Alex has Schizophrenia and Bipolar. Here's his story.

Alexander Duran who is 40 years old and has been diagnosed with bipolar and schizophrenia. He shares his experience of hearing voices, feeling highs and lows, and how going to church and receiving prayers from the community has helped him manage his symptoms. He also talks about his past drug use and a psychotic episode that led to his hospitalization. He currently lives in an alternative care facility and takes medication to manage his symptoms. He mentions that he does not care about people's misconceptions about his diagnoses and values his family and church community's support.

[@A_Psych_Nurse]

After hearing his story, what do you wish you knew more about?

[@sandylopez1069]

How to support individuals like Alex.

[@sandylopez1069]

"It's not religion is RELATIONSHIP!!! " best sentence ever! ❤ I am not Christian and yet I got him! So glad to have had the time to listen. It made me tear a time or two...so genuine!!!

[@tamzar2440]

YES!!❤🎉

[@sauntahrae5244]

Alex, I am so proud you’ve found hope and something to believe in to keep you going.

[@ChloMikell]

Sending love to Alex for sharing his story. That takes a lot of courage so props to him! Proud of you Alex!

[@baileyhallfilms]

Alex your story is very interesting, and your shedding light + reducing stigma for those living with chronic illness/ailments. very selfless humble and good. empathetic questioning too from interviewer.

[@dyrefate]

Alex thank you for sharing your story. I related to you on so many things. It has definitely been a spiritual experience where I am connecting with a loving entity in a profound way. Yeah it's pretty wild, both good and sometimes bad. I'm glad you are far into your recovery and that you have found a church that is helping you.

[@robbradley7726]

Hey Alex, you’re right on point with God. I share your diagnosis. Easy does it and enjoy the ride! Rob.

[@fsmiu74]

I just love this testimony god is good all the time he is good and will never forsake you

[@NR-kx2kj]

God bless you Alex..❤

[@tamzar2440]

Ain’t NO high like thee MOST HIGH GOD! 💫💫#jesus

[@ladyscarfaceangel4616]

Church can be incredibly healing for some ppl. It's the faith they build up & support from others. It's important. Problem can be finding a good church. A church that focuses heavily on the devil, sin, & hellfire can actually backfire. I mean one of those churchs where everything you do is bad/wrong. You're a bad person for not going every Sunday, you're a bad person because you're doing yoga, you're evil because you found an outlet with metal music, I don't like the way you dress, your tattoos, or even how to connect with God, etc. A careing, non judgmental chruch is difficult to find in some areas. If you're lucky enough to find one that connects with you that is awesome!!! Faith can heal, but sometimes other ppl can cause more damage. Faith & spirituality are powerful healing tools. 🙏 ❤

[@danielahoxha7025]

I'm happy his faith helps him through it all.

[@bonavielabarentos938]

i really like that you showcase real stories on your videos plus this guy touches my heart His testimony of Faith was so powerful and enough, medicine, to help him get through his illness, indeed God was with Him. Thank you! Praise God. He is our Jehova Raffa.

[@jpants5144]

God bless u!

[@dyrefate]

The voices I hear are primarily good ones although I do hear bad or critical ones as well sometimes. I was curious how many others heard good or bad voices so I did a poll in an online schizophrenia community. The poll was evenly divided between people who hear bad voices only and those who hear both good & bad. There are people who hear exclusively good voices. Often this happens to people within religious communities. When it occurs in that context and there's no disruption to the person's life it's not considered to be psychosis.

[@YogaBible]

Hi, are you available for paid consultations?

[@kimlec3592]

@ Yoga Bible : the content creator is a nurse...but he is so acknowledging of people's struggles he would be a useful therapist. But people need nurses like him.

[@A_Psych_Nurse]

Sure :). You can reach me at [e-mail]

[@DannyD-lr5yg]

@@A_Psych_Nurse Would you ever consider something like a PsyD?

[@ladyscarfaceangel4616]

I'm very curious about his symptoms while using drugs. The only times in my life that I've ever experienced psychosis & extreme paranoia were chemically induced. I've even experienced cannibis psychosis. The cannibis psychosis was healing for me. It helped me work through some things that I needed to work through. Same experience with any psychedelic. I've done shrooms & lsd. I stay away from MDMA because it has speed in it & obviously my body doesn't respond very well to it. The drugs that really burned me mentally were meth, cocaine, Adderall, benzodiazepines, & antipsychotics when i didn't need them. Even caffeine can ramp up my anxiety or paranoia, intrusive thoughts. I've never experienced caffeine psychosis but I'm pretty sure it can happen in high enough doses for some ppl. I have to strictly limit my caffeine entake. I need some but can easily get too much. You see why I've learned to stay away from or limit stimulants.

[@A_Psych_Nurse]

great post--if i overdue it on my edibles (think ~15mg) i'll get slightly paranoid--i'm able to rationalize myself out of it, but i suspect if i took 20mg (assuming i could stay awake), there might be a point where i couldn't rationalize myself outta it.

[@garrett318]

That high five tho

[@fsmiu74]

Man I’m so happy that he has a awesome relationship with god I believe schizophrenia is just satanic and demons possessing the person and only god can bring you thru this the meds are just a temporary fix❤

[@tamzar2440]

✝️EAM*** J-E-S-U-S 🎉the GREAT PHYSICIAN 🙌🏽 HALLELUJAH (( this man is RICH!)))

[@tamzar2440]

HOLY angel armies into motion AMEN #yesFAVOR #supernatural ((( dear friend - the Christian music is HUGE / I know you know! )))