Hello family and here I am and I have only been working hard on my recovery and I will not stop and please none of you stop either. I have been diagnosed as having schizoaffective disorder, chronic and severe and I strongly accept my diagnosis as correct and I add tyhat it is the bipolar type. I am on a cocktail of meds that in conjunction with my exercise and thereapy give me some symptom relief. My current condition started while I was on active duty with the United States Marine Corps and even though I know it to be the start of my current condition, I am and will be proud to forever be a US Marine. I have filed for disability benefits with the department of veterans affairs and after5 and a half years I was given a hearing. Now I have to go in front of a three panel mental health professionals panel because the first doctor that I was sent to did not even read my claims folder and just wrote what he wanted. The veteran judge saw right through that because I have learned that I am sick but my sickness is not stupidity. I am the main part of my recovery and I must move forward. I learn more about my illness at every chance I can and I look for free continuing education on the web and I have finished a few including schizophrenia research and schizophrenia vs schizaffective disorder and mood disorders. I have a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist and a licensed mental health counselor who really really listens and has been over all my records with a fine tooth comb and she is the reason that keeps me fired up. But in all honesty also my psychotherapist who straight up told me that there is no miracle cure, ihave to learn to live with and manage my illness. I have learned that I was released from the marine Corps with a undiagnosed psychosis and a year later I was in prison for some of the sickest stuff in my opinion. I open the floor for comment and please Christine Bruni and Jerry Kenard please comment and I am going to message you both. Be blessed you all for you all are and we just dont totally know it.
I want to commend you for sharing your story with us and to thank you for sharing your life's story with all of us.
I was first diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder in 1983 at the age of 23 right after finishing college. I too have been on a wide array of medications and for now I am the most stable I have ever been. I have been hospitalized 5 different ties with the last being in 1997. I am on disability but stay busy by doing volunteer work.
I agree with you when you say we must learn as much as we can about our illness and I believe since learning about this site in 2007 I have gained so much insight into this illness.
Let me close by thanking you again and I look forward to reading more of your share posts. You are one Very Intelligent person and I Welcome you to this website and hope you learn from all of us.
Have a Great Day and Thanks again!