Schizophrenia isn't just a male condition?

[Lenamurzinajoy]

I've experienced threebly the streams of schizo - and that makes feeling a man. I am a FE-male. Sounds sympathetic. I'd love to know how it actually being born in a female's brain?

[hypercat54]

Schizophrenia isn't gender specific and just as many women have it as men. I don't think even the experts are sure what causes it, whether it is nature or nurture. I should think a bit of both.

[getdowngetup in reply to hypercat54]

Yep.

In my story below i failed to mention in all my lengthy research, discussions with experts and thinking, thinking as well as a steady prior mix of drugs and alcohol I just never did figure it all out.

Now I just breathe and I live.

Its Funny to me. My life.

DV

[getdowngetup]

I feel you.

I have had 3 distinct episodes much earlier in life. Ages 23 to 25.

Then I took the crappy medicine until science developed better medicine. A few more years on Risperadol while doing a lot and I mean a lot of good therapy. Finally after years of no symptoms, I'm approaching 40 years of age, doctor tapers me off anti-pychotic med and I stay on a anti depression Med.

So the good news and update is over 25 years now , no anti P meds, no return of symptoms and I have been about as adjusted as the next Joe, no hospitalization and a productive life with many long periods of contentedness and peace. I am now 64 years young.

My schizo- affective or psychotic breaks were definitely tied to overwhelming stress and lack of coping skills, support , and engaging in a hermit lifestyle as well as a refusal to take those crappy meds. Changes are painfully slow. Over long periods of time one can see progress. According to stats-1/3 of afflicted stay the same, 1/3 have some improvement and 1/3 fully recover. True Scizophrenia is fairly uncommon affecting only 1% of the global population. The rate of occurrence is interestingly enough the same 1% in all countries across the globe. When I was first diagnosed at age 23 - I spent a couple of years going everyday to the library (before internet) reading everything I could get my hands on about MH and schizo. Also when I got sick the family, community, spiritual helpers and medical world although not without our struggles did become ever so supportive. I AM TRULY A BLESSED SOUL.

PS Great movie that depics the Schizos life long course in a person is Russel Crowes - " A Beautiful Mind"

I was told to drop my gender catorazation.

I truly have no concept of any differences male to female schizos with regard to this disease except the delusional symptoms often seen. Example of delusional differences sometimes seen in Schizo are Male believes they are Christ, females believe they are Virgin Mary.

I went through something like that but struggled to not give it credit knowing it was not true, yet very confused. I experienced what I believed at the time an audible voice of God. I was clearly told to kill myself. At that point I knew I was oh so sick. I checked into the nuthut. I began the very very long uphill climb from the depths of a tortured soul to eventually have all that pathology well behind me.

True story and first time I shared it here. Hope it helps my fellowette sufferer. Peace ✌☮

DV

[Sankissjuice in reply to getdowngetup]

Thank you for sharing...your story just gave me hope of recovery, and ability to be independent and well. I really appreciate your courage and openness.

[getdowngetup in reply to Sankissjuice]

You are very welcome.

Your comments are an encouragement. Everything i have and everything i know is all a "gift" .

I know there are scoffers that would refute this but nonetheless my Mother always said "Time Heals All Wounds"

And for the most part I believe that is true.

I also like what Bob Dylan sang:

🎶And when you ain't got nuthin 🎶 you got nuthin to lose, your 🎶invisible now you got no secrets to 🎶 conceal...

For your journey dear:

May the odds forever be in your favor 🎲🎱🧩🎯

DV