medication

  • Depression Part Two

    This week I’ve still been feeling pretty dark. Not actively, quite subconsciously. Deep, deep, deep down. I’ve struggled with depression since I was around twelve or thirteen years old. I’m trying so hard to not be depressed (like I can).… Continue reading

    Depression Part Two
  • A Sense of Dread

    I showered today. That’s my big news this week. I’ve been feeling very fucking meh to blah this week. Very antsy too, but I’m also not really able to think or write. But I didn’t get antsy enough to start… Continue reading

    A Sense of Dread
  • Pain and Tardiness

    My body has been hurting so, so bad this week. I’m in the middle of a fucking inflammatory arthritic flare now. My right knee hurts so, so, so bad. And so does the left one, and my left foot, and… Continue reading

    Pain and Tardiness
  • Sleep and Others

    There were more auditory hallucinations over this last weekend. They seemed to have drifted off throughout the week though. They got quieter. It was just a lot of mumbles and feeling like I’m in a crowd, or there’s a group… Continue reading

    Sleep and Others
  • Aging and Others

    I had my appointment with my psych NP, Alex this Tuesday, and he switched me to the oral Invega! Technically it’s the generic, Paliperidone, which is just fine with me. He said the main reason he wanted to talk to… Continue reading

    Aging and Others
  • What A Birthday Week

    I’m so annoyed with my psych clinic. I’ve been waiting over a week to be switched from the brand name Invega injections, to generic, oral, Paliperidone. They’re the same thing, but one is a shot, and the other is a… Continue reading

    What A Birthday Week
  • A Medication Change

    I’m waiting on a call back from the nurse at my mental health clinic again. I left a voicemail again on Wednesday, but I’m trying to not be annoying to the nurse at the same time. When I did talk… Continue reading

    A Medication Change
  • Frustrated

    This week has been decent I guess. Some family was visiting and I got to hang out for a few hours with them, so that was nice. My symptoms haven’t been too bad but the whispers and voices have been… Continue reading

    Frustrated
  • Adjusting

    I’ve been feeling off since being taken off the Haldol. I feel agitated, restless, there’s more static type noises and whispers this week. The one bonus is that I’m not drooling as much. So that’s one good thing. I got… Continue reading

    Adjusting
  • The Denial

    I haven’t been able to put much energy into my blog the past couple of weeks. I know I wrote some shit, but I was frustrated and symptomatic more than anything. It’s whatever. I’m trying to not be hard on… Continue reading

    The Denial
  • Stress

    This week has been much, much better symptom wise for me. I’ve been able to flow smoothly today. Awaiting the ebb, but not holding my breath. My psychotic and depression symptoms have been few the past couple of days. On… Continue reading

    Stress
  • Medication Adjustment

    Well, I’ve been feeling better the past couple of days. Getting out from under the couch blankets to finally walk Bruce around yesterday and today was nice. My cough is still around but the wheezing has let up. I feel… Continue reading

    Medication Adjustment
  • Under the Weather

    I’ve had a terrible cold this week, so pardon me if this entry is not too terribly long or interesting. I honestly don’t have much to say I guess, I’ve been coughing and trying to rest, so we’ll see how… Continue reading

    Under the Weather
  • Trusting Myself

    I’ve been having symptoms kick up with my pain levels remaining quite high still. I also have an infection in a tooth of mine and am in need of a horribly helpful root canal. Boo. They’re just so uncomfortable. I… Continue reading

    Trusting Myself
  • Being Too Much

    The radio noises don’t bother me too much, especially the music I hear. It doesn’t frighten me like the voices do. The murmurs that come along with the radio noises are not fun, and it makes me feel overstimulated with… Continue reading

    Being Too Much
  • A Thick Fatigue

    I have been feeling very, very “meh” lately. Not good. Not bad. In the middle. Sorta feeling blah and frustrated with myself. I haven’t been writing as much lately. Writing an entry is becoming a chore for me and I… Continue reading

    A Thick Fatigue
  • Appointments

    I missed my psychiatrist appointment. Well, I missed the appointment with the nurse practitioner that writes the prescriptions for my antipsychotics and antidepressant. He’s not a psychiatrist. I didn’t really have a good reason to miss my appointment, I just,… Continue reading

    Appointments
  • Medications: Part Eight

    I have been pretty stable with medications lately. I just got my Invega Sustenna injection again this last Tuesday. They had switched up my appointment without telling me but luckily the nurse was available to give it to me really… Continue reading

    Medications: Part Eight
  • Dreams or Thoughts

    I keep having these recurring things in my dreams. I’m always carrying a backpack or bag that’s too way way way too heavy for me. Like, once it’s off my back it takes someone helping me to get it back… Continue reading

    Dreams or Thoughts
  • Imposter

    It’s been feeling like I don’t have much to write about the last few weeks. I’ve been posting still, but I’m back to once a week right now for the most part. I sometimes wonder if the pain that comes… Continue reading

    Imposter
  • The Foot Shuffle and Other Unhelpful Side Effects

    There are several side effects from the Haldol that I’ve been dealing with. They’re pretty frustrating and annoying all at once. I know I’ve talked about the drooling. That’s still happening. It sneaks out of the corners of my mouth… Continue reading

    The Foot Shuffle and Other Unhelpful Side Effects
  • Scary Relief

    The voices are still here, in case you were wondering. I have been trying to focus on other things while they’re not as loud, but some days are better than others. And the last couple of days I’ve had some… Continue reading

    Scary Relief
  • Drooling

    It’s really strange to say this, but I’ve been drooling lately. Come to google this here. While I’m thankful for the validation, I’m frustrated that it’s not written about more. There’s not much on it. Some wordy studies here and… Continue reading

    Drooling
  • Stability Loading…

    I’m blown away by how stable I feel. Tired. But stable. Surprisingly stable. I was supposed to get my Invega injection on Friday last week, but the nurse left me a voicemail saying they had to reschedule me for after… Continue reading

    Stability Loading…
  • Medical Trauma

    I have been in and out of doctors offices since I was born. I was on medication for my hypothyroidism before leaving the hospital after birth. That led to countless blood draws over the years. When I was younger I… Continue reading

    Medical Trauma
  • My Capacity

    I haven’t been writing that much the past few weeks. Dealing with this medication change and adjustment has been pretty brutal. Very brutal. I’m starting to come out the other side slowly, but I feel like it’s taking an eternity.… Continue reading

    My Capacity
  • Haldol

    I can’t express the exhaustion I’ve been dealing with the medication changes from this week and last. It’s been much more debilitating than any other medication change before. I’ve been down for the count since starting the Haldol. And I… Continue reading

    Haldol
  • Side Note 3

    I’ve got two things. The first thing is a couple of additions to Nomadic Protection that didn’t come to mind till after it was published. I have moved over twenty two times since 2004. And I have moved cities every… Continue reading

    Side Note 3
  • Medications: Part Seven

    I had to wait the weekend to hear back from my psych NP about a medication change. I had an appointment last Tuesday, but the provider canceled it last minute and I was rescheduled for over a month out. It’s… Continue reading

    Medications: Part Seven
  • It’s Tiring: Part Two

    I was supposed to have an appointment with my prescriber (my psych NP) for my mental illness medications yesterday, but he called out and I got rescheduled. I did get my Invega injection at least. It was three days early… Continue reading

    It’s Tiring: Part Two
  • Surveillance and Thought Broadcasting Delusions

    I’m so tired of having constant symptoms. It’s been about a month now since I had the hallucinations of my third floor neighbors and I’m struggling. And I keep having fucking symptoms. Paranoia especially. I don’t know what to write… Continue reading

    Surveillance and Thought Broadcasting Delusions
  • It’s Tiring

    So I apologized to my neighbor today about my explosion yesterday and she acted like she had no idea what I was talking about. Maybe I made it all up. Or she was drunk like she gets. But she literally… Continue reading

    It’s Tiring
  • Defining my Progress

    I’ve been really tired this week. Worn out. Part of it is because I was in an episode last week and weekend. It’s so exhausting to have psychotic symptoms. I’m constantly trying to figure out what’s real and what’s not.… Continue reading

    Defining my Progress
  • Visual Hallucinations

    I’m having a hard time letting myself just be today. I’m tired. Which probably doesn’t help. I feel like I should be doing more of something. But I don’t know what. And I don’t have the energy right now, anyway.… Continue reading

    Visual Hallucinations
  • Medications: Part Six

    I was just sitting here thinking and realized that my having a better mood is directly coinciding with the rate at which my immunosuppressants for my arthritis have been working. It’s been about eight weeks of the weekly methotrexate and… Continue reading

    Medications: Part Six
  • Empty

    I’ve been feeling very empty lately. Like, unable to see or feel much joy. I’ve been watching shows like Reno911! and News Radio to keep it light and non thinky. Everything’s been too much. And that’s frustrating because everything is… Continue reading

    Empty
  • The Wash and Fade

    I’ve been feeling very, very blah this week. My Invega injection makes me so tired now that I don’t know what to do. I was resting most of this week because i couldn’t do anything else. And that feeling gets… Continue reading

    The Wash and Fade
  • Thoughts vs Auditory Hallucinations

    I know it may be a bit hard to imagine what auditory hallucinations sound like. Believe me, I wish that no one would ever experience them. Ever. I wish it wasn’t even an option. But unfortunately it is. And I’d… Continue reading

    Thoughts vs Auditory Hallucinations
  • Navigating My Mental Healthcare: Part Two

    I can’t even tell you how many therapists and psychiatrists I’ve seen over the years. Dozens. Easily. I currently deal with a doctor that doesn’t really believe me. He gives me the right medications. But when we talk he is… Continue reading

    Navigating My Mental Healthcare: Part Two
  • Avolition and Pain Levels

    I’ve been begging myself to have motivation this month. This week has been more terrible than the week before in that regard. I haven’t done much the past two weeks. Rather, I couldn’t do much. I’m pretty sure I’m dealing… Continue reading

    Avolition and Pain Levels
  • The Luxury

    I noticed that I’m starting to be aware of the weather again. It’s been sunny. Then rainy. Then sunny. Then rainy. All week. I’ve been noticing the shifts in temperature. And the bright shades of green pouring out of the… Continue reading

    The Luxury
  • Inflammation

    It’s always there. Inflammation is. I feel puffy. Everywhere. And do almost all the time. It’s gotten better since I cut out dairy products. But good lort. It can calm down anytime now. But I know it won’t without medication.… Continue reading

    Inflammation
  • The Blockage

    It’s been three weeks. Only. And already. Three weeks since I started the daily Risperidone tablets. And only about one week since starting it twice a day. My goodness! How quickly my mood. And ability to think. Changed. In that… Continue reading

    The Blockage
  • The Birds

    Things have been really quiet this weekend again. Which is surprising. I get my injection on Tuesday. And I’m kinda thrilled for it. Normally by now the radio noise would’ve merged into voices. And they would’ve been incessant. But today… Continue reading

    The Birds
  • Medication Adjustments

    This is my 70th entry. This one right here. I never thought I’d continue to follow through with this blog. It’s rewarding. Therapeutic. Satisfying. And I’m getting quite proud of my continued growth. I was looking at some of my… Continue reading

    Medication Adjustments
  • 2020

    I’ve been pretty reflective the past couple days. I’m glad to be able to be today. It’s not always an option for me. I was thinking about my divorce. It was finalized three years ago last month. I was thinking… Continue reading

    2020
  • A Sense of Myself

    I have had a significant decrease in symptoms this week. Like, night and day difference. That Risperidone that was added a few weeks ago. Is amazing. In combination with the Invega. Flooring. I’m shook by how much better I feel.… Continue reading

    A Sense of Myself
  • Medications: Part Five and a Half

    This isn’t a full entry. More like a quick update. I got a call from my pharmacy today. Just as I got home from therapy. Regarding another prescription. One for all of the breakthrough symptoms I have. Especially toward the… Continue reading

    Medications: Part Five and a Half
  • Medications: Part Five

    After my Invega injections I feel much, much, much more like myself. Whoever that is anymore. I got one this last Friday. And I feel a night and day difference. My anger dissipates. I’m calmer. I’m reserved. Reflective. Pensive. Even… Continue reading

    Medications: Part Five
  • Fading Into

    The slight amount of happiness I was feeling. From having a glimpse of contentedness. Has faded into a state of semi-darkness. It’s not full blown. And I have had to remind myself I’m in the middle of another fucking med… Continue reading

    Fading Into
  • Medications: Part Four

    Honestly, I have always been awful about taking my meds. Any of them. All of them. I’ve gone days or even weeks without taking them. Then I would start taking them again suddenly and get that roller coaster effect. I… Continue reading

    Medications: Part Four
  • Radical Acceptance

    I had a ton of breakthrough symptoms this last week. I was severely triggered by a neighbor. I don’t want to go into detail. So to sum it up, she accused me of something I didn’t do. And believe you… Continue reading

    Radical Acceptance
  • The Physical Effects of Antipsychotics

    Antipsychotics make me feel like a different person. In the best way possible. Bet you weren’t expecting that one! Or maybe you were. I have never had good side effects from a medication. They always cause me intense weight gain.… Continue reading

    The Physical Effects of Antipsychotics
  • Habits

    I’m trying to reframe things in my mind as the weekend is about to hit again. I’ve just been so frustrated with everything the past few weeks. Everything kind of collapsed. I had to just sit and let the anger… Continue reading

    Habits
  • Medications: Part Three

    Medications are filled with tons of stigma. Especially antipsychotics. Taking them is admitting that I need help. And I can’t do this life on my own. It’s stressful. It’s packed with shame. Especially when folks who don’t have to take… Continue reading

    Medications: Part Three
  • My Exhaustion

    There are nights where I get plenty of solid sleep and still wake up exhausted. I know that part of this is my depression. But another part of my sleepiness is now from being overwhelmed with the difference of my… Continue reading

    My Exhaustion
  • My [in]Ability to Think

    I was approved to see another NP at the clinic I go to. I’m glad it moved so quickly. And I’m glad the clinic I go to let me get a second opinion with another provider. I’m just so unsure… Continue reading

    My [in]Ability to Think
  • Transition of Thought

    My psychosis episodes warp everything. They pop up out of nowhere and run my entire life until they wear out. Then it can get quiet for a few days. Then it ramps right back up into me. I have been… Continue reading

    Transition of Thought
  • Finding Parts of Myself

    Everyday something new happens. Or at least, I notice something new about myself. Like how dairy and I haven’t coexisted well for quite a few months now. Like how my mind overrides me. Like how I have white hairs on… Continue reading

    Finding Parts of Myself
  • Lactose Intolerance

    For the first time since starting this blog, I haven’t felt like writing this week. I know I will. I mean, I did. Because this is posted right here. So I know I did write. But I seriously don’t feel… Continue reading

    Lactose Intolerance
  • Silence and Other Senses

    It’s quiet this morning. Like, really quiet. It’s Friday, at 10am. People are out walking and driving and everything. But I don’t hear anything but faint background car noises. It’s as if someone switched a channel in my eardrums. It’s… Continue reading

    Silence and Other Senses
  • Addiction

    For many, many years I have been trying to cover my mental health symptoms with substances. Especially my psychosis. Alcohol, pills, anything that I could get my hands on. I was in rehab about 10 years ago, and I remember… Continue reading

    Addiction
  • Daylio

    Daylio is the name of my mood app. It’s an eye opening tool for me. I can track different moods that I have throughout the day. I can apply whatever “activity” or symptoms within those different moods. Everything is super… Continue reading

    Daylio
  • Core Delusion

    I’ve honestly felt like a shell of myself until the last few months. My mind has thrived in chaos, for so, so long now. But today, right now, I am sincerely doing good. And that’s so much more sincerely said… Continue reading

    Core Delusion
  • Employment Issues

    It may very well seem to someone on the outside that I am pretty “high functioning”, right? Because I’m writing again, and starting to be able to separate myself from my mind.. However, the phrase “high functioning” is very outdated.… Continue reading

    Employment Issues
  • Relationship

    Relationships are so, so difficult for me. I’m talking about all of them. Family, friends, significant others, etc… I’ve said before that I have a very hard time communicating. And that’s a big part of it. Another part is that… Continue reading

    Relationship
  • Medications: Part Two

    I was taken off of my Seroquel due to severe physical side effects and complications. At my psych appointment in August, I was to stop the rest of both my Geodon and Seroquel within about a three day period. Of… Continue reading

    Medications: Part Two
  • Side Note

    I wanted to say something real quick. I am well aware that my entries tend to focus on a lot of negative things. It may seem to someone unfamiliar to mental illness that I am only focusing on the negative.… Continue reading

    Side Note
  • Self Loathing

    I’ve been officially clinically depressed since high school. My very first diagnosis was major depressive disorder. A couple years later, the bipolar 1 came along, with its friends surfacing throughout the following years. My darkness just is. That’s the way… Continue reading

    Self Loathing
  • Shifting Thought and Behavior

    I try to not post twice in one week. But I made that rule up for myself. It’s mainly because I don’t want my writings to be pressured. I want to continue to publish thoughts on topics and not force… Continue reading

    Shifting Thought and Behavior
  • Paranoia, Hallucination and Delusion

    As long as I can remember it’s felt like someone is watching me. I have “heard” friends talking about me since I was fifteen. When I look at the few memories I have, it feels like there was always someone,… Continue reading

    Paranoia, Hallucination and Delusion
  • Sensing Mania

    I’ve been so tired the last couple of weeks – I know it’s from my medication changes. My doctors took me off of my Seroquel and Geodon and put me on Risperidone until I can get in next Wednesday for… Continue reading

    Sensing Mania
  • Changes

    During the past month I’ve been noticing that I have very high blood pressure and quite a bit of chest pains. I didn’t even think about them being from my Seroquel until last Friday. I noticed that overall, I hadn’t… Continue reading

    Changes
  • Therapy

    I have been in and out of talk therapy for quite some time. I was made to go when I was younger. Because, even at a young age, the darkness and doom engulfed my core being. I was originally sent… Continue reading

    Therapy
  • Splitting

    I can easily split into a completely different version of myself. Splitting turns me into a person that has an impossible time separating my behaviors from my personality. It’s like my emotions completely take over my mind and body and… Continue reading

    Splitting
  • Medications: Part One

    My Seroquel dose was upped again this week. I’m writing this entry through very heavy eyelids. A big downfall for me has always been how exhausted my psych meds can make me. I have taken Synthroid every day since birth,… Continue reading

    Medications: Part One
  • The Start

    When I’m in a high stress situation, I shut down or switch over or snap or split. These actions are attempts at self preservation – and also surface from subconscious neurological misfirings. It’s fear of abandonment.  It’s fear of rejection. … Continue reading

    The Start