, it will help you understand yourself better.

If you really want a quick synthetic energy boost, I recommend an orange Monster,
drink it early morning - after breakfast.

Best of luck with your progress, keep us posted, there's always someone here that's
willing to help, listen or just be there ;)
 
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