Over the course of this illness known as schizophrenia, I've developed a number of talents, like how to stay away from people. I retreat into the recesses of my mind, inside the house I own. Personally, I do it because I feel safe, and to add a mixture of perceived humbleness. I feel a bit more humble living in a house all alone. The only wish I have is that it had a view. Maybe a canyon or two in the distance or an ocean. I couldn't care either way about which kind of view.
Over the years, I've felt for too long that one day I will die from myself. That I would do something so catastrophic that it would necessitate my death. I feel this is something many schizophrenics live with. They're afraid to get on the medicine for delusional reasons, then once they're on it for a number of years (six in my case), they're afraid something may happen where they'll forget their medicine and end up like the stereotypical schizophrenic -- dead, alone and having done something horrible. Only one is usually accomplished: being alone.
The plight of the schizophrenic and those with severe mental illness is one which would not be wished on someone's worst enemy. Generally, we keep to ourselves and keep our sanity in check constantly, as we're afraid we'll lose it like we've misplaced our favorite coffee mug.
Schizophrenics and those with severe mental illness are strong individuals, because they've had to face the worse, beat the odds, which were mightily stacked against them, and have come out on top in some cases. This is the case with myself and I'm reminded of it daily. There were days when I couldn't even think or do an activity without facing some type of delusion.
If you want to imagine what it's like being schizophrenic, imagine yourself surrounded by thoughts that have no realistic grounding in reality, and then imagine that all those thoughts are real. Complicate it further with visual or auditory hallucinations. Even if you try, you can't imagine it.
If you tried that, now you can try these six tips to live a better, healthier life that I've learned along my journey with mental illness.
1. Always be kind.
This was the hardest for me to learn. I hated friends and their successes because I hated my life. I said things that couldn't be forgiven, just to show someone how much I was unhappy with myself and my lot in life. Don't be that guy.
2. Always be patient with yourself.
Another tough lesson. Being patient with yourself means understanding that you have difficulties but you have more successes than failures. Always remember the successes no matter how insignificant your mind tells you they are. They are not insignificant! Even the smallest success is success.
3. Don't sweat the small stuff.
Sweating the small stuff is only going to make your life more difficult. Learn from mistakes, don't repeat them, and carry on.
4. Enjoy the present.
Enjoying the present is one of the most difficult lessons for all people. Be in the moment. No one ever looked back on life and said, "If only I had worked more."
5. Forget the past but learn from it.
Forgetting the past is difficult. It always creeps up from the crevices of your mind. Forget it, learn from it and carry on.
6. Be yourself.
Being yourself is the greatest gift you can give. Be open with yourself, work on your problems, and most importantly just be you. People will love you or hate you. It's not your place to wonder why or care if people hate you. Always, always be yourself.
Have a story about depression that you'd like to share? Email strongertogether@huffingtonpost.com , or give us a call at (860) 348-3376, and you can record your story in your own words. Please be sure to include your name and phone number.
from Healthy Living Blog on The Huffington Post http://ift.tt/1GQMmC0
Over the years, I've felt for too long that one day I will die from myself. That I would do something so catastrophic that it would necessitate my death. I feel this is something many schizophrenics live with. They're afraid to get on the medicine for delusional reasons, then once they're on it for a number of years (six in my case), they're afraid something may happen where they'll forget their medicine and end up like the stereotypical schizophrenic -- dead, alone and having done something horrible. Only one is usually accomplished: being alone.
The plight of the schizophrenic and those with severe mental illness is one which would not be wished on someone's worst enemy. Generally, we keep to ourselves and keep our sanity in check constantly, as we're afraid we'll lose it like we've misplaced our favorite coffee mug.
Schizophrenics and those with severe mental illness are strong individuals, because they've had to face the worse, beat the odds, which were mightily stacked against them, and have come out on top in some cases. This is the case with myself and I'm reminded of it daily. There were days when I couldn't even think or do an activity without facing some type of delusion.
If you want to imagine what it's like being schizophrenic, imagine yourself surrounded by thoughts that have no realistic grounding in reality, and then imagine that all those thoughts are real. Complicate it further with visual or auditory hallucinations. Even if you try, you can't imagine it.
If you tried that, now you can try these six tips to live a better, healthier life that I've learned along my journey with mental illness.
1. Always be kind.
This was the hardest for me to learn. I hated friends and their successes because I hated my life. I said things that couldn't be forgiven, just to show someone how much I was unhappy with myself and my lot in life. Don't be that guy.
2. Always be patient with yourself.
Another tough lesson. Being patient with yourself means understanding that you have difficulties but you have more successes than failures. Always remember the successes no matter how insignificant your mind tells you they are. They are not insignificant! Even the smallest success is success.
3. Don't sweat the small stuff.
Sweating the small stuff is only going to make your life more difficult. Learn from mistakes, don't repeat them, and carry on.
4. Enjoy the present.
Enjoying the present is one of the most difficult lessons for all people. Be in the moment. No one ever looked back on life and said, "If only I had worked more."
5. Forget the past but learn from it.
Forgetting the past is difficult. It always creeps up from the crevices of your mind. Forget it, learn from it and carry on.
6. Be yourself.
Being yourself is the greatest gift you can give. Be open with yourself, work on your problems, and most importantly just be you. People will love you or hate you. It's not your place to wonder why or care if people hate you. Always, always be yourself.
Have a story about depression that you'd like to share? Email strongertogether@huffingtonpost.com , or give us a call at (860) 348-3376, and you can record your story in your own words. Please be sure to include your name and phone number.
from Healthy Living Blog on The Huffington Post http://ift.tt/1GQMmC0
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