Battling Chronic Mental Illness
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Help When it's Wanted
(Follow me on Twitter and Instagram .) I have recently learned that not getting the help you need can be lethal. Many people advocate for their mentally ill loved ones. And, some of those mentally ill loved ones can’t get the help they need. Imagine having gotten the help, but somehow things changed, and you were no longer getting any assistance? This is a new one by me and I am frustrated as all get out! I’ve learned that it’s not just about getting people on meds, it’s helping them once they’re on meds to continue staying on them, because THE MEDS ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE TO THEM. In other words, you may want to take the meds, but due to issues out of your control, have difficulty getting them anymore. There are lots of reasons for this and I am so sick thinking about all the people who needed medication, but due to issues brought on by their illnesses, could no longer get them. Of course, this applies to ANY chronic condition. Someone please help me understand why we treat pe
An Overview of a Story that’s Still Being Written: 20 Years of Schizophrenia/Schizoaffective Disorder, a Narcissistic Sibling, and my Own Personal Growth
(Follow me on Twitter and Instagram .) Where Have I Been these Past 20 Years? Mostly scared, mostly alone, and (some of the time) dealing with a narcissistic sibling. Well, for starters, my life has indeed taken a sharp turn within the past 5 years especially, and life has only gotten better! I still struggle. Every day in fact. And, there’s much to discuss about where I’m at today vs. where I was 5 years ago vs. where I was at at the time of my schizoaffective disorder diagnosis (and the time between years 20 and 5). So, 20 years ago, I was dealt a heavy blow—that I have a serious mental illness. I was an ambitious guy (and have returned to that), trying to get through in the months and years leading up to my diagnosis. The time between 20 years ago and 5 years ago, seems like a bit of a blur. I was just holding on and one of my main support people was a narcissist. Today, I am married, have productive pursuits, have schizoaffective disorder, and have to (with as much grace a
The Things that are Going Well for Me
(Follow me on Twitter and Instagram .) It’s so easy to focus on the negative, so I’m turning that around. Not forever, but for today! 1. My Current Hobbies: Getting on social media Hosting and producing my podcast Listening to music Playing with my dogs Posting on my blog Sitting outside Travel Visiting with friends Walking 3x per week Watching TV with my wife 2. My health diagnoses are schizoaffective disorder and obesity. And, I am working to improve the outcome of both of them. 3. All things considered, my relationships are going well. And, I am working on most of them. 4. I have a hard-won worldview that I adhere to, which is compatible with the things I know to be true and focuses on sharing and giving back. 5. I am constantly working on having better boundaries. 6. I feel that having animals and a partner is doing a lot for my mental health. 7. Most of them are not, but some of my symptoms are in remission. 8. All of the above and whatever I can do for self-care! Ther
Let’s Talk Support Systems
(Follow me on Twitter and Instagram .) How good are you at practicing boundaries? And, how colorful is your support system? It’s heartbreaking, but I had to move away from the support of my family of origin. For me (and, for many people), family is not the be-all for support in the world. If family doesn’t understand, NAMI’s answer is to “show them the way,” except that some of our families are hardened, manipulative, and widely incapable of love! I do not expect people who can’t “love” to support me through one of my life’s most difficult situations. If they’re trying, sure. I’ll give them the benefit of every doubt! But, what do their own personal histories suggest? And, can we make it work in spite of any generational trauma? I mean, there are a number of ways in which families treat their own pretty badly. And, that’s a shame! If it’s abuse, then I’m out. There is help available to me if I need it (I.e. talk to a professional). Again, life is difficult (and, I don’t kn
The Living with Chronic Mental Illness Podcast (Bullet Points)
(Follow me on Twitter and Instagram .) • I am the Host & Producer of The Living with Chronic Mental Illness Podcast : “This is the story of how ignorance lost its bliss.” • The first five episodes were published on September 19, 2022. • The podcast documents the challenges of living with chronic mental illness. • My goal with the podcast is to help others with mental illness by giving them hope! • It is a weekly podcast (Mondays at 12 am). • It is clean. • Each episode is approximately 5 minutes long!