Posted by Beckett on June 25, 2014, at 22:16:04
In reply to Re: Acceptance and grief » Beckett, posted by vbs on June 21, 2014, at 22:50:15
> Beckett,
>
> I have schizoaffective disorder. I experience positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia; I hear voices, feel apathetic and somewhat depressed. Medication has helped me manage the symptoms. I take multiple psychotropic drugs. I don't necessarily feel good about taking drugs to alter my brain chemistry. I don't like hearing voices. I fear that other people will judge me. They might think, "He's just crazy." Maybe my friends and family will avoid me or limit contact.
>
> Fears and distress are usually self-limiting. I feel better about myself when I'm well. Making an effort to maintain relationships makes a difference to my overall self-image.
>
> So, taking medication and building / maintaining relationships help me cope. I know that psychotic symptoms are fleeting which also help me cope; it's all temporary.
>
> Anyway, I hope others will chime in.
>
> Take care.
>
> --vbs
>
>Hey, thanks for your response. I find maintaining and building new relationships difficult. You are right, though about that. I feel better when I am well, too, though with this BPII thing I get really down with protracted depression, and when I am down, the guilt and shame hit me. Plus, it was identified that I had panic disorder for maybe 30 years and had no idea that panic was what I was going through. It was a terrible secret, and I felt so different from others. I'm working on pulling out of that. My spouse says there are others with mood disorders, but I don't know any. Some friends who have experienced depression and have recovered. Or anxiety without depression. To have so much piled on top of me, and my kid turning ten is a landmark that caused me to reflect on what my life experience has been and what it 'should' be and how much was lost to depression. Forgive my ramble. I like your attitude :-)
poster:Beckett
thread:1067164
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20140609/msgs/1067370.html