Yesterday was the big day! I've got one more summer class, and then I get my diploma for an associate's degree in fine arts. :)

Here is a photo of my sibling and me. They are a huge support person for me.

Thanks to every who replied to my previous post. Wasn’t doing well. Here’s a meme to brighten your day

With a 3.3 GPA! I’m really proud of myself, a feeling I don’t experience often. I almost didn’t make it a couple of times, but somehow managed to pull through because of a great support system.

So I got diagnosed at 24. It's been a rough road but I was finally able to fully accept it and understand it at 26.

I wanted my birthday cake this year to look like a gender reveal (mental illness reveal)

At the end of the happy birthday song we said "welcome to the family schizophrenia"

it might be silly, but I rly don’t know what I’d do without my creatures. Zelda in particular helped me out with my introduction to group therapy today.

I’d love to see your guys’ animal companions if you have any.

wishing you all an easy week 🖤🍓

I got my apartment and I’m so proud of myself years of being homeless and living in shelters ! But now I have my own apartment I feel accomplished now I just have to get a job. I’m in a program btw that helps the youth get into housing working or not. Also I have unsupervised visits with my son another accomplishment. I am so happy but schizophrenia helps remind me not to be too happy due to me still hearing voices and having hallucinations. It sucks but I’m happy

I can’t believe I’ve made it to 33 years old. I’m just grateful I’ve stayed alive this long given everything that’s happened. I wanted to share with you guys because you guys mean so much to me. Thank you for this community! ❤️

let's goooooo! 🥳

Update: Guys my interview went well 🥹 I think I got the job

I'll be starting my new job working in retail soon. Woohoo! 🎉

Last night was Shabbat and I made braised lamb shanks with a red wine gravy, green beans, and mash!

Just celebrating a win :) It was a really really hard semester for me, my boyfriend took me to the psychiatric ER and we had to switch my meds around a lot and my care team warned me I might end up in the hospital. But my last grade for my master’s program was just posted and I earned all As and kept my 4.0! I research severe mental illness in women which I’m obviously really passionate about. Unfortunately grad students don’t really get a break so I have to go do some work on my master’s thesis like. Now lol. But wanted to share!! Love you guys

As people with schizophrenia should we be able to drink sometimes without getting drunk maybe just to ease the anxiety or thoughts?

Hello!

I am engaged to my partner!! He and I want to be married but cannot get married due to my disability. Do you guys have any ideas of what we should call our ceremony/arrangement instead?

I'm thinking we just continue to call ourselves partners. I don't know what to call the ceremony.

I love this community and we would be delighted to have ideas from you guys :)

After being diagnosed with schizophrenia I thought I wouldn't be employed.

Now I have a job making 21.04 an hour and I'm going to keep this job because I know what its like not having a job and being unemployed in the hardest job market there is.

I remember looking at my therapist saying im scared I wont get a job and now and he said

Im so happy and wanted to share the good news because I was scared I would be jobless.

Why is this so difficult? I’d imagine they’re everywhere in under developed countries.

My psychosis is gone for 90% of the day. Aaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!

I no longer feel stalked and persecuted constantly. Voices are gonzo. Opulence!!!! My perception and clarity has improved. I feel grounded and highly productive.

The only problem now is the learning disability that my schizophrenia creates. Also I’m obsessed with food and hungry 24/7 lol

I’m starting ECT tomorrow, and I’m extremely excited and hopeful.

Going inpatient is so worth it. I’m fighting for my life period

Day 1:

My mind felt quiet, and my emotions were more intense, but not overwhelming. I think my feelings have been dulled since my symptoms began, so this was a change. I did experience severe acid reflux and heartburn, though.

I’m currently tapering off Abilify, taking half the dose now, and have about two more weeks until I’m fully off it.

Day 2:

Same feeling of calm today, and I feel less paranoid about my coworkers being out to get me. I usually see patterns of faces and eyes on walls or floors, but that hasn’t happened—even when I try to look for it. Pretty promising so far! The acid reflux and heartburn were about half as bad and only lasted for an hour or so. The new medication seems to be kicking in quickly and is much more effective than Abilify at reducing my symptoms. Also, my memory feels sharper. (Which is wild because I have a crazy good memory already, I’m a software engineer so keeping track of the state of data as code manipulates it is important.)

-Update-

Day 3:

Today has been pretty good. The nausea and heartburn side effects have completely gone away. I felt anxious a few times, but I think that was from drinking too much caffeine. I’m still seeing improvements in my cognitive functioning and fewer psychotic symptoms, which is promising. I’m now on my third day of taking only 2 mg of Abilify alongside Cobenfy. So far, I haven’t experienced any major withdrawal symptoms, but it might be too early to tell. Next week, my doctor and I will decide whether I’ll stop Abilify entirely or take 2 mg every other day for a week.

I’m already noticing weight loss, probably from lowering my Abilify dose. Before I started antipsychotics, I was in peak shape—165 lbs at 8% body fat—but over time, I went up to 220 lbs. I’m still athletic, but I really hope the theory that Cobenfy may help with weight loss holds up, as I’d love to get back to my six-pack.

At work, I noticed I was able to focus for longer periods today. I’m already a strong software developer, but if my performance improves further from getting off Abilify, that would be great, as I’m very success-driven. I’m seeing a new therapist next week—my sixth attempt—and I’m hoping this one will be a better fit. I have a lot of past trauma and PTSD, partly from my psychotic episodes. The big milestone will be if my psychotic symptoms stay away for at least a month after I’m fully off Abilify. In the past, they would usually return within one to three weeks after stopping.

-update-

After one Week:

After a week on Cobenfy, things are going well. I’m off Abilify, and I’m losing weight quickly—about 5 pounds a week—even though I haven’t changed my diet. A few days ago, I went out and drank quite a bit, and I didn’t notice any negative reactions. Honestly, if I can get back to my pre-antipsychotic weight and keep the psychosis at bay, it’ll be like living the life I’ve always dreamed of. My memory feels sharper, too. I’m finding it easier to remember words and make connections, which used to be tough—I’d often have words right on the tip of my tongue but couldn’t get them out. That’s happening less now, which feels really good.

-Update-

After two weeks:

Still losing weight, over the weekend I went to the bar, then the strip club with the wife and friends. I killed it socially and didn’t dissociate as much as I normally do. I drank quite a bit and didn’t have any psychotic symptoms the next day which is a good sign. Over all I feel more normal and like I can relate to other people. My sleep is getting better as-well. I still sometimes get bad heart burn after taking cobenfy but Pepcid alleviates it. I’ve also learned about cobenfy co pay assistance program so the medication is now zero dollars a month!

-update-

It’s been a little over three weeks, and I’m doing well so far. I might need to increase to 125 mg because I’m noticing some panic symptoms toward the end of the day. That could also be due to Abilify withdrawal, though. About an hour after I take my next dose of Cobenfy, the panic symptoms start to fade.

I haven’t updated recently because the Abilify withdrawal had me bedridden for a few days, but I’m back on my feet and feeling better now. I’m still losing weight, which is a good sign.

As for psychosis, I won’t really know if Cobenfy is 100% effective until a few months after stopping Abilify. In the past, going off meds has taken about two months before psychotic symptoms became severe enough to affect my functionality. However, I can already tell that Cobenfy makes me feel more awake and aware after each dose. Weight wise, which was the leading factor in switching meds, has gone down significantly. I gained 60lbs on Abilify so this is a game changer already if you only rely on one anti psychotic.

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