Living With Schizophrenia 2
Living with schizophrenia is effectively existing with altered realities. One of the things I observed was that a total change of environment or routines within a short space of time often were ‘triggers’.
On psychotic episodes, I did not recognize those close to me especially at the most intense of episodes. This was very traumatic for my loved ones. Zoe tells me of a time shortly before we got married when I had a psychotic episode. That episode is a total blur to me but Zoe says her heart was crying inside as I was responding to her in a manner that one would have thought we were almost strangers.
One of the hallmarks of my period with schizophrenia was lack of confidence. I found it challenging following up and following through with activities. Some pictures I took over the period had my eyeballs glazed over as if ‘I was possessed’. Thankfully not!
Over extended periods of time my physical health deteriorated particularly after years of being on olanzepine. Now I am not saying that the medication did not have it’s benefits but after a few months of recovery on the medication weight became an issue. I found weight gain to be a side effect.
Raised cholesterol was also another problem. I joined a gym and started a strict diet control in order to manage the symptoms of these issues. For a while it seemed like my efforts were in vain as I found it extremely challenging getting rid of the artificial weight.
I was constantly drowsy. Again this was yet another side effect of the medication. I was to discover that most of the several side effects I had with the drug vanished when I came off the medication completely on my recovery from mental illness. It was a tall order getting to that milestone but I defied mental illness.
Living with schizophrenia was no easy peasy life. There is so much to share. All cannot be said in one or even two blogs. It was quite a journey during those 18 years. There is plenty of blogs to spill…
Have you known anyone suffering from the side effects of Olanzepine or any other anti-psychotic medication? Would you like to share your comments on this blog?
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