Congratulations on being able to stay out of the hospital for so long. I am currently working on staying out of the hopital for over 10 years.
I do have a question for you. You say a person should see their psychiatrist once a month and also see a therapist. I have tried a therapist a few times and did not really get a lot out of it. As for the psychiatrist mine schedules me every 4 months and to be totally honest with you I feel that is fine with me. I do know if the need arises for me to see him sooner I can call his office and he will work me in. I have no problem with this but am curious if you feel I should ask him about seeing me on a more regular basis. I realize what you say is only a suggestion but I am curious as to how you feel about my situation. I would like to close by saying I really like and trust my psychiatrist and feel he is the best for me as he has beeen my psychiatrist for 25 years.
Hello Janet,
I'm glad you're able to call your doctor to schedule a visit if things change and you need to see him before your next vist. That is perfectly fine, too, if it works for you. If your psychiatrist feels he knows you well enough, continue as is. I know that I prefer to see Dr. Altman once a month. I don't enjoy the train ride into the City, but I feel boosted when I see him. Also because I went through a rough patch recently, so I'm glad he was there for me.
Please, if your doctor is OK with your seeing him every four months, that is fine. There are always so-called exceptions to the "rules."
The main thing is, I'm glad to see you're doing well. Your persistence in not giving up in your job search has led you to find the work you so wanted to have.
Congrats.
Chri
Chris this idea of celebrating and moving on is such an outstanding idea. My last job I celebrated the first day I started. I did that until I left. I stayed out of the hospital for 7 years. I met my wife there. On Tuesday we will be married 8 years.
When I first left the hospital 28 years ago, I was placed in a transitional house. I stayed there for one year and one day.
My first apartment was one room. It had a bed, chair, dresser,a small fridge. I was lucky, I had my own bathroom.
Now 28 years later I own my house, 2 cars. I have a great wife, and a great life.
P.S. I get alot out of your shareposts. Thank you for your comments to mine.
AND thanks the Connection!
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Dear Christina: You hit home with me on many of your points in this article. I've only been out of hospital for five years and have faced the challenges you speak of.
It was just yesterday, however, that I started my first therapy session. And this after a thirty year history of schizophrenia! Unfortunately, there aren't enough resources in the Canadian health system to provide counselling for all who may need it.
That being said, I do have a mental health worker visit my apartment once a month, as a sort of liaison between my bi-monthly appointments with my doctor. Still, the budget for Mental Health is skint with this government but may change someday.
Your point you made about the healthy environment couldn't be more true. Two years ago , I was living in an independent group home, and while we had a lot of freedom , we still had staff and patient roles to play. Now , I'm happy, living alone in a beautiful one bedroom apartment and life seems ok, but I still have problems to solve.
Today I saw my doctor and got an increase in meds to combat some of the recurring symptoms I've been having.
Until next time,
Don Fraser
Hello Don,
Your comment means a lot to me as I try my best to improve the lives of people living with schizophrenia.
I'm glad to see you're doing well .
We all have good days and rough patches, in equal measure
Hopefully others who haven't posted a reply are getting something out of my blog entries, too.
That is okay, I trust they are.
Once again, thank you for taking the time to respond.
Best,
Chri