How I Graduated College with Schizoaffective Disorder

College to me-as someone diagnosed with the bipolar type of schizoaffective disorder-was largely defined by an immense struggle with my mental illness, specifically the bipolar side. Don’t get me wrong, I was still hallucinating-the schizophrenic side was still there-but it wasn’t a part of the problem. As wild as that sounds, it’s the truth.
It’s also important here to say that the reason I got through college at all was because I was able to work with what little I knew of my condition.
What I didn’t say in this video is that I didn’t always know if I was hypomanic or not, but I did know when I was depressed and that’s what caused the majority of my mood related issues. I always knew depression was around the corner, because somehow it would always find me. Stress was a major cause of mental issues in college (as well as now) so of course midterms and finals would be my downfall mood wise. I didn’t always manage well, but I survived-literally-and that’s what matters.
And while I was in college, I would get so depressed and my hypomania so severe that I would go from being diagnosed with cyclothymia to being diagnosed with bipolar II disorder.
And with that, I would love to talk more about my college experience-this was mainly a massive overview-so let me know what you’d like me to talk about in the comments if you have any ideas! Tips and tricks or a deep dive, I want to hear it all!
Enjoy the video and let me know what you think :)
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Disclaimer: I am not a qualified mental health professional. This channel exists for educational purposes, and I do my best to provide accurate and up-to-date information. In order to create content, I combine scientific resources (peer reviewed studies and easy-to-understand articles) and my own personal experiences/advice. I seek to make complicated topics easy to understand, but I am no substitute for a doctor, therapist, or other qualified mental health professional.
#schizoaffectivedisorder #schizoaffective #bipolar #bipolardisorder #college #university #mentalillness #mentalhealthawareness

[@bjs301]

I'm a retired medical regulator, who dealt with many sick medical providers and other patients for 44 years. I did everything from educate physicians to send them to jail. I'm sure you know how helpful your videos are to folks suffering from schizophrenia and related disorders, but you probably have no idea how helpful you could be to people like me. I was always scientifically oriented, and probably had greater insight about mental disorders than many of my colleagues. But just watching your videos since I caught one of your shorts a month ago, I've gained more insight than I developed over my entire career. I just wished I'd had such a resource decades ago. I stay in touch with many investigator and lawyer colleagues, and hope you won't mind if I share your channel with them.

[@SchizoKitzo]

Comments like yours remind me why I do this. Absolutely share! And thanks for saying this. I’ll keep doing what I do 💪

[@northkoreanmeat]

I worked with Brisbane police to cause my schizophrenia and it took 40 years to get rid of it completely.

[@ourstigma]

I have Bipolar Type I. Despite this challenge, I graduated with a bachelor's degree in 2005 and a master's degree in 2019. Achieving these milestones was undoubtedly more difficult for me compared to my peers without mental health conditions.

[@SchizoKitzo]

But ya did it! 🎉

[@ourstigma]

Absolutely! @@SchizoKitzo We just do it differently.

[@HabibeBoyraz-hg2nk]

Congratulatıons 🎉🎉

[@HabibeBoyraz-hg2nk]

Do you manage working currently?

[@ourstigma]

@@HabibeBoyraz-hg2nk I do. I have had continuous employment since 2010.

[@randistellar85]

My son is getting ready to go back to college to finish up 5 classes so he can get his degree. This is after a four year break due to psychosis. We are both looking forward to him going back to school, but also nervous at the same time. He is starting out with summer quarter and 2 classes. If all goes well, he’ll enroll in 3 classes for fall quarter and be finished. 🎉 Fingers crossed for him. Thank you for your videos, they are so encouraging to me. ❤

[@SchizoKitzo]

Good luck to your son!

[@annasfakianaki7979]

This is video is the one I needed the most rn. I have finished all of my courses and right now I writing my thesis for my integrated masters degree in musicology. But the cognitive symptoms of my condition make it very difficult to concentrate. It is a nice idea to talk to my professor about it and I am considering it. Thanks for the video, it gave me hope❤

[@SchizoKitzo]

Glad I could help, good luck with your thesis!

[@DennisBolanos]

Well done! We need more stories like yours. 👏🏻 I have schizophrenia and I’m in the process of completing a BSc in chemistry.

[@stephaniec5639]

Awesome!

[@DavidGalich77]

I just got my diagnosis. I finished off my BA that I started in 1995 @unlv. It was ruff but followed through. Be proud of yourself and keep on trudging.

[@SchizoKitzo]

Thanks!

[@SevenUnwokenDreams]

I feel like a failure, I couldn't make it out of high school. I got sick at 13 with mood symptoms and by sophomore year in high school I couldn't grasp more than half of what my teachers were saying. It was tough because in English we didn't get our own copies of novels, instead the teacher read aloud to us like it was kindergarten, and when people read aloud to me, I do not comprehend most of it. I kept skipping school and upon being asked over and over again why I was doing it, I could not give a reason. I would just go right back home to be alone in some peace and quiet. I did get home instruction eventually after I got diagnosed, but I was unable to complete a GED course. It breaks my heart because I used to love school very much, I had an incredible memory like you and didn't have to study to get good marks.

[@SandyTheDesertFox]

I graduated college thanks to the help of my incredibly kind and understanding councilor who made sure i got the accommodations i needed. R.I.P. Roel you were a real one 😢

[@stephaniec5639]

R.I.P. Roel. Congratulations Sandy.

[@nicolec8884]

I graduated with an associate degree in 2016 from college with schizoaffective disorder. (I didn't walk cause of my social anxiety.)

[@Ali-gv3qe]

Deal with your social anxiety I have mental illness

[@stephaniec5639]

I don't plan on walking for my associate degree neither.

[@Catlily5]

I went to university in the mid-1990's. Disabled student services was mostly used to helping people with ADHD. They didn't know how to help bipolar people at my school back then. I tried to attend college three times and ended up dropping out. I have never been completely stabilized on medication either. I have been hospitalized 40+ times even though I only stopped taking my medicine once. The medicine helps me halfways which is better than nothing. It makes me really sad that I didn't finish college but I guess that it wasn't meant to be. I was a very good student in highschool. I had an exceptional memory as well. My IQ dropped 30 points from age 9 to age 31. Sometimes life doesn't go as planned and it has to be accepted. Try your hardest first though.

[@boylight]

You're a hero. My bipolar 1 was heightened after college when I began my first job. I was kicked into taking meds and onset my mental illness by a drug experience gone very wrong. Sometimes I wonder what would've happened if I never took that drug. But I can't ruminate. 4 years with that job was filled with ups and downs, psychotic episodes, and hospitalizations, so I never really reached my potential at that point in my career. My lowest low was in 2022, and I had to restart. I since recovered and got an MBA and I start a new job in less than a month. Dreams do come and go, and I'm excited to see how I redefine my life with a fresh start.

[@lisatomihiro3488]

I am disgraphic so I also used accomodations at college. I am glad to know they have them for mental illness as well.

[@SchizoKitzo]

Yeah! I’m glad they exist too

[@NavigatingthePeriphery]

You're an inspiration. I graduated this past May with my bachelor's in behavioral science and my last semester I broke through my meds and my symptoms of SZA started to return. I was pretty horrified, but I stuck it out and my psychiatrist tweaked my meds and I did it. So, it can be done, but it can get rough.

[@SchizoKitzo]

If I had to go for another year I wouldn’t have been able to do it. Glad you were able to stick it out!

[@WWS322]

I'm self-educated. My learning is all over the place. I failed out of the ninth grade but managed to take some college classes at a very easy community college. I transferred to the university and was going to study music but failed out because of a relapse of my illness. I regret not having that experience. My guitar teacher was going to be lenient when I told him I had schizophrenia ( which was my diagnosis then) but two hours of practicing guitar was probably too much though I was young. I now know only the basics of music theory. I have hope I can someday support myself.

[@ourbipolar]

It’s fascinating to hear how all of us got through college with a mental illness, if we did. Maybe I’ll do a video like this someday. Great video!

[@SchizoKitzo]

It’s been uplifting! Thanks!

[@franskel9647]

I got back into college after dropping out years ago and now I'm in my final year. This video gave me motivation. It's not an easy path but hopefully I can make it to the end just like you

[@SchizoKitzo]

💪 💪 💪

[@xAydenChrisx]

Thank you for this video! I’m schizoaffective and doing my first semester at college this fall so I’m trying to be as prepared as possible.

[@SchizoKitzo]

Best of luck!!!!

[@cosplaymistake]

Thank you for sharing your story, We’re currently in college and we’re a pre med major. It’s been hard and I appreciate you talking about what helped you.

[@natas12rm]

Finally a video that is useful. I’m not talking about you I’m just saying in general. Almost all these KZbinrs making videos about schizophrenia offer no meaningful information. They just preach compliance and then they can’t even function and need breaks from making videos( and that’s all they do, they don’t have a job or anything). This is a great example of how one can push through this illness and still have a quality life. I’m proud of you.

[@vegaoksana]

I have dissociative identity disorder and have recently been experiencing psychotic symptoms and I'm currently a master's student. This video, plus your job as a researcher gave me some much needed hope and reassurance. It's terrifying watching mental illness take everything; I don't want it to take this too

[@SchizoKitzo]

You got this 💪 all of ya ^_^

[@vegaoksana]

@@SchizoKitzo Thank you, and same to you! Your videos have brought me so much comfort 💓

[@stephaniec5639]

Hi Kit, I'm new to your channel. I was following living well with schizophrenia but it's become a diet channel. I'm glad to have found your channel. That degree is difficult! I just obtained my associate degree in business management online from Colorado Technical University. I'm also diagnosed with disorders, schizzoaffective disorder depressive type. I also think I have a somewhat photographic memory, I graduated high school in the top ten as well. I'm looking forward to following your channel and maybe developing a healthy friendship.

[@tylerellicott4716]

Congratulations. I'm going to college online right now. It's not that serious of a degree, but I'll get through it. Nice to see a fellow schizo-affective graduate from college.

[@SchizoKitzo]

Best of luck!!!!

[@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe]

Bp1 b team and I just racked up semester hours taking History classes. Had to be your dungeon and dragons in the steam tunnels. Congrats!

[@ryu7560]

I have Schizoaffective Disorder Depressive Type and never finished my Electrical Engineering degree 😢

[@cory99998]

schizotypal here. Dissociation, disorganized thinking, and bipolar 2 developed which absolutely shredded my ability to be mentally present and work effectively. Paranoia made it impossible to thrive in a career setting. Delusions made it impossible to know that I'm channeling my efforts into something productive. Its scary, like getting hit by a freight train. I had the symptoms since 6th or 7th grade but by my early 20s everything got *so much worse*. Haven't figured out how to get through life yet as my symptoms are somehow still getting worse at 27, just praying it slows down. All of that said I'm not doing too bad. I still make interesting contributions in my field and have fun with my work. I just really struggle to fit into professional environments and work more than 5 or 6 months a year.

[@kinzhe83]

I got into Grinnell College in 2002, and I was told it's almost as good as Ivy Leagues schools, but even more difficult to graduate. Long story short, I managed to complete one semester with B's, and as soon as my hypomanic episode was over and depression kicked in I dropped out. My math SAT was 770/800, and I was hoping I could do something with natural sciences but I was dominated by my peers at calculus and computer science and my english (450/800) was not nearly as good enough for social sciences. However I was not diagnosed with any mental illnesses at the time, and maybe if I was medicated and knew and shared about my condition with professors, like you did, things might have turn out differently. I definitely would encourage any fellow students with mental illnesses to talk about it with professors, I think the accommodations they can provide are invaluable (I love how that one professor said you could hand in all your homework at the end of the semester). Thanks for this video Kit, I think it's very helpful, and best of everything :)

[@SchizoKitzo]

The “what ifs” will forever haunt me. And I will say my professors’ help was invaluable, and it was actually one of my friends who suggested I talk to mine about my issues. So I’m glad I was able to pass it on here. Thanks for the comment!

[@marraine7299]

I also did college myself, only I did the humanities. I spent 7 years there and never actually graduated myself, due to mood issues, hallucinations and traumatic events at home. The focus issues you mentioned are also very relatable, and I stopped giving a damn about college around year three. I never did get my degree because I failed so many classes and was fighting my brain all the time. I also got suspended a few times for being disruptive during class, or for not washing enough and going to exams while smelling bad. So I really admire you for getting your degree

[@lnvalliencia3440]

Being up front and telling… you had kind professors with open minds and want their students to succeed! More students need to tell so they can be supported. Love you, S.

[@timobrien2738]

Love your eyebrows-!! Thank you for your videos.

[@desstheprincess5056]

i start college in the fall after having to drop out due to psychosis. this gave me a lot of hope!

[@SchizoKitzo]

You got this! Best of luck 💪

[@denisesalgado555]

Congrats on your degree! Thanks for the help

[@Readmybumpersticker]

Congrats on graduating. You come across as really intelligent in your videos (like quoting the DSM) I choose the easy science (geology) but I'm proud to say despite bipolar symptoms I managed to get a Bachelor in Environment from University. Haven't used it yet, but it is one of the biggest things I've ever done.

[@SchizoKitzo]

Congrats!!!!!

[@ourstigma]

I have a suggestion for an upcoming video. You mentioned Evernote and cognitive deficits in a previous video. As a professional managing my cognitive deficits, I use Outlook, Toggl, and an analogue note-taking system. Could you create a video describing the various tools you use to manage your cognitive functions, professional responsibilities, and personal life balance?

[@SchizoKitzo]

Great suggestion! I would love to do a video like that. Thanks! *adds to list*

[@ourstigma]

@@SchizoKitzo Looking forward to it.

[@pacote_se]

@@SchizoKitzo i would like that video too

[@ourstigma]

@@pacote_se That's 2 votes!

[@LloydHandmade]

I didn't finish university because of my mood disorder. It started early in my second year of studies. I took a break and tried again in a completely different degree, but it didn't work out due to my cognitive difficulties and unpredictable symptoms. I'm also still not on an effective treatment 6 years after diagnosis. I'm probably still holding onto the hope I may one day finish, but for now I'm focusing on my hobbies to keep me going instead.

[@eri7667]

wow this is so relatable. I got diagnosed with bipolar recently. It was always highs or lows.

[@eri7667]

thank u for making videos like this

[@TimC-tm5gb]

I know how the web tries to celebrate this stuff now. But, honestly, if you could choose to be free of this you would. I've had a couple panic attacks from cannabis and I've seen the frailty of the mind and how easy it is to completely lose it. This is not part of who a person is. It's an ailment and shouldn't be celebrated. This lady posting these would much rather overcome it and be considered average. The education she offers from firsthand experience is helpful. Mental illness is not cool and hip. It's sad to see the average joe pretending they have an anxiety disorder when those with real issues are just trying to ground themselves to maintain a life. You are a really cool lady whoever you are. I won't call you SchizoKitzo, cause your real name is far more eloquent and beautiful.

[@cuttolive2013]

I also have schizoaffective disorder bipolar type. I'm currently in college. I had to take a break after one term and ended up in a psych ward. I'm scared I'm not gonna be able to make it

[@user-vk4mm9so7l]

Wow your amazing kit! I have schizoeffective disorder and i only graduated high school! I was lucky to graduate and i still work. I couldnt get away from the nintendo as a kid. Now im looking at a job where ill earn 100k a year!

[@katryonkelly3772]

Thank you for the inspiration! Stay strong and beautiful! 👍🔥

[@phyllismyers2787]

Great video! Thanks for posting! And, if you are knitting your hats ... they are super cute!

[@SchizoKitzo]

I do make them, thank you!

[@Meowwolfwarrior]

Well done sister ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤very Inspiring ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@northkoreanmeat]

I worked with Brisbane police to cause my schizophrenia and it took 40 years to get rid of it completely.

[@youngwealthdc5096]

I’m with the same diagnosis and this is inspiring

[@bethdouty4591]

I know that even great high school students struggle in a science degree program. Most people did average,and many people dropped out or changed their major.

[@cyborg4target]

The voices helped you.

[@adoteq_]

If I selfdiagnose, I have; Schizoaffective disorder (where I have normal depression, mood swings, bipolar connected to autism accelerating my psychotic symptoms and rationalisation reality and my illnesses), affect phobia and affect addiction, alternating between 2 states of mind multiple times a second to keep track of my sanity (keeping myself in the middle between black and white thinking of autism), frozen traumatic experiences (not a diagnosis), memory issues, problems staying in my body (life feels like using drugs when I am actually not), etc.. Is taking anti-psychotics part of your life?

[@Dimamoksit]

What are your craziest ideas? I was diagnosed as bipolar first and then paranoid schizophrenia before they combined it into one fun packaged diagnosis.

[@mjlove6574]

Thank You so much for this video ❤❤❤

[@SchizoKitzo]

You are so welcome!

[@fayfay_meow]

I have stpd and don't know how to survive the internship semester 😢 still trying to apply for it

[@roberttravers7587]

Great video!😁

[@colinemontagne7507]

Why do I see this video just after being rejected from a college cursus just because "the cursus isn't adapted to my condition" even though I graduated an other cursus previously💀

[@professorJorge11]

Doctor Kit ? Wow. Yeah, school was hard for me also, at UT Austin. My grades got low and I was expelled. They have me 2 home courses, and in the quiet of My apartment: I aced both 👍

[@adoteq_]

What is schizoaffective? Does it mean you like the horrors of schizofrenia? Like, I mean. The delusions? I had psychotic decompensation in my early adolescence. I feel that the human mind is full of wonders we dont even know yet. I would like to explore them, instead of suppressing them.

[@taylorsteiner9273]

Great job!!!!

[@trexchompinem]

My current dx is Bipolar 1 with Psychosis, OCD, CPTSD, and panic disorder. I've been in a mixed episode with psychosis going on 4 years now and i'm deemed treatment resistant. (I've lived with these issues for 14 years now and i'm no longer "bouncing back".) I realize you are not a doctor but my psychiatrist wants me to do ECT for the rest of my life. I'm already horribly cognitively impaired, and I don't see a life where i'm going through that for the rest of my life. If you were in my shoes what would you do? I'm firing my current psychiatrist and heading to another one in 2 weeks, but I really am scared that nothing will work. Also, does your cognition at least partially return during euthymia? I've completely lost myself. So sorry for the long post.

[@Catlily5]

Have you tried TMS? It is magnet therapy. It works kind of like ECT but has less memory loss from what I have heard.

[@trexchompinem]

@Catlily5 thank you for your comment. I have not, I am, however, seeing a new doctor. It's been mentioned, I'm just not sure it has any effectiveness against the psychosis element.

[@Catlily5]

@@trexchompinem I don't know if it works against psychosis either. I don't think that ECT helps much with psychosis either. I only know one person who did ECT for psychosis though.

[@Catlily5]

@@trexchompinem I hope that your new doctor is helpful!

[@trexchompinem]

@@Catlily5 thank you so much.

[@johnwadsworth7086]

Memory loss

[@Vsp712]

School seems easy i want to know how do you keep a job with skitzo

[@denisesalgado555]

I'm in college with schizoaffective and ocd. I have to read a little at a time and then a big break or sleep.

[@denisesalgado555]

I have problems with cognitive and psychotic problems

[@esmeraldasilver8763]

Hi can you share what did you major on and what meds are keeping you stable

[@SchizoKitzo]

I’ll answer the first question but not the second. BA in biology!

[@jenniferburgess7668]

Are you from the Midwest?

[@bernhard254]

I had to stop studying with the beginning of hebephrenia.

[@Namik.33-6]

it seems like youve walked yourself into a spiritual awakening.

[@UniDocs_Mahapushpa_Cyavana]

I actually think psychotic episodes are a result of the brain 🧠 going into low power mode, where the sanity and rationality systems are depowered. So they technically heal the brain. Which is why they don't last forever.

[@SchizoKitzo]

In my case, psychotic episodes have caused irreparable damage. My psychotic break left me unable to remember what I did the day before for months and months and took some of my intelligence. It did not heal me. As for recovery after the episode, I did eventually recover to the point of being able to function, but it’s that certain parts of my brain grew in order to compensate for the parts that were very clearly damaged by psychosis. I still am not the same as I was before psychosis and I never will be again. So, again, for me, they have not and will not ever heal my brain. Thanks.

[@damnablethief]

Sounds like you got lucky...people have just told me im a piece of shit my whole life...espescially college instructors.

[@illegalsmirf]

Fake

[@tobe-you-tube6612]

Half fake, half manipulation

[@iOnRX9]

i dropped out when i got it literally

[@iOnRX9]