5 Habits I've Developed as a Paranoid Schizophrenic: A Decade of Living with Mental Illness

 


Living with paranoid schizophrenia for over ten years has brought about significant changes in my daily life, many of which have formed into habits that I can't seem to shake. While it might sound daunting, these habits have become an integral part of managing my mental health. Here are five habits that I've developed as a person living with mental illness:

1. Counting My Medication

This habit developed quickly, especially as consultation day approached. I meticulously count my medication because, as someone with a mental illness, I know how crucial it is to take them daily to avoid setbacks. The thought of starting over is something I always try to avoid.

2. Counting Days Until the Next Consultation

Yes, I count both my medication and the days until my next consultation. In my community, consultations happen monthly, often on the same date. However, consultations might occur every three months for those living in rural areas or distant parts of Indonesia. It all depends on how stable your symptoms are or how far they've progressed.

3. Relying on My Doctor

The doctor who first diagnosed me gave me her phone number so I could contact her whenever I experienced symptoms. Over the years, I’ve come to rely heavily on my doctor, especially during panic attacks. However, I've realized this habit might not be healthy, as it often leads to hospitalization. If you're in a similar situation, it might be worth trying to manage your symptoms on your own or with the help of those around you, to avoid frequent hospitalizations.

4. Repeating the Same Answers

Every time I see a new doctor, they ask the same question: "What is your medication?" And every time, I recite my medication list from memory. This happens at least every three months when I need to renew my public insurance, and it feels like I'm stuck in a loop, always giving the same answers depending on my medication dosage.

5. Avoiding "Weird" People in the Waiting Room, Knowing I’m One of Them

This one hits me hard every month when I visit the hospital for my consultation. To avoid the so-called "weird" people in the waiting room, I often go with my parents. But deep down, I know that I’m one of them. It’s a conflicting feeling because, while I try to distance myself, I understand all too well what they’re going through.

So, what about you? What habits have you developed as a person living with mental illness? Share your experiences in the comments below!

Komentar

Posting Komentar

Postingan populer dari blog ini

3 Reasons Why I Chose Amsterdam as the Setting for Double Minority Hanna

Gambar
 As many of you may already know from reading my novel Double Minority Hanna , I previously shared the inspiration behind the story, which comes from personal experiences and my community. In this article, I want to delve into why I chose Amsterdam as the setting for Double Minority Hanna and how it plays a vital role in Hanna’s journey. 1. Mental Health Support and Recovery Environment in Amsterdam One of the key reasons I chose Amsterdam is its robust mental health support system and recovery-friendly environment. The city is home to communities, organizations, and a cultural attitude that promotes a positive outlook on mental illness. This is why Hanna, following her brother's suggestion, moves to Amsterdam. The environment contrasts sharply with that of Indonesia, where mental health stigma is prevalent and mental illness is often misunderstood as violence or weakness. In Amsterdam, Hanna finds fewer people willing to bully her, thanks to the city's more progressive stance
Baca selengkapnya

5 reasons to not isolate yourself despite your mental illness

Gambar
  It's hard having a mental illness. I also know my experience of medication as a 10-year paranoid schizophrenic really changed me, especially with isolation. First, let’s define isolation! According to Cambridge.com Isolation is alone, separately from other people, places, or things. Isolation can also produce the noun called lonely which is defined as a feeling of being lonely. Do you ever feel lonely while handling a mental illness? I do too in one of my darkest days in life especially when my depression and paranoia take control, I often isolate myself which makes me feel lonelier. My doctor even said that I must be with other people in order to get well because isolation is really a huge issue for a mentally ill people. It also has a negative impact on your mental illness. Check out my 5 reasons to not isolate yourself despite your mental illness. # 1 Isolation makes you feed on your lonely thoughts There are times when you start isolating yourself of course fr
Baca selengkapnya

Four reasons why to-do list is important to reach your goals

Gambar
These days, people have more work to do and sometimes it has an effect of people’s productivity. One of the simplest ways to increase productivity is by having a to-do list. Let’s begin with the first question: so, what is a to-do list? According to asana.com, a to-do list is a list of things that you have to do. Usually, people just scramble with a to-do list to know what work is more important and the priorities of the day’s work. Anyone can use a to-do list from students who are going through their homework until productive workers. The final question is what is the Importance of a to-do list to reach your goals? First, as mentioned before to-do list can increase your productivity. By sorting tasks that are more urgent than the other tasks. Second, a to-do list provides a sense of accomplishment ticking the box as you accomplish the tasks one by one. It can make you feel great about what you have done by doing your to-do list. Third, a to-do list can improve your memory by writing d
Baca selengkapnya