Lived Experience Forum

[Former-Member]

I've been living in the dark by myself for the past 10+ years with depression, schizophrenia and/or schizoaffecitve disorder I'm still trying to figure it out with my psychiatrist. But after all this time I feel I am starting to get my life together or as much as possible. Just wondering how people with mental health issues are going with work and having a family and relating to friends? I had a normal upbringing and was good at sports my whole life till I got diagnosed with a mental health issue (still figuring out what it is). Just a big warm hello and I hope we can fight this to the end. Just wondering if you guys can share any tips or life experiences with me going forward. 

kindest regards,

itsjustme1

[Lost9]

Hi,

I have been diagnosed with schizophrenia and depression for nearly 30 years. I've had a rollercoaster road throughout my life but I think keeping positive whenever possible helps. And I know that is not always possible. Sometimes life downright stinks but There is always a new day ahead. Keep on hoping for the best. 

[myoctopus]

Thank you for your post. I came here looking for stories from people who have had some positive reflections of their life despite a complex MI. This is one.

[NatureLover]

Hi and welcome, @Former-Member , @Lost9  and @myoctopus ! 🙂

@myoctopus , I feel I have positive reflections of my life despite 6 mental illnesses which are complex and which clash with each other. (Depression, Anxiety, OCD (Germophobia), Excoriation Disorder, Hoarding Disorder and Agoraphobia) Plus childhood trauma. I've received a lot of healing through years of therapy, and am able to work in a small volunteer job and socialise and manage my life mostly. I had 3 suicide attempts when I was much younger, and I spent 3 years in bed 12 years ago with a severe nervous breakdown, so I'm pretty happy to be able to go out and do stuff now.

@Former-Member  I reckon the years of therapy have really helped me. Do you have a counsellor /psychologist as well as your psychiatrist? Or maybe your psychiatrist does talk therapy?

A handy forum tip for you all is if you type @ and then click on a name in the drop-down box, the person you're replying to will get a notification and won't miss your reply 🙂

Good to have you all here!

[Anastasia]

Hello everyone and welcome 😊

@Former-Member did you enjoy The Weekly Friday Feast lat night? It was really great to have you there, thank you for accepting my invitation 🙏 It''s a fun place to land and catch up socially with friends and meet new ones on a Friday night.

Today there is Saturday Soiree - all welcome!! Again a social environment 😊

I don't tend to stay at either but I'll pop in if tagged and say hi.

There are many positive stories, @NatureLover 's is definitely one of them. 💕

I'm sure you'll all find it helpful being here @myoctopus @Lost9 and I look forward to getting to know you all. 

I'm a carer for a son who has schizoeffecive disorder as the main diagnosis.   I say we, cause we're a team, have come a long way, but there's a road ahead that is still difficult to navigate.

I now suffer from anxiety as a result of our journey, triggered from underlying and unaddressed childhood trauma. I came here at breaking point for help, I spoke to a counsellor and then came to the forums. They've both saved me many times. I have made some very real and genuine connections here for which I am eternally grateful 🙏

Happy day ahead friends 😊

[Former-Member]

Good morning @Anastasia, @NatureLover thanks for last night it's a new world which I hope will help me with navagating my, well normal life - which I'm trying to figure out my illness still - and thanks for sharing your story @NatureLover. If all that makes sense.

Every morning I wake up and hear voices as I start to plan my day - by about a couple hours after I'm pretty much quiet with my thoughts for the rest of the day. Having said that - is like to join the Saturday soirée. Sounds meaningful

itsjustme1

[Anastasia]

Hello @Former-Member 

I'm glad you enjoyed yourself 😊

Yes what you have said makes sense.

Does hearing voices frighten you, is it something that you can/have spoken to your dr about? My boy does too and I've comforted him more times than I can count. It would be very confronting I imagine x

[Former-Member]

@Anastasia @NatureLover I see a psychiatrist but have opened the doors to counselors now just waiting for them to get back to me. The voices I hear don't scare me but I feel helpless in canceling them out, just wait for them to go away, it's all like doubt, having no plans, some music lyrics I used to listen to all jumbled up. With my morning coffee and cigarette they come and go, it's become part of my morning routine lol can't help it. It is what it is. 

[Anastasia]

Hello @Former-Member 

I'm glad that they aren't frightening, but acknowledge the challenges you have and am sorry that they make you feel helpless.

I think you sound extremely positive and I have no doubt your future is bright 💕😊

[Former-Member]

Thanks @Anastasia where's the Saturday soirée ?? Feeling a bit bored