Positives of Psychosis and Schizophrenia

[@Over60sowhat]

Such an amazing person. May God continue to Bless you.

[@sidgoyari6931]

Get well soon. Stay strong brother ❤

[@CowboyLloyd]

Thank you so much for talking about your situation. Stay strong🙏🏻

[@kristenr8311]

your wise and empathic words are comforting for me- thank you!

[@diana.l.gentry]

I am sorry your doctor told you that. He doesn’t know that. That is what is wrong with mental health they never want to give you hope, which is the first thing they should do.

[@nishanacht]

Fantastic✨tyfs ❤

[@in-serenesanity4514]

Thank you for the optimistic and even inspirational video! Only one thing that I was taken aback at was about your doctor who thinks you only have 4-5 episodes left before going completely difunctional. I could not believe my ears that a doctor could utter such a nonsensical and irresponsible thing. No one can see into the future and say exactly what the dynamics of the illness are going to be. Could you please give a bit of a context around this - Why did the doctor say so? Because I just can't wrap my head around it, to be truthful. Thank you and the best of luck with your recovery journey!

[@lettersfromschizophrenia]

I do not know if that is going to happen to me, but I do take the advice of my doctors seriously. I realized during my last psychotic episode that I could not even hold a conversation with people around me because I was stuck in my head conversing with entities and thinking hard trying to make sense of things. I think if this turns permanent I would lose the ability to function normally. If the symptoms i experience during an episode become permanent, I can see that happening. Generally, during episodes, I am very aware that there is a way back to typical way of being, but I was not sure of this during my last episode. Which was sort of a blessing, because it allowed me to seek help from others, not just the experts, but from my loved ones as well. I can only imagine thats what he meant, but his words were "not trying fear monger" but that I probably have 4-5 of these episodes left. Apparently episodes can cause brain damage, that I get checked for during my appointments. They make me do things like move my arms, hands, facial muscle movements. They also ask me questions to make sure its not progressed to some point I think they generally see people reach? They asked me if I felt like things were all around me all the time, like if I was eating the food was behind my head. I thought that was pretty wild, but I dont know, maybe that will be me some day. Anyways hope that provides context, and answers your question. Thank you so much for commenting and watching. It inspires me to make more videos and makes me feel this youtube adventure is worth continuing.

[@in-serenesanity4514]

Oh Absolutely! I'm subscribed and looking forward to your videos always, your KZbin adventure is worth continuing and I Thank you again, this time for your detailed reply. One more question if you don't mind: I'm new to your channel so apologies if you have answered this question already - Are the episodes you describe "break through" symptoms (occur in spite of you taking medication/s) or you have been medication-free for some time?

[@lettersfromschizophrenia]

@@in-serenesanity4514 They are breakthrough symptoms. I have been compliant with medication for about 4-5 years now. Thank you for the sub!

[@shiza91]

In the clinicians defense, he may have said it in a context where he was trying to encourage measures to prevent another episode or discourage behaviors that induce episodes. It is a tough place to be in for clinicians. Sometimes you have to be 100 real with patients for their own good. It’s like when a parents gives their child tough love. It’s necessary sometimes.

[@waleriankarcz970]

Hey man, have you looked at all into metabolic therapies like fasting or the ketogenic diet to help manage your schizophrenia? I have seen others that have had good results with those methods. Might be worth talking to your doctor about.

[@lettersfromschizophrenia]

Thank you for your comment. I will definitely look into those and discuss with my doctor!

[@MaryamAli-vd1xv]

Love you hat / cap

[@cass3313]

Would you say schizophrenia is a part of your identity now? My experience as someone living with a partner with schizophrenia, is that they are almost like a whole different person while in psychosis. This wouldn't be so hard to accept if they were nice to be around, but it's not nice, they are a lot more irritable, unkind, harsh etc... so I find myself remembering the "old" them, and comparing. Thanks for the video, it really is helpful and interesting and makes me think about schizophrenia in ways I haven't before.

[@lettersfromschizophrenia]

I would say that it is a part of me, and I am much better today at handling it than I was when it all started. Because of the struggles, it has helped me grow in a positive direction. But that is because I am not fighting it anymore trying to fix myself back to something. I have accepted that this is me, and it wont be easy, but I can choose how I react to it. I think people including myself can get frustrated with the constant struggle of negativity. Imagine if everyone was your enemy all the time, and you were still trying to have a relationship with them. I know its not true, my family is my family, but I cant help what I see through them. Living like that is very challenging. And I say enemy because its very negative, demeaning, and scary. But I also realized, I am just as mean without meaning to be mean to it. So really at the core of it its a misunderstanding. I am trying to put something into words that does not make sense at all so I hope its not too far from the point. Thank you for watching

[@cass3313]

@@lettersfromschizophrenia I think I get what you're saying.. I think! For sure I can see how it would be hard to live with that constant negativity. It's such a complicated situation. I hope I'm an open and accepting enough person to allow someone I love to be themselves and to accept them, flaws and all, good and bad. It gets complicated when my perception is the opposite of theirs, I guess. I perceive them as struggling, distant, paranoid, obsessive and so on. Their perspective of themself is totally opposite to mine - all is well, their truth is the truth for all, they are grounded in reality. Etc. (I can only guess these are the things they think, and from what they tell me). How to live in harmony, and, most of all, without detriment to either of us, is my goal.

[@lettersfromschizophrenia]

@@cass3313 Good luck! Sounds like a worthwhile effort. As with all things, its never just easy, there is lots of opportunity for growth in both directions. Hopefully you both are open to it, your goals are aligned and things smoothen. Thank you for being open to seeking different perspectives on schizophrenia and psychosis. The goal of the channel is to just to be a perspective shared with the hope that it assists people in some way.

[@YesminWahab-bj2bz]

What do yo do for work, if I may ask. Thank you.

[@lettersfromschizophrenia]

I work a remote job in IT as a dev

[@YesminWahab-bj2bz]

Do you hear voices?

[@lettersfromschizophrenia]

Yes, not all the time when I am not in psychosis. It happens mostly when I am trying to sleep or rest. Which is why being engaged in activities helps

[@athena5862]

You seem to know during your episode that you are having a psycotic episode or a delusion. Does the denial go away and you realize you have bizarre delusions?

[@lettersfromschizophrenia]

I think the denial comes from realizing what is true. Despite my 10 years with schizophrenic delusions, not once have I been physically attacked by any of the “evil” that comes my way.