Gaining-insight.com – an examination of the relationship between schizophrenia and stigma. Art work and audio clips.

Lack of insight - Not denial. Schizophrenia is as real as reality. The psychosis audio clip sounded pretty real.

- Gainging insight - Psychosis

The morning and guilt are spot on.

- Gaining insight - Coping

Recovery is the light at the end of the tunnel. Exactly!

Medications- Lithium

One of the drugs most widely known for its treatment in bipolar disorder (it can also be used in the treatment of schizoaffective disorder) is lithium. Personally, I was tried on lithium and hated it with a passion, as have so many others I have spoken to. However, it works extremely well in some individuals and since I will be posting articles about other drugs used to treat our conditions I have to include lithium.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF PSYCHOSIS? Howtodeal with Psychosis

In mild to moderate psychosis the hallucinations can be things like seeing “something” out of the corner of your eye (visual), though it disappears when you try to look directly at it
(– this is what it was like when I was on pcp)

Global Assessment of Functioning Scale. Link.

91-100

Superior functioning in a wide range of activities, life's problems never seem to get out of hand, is sought out by others because of his or her many positive qualities. No symptoms

81-90 - (What I think I am.)

Absent or minimal symptoms ( e.g., mild anxiety before an exam ), good functioning in all areas, interested and involved in a wide range of activities, socially effective, generally satisfied with life, no more than everyday problems or concerns ( e.g., an occasional argument with family members )

51-60 - (what i might be...)

Moderate symptoms ( e.g., flat affect and circumstantial speech, occasional panic attacks ) OR moderate difficulty in social, occupational, or school functioning ( e.g., few friends, conflicts with peers or co-workers ).

In a study in “Predicting the "revolving door" phenomenon among patients with schizophrenic, schizoaffective, and affective disorders” concludes:
A lcohol/drug problems and noncompliance with medication were the most important factors related to frequency of hospitalization. Preventing these behaviors through patient education may reduce rehospitalization rates.

Melinda’s story

...I thought both of them were attacking me for some kind of retribution. There was alot of stuff in my head at this time and it was very complicated. I believed so many things at once. I had a strong belief that my neighbors in my apartment building were involved. I even knocked on one of their doors one night, thankfully no one answered. I don't know what I would have said. I would have probably begged them to leave me alone. (this almost reminds me of a blackout episode when I broke into my friends old house)

I thought my brothers and sisters were in their apartment, along with my ex-boyfriend and his wife. I heard their voices all the time. (This reminds me of when smoking weed I thought my friends were conspiring against me)

Schizophrenia & Natural Remedies

Withdrawing Safely from Psychiatric Drugs

Definition of schizoaffective:

Schizoaffective disorder is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a mental disorder characterized by recurring episodes of mood disorder and psychosis. Distortions in perception alternate with and occur simultaneously with elevated or depressed mood. These perceptual disortions may affect all five senses, including sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch, but most commonly manifest as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking Cot damn this sounds crazy to me!

As a group, people with schizoaffective disorder have a more favorable prognosis than people with schizophrenia, but a worse prognosis than those with mood disorders.