Hello Kristen,

People with SZ can succeed in school, work, and life.

Have you considered that maybe you've simply lost interest in a dental career?

I suggest you explore teaching if that is what you would prefer.

It takes awhile to bounce back after being diagnosed with the SZ.

I urge you to read my blog entries titled "The Working Life" which I've been writing in November and December, right now.

I'm an expert here who obtained an MLS-Masters in Library and Information Science-in June 2000, 10 years after I was diagnosed with SZ.

Please, understand that the kind of job you have is no indication of your worth.  The main thing, the healthiest thing, is to work at a job you love.

People with SZ can be dentists, dental hygienists, doctors, attorneys, etc.  I'm a librarian and have worked in this field for 10 years after a dismal failure in a business career as an insurance broker.

Sometimes, finding the right job or choice of schooling is a matter of exploration and trials.  Read my blog entry: "The Working Life: Finding the Work You Love" to see about personality tests you can take that can point you in the direction of a possible suitable career based on your personality type.

Keep the faith, keep the hope.  A turnaround from an EZ episode isn't quick, and it isn't always easy.  Yet it can aboslutely, positively, be done.

You can succeed in school.  Right now, you may be feeling all sorts of feelings about what happened to you that caused you to be put on the Abilify.

The fact that your symptoms are gone or have been alleviated by the medication is the number-one indicator that you will be able to succeed at school and then down the road at work.  Read my blog entry, "The Working Life: College and Educational Opportunities" for details about this.  Click on the blue "Connect" menu on the top of the page here, and click on "Meet Our Schizophrenia Experts," and read my blog entries.

Please, stay on your medication and chances are, you'll do fine.

Best regards,

Christina