Schizophrenia Depression - My Story

Hello, Everyone! My name is Stephen. Overcoming depression has been a struggle for me since the onset of my schizophrenia ten years ago.
In this video, I describe the start of my depression when I was 12 years old, the life I had before the onset of my depression, and how I have successfully managed my depression. This video is my success story in overcoming depression and learning to manage my anxiety and depression.
Depression is a common struggle for many individuals, and when combined with childhood-onset schizophrenia, it can make the journey to recovery even more challenging. Here, I will discuss my experience with childhood-onset schizophrenia, the depression that accompanied it, and the strategies I employed to manage my mental health successfully. Recovery is a process; working closely with mental health professionals to develop a tailored treatment plan and monitor progress is essential. I hope to inspire and encourage others who may be facing similar challenges.
Schizophrenia and Depression: Understanding the Connection and Pursuing Treatment
Introduction
Schizophrenia and depression are different mental health conditions that can significantly impact an individual's well-being. However, they are not mutually exclusive, and research shows that people with schizophrenia often experience depression as a comorbid condition. In this blog post, we will explore the relationship between schizophrenia and depression, discuss the challenges associated with their co-occurrence, and delve into treatment options that can help individuals manage both conditions.
Chapter 1: Schizophrenia and Depression - A Complex Relationship
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder characterized by hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech, and social withdrawal symptoms. Depression, on the other hand, is a mood disorder marked by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in activities once enjoyed. While these two conditions have distinct diagnostic criteria, research suggests that up to 50% of individuals with schizophrenia may experience depressive symptoms at some point.
The relationship between schizophrenia and depression is multifaceted. Biological factors, such as genetics and neurochemical imbalances, may play a role in the co-occurrence of both conditions. Additionally, the psychological impact of living with schizophrenia, including social isolation, stigma, and difficulties with daily functioning, can contribute to depression.
Chapter 2: Challenges of Co-Occurring Schizophrenia and Depression
Depression in individuals with schizophrenia can exacerbate the severity of their symptoms and complicate treatment. Depression may also increase the risk of suicide, substance abuse, and poorer overall outcomes. Furthermore, the overlapping symptoms of both conditions can make it difficult for mental health professionals to diagnose and treat each disorder accurately.
Chapter 3: Treatment Approaches for Schizophrenia and Depression
A comprehensive treatment approach is essential to address the complex needs of individuals experiencing both schizophrenia and depression. Some treatment options include:
Pharmacological interventions: Antipsychotic medications are the primary treatment for schizophrenia, while antidepressants are commonly prescribed for depression. In some cases, a combination of both types of medications may be necessary.
Psychotherapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), supportive therapy, and family therapy can be beneficial in addressing both schizophrenia and depression symptoms. In addition, psychotherapy can help individuals develop coping strategies, improve communication skills, and manage negative thought patterns.
Psychosocial interventions: Programs such as Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), social skills training, and supported employment can help individuals with schizophrenia and depression build social connections, enhance daily living skills, and improve their overall quality of life.
Self-help and peer support: Support groups and self-help resources can provide individuals with schizophrenia and depression valuable tools, coping strategies, and a sense of community.
Conclusion
Schizophrenia and depression can be challenging, mainly when they occur together. However, with a comprehensive treatment approach that addresses both conditions, individuals can make significant strides toward recovery and improved mental health.
#schizophrenia #anxiety #mentalhealth #depression

[@anamartinsr.]

Hey Stephen! I’ve been binge watching your videos for the last couple of days and I’m so happy to see you change, and smile more. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, 2 years ago and can relate to the sadness of losing my ability to do things as I did before, as well with the loneliness, emptiness and lack of motivation to do things. I’m a doctor and was also in the military, and now I can’t do much. I’m scared I will not be able to work and help others as I did before. I haven’t start residency yet and am not sure if I will ever be able to. Although, you’re 8 years younger than me, I keep learning from you. This channel gives me a lot of hope! Thank you Stephen (sorry for my English, not a native speaker). A big hug from Portugal =)

[@SurvivingSchizophrenia]

Thank you Ana for sharing and joining my journey! I’m happy my videos are giving you a lot of hope! I would love to visit Portugal one day! Thank you again! Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!

[@Slidehhy]

How are you keeping now

[@denisekarding1844]

Life can sure throw us some curve balls. No guarantees we won't have any major challenges to navagate in our lives. I'll admit I've been angry at times over that and i suppose thats understandable however ii realized staying angry keeps me stuck and i can't make the progress i could be making otherwise if i stay angry..You're progress is so encouraging. Keep on going forward and making a difference for good.

[@SurvivingSchizophrenia]

Thank you Denise for your kind words and support! Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!

[@yoga_iaini]

Thank you for this video Stephen. I hope little by little you gain more confidence and willpower this year. Just remember regularly that healing and recovery is not linear. There is a psychotherapist called Francis Weller. He speaks so eloquently about depression, grief, loss and soul work. You can watch some of his talks or find his articles or books (your dad too). Your progress is visible ♡♡♡

[@SurvivingSchizophrenia]

Thank you so very much! My Dad and I will look into Francis Weller’s work! Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!

[@susanna3058]

you seem so happy and free ! glad for you ! :) when things get overwhelming I remember what a gift it is even to be alive ... and that we need to make the most of every moment.

[@SurvivingSchizophrenia]

Thank you Susanna! I completely agree! Your comment makes me feel very good inside!

[@brettgrace]

Hiya! I just discovered your channel, and I'm so grateful to whatever in the KZbin algorithm led me here... When I was 15, I was hospitalized at UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute... I spent my 16th birthday there, and I briefly went back when I was 17. That was ages ago now, but it was a really big turning point in my life. I'd previously gone to a mental hospital in Mississippi for three days, and had such horrible experiences there... it was night and day, between that facility and UCLA. (I think you mentioned, and I agree--the food is really good at UCLA!). But now, as an adult, I'm struggling with the adolescent program at UCLA no longer being an option. At the time, they'd only diagnosed me with anxiety and panic disorder but in more recent years I've been suffering some type of psychosis. I of course can't really diagnose myself, but watching your videos has made me feel a lot less alone... even just symptom-wise... I feel so much pressure, mostly internally, to be doing so much more with my life... and the truth is, some days it's an accomplishment for me to even brush my teeth. That's just where I'm at right now. I'm grateful to have friends who will listen when I describe my struggles, but sadly my only friend who actually had similar struggles to me (so she'd understand first-hand), passed away on October 31st :( I'm obviously still grieving... I think I always will be. She had several personality disorders, but I always respected how upfront she was about it... similar to you, she'd say this is the disorder I'm dealing with, and this is what I'm doing about it. You can't fault someone for doing the best they can with what they've got. I'm trying to get to the point where I can take that advice myself, and not internally feel so consumed with guilt, shame, and embarrassment over my mental illness. I'm feeling inspired by your videos, though, so I'm gonna go on a long walk as soon as the park opens this morning. I was wondering if you've since become interested in any music, as you mentioned you weren't when you were first doing the program at UCLA? I got these Apple AirPods Max, which were expensive but worth every penny, because the noise cancellation ability is incredible... these headphones and a pair of sunglasses, really give me the opportunity to go outside even when I might not want to, and get from point A to B, without being too affected by the outside world. I go through phases of preferring music over podcasts or audio books, but I was just wondering if you listen to anything on your walks. If you ever are feeling like you need a friend to chat with, hit me up [e-mail] All the best, Brett

[@SurvivingSchizophrenia]

Thank you so very much Brett for sharing and for your incredibly kind comment. I would like to wear noise canceling headphones however because of my TMJ which affects my jaw I have to use noise canceling earbuds instead. Though I have heard great things about the AirPods Max. I have since gotten into music and prefer rock. Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!

[@KristofferStenlund]

It feels you are up to something good! Happy New Year, cheers

[@SurvivingSchizophrenia]

Thank you Kristoffer!

[@juliawilkinson]

Thanks so much for your deeply personal and honest videos. My heart goes out to you, and I can relate to the feelings of depression too. Major depressive disorder has disrupted my life, and in 2021 it took the life of my son, as well. He was 22. Now I am dealing with my own modified version of my life. I admire so much what you’re doing and can see your channel is helping people. 💕

[@toniamoller]

well done. you do own it and you give other people hope and insight and thank you!

[@SurvivingSchizophrenia]

I really appreciate it! Thank you very much! Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!

[@warrend114]

Youre doing great! I hope my 19 yearold daughter reaches the same levels as you have. Right now shes very depressed and very sad. She goes to even the mall for a few minutes and shes so stressed that when she comes home she goes to her room to cry. She was diagnosed about 2 years ago as a jr in high school and we got her through with a ot of help from her teachers. Never ever doubt that life maybe not worth living! You have blessed me with your explainations and helped me realize what my daughter is going through. God Bless you! youre a tougher person than most of us

[@SurvivingSchizophrenia]

Thank you very much for your incredibly meaningful and kind comment! It warms my heart! I wish you and your daughter the very best. Thank you for following me on my channel and joining my journey! Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!

[@SchizophreniaSurvivor]

This was Stephen’s situation exactly! I remember going to the market with him together with a special education teacher and therapist. We walked in and he froze with anxiety. Stephen had extreme anxiety for the first few years after falling into psychosis and being diagnosed with schizophrenia. Please post any and all questions you have and we will respond to you. Steve

[@warrend114]

@@SchizophreniaSurvivor were there any meds that actually helped with anxiety? We have tried Klonopin (very sparingly) she takes hydroxazine at night, another issue we have is her cycle always brings on severe anxiety. Many times she will just run out of the house because she says the voices are telling her me or her mom are trying to hurt her and it’s almost always two weeks before and during her cycle. Suggesting some of her problems maybe hormonal. The last time she ran out was New Year’s Eve after 2300

[@SchizophreniaSurvivor]

@@warrend114 Stephen has been on Lexapro for about seven years now. I also know that others with schizophrenia also are taking Lexapro for anxiety. Might look into this with the psychiatrist. Lexapro has worked for Stephen to reduce his anxiety. He's on 5mg daily now but used to be on 10mg. His psychiatrist also prescribed propranolol, which Stephen takes as necessary when he has anxiety. When Stephen has a panic attack, or we think one is imminent, then he'll take Ativan (Lorazepam) at 0.5mg, and that works almost immediately to reduce the anxiety.

[@warrend114]

right now my daughter is having issues where she is sleeping 18 hours or so a day and it goes in waves throughout the months. Have you found anything that helps with this? She wakes up after sleeping and says she still feels exhausted. I'm wondering whats going on if maybe the voices are not letting here sleep well or anxiety etc? Just wondering if youve seen this

[@faridakhan7526]

Thanks for sharing your experience. you are awesome.

[@SurvivingSchizophrenia]

Thank you very much Farida! That means so much to me!

[@cherylmiller2272]

Hi Stephen! I'm just now (late last night) getting notification of this video. And I realized that I never got notification of the one before this. I'm so sorry...was wondering if you were ok. So good to see your smiling face! Depression can be very debilitating..my son experiences it quite often. Your outlook on your situation is phenominal...it has a huge impact on recovery. Take care Stephen. I'll go back and watch the video before this. So glad you're okay.

[@SurvivingSchizophrenia]

Hi Cheryl! That is totally ok. I’m doing good and really appreciate your concern! It means so much to me! Thank you for sharing about your son. Depression is very hard and an ongoing struggle for me too. Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!

[@SchizophreniaSurvivor]

Hi Cheryl! Just wanted to come in here to comment as well. Thank you for all of your support and encouragement for Stephen (and ME too!). Have a great day. Steve

[@tomcolgan]

Great video, looking forward to all your new content in 2023 😊

[@SurvivingSchizophrenia]

Thank you Tom! Happy New Year!

[@pauldemic2747]

Great perspective Stephen.

[@SurvivingSchizophrenia]

Thanks very much Paul! Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!

[@John26767]

Hey, thank you Stephen for sharing all of that, it takes real strength of character to share what must have been heart breaking and traumatising times for you. 🙂 I remember hearing voices back in my late teens and thinking I am crazy. I can't even start to imagine what it must feel like to question ones sanity years before that and on top of that to be the focus of everyone's attention, day after day etc. with no respite, especially as directly before you were in the prime of your life (I'm not saying you aren't now, just from a different angle). I wonder what the nature of the headaches were for you, e.g. were they centred in one part of the brain/head, was it a throbbing pain etc. It was interesting when you said in the games you didn't have schizophrenia. I wonder what schizophrenia is for you. Could this be something that needs addressing/gaining closure on, and possibly a element of the depression you sometimes experience. 🙂I'm no Doctor/health professional etc. but from my own personal experience negative thoughts/beliefs/feelings tend to have negative impacts on our well-being. Stephen the World is a better place for you, thank you for you, your input, how much you give of yourself for others and for your KZbin channel. Wishing you and your channel a highly successful and fruitful 2023. 🙂

[@SurvivingSchizophrenia]

Thank you very much for your thoughtful comment and kind words! The onset of my psychosis coincided with my head splitting headaches. The headaches were mostly on the side of my head and my temples. Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!

[@John26767]

@@SurvivingSchizophrenia Sorry to hear that Stephen. I can start to imagine how painful, debilitating and traumatic that must have been for you. It's great to see how healthy you are looking now, and I can only start to imagine the mile stones you must have shifted to get to where you are now. May you go from strength to strength. 🙂

[@SurvivingSchizophrenia]

Thank you very much! It’s been a hard and long journey. I really appreciate your support

[@edwardmccue5982]

thanks for sharing you are inspiration

[@SurvivingSchizophrenia]

Thank you so much Edward! I really appreciate it!

[@Thomas-cc9yv]

Thats pretty darn good. I thought I was in shape.😂

[@sonjavanheyningen5880]

Hope you’re having a happy and healthy day Stephen, you and your family! Thank you for all you share to support breaking down misconceptions about the conditions you have been suffering from… Listening through all your story, as you are sharing it here, I do want to ask if you don’t mind: Before the headaches started, you mention that you had no anxiety or depression, and was socially very well adjusted. It also sounds as though you were a very high achiever and extremely busy/active for a primary aged child. Enrolling in activities many/?most adults never do. Is it possible that you were becoming overwhelmed with all you had achieved, and underlying pressure to maintain a high standard and even surpass that ? /with high school around the corner? Did you get very upset when you did not achieve very highly Etc? Was there really no indication that you were stressing about life/tests/school/achievements, even underlying? And that the stress /possible anxiety manifested through the headaches etc…. As though your whole system went in overdrive and then just stalled… Does the research suggest that childhood or early onset has a genetic component to it? I recall your dad saying (Ibthink?) that early onset can be more severe….. looking at you and how you are going, possibly there may, given optimal nurturing circumstances also be greater recovery options ?? Doing so well and inspired by your openness…🌱🌱🌱

[@Havanesehome]

The doctors had me on several antidepressants and Ativan for anxiety for several years. The depression was severe. I also thought about how to end my life daily. I did not want to hurt others or have someone find me, so that kept me from doing it. Then I went to my sister's and forgot my Ativan I did not know it would be a problem. All of a sudden on day two without the Adivan I felt happy and felt ok like I used to feel. I kept wondering how I got this nice feeling and then remember I had not taken the Ativan. It hit me. when the Ativan was leaving my system the happier I felt. So I went to the doctor and they put me on another med so I would not withdraw. . I still have to take something for anxiety but I no longer have that deep depression since off Ativan. My doctor told me that depression is a side effect of some on Ativan. so you might want to try changing out the Ativan for another med. I do feel so much better not carrying around that depression. I also have the bad headaches since I was 5.

[@jayaldridge4444]

i have never suffered depression or anxiety.it must be hard to handle with schizophrenia aswell.

[@SurvivingSchizophrenia]

Thank you, it can be. Have a happy and healthy rest of your day Jay!

[@Thomas-cc9yv]

I have schizoaffective and I realized that exercise helps.

[@user-wb2yv7ll9d]

Thanks for your videos Stephen, they are very helpful to many people. I have a question: what is your sleep like? do you take anything for sleep? Thanks

[@SurvivingSchizophrenia]

Thank you! I don’t take any medication for sleep, however Clozapine makes me very tired. I take my meds an hour or so before bed. Though it makes me very tired, I don’t usually get the best night sleep.

[@daniaalbassam561]

When did you have headache and starting losing memory ? How long before starting the illness ?

[@SurvivingSchizophrenia]

I started having headaches and memory issues about 2 months before my illness hit

[@ShelleyReneeC]

I’m more likely to be depressed in the fall and winter because the days are shorter and it’s very cold outside. Do you have a season when you are more likely to be depressed?

[@SurvivingSchizophrenia]

Thank you for sharing Shelley! I am usually more depressed during the winter too. Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!

[@user-wb2yv7ll9d]

Stephen, have you ever experienced psychomotor agitation? Thanks for any info you can provide.

[@Thomas-cc9yv]

Now you got me craving pizza.

[@Truerealism747]

A y Chronic pain in the muscles

[@tTheChessGuy]

Fellow schizophrenic here. Do you still live with your parents? I do and I feel awful about it.

[@SurvivingSchizophrenia]

Yes I do. Thank you

[@kms3063]

I have a video I saw on KZbin , I think you might be interested and or your dad , it’s about early screening’ Lmk if it how I could share w you , if you want

[@SurvivingSchizophrenia]

Thank you! Could you leave the title of the video in a comment?

[@kms3063]

It’s called “ before stage four ; confronting early psychosis’

[@Thomas-cc9yv]

Nothings real for me, like a dream. Don't drink alcohol.