I'm Battling Mental Exhaustion with Schizophrenia
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 พ.ย. 2023
- Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of "Surviving Schizophrenia." I'm Stephen, and I truly hope you're having a wonderful day. In today's video, I want to talk about something that's been weighing heavily on me recently - the impact of holiday stress on my schizophrenia and overall well-being.
Firstly, let me share a bit about my current state. I've been feeling exceptionally exhausted lately, more so in the past week or two, and particularly over the last three days. This tiredness is so profound that even after 14 hours of sleep, I wake up feeling drained. It's been affecting my ability to create videos - something that I haven't experienced to this extent in a while.
This exhaustion, I believe, is closely tied to the upcoming holiday season. For many, holidays are a time of joy and celebration, but for me, it's a period filled with stress and overwhelming emotions. Even positive activities like shopping for gifts can be taxing for me. There's a societal expectation to be happy during the holidays, but that's not always my reality, and it feels isolating at times.
Despite the challenges, I've noticed an improvement in how I handle the holidays compared to previous years. Yet, the hustle and bustle, coupled with the pressure to conform to societal norms of happiness during this time, can be quite draining.
Interestingly, about two weeks ago, I had a physical check-up and everything was fine, which leads me to believe that my current state is more psychological, likely stemming from subconscious worries about the holiday season.
To combat this, I'm focusing on self-care and managing my energy levels. Simple steps like going for walks, ensuring good rest, and maintaining a healthy diet can make a significant difference. It's also about setting boundaries for myself, like opting out of certain activities when I feel too exhausted.
Managing medication is another critical aspect of my routine. Being consistent with my medication has been a cornerstone of my stability over the years. I make it a point to double-check with my dad every night to ensure I've taken my meds, as forgetfulness can be a side effect of both my condition and the tiredness I'm experiencing.
Reflecting on my journey, it's been about a decade since my diagnosis with early onset schizophrenia. The path hasn't been easy, but with the help of medication like Clozapine and the support I received during my two-week stay at the UCLA Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital, I've come a long way. The sense of camaraderie with other patients and the kindness of the staff played a significant role in my recovery.
Over the years, I've made substantial progress. I've overcome psychosis, and hallucinations are no longer a part of my daily life, thanks to my diligent medication routine. It's a common misconception that those with schizophrenia constantly battle hallucinations or delusions, but that's not always the case, especially with proper treatment and support.
My TH-cam channel started as a platform to de-stigmatize schizophrenia, and it has evolved into a community where we support each other. Your comments and stories have been incredibly uplifting and have played a huge role in my recovery, especially in the past two years.
As Thanksgiving approaches, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each one of you. Your support and kindness have been instrumental in my journey. Although I'm currently going through a tough phase, I'm optimistic that with self-care and your continued support, I'll bounce back soon.
So, here's to moving forward, one step at a time. If you're celebrating Thanksgiving, I wish you a wonderful time with loved ones. And for those venturing out for Black Friday or Cyber Monday, best of luck!
I hope to return with another video soon, but for now, I need to rest and recuperate. Thank you for being part of my journey, and I look forward to our next interaction. Have a healthy and joyful day, and see you in the next video!
You are an inspiration to me. My son, 32 yrs old, has schizo-affective disorder. Thank you. 🇨🇦 I'm sorry you're so tired. Praying you start to feel better.
Thank you very much for sharing and your support! Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!
Remember. You are winning battles in your mind that others cannot see. Just that you are better than you were during the holidays of ‘22. Is way BIG. I’m sure you’ve had many more battles and success’ than I can see. I’d like to give you a hardy round of applause! Bravo Steven! I’m proud of you. Really.
Schizoaffective disorder depression type here. I haven't felt like doing anything. I touch in and out of delusions and hallucinations rarely but when i do they are bad. The delusions are so hard to shake...
I was wondering about clozapine to but i dont have a way to get so many labs.
You are doing so well, Stephen 😊 Be happy and proud
Thank you for sharing and for your support!
Xanomelin Coming out next year and ulotaront
Hey Stephen, thank you for being so open and real about your life and living with schizophrenia. You are helping so many people. Wishing you and your family a wonderful, stress free Thanksgiving.
Thank you! I hope you and your family have an amazing Thanksgiving too!
You are making perfect sense. There isn’t a normal for the holidays. It is all marketing. Just feel how you feel and know you aren’t the only one.
Thank you, I appreciate that
Stephen your honesty is sooo insightful!!! I watch your videos and learn alot about your journey!! And it helps me be a bigger support for my son who's newly diagnosed! You're an inspiration! And you rest whenever you need to. So you can stay healthy and continue to help sooo many of your fans like me!❤❤❤ God bless you!!
Thank you very much for your kindness and support!
Your channel continues to grow and helping others. The stigma does need to be lifted. Thank you for starting your great channel and sharing your journey past and present. I hope you feel more energetic soon. Wishing you and your family a very happy and blessed, Thanksgiving.❤
Thank you so very much for your kind words! I really appreciate it! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
@@SurvivingSchizophrenia Thank you.👍
Stephen, I feel you. I don't do Holidays well. I am sure there are a lot of people that have similar issues. Thank you for being so honest.
Thank you very much for your support!
Stephen thank you for keeping it real! I appreciate your honesty it helps many tremendously the importantance of self care. It’s great that you know yourself well enough to know when to pull it back. Take the time you need to rest and always remember this is a lifelong journey one day at time… we are with you for the long haul! Happy Thanksgiving and thank you for being you ❤
Thank you very much for your support and Happy Thanksgiving!
Wishing you and your loved ones a nice and peaceful Thanksgiving! You're an inspiration to many of us. Thank you for all that you do.
Thank you so very much!
Hi Stephen, thanks so much for your honesty. I get more stressed and tired during the holidays. Thankfully, this passes as things settle down and life gets back to normal. Thanks for sharing. You are helping those who have schizophrenia and those who don't.
Hey Stephen. You've got to ask your self. What do i do? There's only so much tv you can watch before you lose interest. So maybe look at finding a job. I am also a schizophrenic and I agree with you.
Thank you for your suggestion!
If you do decide you want to get a seasonal job, Amazon doesn't require a resume and you can get an accommodation for your disability so that you can work shorter hours and you won't be placed on a job that's too physically or mentally demanding. The sort centers are far easier to work in than the fulfillment centers, and there's a job called "cart wrangling" that's super-easy as long as you' don't have any trouble walking. You would only be handling the carts when they're empty, and there's no bending or lifting involved. It's excellent aerobic exercise and actually gives you more energy, as long as you pick out a pair of the lightweight 5-stars for comfort work shoes or boots from Zappos (which Amazon pays for).
Yeah i have been diagnosed schizotypal here with depression. I know how you feel. Holidays were harder in years past but after meds i have a little better mood which helps.
I love your positive attitude. My boyfriend, Alex, also has schizophrenia and has been doing very well for over a decade now. I'm so impressed with both of you guys. The resiliency is incredible. Just like you, he is dedicated to his treatment plan. He now works part-time for the National Alliance on Mental Illness as a peer support facilitator for school students dealing with mental illnesses. 😊 Just like you, he wants to reduce the stigma around schizophrenia. He thought that going to schools and talking with kids openly about it would help younger people to understand that you can have a serious diagnosis and still have a rewarding, fulfilling life just as everyone else can. He also gets exhausted frequently and needs meditation time after work or after he comes home from chores and etc. Fatigue leading up to the holidays is very common for him also bc, like you said, there is a lot of commotion going on. A lot of people are around, more lights everywhere, social pressures to be a certain way, music everywhere, everyone is busy, traffic, etc. He also needs downtime, and that's perfectly okay. Take care of yourself with resting, meditation, and cocoa, and just take your time. I got so used to his meditation schedule that I started to do some downtime and rest more also. It really helps me to destress during the day now. When I get frustrated with things, I'll go lay down with some relaxation sounds like crickets or campfires and just let the frustration go away for a while. I learned a lot from my boyfriend over the years, and I don't think I appreciated a calm, still, slow day before I lived with him. I think it's great watching you guys doing so well and enjoying life. Even though you are exhausted, you have a great mindset looking forward. You will get through this bump in the journey 🙏 ✨️ wishing you and yours all the best, happy holidays 😊
For me the only fatigue would be from anxiety about people talking about me. I don’t get how you get fatigue if you aren’t the one decorating, setting up plans and organizing, or going all out as Santa Claus
@@natas12rmwell, it seems i can just blink and get fatigue due to negative symptoms. We are exhausted a lot with lower capacity for stress than non-schizospecs. As Stephen said, positive symptoms are overhyped in discussion of the illness, and part of the stigma we need to abolish
Your video has helped me to better understand a family member who has schizophrenia. Thank You and you have a nice Thanksgiving too. I think we all stress about the holidays so it's kind of normal.
Thank you! I wish you a happy Thanksgiving too!
Inspirational video! It's true that the holiday season can disrupt daily routines, which can be challenging and overwhelming for people with schizophrenia. It's essential to set realistic expectations for yourself and not put too much pressure to do everything at once. Just try to take things slow and prioritize self-care. You can also practice mindfulness or deep breathing exercises, which can help reduce stress and promote relaxation. Thanks for sharing this valuable information Stephen and take care! 🙌❤👍
Yes people get mad at me for moving at a snail pace when there is a sense of urgency and when I'm moving even slower than usual that should be their sign to back off and give me space because it's me trying my best not to get overwhelmed and meltdown/burn out. Because having too much to do and feeling overwhelmed and sleep deprived while also being scolded in front of someone was how psychosis started
It’s so good u can open up about your feelings but don’t feel alone in this. I too get very worn down during these holidays myself. Super exhausted, no energy & just want to stay in bed all day so don’t feel alone thru this time. You are an amazing young man. I will pray that God may give your mind the peace you need to get thru this time. Know you are thought of and prayed for 🙏🥰
Happy Thanksgiving to u and the family ❤
Thank you very much!
Hi Steven, thank you for sharing. Your videos shed some light of schizophrenia. I think that the holiday stress is getting to you. Hang in there, okay. Remember to take a step at a time.
I hope it gets better for you soon, I couldn’t imagine how hard it must be. Keep on, keeping on
Thank you!
thanks for posting.
I feel for you Stephen ❤ thank you for your honesty,its a common time of year for emotions to wear on people. Yeah, i like your ideas about self care, and your plans to take care of you. DONT FEEL BAD,about putting limits on your time. Like with hanging out with family, celebrations etc. Dont feel bad, just take good care of yourself ok. Take all the rest you need. We love you❤ Happy Holidays 🕊️🎄
Thank you very much for your kind words! Have a wonderful holiday!
Hey Stephen, like you video. Fatigue is a rotten thing. My only question is are you exercising? Going out for walks or jogging, maybe spending time in the gym. Exercise is a great stress reducer. Don't make excuses. Otherwise, just take it easy. Take a deep breath and just relax. Best of luck and Happy Holidays!
Thank you and Happy Holidays!
Great video. Thank you so very much. My son, now 34, was diagnosed in 2011. He doesn’t talk much about what he’s feeling. So it really helps me understand what he might be going through, when I hear you explain your ups and downs.
sorry its rude but can i ask how is your son doing now??
I am looking for hope for my brother who just started taking medication
I’m sorry your struggling right now with all the pre holiday stress, I can relate to this currently as well. We will get through this, I hope you have a great thanksgiving with your family and enjoy it as much as you are able to. 🙂
Thank you very much! I hope you have a very happy Thanksgiving! We can definitely get through this!
Many many humans feel stressed about the holidays. You’re among friends! In that way you are normal in that way. ☮️☯️💟💜
Such a truthful and positive video Stephen. Thank you so much!
Thank you!
Thank you, we appreciate you and we love your videos! Keep caring, you inspire us all!!! We are so proud of you. Love you!!!
Thank you so much!
Just ease through it.All shall pass Bless you brother ❤
Besides holiday stress, SAD (seasonal affective disorder) has been linked to the changing of seasons, since the result of less sunlight exposure is higher levels of melatonin and lower vitamin d levels (meaning less energy and worsening mood). After waking up, eye exposure to high intensity (10,000 lux) bluish-white light (5000 kelvin) for 30 minutes can help alleviate day time fatigue by signaling to the brain that the sun is up. Cold showers can help increase adrenaline in the morning which would help in waking up, along with exercise.
Also, it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a sleep study done with a sleep specialist with your condition, since sleep apnea is known to worsen mental illness in general and cause excessive daytime sleepiness because of the reduction in sleep quality. At least for me, I noticed a moderate improvement with my energy and a decrease in migraines once I got my sleep apnea corrected.
Anyway, I wish you a peaceful thanks giving, and sometimes being around for others during the holidays is its own gift.
Hi Stephen hope you get more energy soon and feel better. Your dad seems like a decent person maybe speak to him about your holiday stress and worries. Often too much sleep can make you more tired. Take it easy 👍
Thank you! Good suggestions!
I appreciate your video content ,i care for somone who feels same as you,plus im exhausted with my own disorders!!its a learning curve
Thank you very much!
I think some of that is more natural for some of us than you might think. The stress. The feeling a bit strange because we aren’t where we think we should be. Or how we felt as a kid.
Not to minimize what you are dealing with.
To actually say many of us are a lot less stable than we may seem, and to give you a bit of solace that we are more like you than it appears.
I’ve heard that getting caught up in self analysis and judgement is physiologically indistinguishable from anxiety. Maybe it is anxiety. Personally I’ve been able to recall that and change my focus as it’s occurring. Not that there isn’t a place for that. But that perhaps that place isn’t always here and now.
Good luck out there. Life is a series of challenges. Meaning is found in meeting those challenges. Not overcoming them. In meeting them. We all have a different set. Judging in between them is not terribly useful, except as an example of courage. One man’s trials are not another’s, because one man is not another. What seems easy for one is a poor comparison for oneself. Rather compare the dedication to doing well. The aim for truth is a worthy trial. The aim for good and true together is better still. Wherever they meet as best as you can tell.
Thank you for your incredibly insightful words! I very much appreciate your support!
I love your shirt. I hope the holiday stress calms down but I understand as well. We appreciate you man.
Thank you!
@@SurvivingSchizophrenia of course :D
✨🌟🫶You make me cry bcs of how beautiful of a man that you are.
I hope you feel better.
I feel the holiday stress too.
Happy Holidays to you and your family.
And yes you are making sense.
I’ve got alot of stuff going on so I’m stressed about it all,
But I’m gonna treat the holidays just like a normal day so it won’t be exhausting me.
Thank you for this content and transparency and have a good day and happy new year.
Much love namaste 🙏 😊
Thank you so much! Happy Holidays to you and your family too!
Sorry to hear you're so tired!
I wish for you and your family a blessed holiday Steven. I did enjoy this video, and have a blessed rest🙏🏾
Thank you! I appreciate it. Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!
Thanks for the video. You’re very brave (and handsome)
The holiday season can be difficult for so many people. Our bodies go through an adjustment phase when the season changes and we don't get enough Vitamin D or C. Our sleep cycles change as well. The holiday season is a time to reflect on our childhoods and memories of those who are no longer with us. This can be very upsetting or even open old wounds. It is stressfull and financially hard for many as well. Try to pace yourself. Nothing can be forced on you. My favorite thing is to watch nice Hallmark movies, drink warm tea or cocoa and just look at the pretty lights on the tree. Sometimes I hate the thought of decorating. However after I do it, and then repack after the holidays, I always feel proud and ready to take on the new year. Having OCD myself, I understand how frustrating it can get to keep checking your own emotional wellness and unrealistic expectations, that we can put on ourselves. Helping others and trying to do small nice acts for others can put you in the driver seat. You are doing that with your videos. Thank you.
Also, daylight savings time could play a role.
Thank you very much!
Happy holidays, Stephen.
Same to you!
Happy Thanksgiving, I really enjoy your videos!
Thank you very much for watching! I wish you and your family a happy Thanksgiving too!
Many people struggle with holidays. Is it possible that you may have SAD? Always great to see you. Question- how do you manage your weight while on medication? My son is struggling with this.
I try to eat healthy foods and drinks that are not high in sugar and calories. Thank you for asking!
@@SurvivingSchizophreniaoh dangit, i wish this worked for me. But now meds means i have no metabolism apparently 😢 and no energy
Hello Steve...I feel so motivated by your story....I found your TH-cam page recently....how do you manage been on medication and weight gain?
Hi Steven! I am grateful for your channel and your messages. I know this may sound over the top, but have you considered holiday vacations? Spending time in Hawaii or on a beach somewhere might help with exhaustion. Just a thought. Keep walking, keep positive!
Detroit lions thanksgiving day! Let’s go lions!
wishing you energy and strength man. wanted to ask, what do you think of poetry? Have you heard of Rilke?
Thank you! I’m have not heard of Rilke but will look into it!
@@SurvivingSchizophrenia His is my favourite poetry. just a recommendation sir
Hi Stephen, I am new to your channel. I am actually a grandmother with family members struggling with the same. So in that sense you are an inspiration. I've always heard that sleeping more than 10hrs a day can lead to a cycle of fatigue and more tiredness. Could this be a contributor to your continued tiredness?
I’ve been sleeping 10+ hours recently and was shocked that I had to take a nap in the middle of the day! I thought I would have so much energy because I was sleeping so much! Lol.
Thanks for the info.
Thank you very much for joining my channel and for the advice! You may be right! I will look into it. Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!
I wonder if you force yourself to wake up super early like 7 am rather than sleeping in it may help your energy level. I remember when I was younger sleeping in I felt tired alot I guess it's oversleeping. When i get up super early, get exercise then I'm ready to fall asleep much earlier then you develop a healthier pattern.
I have schizo-affective disorder and I also experience fatigue even when I sleep 12+ hours a night. I’ve been known to sleep at 11pm and wake up at 1pm still tired. If you can think of a solution please share it!
Sleep less? Maybe try 7 hours
@@natas12rm I have trouble getting up unless I absolutely have to
@@bystarlite11You could try having a coffee, tea or other nice drink or treat, that is what I do and so I just jump out of bed. But I am a bit of an early bird/morning person and struggle unable to ever sleep in past 5am regardless of when I managed to get to sleep
Good video. 👍👍
Could this be the after effects of covid? I have several friends say it took months to recover and still feel tired at times.
That is definitely a possibility. Thank you!
Hi Stephen, has your Dad mentioned keto diet to you? It’s a really popular topic in mental health right now with a doctor in Boston leading the charge and informing all so many people about the improvements in schizophrenia symptoms he’s seen in patients. It’s a real commitment and might not work for all people. But it’s based on the theory that all mental illness is a metabolic issue of the brain and could be one of the reasons exercise works so well for your condition by lowering insulin. It’s something to maybe ask your dad about it you’re not already informed
Thank you!
Just take it easy, brother. Watch a movie or play some video games.
Thank you!
❤
I have a lot of anxiety I still sleep like a log I take two supplemens before bed Super Cellery 100% celery power and Kyolic which is aged Garlic
Thank you very much for sharing!
I guess you got the thyroid checked? Sometimes it's good to do several tests for it beyond the regular THS test.
Yes I did get my thyroid checked, thank you!
Have you considered that you may be cured from schizophrenia? I know you don't want to risk not taking your medication, but it would be worth coming off it over time. I know that's a controversial thing to say, but if you have no symptoms and you want to feel better, why not give it a try? That way, you could get back to full health.
It's not a good idea to go off medication because it's been shown that it can decrease the effectiveness every time you go off it. It's a miracle that saved his life so it's probably not a great idea to stop taking something that has literally saved your life. You say maybe he is cured now but he's already been cured. He is cured. By taking a prescription every day. That's why he has no symptoms.
As far as I know from my experience of psychosis, schizophrenia is a life long condition, it is not cured, it is managed so that symptoms don’t occur since it can be caused by faulty neurotransmitters… People that suffer from psychosis lose touch with reality because of naturally debalanced chemicals in the brain. I am no doctor just someone talking from experience but I know that going that path of withdrawing from medication can lead to a lot of pain for the sufferer and their family…