Schizophrenia Brain Neuroplasticity Recovery
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ส.ค. 2022
- I want to share with you a remarkable experience that has taken place in the past 14 days, which is a further "awakening" in my schizophrenia journey.
Exploring the Role of Human Spirit, Neuroplasticity, and a Supportive Community in Further Schizophrenia Recovery.
An "awakening" in schizophrenia refers to a dramatic improvement or recovery in some patients taking clozapine and returning to more normal functioning. My first awakening occurred in January 2014, almost two years after I became ill. At that time, I was taking both clozapine (Clozaril) and aripiprazole (Abilify). Although I was an "awakener," I still had residual negative symptoms of schizophrenia, such as anxiety, depression, loss of interest, flat affect, and cognitive difficulties.
Over the years, I have made steady progress, but only in the past 14 days have I experienced a further awakening in my schizophrenia journey. I attribute this to my channel, "Surviving Schizophrenia with Stephen," and to the incredible support of this community. In this post, I will discuss the concept of schizophrenia awakening beyond clozapine and how the human spirit, neuroplasticity, and a supportive community have played a crucial role in my ongoing recovery.
The Human Spirit and Schizophrenia Recovery
The human spirit, often defined as an individual's inner strength, resilience, and determination, can play a significant role in schizophrenia recovery. This force has been integral in my journey towards a further awakening, as it has driven me to push through challenges, seek help, and maintain a positive outlook despite the obstacles I've faced. The power of the human spirit should not be underestimated in the recovery process, as it can help individuals overcome the barriers associated with schizophrenia and work towards a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Neuroplasticity: A Key Factor in Schizophrenia Awakening
Neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to reorganize and adapt by forming new neural connections throughout life, is another essential factor in schizophrenia recovery. Research has shown that various interventions, such as cognitive remediation therapy and certain medications, can promote neuroplasticity and improve cognitive function in individuals with schizophrenia (Vinogradov et al., 2012). In my case, I believe the combination of medications and various therapeutic approaches has contributed to the further awakening I have experienced recently.
The Role of a Supportive Community
The supportive community surrounding my channel, "Surviving Schizophrenia with Stephen," has been invaluable in my ongoing recovery. Your encouragement, understanding, and shared experiences have given me hope and happiness that I have not felt since the onset of my illness in early 2012. In addition, this support has reinforced my belief in the power of human connection and its impact on mental health recovery.
Conclusion
In summary, my further awakening in schizophrenia has been a transformative experience, and I attribute it to a combination of factors:
The unwavering human spirit
The brain's capacity for neuroplasticity
The support of a compassionate and understanding community
The human spirit has helped me persevere through challenges, while neuroplasticity has allowed my brain to adapt and improve over time. However, the encouragement and empathy of this community have been instrumental in reigniting my hope and happiness, ultimately playing a crucial role in my ongoing recovery.
As we continue to share our experiences and support one another, we can make a significant difference in the lives of those affected by schizophrenia and other mental health challenges. Let us continue to advocate for mental health awareness, foster supportive communities, and promote interventions that enhance neuroplasticity so that more individuals can experience their awakenings and move toward a healthier and more fulfilling future. Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey - together, we are making a difference.
#schizophrenia #anxiety #mentalhealth #depression
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As a mom of a 17 year old with schizophrenia, and dealing with this for two years, I can’t tell you the amount of emotions I have watching this video. My son has been on clozapine since Aug 2022, he’s much better but has so much more improvement to make. I’m finally hopeful. God bless you all.
Thank you very much Lisa for sharing and watching. I wish you and your son all the best.
God bless you & your family Stephen! My son has schizophrenia and he is really struggling. Watching videos like this gives me hope for him and his future. Thank you for making these videos!
I admire you as a supportive parent. You gave me the idea of tracking down his meds.
Thank you!
Love from Egypt, may God bless you
Thank you for joining my journey! Have a happy and healthy rest of your day! Would love to visit Egypt one day!
been there, done that ..nit so much the meds, but hope in Christ .no one would believe me at the time at great losss
Stephen's youtube channel has been a blessing to us. We are so happy that it is also blessing Stephen!!
Thank you very much!
Your comment here, cloud cloud, makes everything we do meaningful! Thank you for such positive contribution to our lives.
The lovely expanse of sky, ocean, and cliffs in your hope and happiness videos...... represents your awakening to this mom.
Thank you for your very heartfelt words!
This session was extremely well done! I teared up as I watched Steve explain with great clarity all the stages Stephen has lived through! Stephen’s spirit has always been especially strong! Creating these TH-cam videos has truly ignited Stephen’s spirit and given him purpose! He has a kind and loving heart and I know he wanted to help others, which was a great motivator for communicating and sharing his journey! Now, it has beautifully transformed into a two way street! I am so proud of Stephen’s courage and truly impressed with the dedication of his audience!🙌🏻👏🏻🙏🏻❤️Bravo!
Thank you very much for all you have given me!
Gayla! You are the candle shining a bright light onto Stephen! The light you bring into our world is forever embedded in our spirit and inspires us to move forward as we survive schizophrenia. Thank you, Gayla, for being the light in our lives!
❤
God bless you for sharing this,my son has this problem,I so tired of seeing him like this, it breaks my heart it has ruined his life ,his problem started 3yrs ago, but he refused treatment,so maybe I will have him put back in the hospital he they will use this.Thank you for sharing.
My sister was diagnosed with schizophrenia 55 years ago and has lived in group homes all of her life. So much progress has been made.
Hi Stevens Dad and Steven! I am
Glad to leave comments on Stevens videos I have shizoaffective...disorder,bipolar ..type ( schizophrenia and bipolar disorder together) it's healing for me to share his videos, and your right, Steven looks happier...me too..he's sharing great videos.🤗🙂😊
Thank you very much for your comment! Glad you are feeling happier too!
Hi Stephen and Steven,
This video brought tears to my eyes.
My son is suffering from Schizophrenia. This topic is really emotional to me.
Every cloud has a silver lining
While there’s life, there’s hope.
Thank you very much!
I share that pain!❤
Yesss, this video ♡ we are social and spiritual beings and healing requires an holistic view to not just survive but to grow and thrive .
Thank you very much! Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!
Thank you, Yoga, for all of your great comments and support. You have helped me keep my focus!
For 22 years I do not have an episode anymore after the 2nd breakdown. Still I am recovering. I am happy to hear and see stories of recovery from schizophrenia and other mental illnesses.
Thank you Benigno!
I have no idea why these videos showed up in my feed but I starting watching them because they are so informative and uplifting. You are offering so much hope for those impacted by this disease - what a great young man for sharing this journey!
You are going to cry watching this. Thank you Stephen and Steve. So inspiring. Can’t stop crying. Love your channel. Thank you so much for sharing your lives. I love all the other comments too. My uncle had paranoid schizophrenia. This is wonderful xxx
Thank you for watching. Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤💝💝💝💝💝🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
It's funny the way you get more and more handsome and confident Stephen as you have let go of the stress. We learn from mistakes so don't be afraid to make lots. Humility and decency are among your strengths Stephen. Community is where we get to share those and know our worth. I think. Medication alone is not enough.
Thank you! I appreciate your comment!
Amazing man! I have schizophrenia as well. I’m 29 and it’s my fifth year with the disease. I felt an “awakening” last year in terms of happiness, negatives, and feeling less stress. Now days I’m trying to improve more and see subtle improvements in different areas of life. Thanks for the video!
Thank you Blake for sharing! I’m happy you are doing better!
What medications do you take if I may ask. Any response would be helpful and appreciated. Thanks
@@YesminWahab-bj2bz Hi, I was on Olanzapine for four years. Switched to Clozapine two months ago and am making a FULL recovery from sz. Hope this helps you
You are truly giving hope to others!!! Keep up the good work!!! ❤
Thank you Shirley for your support! Happy Holidays!
To Stephen and Steve I’m really enjoying watching your channel. This is really helpful in navigating my own illness. So pleased for you that hope is there and you are improving so much. You are an inspiration .
Thank you very much!
I am beyond touched by the work you are doing with this TH-cam channel to bring awareness to childhood on set schizophrenia. The love, support and environment that you're blessed with is a major part of recovery.
I hope you don't mind if I share your videos with other mental health professionals and young people that suffer from early onset schizophrenia. You are key to the Awakening. Thank you dear 💞
Thank you! You are absolutely welcome to share my videos with others!
Steven! your awesome i’m so happy your feeling better. And i’m so happy your dad is so involved and supportive wohoo! i struggle with mental health ( anxiety, depression, adhd,cpsd ) and im so incredibly grateful that you have the guts and courage to keep going and making your videos.
Again your awesome 👏
Steve❣️You are amazing father. Your endless love and commitment have been contributed to Stephen's healing and awakening, too.
I'm really impressed with your videos together.
Good luck to you!
Greetings from Poland
Agata
Thank you very much from both of us! Thank you also for watching. Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!
This channel just got recommended to me. (Also watching "Living Well with Schizophrenia"). You are doing an amazing job on videos (for anybody!) and really enjoying the ideas. Thanks for having your channel.
You are an amazing, supportive father and Stephen is a remarkable young man.
You are giving inspiration to all sufferers. Well done Stephen. Your father is also a great person.
min 1:07 meds table ,
min 5:50 -no change in medicine 8 years , making big progress last 2 weeks - no change in meds - brain neuroplasticity!
This gives hope!
please share your experience with Latuda!
Hey Stephen and Steve, I remember congratulating you on reaching 100 subs and you've quickly blown past 500! Can't wait to see your channel grow even more! You're both doing alot to destigmatize the illness and inspire hope for those suffering from it.
Thank you very much! So happy you’ve been here for so long!
@@SurvivingSchizophrenia it doesn't feel like long! Always looking forward to your new videos ✌️
Thanks for sharing.
My son has the same illness .
God Bless us. I also live in Pv .🙏🙏🙏
Thank you Farida! Thank you also for sharing about your son. Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!
When you said hes been on the same dose for 8 years i immediately thought about tolerance. I find it interesting and impressive that it has maintained its effectiveness over that time and he has even recently (as of the time of shooting this video) improved.
Hi I started Clozapine 2-3 months ago to treat my schizoaffective and have also felt the awakening. The only symptoms lingering is occasionally scattered thoughts and some paranoia. Good luck on your Journey. Your videos give me hope.
This fills me with so much hope for my daughter’s future. 😊 Thanks so much for doing these videos!
Hi Celi. Your comment here makes everything we are doing worthwhile. Stephen is very tired and will respond soon. I saw your comment and was overwhelmed!
I'm so glad your channel is making a difference....for everyone!! I'm pulling for you Stephen, all the way from NC!! Thank you for sharing with us!
Thank you! I have been to The Outer Banks before the onset of my schizophrenia. It is beautiful there!
Yes, it is beautiful there. I live in the central part of the state...not so far from the coast or the mountains.
Thank you, Cheryl!!!
Great Job Stephen this is an Awesome video
Thank you very much!
Amazing progress!
This is wonderful!
Thank you very much Parwin!
Great to spread hope, thanks a lot for sharing your experience, it helps, yes it helps
Thank you! Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!
Thank you for sharing his story and all the details. It’s very helpful 🤍
Hi Stephen waiting for you videos. This question for you and your dad was your depression and anxiety related to the illness ? Or another thing ? Also when did you feel that your passion and willingness to study and work come back after clozapine ?! Thank you
Thank you Steven and Steve. I am so moved. It gives me hope for my son, too and more strength to support him every day.
Thank you so much, I really appreciate your support and your very kind words! Your comment helps me survive schizophrenia!
Thank u for sharing 💙
You are so welcome! And thank you!
Beautiful family, hope truly is a beautiful thing to hold onto in the midst of such struggles. This gives me hope as well to finally make the decision to go get some help and make progress in my own mental health journey.. Thank you to both of you for sharing this journey with us, love, blessings, and all the support in my heart for further recovery. ❤
Thank you very much Hayden! That means a lot to me’
medication saved my life; different things work for different people
First time to your channel. Thanks for posting this. So pleased that making these videos is helping you and your family battle this awful mental illness. My son who’s 18 has this too and at the moment his delusions are stopping him from wanting contact with us, his family. We are so deeply saddened and in grief over this. It’s been a few months since he broke contact with us - but it’s just like losing a child. I know exactly what your father and family are going through Stephen. They love you so much and will do anything for you. I really hope you guys go from strength to strength and that you achieve your dreams and most of all stay happy! You are a beacon of light for us. We just know that as easy as it was for my son to switch off, he can so easily switch on again. Take care
Take care.
Thank you for sharing. I am sorry to hear that about your son. Take care.
Stephen you are an inspiration to many…..I love the look of pride, love and and joy in your dad’s eyes…. What a bless to have a supportive family. ❤
Thank you very much. I appreciate your kind words!
I can remember the words of my daughter’s school psychologist many years ago as he told me “off record” that he thought she had childhood schizophrenia. She was 6 years old with a number already of labels such as adhd, autistic like behaviors, developmental delays. At 6 she was diagnosed with PDD-NOS by a team of professionals. We had her re-evaluated at 11 by a professional again-with atypical autism tacked on. All the help through school was aimed-filtered in the direction of Autism. In 2018 she was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. In 2019 she had a episode-was given Psychotic Disorder not otherwise specified. She’s been on meds ..a long list including ability. She gained 100 pounds plus which was after the psychotic episode-new meds running into 2020. She has fatty liver disease-IBS and I’m trying to help figure out how to get her healthier. She’s about to turn 40-we’ve been through a long journey. Your videos showed up in my feed-I’m sharing them with her. My heart goes out to you-have deep admiration for you in your love for your son. 🙏🕊️🙏🕯️
Great video guys ❤
Subscribed today. My son is 10 and currently diagnosed with ADHD but we have our fears for him with regards to anger management and his drug regime. Knowledge is power, thank you both for your generosity. "... and in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make".
Thank you for sharing and for subscribing! By the way that quote is very profound!
Great video Steve.and .Stephen's....
To acknowledge in public about your illness might not have been easy? It needs a lot of courage to due to the stigma attached to it..
This is a very bold step you have taken Stevens, Congratulations...
You have shown the path to others as well.
How are you now ?
Are you studying or working?
Very eager to know about uour progress, so that we can help others here too..
Please repl
I don't know whether to address this to you or your dad, but a lot of your perspective on recovery and wellbeing seems informed by this therapeutic concept of "awakening". Do you know of any academic articles, books, etc on this concept so I can learn more?
Thank you so much for the videos by the way. While I don't work in the field, I studied social work at university and enjoyed working with clients who had schizophrenia and similar illnesses, regardless of the challenges that could come up.
I'll recommend this channel to any friends who are curious, particularly those who are social workers or work in healthcare 😊
Hi steve nice ur new style
This is a wonderful channel. I would like to know why the doctor has made the decision that you take both clozapine and Abilify and not just Clozapine?
Thanks so much Ana! I was already on Abilify before Clozapine and my doctor did not want to stop the Abilify completely because of the antidepressant properties it has. I am planning a video on this in the near future! Have a happy and healthy rest of your day! Thank you for watching!
My son has had schizophrenia since he was 21. He is now 42. It is heartbreaking
You have given me hope. Thank you Stephen.
Do u have any clips about his acute psychotic phase?what were his delusions about?i lost my memory after my psychotic break
Did stephen had any withdrawals when he reduced 200mg clozapine to 175mg tks
Nope no problems at all
Thank you
🕊️🙏🕯️🙏🕊️
Hello, this is a question for Stephen's Dad: Would you happen to have some information regarding US medical insurance covering Schizophrenia ? Our son is suffering from treatment resistant Schizoprenia, and he is ongoing treatment here in the UK. Things are progressing, albeit slowly. We are considering a move to the USA for work reasons, hence I would appreciate any information you may have on this topic. Note: Our son is 23 now.
Thank you for commenting! My Dad will respond to your comment here soon. Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!
Hi Nestor: There are numerous medical plans available in the U.S. that cover mental health, including schizophrenia. I'm sorry but I don't have any more specific information.
@@SchizophreniaSurvivor I'll do some research. Thanks to Steve and Yourself for giving us hope :-) And sorry for the indiscrete question.
My son is 38 now
Thanks for the translation into Arabic
You are very welcome! I’m very happy you liked the video! It means a lot to me!
Do u think clozapine is better than seroquil? 😢 could u share any side effects you’ve had?
I am sorry I can’t give medical advice. Thank you
What does he still takes abilify ? I don’t think it’s needed. As they usually stop it after starting clozapine.
I've actually tried several times to get his psychiatrist to drop the Abilify, but to no avail. She's an excellent psychiatrist; very experienced and prudent. We trust her and so have followed her recommendations. Every year or so the insurance company requests that she document and justify the use of polypharmacy, trying to get her to drop one of the drugs. She's always resisted and the insurance company has always ceded to her desire that Stephen remain on both drugs.
@@SchizophreniaSurvivor
That you so much for sharing this info. I feel your pain as a parent as I am sharing the same experience. Thank you 🙏🏻
Thank you, Dania. It’s been a tough week for Stephen. He’s been taping some video and will post Friday.
No issues. Straight A student through 5th grade. Well-liked by teachers, parents, and students. Lots of friends.
So basically the awakening came 6 months after starting clozapine?
Yes. At that time Stephen awoke to the realization that he was ill but he remained seriously ill for several more years.
@@SchizophreniaSurvivor so he didn’t go back to normal 6 months after clozapine ? I understood he got better right and positive symptoms went away ?!
Positive symptoms (delusions and hallucinations) were completely gone at that point. But he had debilitating anxiety, flat affect, depression, high resting blood pressure (likely due to high anxiety), etc. So he was not really engaged in life and could not attend school, etc.
That’s great looking forward for more video god bless him 🤍 another question please how was Steven performance in school as a child before the illness did he have issues focusing or inattentiveness ??