Thank you for taking the time to clear up some things for me. Because I am in remission and such a high level of functioning (even though I am not able to work) people, even therapists, often say, "I just can't believe you have schizophrenia -- you don't act like my mother (or aunt or father) who has it." I would venture to guess that almost all illnesses follow a slightly different course in each individual. Medication helped bring me to my present state of functionality. I know many people with schizophrenia (including some at this site) who are high-functioning. Like you.
So I do see from the diagnostic criteria that my diagnosis of schizophrenia is correct. The people who just "do not see it" did not see me when my functioning was between a zero and a one. For a long time. And some in the "medical expert" field just do not like labels, accurate or not. But a psychiatrist's diagnosis is good for me, because it reminds me there is a reason why the medication is so important. And it reminds me not to allow myself to become overwhelmed with stress. It has even been of substantial value when making adjustments to my life -- like realizing I cannot work at present, knowing that talking to the Devil is not a sin, and not chasing approval to the same degree. My life is better with the knowledge and acceptance that I have an illness, and it has lead to rich insights into life itself.
Carolyn
Hello Christina,
As always, i found your very informative post highly interesting.
Have you heard that Abilify was approved only several months ago in treatment for children over 6 years who suffer from Autistic Spectrum Disorders?
Do you know of any anti-anxiety medication that is approved for children. I have consulted a pediatric psyciatrist as to this last, but he says anti-anxiety medications are no longer approved for children due to the fact that it has been found to cause suicidal thoughts. Could this really be the case? What of a child with an anxiet disorder?
If you have any information on this subject it would be greatly appreciated.
Hope you are feeling well, and it is always a pleasure to read your posts and comments...
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Excellent post. While speaking to a class of pre-med mental - health workers last month, I related some of the same text - book definitions of the illness.
They were more interested in the behavior of their clients as they would be working with a hands - on kind of approach. It's interesting to note how drastically behavior changes in someone with schizophrenia. From my own experience, and working with others, I believe it is, obviously, the most noticeable and workable trait of schizophrenia.
Anything external is going to reflect the internal.
Don Fraser