Very informative video. Thank you for sharing your story Eric. We were told the only way to get help for our son was when he gets arrested too. So, after 6 months of begging him to get help, things escalated and he took my car without permission. He was subsequently arrested. He's still in jail and hopefully may get some help soon. I sure can relate to parts of your story. So happy this program worked for you and you have the ability to help others succeed as you have.
So I've been watching this channel for a bit now. I've more or less recovered from schizophrenia in 2017, and have been learning more about it for the future. I want kids someday. Its important to know what the hell to do if I pass this on. I live in Massachusetts, and as I understand, there might not be a AOT in Ma, but if you don't take your meds in hospital, the hospital docs give it to you via injection regardless after a court order a couple weeks in. I stayed on my injection because I went cold turkey off of meds before. It sucked. I stayed on this since I didn't have pills I could taper off of. Why would I not take medication? It never worked in time. Clozapine was never tried. It took a colossal 8 months of monthly injections with a outpatient psyche, appointed by the hospital, before the symptoms vanished overnight. Id like to mention that despite "Massachusetts having great healthcare", I was looking for a psyche for months before my 3rd and last hospitalization. None of the psyches I called were taking new patients, or patients with no prior psyche history on file, despite a PPO insurance plan, which should've enabled me to get out of network docs with no problem. The therapist was like 2 hours away, so I only saw my hospital appointed psyche. Never met my social worker. No idea to this day who she was or if she's still assigned to me somehow. Making easy money doing absolutely nothing like all the rest of the social workers I was appointed at these places. My parents/other family never spoke to these people either. Enough about that, though. I graduated the college I took a leave of absence from, and about to embark on a master's degree program. I love how Eric got a masters degree. I only wish I was as smart as I was before my 5 year psychosis. My gpa was 2.8 originally, only to fall down to 2.28 at graduation. My school didn't do part time, so I didn't bother. I work now and am seeking a full time job to supplement my part time (unfortunately) hours. Just wanted to share some of my success on the channel. I know you guys (term used loosely, I know your 3 moms in the trenches) love hearing these success stories so here's mine. BTW my best moment in treatment was when I was changing psyches due to insurance coverage. I called the office, demanded to see the psyche my new primary doc referred me, (HMO insurance plan) and when I was told it would be an 8 month wait, I simply said "I am sorry, but that is unacceptable to me. I take my medication by injection, and without it or failing to miss a dose, I could wind up back in psychosis, or withdrawal could lead to seizure or worse, or I could be back to acting crazy in public throwing rocks at cars" "Let me talk to the doctor.... .... We can set up an appointment for 2 weeks from now". "Excellent and thank you!" Keep in mind this was at beginning of covid. You don't get psyches in this damn state without a hospitalization or threat thereof, I swear.
I really appreciate Eric sharing his journey insights. It’s inspirational. It’s also heartbreaking to know that he had to go through 15 years of a roller coaster in the system & have the stars align to get where he had opportunity to stabilize long term.
Very informative video. Thank you for sharing your story Eric. We were told the only way to get help for our son was when he gets arrested too. So, after 6 months of begging him to get help, things escalated and he took my car without permission. He was subsequently arrested. He's still in jail and hopefully may get some help soon. I sure can relate to parts of your story. So happy this program worked for you and you have the ability to help others succeed as you have.
Wishing you well. So sorry you had to take those drastic measures.
So I've been watching this channel for a bit now. I've more or less recovered from schizophrenia in 2017, and have been learning more about it for the future. I want kids someday. Its important to know what the hell to do if I pass this on. I live in Massachusetts, and as I understand, there might not be a AOT in Ma, but if you don't take your meds in hospital, the hospital docs give it to you via injection regardless after a court order a couple weeks in. I stayed on my injection because I went cold turkey off of meds before. It sucked. I stayed on this since I didn't have pills I could taper off of. Why would I not take medication? It never worked in time. Clozapine was never tried. It took a colossal 8 months of monthly injections with a outpatient psyche, appointed by the hospital, before the symptoms vanished overnight. Id like to mention that despite "Massachusetts having great healthcare", I was looking for a psyche for months before my 3rd and last hospitalization. None of the psyches I called were taking new patients, or patients with no prior psyche history on file, despite a PPO insurance plan, which should've enabled me to get out of network docs with no problem. The therapist was like 2 hours away, so I only saw my hospital appointed psyche. Never met my social worker. No idea to this day who she was or if she's still assigned to me somehow. Making easy money doing absolutely nothing like all the rest of the social workers I was appointed at these places. My parents/other family never spoke to these people either. Enough about that, though. I graduated the college I took a leave of absence from, and about to embark on a master's degree program. I love how Eric got a masters degree. I only wish I was as smart as I was before my 5 year psychosis. My gpa was 2.8 originally, only to fall down to 2.28 at graduation. My school didn't do part time, so I didn't bother. I work now and am seeking a full time job to supplement my part time (unfortunately) hours. Just wanted to share some of my success on the channel. I know you guys (term used loosely, I know your 3 moms in the trenches) love hearing these success stories so here's mine. BTW my best moment in treatment was when I was changing psyches due to insurance coverage. I called the office, demanded to see the psyche my new primary doc referred me, (HMO insurance plan) and when I was told it would be an 8 month wait, I simply said "I am sorry, but that is unacceptable to me. I take my medication by injection, and without it or failing to miss a dose, I could wind up back in psychosis, or withdrawal could lead to seizure or worse, or I could be back to acting crazy in public throwing rocks at cars" "Let me talk to the doctor.... .... We can set up an appointment for 2 weeks from now". "Excellent and thank you!" Keep in mind this was at beginning of covid. You don't get psyches in this damn state without a hospitalization or threat thereof, I swear.
Bryan thanks so much for sharing your inspiring story
I really appreciate Eric sharing his journey insights. It’s inspirational. It’s also heartbreaking to know that he had to go through 15 years of a roller coaster in the system & have the stars align to get where he had opportunity to stabilize long term.
agreed, Benni! there is a LOT of work to do . thanks for commenting!