My name is Vicki and I suffer from schizoaffective disorder for 15 years.  I am now 38 and living on my own, a college graduate, looking for a job, and living day by day. 

Keep reading

Hello,

My name is Cory and I have had schizoaffective disorder for about 15 years now.  It has been quite crippling at times, but through therapy and medication I am managing.  I am managing to hold down a part time job even though I have problems with speech and swallowing.  I am even talking to customers with this problem, knowing that I may get judged but not letting that affect my attitude.  Thank goodness I have a few good co-workers who are healthy, but have listened to me when I have needed to talk.  I hope that someday my symptoms will get better, but until then I will count my blessings.

Looking back I think I had bouts of depression when I was young, but my schizophrenia didn’t really break out until after I experienced hazing in the army. My name is Jason, and I am a disabled vet living with schizoaffective disorder.

Keep reading

My name is Eric. That is my real name. It doesn’t get any realer than that; that’s what I’ve realized. I was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, major depression, panic disorder and chronic pain secondary to spine injury. Before these diagnoses, I was a temporary patient of Kaiser and I was diagnosed with PTSD stemming from many things:  guilt and shame originating from a Judaeo-Christian complex, having taken a human life using “imperfect” self-defense when I was 18 years old and serving many years in hardcore level four years of California state prisons for it, and several other horrible things that happen in life. 

Keep reading

I was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder nearly 15 years ago, and later received a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder of the bipolar type. The second hospitalization following a manic episode was the most difficult–26 days in a state institution–and by the third hospitalization I’d decided that something needed to change: I had to take control of my life. Taking medication consistently was one thing, but cutting all alcohol and drugs altogether was the thing that made all the difference. Without drugs altering my mental balance, I was able to stabilize my moods and get my life together. I started my own editing business and currently run two successful businesses. I’ve also written a book about my illness. I have 7 employees and haven’t looked back on that life that once seemed so hopeless. Once I realized that 1) I wasn’t a victim and everyone has issues and 2) I may have to alter how I live, but my life can still be productive and successful, I was able to get out of the cycle of self-pity. Ultimately, what helped me move on was the realization that I, not my illness, am in charge of my own destiny. There are still difficult days, but I’ve learned that depression and paranoia always end, and coping mechanisms help get me through difficult times. Meditation helps, as does taking time to walk in the woods.

Hi I’m April White and I suffer from Schizoaffective disorder. I was diagnosed with Major Depression in 2006 and then in 2008 I was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. It has been a struggle dealing with this disorder actually its been very unstable until now. In the past ten years, since I graduated college in 2004, I have lived in like 20 different places from living with family to renting rooms. I always think someone is after me. I just got out of an assisted living center, I was there for 11 months and it was through  the local mental hospital.I’ve been raped, taken advantage of when trying to buy a car and used for my brain like everyday. So I finally at a low point I felt like I couldn’t even take care of myself. I am now employed and I just signed a year lease at a condo in Brevard County.  I am much happier with my life something I didn’t think I would ever be able to say. My advice is keep taking your meds and talk to people with similar diagnosis. I met a lot of interesting people at the assisted living center and I’m glad I stayed there. Thank you and Merry Christmas!!!!  

Our son has lived with Schizoaffective Disorder for about 13 years.  He is now 33.  He lives with me, his mother and his father.  He took medications for 10 years.  He then decided on his own to go off all medications which initially was stressful. He has learned to cope with his symptoms without medications.  His grooming has improved remarkably, as well as his organization skills.  He lost 30 lb. almost immediately which made him feel better about himself.  He has become a vegan and eats minimal gluten.  I believe gluten may be the final piece of puzzle, which he is beginning to research and lean toward.  (It must be his idea)  He still has anxiety in social situations, as well as OCD, but has improved so much from his original state of being. I believe the meds stabilized him and am so happy for them initially.  However in his case, 10 years later, diet has helped tremendously. Gluten has been associated with autism and schizophrenia in many case studies.  Perhaps it could help in your case also. Blessings and strength to you.  Hope brings good things.    

A year after I lost my dad to high grade sarcoma (a very rare form of cancer), I lost my mom to mental illness. Three years after the journey to help Mom learn to live with her illness, I finally was able to give it a name: schizoaffective disorder. Have you heard of it? Neither had I. When doing the research I found out about 0.3% of the population are diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. My parents were always good at standing out from the crowd.

Joking aside, the journey has been a challenging learning experience for all. She moved to Arizona after my father had passed where she then began to think the mob and cartel were after her. After spending well more than my father’s life insurance policy gave her and living out a real life Bourne Identity movie, we were able to convince her to come back to Minnesota. Here she has the resources and support she needs to help her with her journey.

We are going through another challenging time with her right now. My family will most likely have to wrap our heads around another new version of normal for our mother. But she is a fighter and wants to live as close to a normal life as she can. I’m very thankful for groups like NAMI and the mental health care system Minnesota provides. As flawed as it may still be, other states are not as advanced.

No matter if your journey with mental illness is your own or a loved one, never give up. Always love them and yourself. Change your outlook of “bad days” to life lessons and find what you can take from the experience.

You are amazing! You are doing a great job! You are loved! Don’t give up!

I live with Schizoaffective disorder and it makes everyday life a challenge. It has caused me to do many things I regret and wish I could take back but all I can do now is do my best to stay sane (with the help of medication) for those who remain in my life and care about me.

This is the story of my life, I was born to a Schizohrenic couple in the 1990’s I was adopted to a good family. I saved my own life one day on November 2, 2017.

Keep reading