Schizophrenia Facts.....and personal comments

Good day all... It is Saturday, a cold, rainy Saturday.  Perfect day for writing.  I wanted to post some Schizophrenia facts today, and of course add my personal comments about my life with the illness.  Before I get to that, I would like to say that I have been having an amazing experience meeting new people on my Facebook group, Schizophrenia Online Connection.  I am thankful to have met such wonderful and understanding people. 
Okay, with that said, here are some facts that I think we all need to be aware of...
1. Many people living with Schizophrenia have a small loss of IQ.  The approximation is 8-10 points.
2. Approximately 68% of people living with schizophrenia drive vehicles.
3. If both mother and father have schizophrenia, there is a 36% chance that you will have the illness as well.
4. Schizophrenia is unbelievably neglected by mental health professionals.
5. "At least 40% of those living with schizophrenia are not receiving treatment at any given time" (SS)
6. Approximately 2.2% of the US population is living with schizophrenia.
This is just a tiny, tiny sample of facts on schizophrenia.  As a person living with paranoid schizophrenia, I have to say that it is just so complicated.  I have been having quite a bit of paranoia recently, and I have also been under some stress.  Lonliness is a BIG issue for me as well.  I find it very difficult many times to focus on things, and that is distressing to me, as before I was diagnosed with the illness, I was much more focused on things I was interested in.  The loss of interest that occurs with schizophrenia is also very difficult to deal with.  Through all of this, I am diligently working on coping skills to alleviate some of these symptoms.  It is not easy.  It takes consistent work and diligence, and I am hopeful that these symptoms will continue to dissipate.  Also, the holiday season seems to heighten depressive symptoms, which I am managing.  I do wish everyone a happy holiday season, and a wonderful new year. If you have any comments or questions, please let me know. Until tomorrrow-Erica

TGIF! Friday's are always a good thing...

Good day everyone... It is 3:44 a.m. on Friday.  I love Friday's.  No, I do not work anymore because of my Schizophrenia, but I still love Friday's.  No, I don't go out to party, I just love Friday's.  That means the weekend is here...there is something about the weekend that is comforting.  I am sure that many people feel this way.  I am working on multiple projects now, book writing, blogging, and working on my group for Schizophrenic's on Facebook.  It keeps me busy.  It also quells some of the paranoia.  Yes, I still get paranoid, quite easily at times.  Thank goodness for coping skills and medication.  I did not sleep very well last night, but that is not surprising.  I am also nursing a cold at the moment, which is highly annoying.  So, today I have decided to concentrate on my book writing and working with those who are also living with schizophrenia.  I concentrate on this every day, but today, I am dedicating the entire day to these projects.  My support group is growing, slowly, but is growing.  That's a good thing.  I know there are many of you out there that need support and guidance.  That is why I am here.  Little 'ol me.  Just trying to do my part to help fellow schizophrenics cope with day to day life.  This is no easy task, mind you.  It is quite rewarding though, and have made many good friends thus far.  I don't know how many of you suffer from cognitive issues because of schizophrenia.  I know that I do.  It is difficult to focus, stay on task, and as far as memory, well, the short term memory has some problems.  That is because of what schizophrenia does to the brain.  But, I try to work through this.  Maybe this is why college classes have become so difficult for me?  I am going to assume so.  I am just thankful I am able to take some college classes.  Considering my case history, this is quite a feat for me.  I really am thankful. 
Well, it is the last weekend to shop for Christmas if you celebrate this upcoming event.  This year should be a good year for me.  Past Christmas' have been...well... stressful.  I was in psychosis one year, and that was difficult.  I am glad that I am finally stable, after years of being up and down, between psychosis and hospitalizations.  I have my bad days, even weeks, but so far, no signs of psychosis.  Medication must be working well, and I am also using techniques that I have learned through therapy and other sources.  So, this year, I am looking forward to a nice, peaceful , relatively stress-free holiday.  Yule, which is the Winter Solstice, begins on the 21st.  I will be celebrating that, as I am Wiccan, in case you didn't already know that. 
Actually, I found my spiritual path, I believe, in part, due to my schizophrenia.  I will elaborate on this more later. 
I hope everyone has a good day, enjoy your Friday, enjoy life.  As always, I am always available if any of you need to talk... just send me an email, or if you are a Facebook user, link to the Facebook link below. Also, take some time to read my other blog, Mental Illness Awareness.  You will find information on all sorts of Mental Illnesses, and more.  Thanks for reading!  See you tomorrow....By the way, please bookmark this blog, and keep updated daily!  If you have any suggestions for me, please let me know.  I will be glad to incorporate them into this blog.  Until tomorrow friends!!!

Thursday: A Perfect Day to work on some research....I hope

Good day all... It is 4:57am, I woke up a little later than my usual 3ish, but am happy to have had the proverbial 8 hours sleep last night.  Thanks to Temazepam, a sleep aid that was prescribed to me by my psychiatrist.  It does seem to cause wicked headaches, and also some drowsiness, so folks that are on this medication, those are the symptoms I am experiencing most with this sleep aid.  Nonetheless, I slept.  Thank goodness.  Sleep deprivation is quite common among schizophrenics.  I have had trouble sleeping, my sleep pattern has been disrupted over the years, and I attibute much of it to my living with schizophrenia.  The weather outside is quite freezing, and I have no intention to go outside, other than to take my mother to get her blood drawn, which is not too far.  So, I will have to take a shower (UGH, as much as I like to be clean, the shower really annoys me) and get ready for this arctic blast of cold outside.  I should do well taking her there, as I have done before.  As many of you may or may not know, I have a Social Phobia when it comes to going outside, (except when I am shopping) and being around others, but I am working on that with my therapist.  I am able to drive, and also able to do many things that some schizophrenics cannot do.  I manage what I have to.  I force myself to take at least one class at the local college, just to stay familiar with the world outside.  I also love going to the local Barnes and Noble, and can look at books for hours.  Otherwise, I take a few classes online, and with diligence and the assistance of medication and therapy, I am able to concentrate on my studies.  I have found it to be quite a difficult task, you see, some of the cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia mimic those of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), a disorder I was diagnosed with many years ago.  I do take medication for that as well, which, oddly enough, assists in some of the symptoms of my paranoid schizophrenia.  I already am experiencing anxiety about going out today.  This is the hard part, the anticipation.  On the other hand, surprises cause me to go into a tailspin.  I have and need a regular, calm schedule to function at my best.  The anxiety I experience is highly stressful, and I am learning to cope, not only with medication, but with positive self-talk, working through the anxiety by analyzation of its causation, and of course by being prepared.  So I will shower as soon as I am finished with today's blog.  Then I will be dressed and ready, easing the anxiety.  I have switched to decaffeinated coffee, as I have found this ramps up anxiety levels when using regular coffee.  It is not so easy, as I have been a coffee drinker for a long, long time.  But, it will be something I will get used to.  Another issue is smoking.  I read in a study (several, actually) that 90-95% of people with schizophrenia smoke.   It has something to do with the chemicals in the brain.  I will elaborate on this at another time. My intention for the day is to continue to do some research on...you guessed it mental illness.  I also intend to write some more of my book as well, which is about schizophrenia.  Symptoms manageable today, so far, so good.  I want anyone reading this that has schizophrenia, knows someone who does, or wants to know more about schizophrenia, to feel free to contact me via email, or post something here or my other site, listed above.  It is my dream and intention to help those afflicted with mental illness.  I am working towrds that dream.  Incase I forget, I wish everyone a happy holiday season.  This time of year can be quite stressful for me, and for many others afflicted with mental illness as well.  My advice is to just take things day by day, have a schedule of your daily activities or events, if any, and make sure you address any concerns with your psychiatrist or therapist or case manager.  Until tomorrow, Erica:))

Today is Wednesday, and I am hoping it will be a great day....

Good Morning everyone. Well, it is 4:27am here on the east coast of the Carolinas.  I am up and awake as usual.  See, my Schizophrenia has caused my sleep patterns to change, no longer am I this late nighter... I go to bed fairly (actually really) early, and wake up just as early, but much of the time, I do get my full 8 hours of rest.  I do wake up several times in the night, often wanting a cigarette, but generally I am at my best in the morning...these weee hours of the morning... I love to wake up around three a.m. and start my day, while it is quiet in the house and also outside.  I realize I missed blogging yesterday, sorry folks, had some issues.  Issues?  Yes, issues.  Not symptom specific issues, just, well, okay, I HAD to go shopping at the mall..... That is something I am trying very hard to control...my spending habits.  I am on a fixed income, so it is hard to spend, spend, spend.  But, it is the holidays, and I decided to get some gifts (and of course, a few items for myself ;).... Anyway, In people with mental illnesses such as Schizophrenia and especially BiPolar disorder, spending money can be a BIG issue.  I have always had the tendency to overspend, but never knew why... now I do.  I mean, how many pairs of shoes do I really need?  I have bins and bins full of shoes...also purses... I am a collector..haha.  Do I wear all of these shoes and purses? Hardly, but I HAVE to have them.  I am also a thrift store "junkie".  You can find some great deals on great, barely if at all used items at rock bottom prices.  They know me there well.  But I digress... Today, I wanted to say a little something about schizophrenia...yes, schizophrenia.  That's why you're reading this, right?  I hope so anyway, however, I want to touch on an aspect of schizophrenia that many do not understand.  Lonliness.  The need to fill a void.  This IS an issue for schizophrenics, I know, because, well, I am schizophrenic. Paranoid type.  I guess that is why i brought up the shopping issue, as while I was shopping, I was exhilirated, I felt wonderful, excited, happy.  But, was I really happy or just filling a void.   I mean, I have more shoes that I know what to do with, clothes up the gazoo, and a purse for every day of the year practically.  Then, why don't I use them?  Well, I don't know.  It is the sense of fulfillment I receive from attaining these inanimate objects.  I get excited over great deals, I don't care if I have 20 pairs just like it, I NEED these too.... Yes, the social phobia seems to dissipate when I am shopping, when I can spend money. This baffles me, I am still working on figuring this one out.  Back to lonliness.  So, many of us living with schizophrenia are lonely.  Whether we live with one hundred people or no one, we are lonely.  It is a lonliness on the inside.  A feeling that no one understands us.  Also, there is the social-phobia issue.  So many things, issues, surrounding schizophrenia.  I mean, as a rule, I do not have many friends....not that I am not friendly or non-approachable... I am.  I just have this feeling inside that keeps me at an arms distance from building friendships.... Online, not a problem.  I have many friends, many who are afflicted with the same illness I have, and it is easy to communicate.  I do have a lot to offer, though most people will not ever get to know that. I do suffer from social anxiety,  though it has been improving.  I will touch more on this topic of lonliness later on, as it is an issue. Amongst others.  Many others.  So, I hope you keep reading, as I will keep writing.  By the way, did I tell you i am writing a book about Schizophrenia?  Yes, I am writing a book. Not to make money, but to help people, and all the proceeds are going to charity.  I will disclose more as the book comes along.  I hope everyone has a great day, and I am always available if anyone needs to talk about their bout with schizophrenia, or just needs someone to talk to.  Talk again later- Stay Tuned as they say....... Erica

Okay, so I have been busy writing and talking to others with Schizophrenia

Okay, so today I have been writing on my other blog listed above, and have beenm having an overall good day.  I know that I have had a few symptom flare-ups today, due to stress...I am working very hard to figure out how to reach all of the people who need assistance emotionally and otherwise with Schizophrenia.  I have been racking my brain, and I am slightly impatient when it comes to things getting done, so if any of you have ideas on how to spread the word about this blog, the other blog, or my Facebook Group-Schizophrenia Online Connection...let me know.  I would love to be able to have a community that really shares and cares, and I am working diligently on this... Yes, even with symptom issues, though I am thankfully not having any serious ones.  It is mostly cognitive issues I am finding, but I know many of you have other symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions, etc., and I want you to know I am here to help.  If you need to talk about Schizophrenia, please leave a comment, contact me on facebook, or drop an email to me.  Thank you and I will talk to you all tomorrow!

What a great day today...

What a great day today.  I had so much sleep Sunday, due to lack of sleep Saturday, I slept basically from 8am Sunday until 2om, then from 5pm until 4:30 am this Monday morning!  I feel so much  better, symptoms subsided at the moent, and I am just feeling great!  I am excited about these new blogs and am hopeful that there will be many who foolow along on this journey through schizophrenia with me.  Today's outlook is promising, I am hoping to get more work done on my book, as well as my online comnmunity on Facebook (link on the bottom of this page). More to follow later...:))

The Schizo-phrenia Daily: Welcome to The Schizophrenia Daily

www.mentalillnessawareness.com

Today I am tried as heck.....

Hello all who are following. Today I am so very tired, I had another sleepless night, thanks to good old schizophrenia.  I have sleeping medication, however, I am trying to avoid taking them due to the severity of the headaches the meds bring on.  I have had some sleep, about an hour, so not completely sleepless, just mostly :).  I am experiencing a few symptoms, cognitive mostly, thought processing and the like.  I also am having some paranoia currently, which is of no particular origin, just general paranoia.  The lack of sleep can really have effects on the illness, so those of you who are reading this who live with or know someone with schizophrenia, get your sleep!!!  I am 37 years old, and I live with Paranoid Schizophrenia.  I have been hospitalized several times, which was not any fun at all.  It took quite some time to get the right medicines to work for me, I must say, however, overall my progress has been very good.  I have decided that I will share my life with schizophrenia with all of you because there are millions of people who are affected by this disease and may be looking for a good place to get information , as well as foolow the life of a schizophrenic.  I am neither embarrassed nor ashamed of the fact that I am disabled by this illness, I feel empowered by it because it has given me the opportunity to reach out and share (and help) others who are suffering and living with the disease.  I know that I am forever changed because of my schizophrenia, and I am okay now with that.  It is a daily, and I mean daily struggle for me, but I do the bestthat I can every day to be the best I can be.  Due to the limitations schizophrenia causes, I am no longer able to work and I am also dependent on my medication to help subdue the symptoms, though there is always something that goes on that affects my daily living.  I need a routine, settled life, with little stress to cope with my disorder.  I have supportive parents, however, they have their own health issues and do not really understand what schizophrenia is all about.  So, I have had to do a lot of research on my own, and happily so, as my dream is to be in the mental health field professionally, however, I am aware that I may not be able to do so for a myriad of reasons.  Yet, I still persevere.  I cannot tell you enough how strenuous this life can be, it has changed me completely.  I am the same person, of course, however, the disease has changed me in many ways.  I have memory deficits, memory storage issues, panic attacks, paranoia, and also have anxiety at a very high level.  Thank goodness there are medications that help me through this, as this illness is bigger than anything I have ever understood.  I do also know that it is an illness that people are afraid of, weary of, and tense over when they hear about it or find out they have it.  Having schizophrenia does not mean that people should stay away from us, it is just that there is a better understanding needed of the actual illness and its effects on the schizophrenic and those that surround him/her.  It is often disabling, and left untreated, which is quite commonplace unfortunately, its damage is devastating.  So, I am going to do my best here to help those who need help in understanding, those who need companionship in this, and those who genuinely want to know about schizophrenia.  Since I am no computer wizard, nor am I a walking encyclopedia, I use multiple resources to compile my information, as well as my own personal account of living with the disease, and I relay this information to you.  I hope that this blog (and you know I do not particularly like the word blog, it is more than that, it is a...well, I will think of  the word soon...memory issues :) ), will help you all understand schizophrenia and life with schizophrenia.  Thank you for reading The Schizophrenia Daily, it is an important work for me and I hope it becomes part of your daily routine as well..... With genuine sincerity, Erica

Welcome to The Schizophrenia Daily

Welcome all to The Schizophrenia Daily.  This blog is intended to share information regarding Schizophrenia, as well as to share what daily life is like when someone has Schizophrenia.  Schizophrenia is the most misunderstood illness to date, and is an overwhelming disorder for more than 1.2 million people in the United States alone.  Approximately 1 in 100 will be diagnosed with the disorder in any given year.  That may seem like a small number, but actually it isn't.  Schizophrenia is a devistating and difficult brain disease, and the costs financially for the treatment, hospitalizations, disability payments, among other things is astounding.  Most people misunderstand Schizophrenia, and it is often mistaken for Multiple Personality Disorder/Split Personality Disorder, however, that is a different mental illness altogether.  Coping with schizophrenia for most people living with the illness is to say the least, stressful.  It is a life-long illness that is surrounded by fear, stress, anxiety, and paranoia in most cases.  It is undoubtedly the most difficult thing in life I have had to personally deal with and do deal with on a daily basis.  Schizophrenia is being studied continuously, yet it is not known as of this time, what really causes it, and how it really affects the person living with it, neurologically speaking.  Yes, it is known to cause cognitive issues, emotional issues, and even physical issues.  Those who have studied and continue to study schizophrenia have made great strides in pinpointing some areas of the brain that are affected, and pharmalogical advances have assisted in relieving many of its symptoms.  With that being said, it is still a daily, sometimes hourly, sometimes minute by minute struggle living with schizophrenia.  It is my hope and intention to shed some light on this often crippling disease of the brain, and to give insight to those who may have the disease, or may have a loved one with the disease.  I am also hopeful that the stigma attached to Schizophrenia will become less and less, and the general population will become more aware of schizophrenia and treat those afflicted with dignity.