 |Mental health is a commonality that we all share as human beings. Often times, the state of our mental health can take a backseat to other, seemingly more pressing components of our life, such the duties we are responsible for at our job, or the obligations at home or with our family. Generally, the longer we ignore or make other areas of our life a priority, the more detrimental this can be on our well-being. This is particularly the case if one has a mental health diagnosis that goes undetected or untreated for too long. Treatment for mental health is possible, and the sooner one accesses support, the sooner one can begin to live a productive and inspiring life. This article will delve into a clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia and a personal story shared through the eyes of an individual living with this diagnosis. Please note: This guest article does not contain healthcare, therapeutic or financial advice. If you are concerned about your health or well-being, speak with a health professional or visit your nearest medical facility in an emergency. The links in this article may be affiliate links that I will be compensated for at no additional cost to you.
What is Schizophrenia? According to psychiatry.org, a diagnosis of schizophrenia refers to "...a chronic brain disorder that affects less than one percent of the U.S. population. When schizophrenia is active, symptoms can include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, trouble with thinking and lack of motivation. However, with treatment, most symptoms of schizophrenia will greatly improve and the likelihood of a recurrence can be diminished." Additional information about schizophrenia:
The following is a story shared by an individual living with a diagnosis of schizophrenia shared in their own words. Please take note of possible trigger warnings as their story shares of self-harm and suicide. If you, or someone you know, is experiencing mental health concerns, please know there is support available. Please reach out to a crisis line or emergency support in your area. Mental Health Supports:
 Jessi's Story: Over 9 years ago, I woke up one morning and everything I knew was gone. My memories were wiped clear, I still have issues to this day. After waking up, I went to the hospital, thinking that they could help. I'm not really sure what happened but I believe that I had a psychotic episode, which does happen, memory issues have been found in people with schizophrenia, it can be temporary, or last a very long time. Mine has now lasted 9 years so far, I have bits and pieces but I live from day to day. To remember things now, I write everything down. Some days are better than the others. Some days, are filled with pain, as I used to cut myself as it felt good, it felt like a great release. I still have all of those scars, on my arms and legs. Which constantly reminds me of those days. I cut my wrist, millimeters away from the main vein, with a steak knife and was surprised I didn’t hit it. I thought at the time that, if I cut, it would take the constant voices away. Nothing was doing it, so when I was in the hospital, they came to the conclusion that what I have is a mental illness. And I am on the border of being hospitalized, so I met up with psych doctors everyday for 60 days in psych ward, during this time, I was given Seroquel, most people go to sleep, it was the opposite for me as it gave me insomnia. After 45 days in psych ward, I was on over 1,000 mgs of Seroquel per day. I found that I was finally balanced out, but later found out that I had some of the same issues and that’s why I received 1mg of Risperidone, but I keep seeing a red or blue flashing light, like a recording light that would blink to show you, that it’s recording. I even said this to my former psych doctor. Because I still see it, I can’t get rid of it. So a psych doctor in Ontario gave me another anti-psychotic medication Risperidone 1mg per day. So then I was on two anti-psych meds, I though wow, being on over a 1,000mgs of anti-psych drugs, I must have it bad. My former doctor confirmed that if I have another psychotic episode that I would be put in a hospital until the doctors there figured out that I’m ok and can return to the public, that part scared me. So I work on myself from day to day, taking my day to day medication of 750mg of Seroquel, plus my PRN of 150mg to 300mg per day. Equaling to just 1,050mg per day. So that’s what I did, on Seroquel you have strange dreams, some can be erotic, others flying, but this one dream was so real, a lucid dream, it was so vivid. So I wrote about it back in 2018, a year ago, my brother tells me that when I was young that I rode in his jeep, I guess this one time I flew out of his Jeep landing on my head. As he didn’t take me to the hospital like he should have. So not knowing it’s not good to sleep while having a concussion. I don’t remember where most of my life went, or what I did. But I take my medication every day, it does help, somewhat. I realized the day my brother told me that, that’s why I had a relapse but this time it was my silent enemy that I carried with me all these years, it’s just a matter of when it turns on. Maybe it was a situation that made me have a relapse. I often wonder if that’s related, I’m not sure. But once people find out that I’m on so much medication I find they are scared if I get so mad I can’t control myself. But that’s why I have my PRN, a prn is Latin for take as needed. I normally take the extra medication on a daily basis as well. But moving to Edmonton, I take my morning medication, but find that I don’t take it in the evening now. I have lost weight, I eat better, I look better, I am down to 350mg of Seroquel, 1mg of Risperidone per day and I’m good. I still don’t remember, but I still live from day to day, slowly increasing it from day to two days and now I plan for the entire week every so often. I am glad that my psych doctor recognized that I needed the medication to balance out my mental stability. As I find that it works better for me, once I get a new psych doctor, I will inform him/ or her that I lowered my meds and so far it's working. If I get a bad day, I can still take my PRN. -- Update from Jessi, April 2025: Over the past 13 years I have been on the same medication, Seroquel, and Risperidone. Both of these medications are for schizophrenia, being that I have severe schizophrenia, I must take what works for me. I'm on over max per day, this helps, it doesn't work all the time but most times. With this medication it's known as a weight gainer, when I first got on this medication, I was only 135lbs, I skyrocketed to 240lbs in 8 months. So I tried different combos of food that may help with losing that weight. If you're on this medication the best exercise would be the rowing machine, I bought one, do about 100 rows per day on 50% tension, this works on all of your muscles which is needed because the psych meds work against you. Over the years I learned what to eat so that I wouldn't gain weight as much, so I found that having mainly protein in my diet helps to lose weight along with daily exercise. Be sure to discuss this with your psych/ and doctor, letting him/ her/ them know that you have begun to improve yourself. This is huge because I go through months of not taking care of myself, just not caring, but with the right support, the right psych doctor/ s, the right diet, the right exercise, you can live a good life. Just take your meds, see your doctor regularly, eat sensibly, exercise, and at the end of the day, you will be fine. My visions, and hearing things still happen... sometimes scary, sometimes annoying, but I always have my PRN (latin for take as needed) just in case. Sometimes it makes me tired, other times it gives me insomnia. But I feel somewhat normal, even though the large doses of Seroquel keeps me domicile throughout the day. So I work on this client, or that... I work from home, cause I am unable to work in a group setting as it's too many people for me. I am better, I think... I have a lot less urges to harm myself, don't get me wrong I still have them, but I have a good support team that I can go to at any time, any hour, and would offer up their services when dealing with "what/ how I'm feeling" and it helps them to better help me. Now I am seeking a psych doctor, as my last one changed fields and dropped his entire list. I really hope you're reading this, and look forward to my next improvement letter. To see my downfalls, and what/ who lifts me up. Until next time... About the Author: Jessi Stone is an author/ writer/ content creator, we have the right services for you. In addition to our visionary approach, my team is also adept at acquiring new clients and forging lasting partnerships. You can find me on Google; just type in Jessi L Stone and your on your way of viewing my website. Related: Benefits of Regular Therapy Sessions with a Therapist  The links in this article may be affiliate links that I will be compensated for at no additional cost to you. Want to start your own blog? Click here to visit the store!
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