My Thoughts

Here are some of my thoughts on dealing with schizophrenia. It is a complicated illness and treatment methods vary. Once the patient knows they have the disease, and they are familiar with their own illness (i.e. triggers and behaviors that facilitate alleviation of intensity of symptoms) and if they are not having psychotic breaks, then I say it is best to get the patient off of the anti-psychotic medication. This may sound unconventional but the side effects of these medications are so bad that the person's health is at risk. My view is, medication if used at all should be a temporary treatment. It is good to find meaning and fulfillment in life by working hard on ignoring and not obeying psychotic symptoms such as voices or violent urges that can be present, and actually going to work again, even if just part-time. By having secular work and a social life the patient should feel a sense of organization that is often lacking in the lives of those affected by schizophrenia. So a patient should be encouraged to socialize as much as possible. If a patient is hard-working he or she can learn to fight schizophrenia in much the same way a cancer patient fights cancer, and win.

In my person battle with schizophrenia I have found a great sense of euphoria and purpose by attaining glory in fighting this illness. It is a glorious thing to fight schizophrenia and win. By win I mean not obeying voices/urges and behaving in a way that is acceptable to the mainstream or at least not doing anything illegal or violent. Once you can gain self control and navigate life successfully then there is no stopping you. You can be anything you want to be. There are many schizophrenic patients who go on to work full time finding success in their fields. And this could be any field ranging from college professor to professional musician.  And medication is not needed. The thing is, the more you ignore schizophrenic thoughts and the more you suppress unhealthy, psychotic attitudes the more YOU become healthy, 'normal'.  I have come a long way by simply not obeying the symptoms of my disease and just moving forward with my actions. Throughout deep acute schizophrenia I went out in the public,  dieted, exercised, recorded guitar music, socialized on Facebook and a schizophrenia chat room (found on schizophrenia-online.com) and socialized with friends and family. People couldn't tell that I was acute schizophrenic, even the people who saw me all day. So there is hope for schizophrenics, you just have to be strong, determined, and hard-working and you can find victory.