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Hi! My name is Don Fraser. I have a thirty-two year history of schizophrenia.
I accepted treatment for my illness eleven years ago. Since then I have done many things, among them speaking to psychiatric nursing students (which I still do) on a regular basis at the local college and vocational schools.
In 2005 I won the "Courage to Come Back" award in the mental health division here in BC, Canada. I have been interviewed on TV, newspaper, and I've done fund -raising for the United Way.
I'm currently attending university, in the Liberal Arts program but am still making time for the speaking engagements.
My life indicates living proof that this illness can be treated successfully and that people with it can lead normal lives.
Sorry Christina, my comment on your post was meant to be for you instead of Carolyn :). I guess I need to pay more attention when I read.
Have a great day!
My name is janet and I was first diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder in 1983 at the age of 23. Since 1983 I have been hospitalized 5 different times with the last being in 1997.I have had some part-time jobs since 1983 but currently stay busy through doing volunteer work in a hospital's gift-shop and at my church.
Christina,
This is a good topic.
What would I say to the press. HMM.
"I am a man with a psychiatric disorder known as Schizoaffective disorder (SZA). I have had this illness my whole adult life. Even though I have auditory hallucinations (voices) I live what some may say a "normal" life.
I own my house and have two cars all paid for. I worked as a manager for a coffee shop before I took a disability retirement. I don't have large credit card bills. I pay them off every month. Despite what my family says, I am not rich, I live within my means. I pay taxes twice a year (school and property).
Having SZA doesn't mean I'm an axe murderer or a chainsaw killer.
I know more about myself then any of my family. I work on my issues and work hard to fix them. I have overcome drinking, drugs, cigarettes and caffeine.
My thought processes and behavior are acceptable. I have deep emotions.
I have goals and values.
I have lived a hard life. In doing so I am much stronger, wiser.
I have my mind that functions on a high level.
I care for others. I take great pride in the helping of others.
I love to cook and bake. I love to write. I love music.
I am a work in progress. That means that I look back at the mirror and find things that need improving.
I am me. The one and only me. I am unique unto myself.
If you didn't know me and walked by, you couldn't tell I have SZA. In fact most people that do know me have no clue to my illness. Not that I'm hiding it.
I have a blog on my local newspaper, where I talk about what its like to have SZA.
Take care,
Dave
Living with anxiety every day is my world of schizophrenia right now. I jump at every little sound I hear when I'm having an episode.
The thought generated voices, blank and racing thoughts have always been a part of my life since I was young. They are slowing starting to fade but honestly never really bothered me.
When I read, watch a movie or listen to someone speak I have a hard time understanding. When others talk to me I have put a lot of effort into listening to what they are saying otherwise I am lost. At times, I catch myself staring at nothing in particular without any thoughts at all. If someone interrupts me - jars me out of my trance - I get irritated. It's like I enjoy this. At other times, I'm in such deep thought another person has to make a comment to snap me out of it.
I'm not too sure that if someone spent a whole day with me, they would recognize that I had some type of disorder. I think that when I talk, I make sense. My sentences are really short because I try to get to the point as soon as I can although it may be because I really don't enjoy talking. I'm trying to be more creative with what I say so that I can be more productive at work. This is my life right now, working and working out. If I'm not doing one or the other, I'm normally sleeping or pacing back and forth in my garage.
Thanks,
Rene
This is what I've observed: acceptance of others with MIs by most people is not the norm although it has gotten better. Yet I find that the people I know who have MIs are more open and able to embrace people.
This is the opening we need to give members of the public. They need to believe there is a benefit to them in accepting people with SZ. The classic expression is "What's in it for me?" We can break down the barriers and stigma by stating the benefit:
What is the benefit?
We provide a serivce: we do volunteer work, we work at jobs, we lend an ear, we have kind words.
Most of all: we are able to accept you without limits on our accepting you-so we give you the chance to shine instead of telling you, like so many others do, "I will love you if you [conform to my idea of who you should be and how you should act."]
We let you be yourself. So in the end, to embrace someone with schizophrenia is to know that you can be yourself without being judged.
After a hard day at work, isn't that something you would welcome?
Chris
Hi Christina,
Gosh, I don't how to even begin. I believe that I've been living with SZ since I was around 6 or 7 and it went untreated until I had a drug induced psychosis in December of 2005. I started taking Zyprexa in February of 2006 and switched to Abilify and then Geodon which I am taking right now.
As a kid, I remember having a really high fever for about a week and started hallucinating. I've read that high fevers can lead to this in children. What is strange is that I continued to hallucinate for about 3 to 6 months after I got better. I never said anything to anyone because I though that they could see what I saw. I thought that the voices, racing thoughts, confusion were normal for everyone.
Only through my recent research and pdoc's diagnosis have I discovered that I've been ill since childhood. So living with SZ all these years without knowing led to I would say a pretty normal life up until I had my psychosis. Since then, I struggle mainly with anxiety, being social, and enjoying life like I once used to.
I'm slowly beginning to overcome my fear of talking to others, although it takes a lot of effort on my part to think of what to say. That's why I'm quiet and don't like talking. I'm getting better though. I force myself to give more input when talking to others instead of just saying yes, uh huh, or no - the easy way out.
I've been through therapy twice and I don't think it really helped. I'm planning to start seeing another therapist in about a month. I'm really excited because this will take me to the next step of my journey to recovery.
Have a nice evening!!
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Hello!
I would hope to sign with a literary agent by early 2010 so I can publish my memoir, Left of the Dial, about my inspiring recovery. Few schizophrenia books show people doing well.
My name is Christina Bruni and I was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1987. I have taken my medication every day as prescribed for over 17 years and haven't missed a single dose. I have a Masters in Library and Information Science and have worked as a librarian for 12 years.
I want you to know that there are more people out there with schizophrenia who are doing well. They choose not to disclose because they do not want to be linked in your mind with "insane killers." We are your neighbors, co-workers and church members.
People with schizophrenia are more likely to be the victims of a crime than to commit a crime.
Peoople diagnosed with schizophrenia who work with their psychiatrist and therapist can be fully functioning members of society. This is the norm. The reason you think "insane killers" are predominant is because that's what you read about in the news. Sensational stories sell newspapers.
I urge you to tootle around this website and read the Profiles and SharePosts of the community members here. What you will see is a different truth: stories of courage, determination and hope.
Should you want to know more about what it's like to live with schizophrenia, just ask me. Maybe like Obama and the cop and the professor, we'll talk about it over a beer.
Hi Carolyn,
Thanks for your sharing your accomplishments. I don't really watch tv or read and don't know too much about what others views of people with SZ are. I do however remember when I was younger and heard the word schizophrenia for the first time. It actually scared me because I thought that a person afflicted had a split-personality and was evil. Even after my drug induced psychosis, I was unaware that I had this disorder. My pdoc diagnosed me as SZA aout a year ago. After doing some research, I discovered that I've had this illness since I was around 6 or 7 and just never knew it. I thought everything that went through my mind was normal and that others experienced the same thing. My pdoc agreed with me and told me it was highly likely that I've been living with this illness for over 38 years.
I will definitely read you memoir once it's released.
Have a great day!
Actually, it was not me, Carolyn, it was Christina whose sharepost you read. But I would be happy to have Christina's accomplishments on my resume!
I chastise myself for slipping and not taking my meds for a few days once in a while, but everyone slips up in some way at some time. So I'm not too hard on myself. Actually, I have made an amazing recovery beginning about 2004. First the people in my head went away, then the voices went away, the depression went away, and now the social paranoia has gone away.
Never have I been violent with anyone. I am a gentle soul with tender feelings for others. It is not fair for the media to rush to publish every story about violence or other similar "newsworthy activity" that involves a person with schizophrenia and then leave the rest of us who are recovered and involved in our community to fade into the background. The majority of schizophrenics are not respresented in the news -- those of us who are "normal" and recovered.
I am 51 and lived with my parents from 1997 through April of this year. I made two attempts to live on my own and didn't make it. I am on my third attempt now and feel I will be successful in my bid for independence this time. I paint pictures for pay, I enjoy photography, reading, watching TV, and going to church -- all of which I could not do at one time. Now I am in love with life. I am doing volunteer work, I am making friends, and am recovering in my spiritual life.
My goal is to give back to my community and to encourage others who have mental illness.
Carolyn
Hi Carolyn,
Thank you for the correction. You see, I make careless mistakes like that. It happens at work every once in awhile too.
It sounds like you're doing great! I'm 43 and am living with my folks right now. My goal is to be independent in about 2 years. I think I can live on my own presently, I'm pretty stable besides my anxiety, but am not there yet financially.
At times I forget to take my meds but I'm too scared to try to go a day without them. Especially with my anxiety, there's no way I would be able to make it through work. Things are getting better though and I attribute this to being able to share on this web site. I can't wait to start therapy again...should be in a about a month.
Have a great day!
Hi Jim Blaha,
I have friends who are peer specialists however right now I do not have the time or ability to be a peer specialist myself. I do consider myself a mental health activist, that is the term I use to describe my advocacy work.
Of course peer specialists play a vital role in helping people recover.
I would tip my hat to them every day.
Regards,
Christina
If I can help with your memoir let me know. A person you may know, David Robins has been very helpful to me with my story.
If I can help with your memoir let me know. A person you may know, David Robins has been very helpful to me with my story.