Struggling with Anxiety

Rene,

Thank you for sharing with us.

I also have a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder. I hear voices and have since 1980.

I am also clean and sober 19 years on Sunday.

I hear to tell you that despite the voices and my addictions you can live a full life.

Journaling has helped me so much these last two years.

Feel free to journal here. This site is really good for support.

Peace,

Dave

I started having visions and talking to the devil when I was 10 yrs old, so I understand this can and does happen to children.  I, too, told no one because I was afraid of being punished for talking to the devil.  My family was devoutly religious and I thought that would be a sin.  I never took llicit drugs or drank alcohol (thank God) but I had trouble with delusions and severe depression for years.  Finally in my late 20's, I began to move inexorably toward full-blown schizophrenia and was diagnosed at 37.

Let me tell you -- I tried many mood stabilizers and antipsychotics and was hospitalized many times.  The only thing that works for me is Zyprexa.  Yes, I gained weight and was bothered by drowsiness for several years.  Yes, I tried other meds a few times, but always went back to Zyprexa.  Abilify and Geodon made me horribly anxious and agitated and I couldn't stand it.  I couldn't live that way, so I agreed with my psychiatrist that it was best to return to Zyprexa.  I started off at 40mg, which is a lot, and now adjust my dose as needed, usually between 10 and 20mg.  All in all, the appetite and sleepiness finally settled down and are not a big problem anymore.  I would encourage you to take Zyprexa if that is what makes you feel the best mentally.  I also cannot sleep without it.

Recently, my pdoc says Zyprexa is causing "akisthesia" or constant restlessness, so he added Klonopin to my meds and said to try staying on 10mg of Zyprexa for a while.  The Klonopin works wonders!  It might help you if your doctor agrees to prescribe it.

I still look forward to a new medication some day that will not have the side effects of Zyprexa but will work just as well.  I am 51 now and on SSDI and just began living independently for the first time in years.  It is an exciting prospect!

Best wishes to you,

Carolyn

Hello Naykizzo,

Congratulations on your turnaround and commitment to your recovery!

You have come to a place of support and encouragement and I'm sure you'll find this here as the four prior comments can attest.  I will read them after I send my own comment.

You may want to read my SharePost about anxiety:

http://www.healthcentral.com/schizophrenia/c/120/36180/recovery-robin

that talks in detail about it.  A lot of us diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective and related things can vouch for the fact that the anxiety is the worst symptom or manifestation of these illnesses.

I will be writing SharePosts in early October about my cognitive therapy sessions that I will start on Tuesday mornings this coming week to deal with my own worries.

It is my hope that as the Community Leader here I can yes, give people hope that they can have a good life.  You may want to read my Profile and my SharePosts archives and read the SharePosts of the other community members to get an idea about living role models of hope for you.

Again welcome to the Connection.

Have a good Sunday!

Regards,

Christina