At nearly 300 pounds, psychotic and impoverished, many doctors and associates had written me off just seven years ago. Getting back on top wasn’t easy. It took a lot of work, help from a good doctor and a lot of determination on my part. Through this I have discovered what I thought what was once impossible, that I could take control of my life despite having Schizoaffective disorder.
Me back in 2004
Fighting Schizoaffective disorder is not only about dampening it’s symptoms, but more about living a good life despite the illness. Medication is a way to battle the illness, but if the medication is causing massive amounts of weight gain and side effects then you are still letting the illness take control over parts of your life. This is why you must tell your doctor of any unintended side effects from the medication. I take medication daily, but it is only because I am taking the right medication for me that I am better. I still have side effects, but they are manageable and well worth my sanity.
Me in 2009
One unfortunate and common side effect which I have experienced in the past is weight gain. This side effect can be embarrassing and unhealthy, but can also be curbed through diet and exercise. I find that by eating healthy and exercising, I can also help take the edge off of the depressive symptoms I experience. Through weight management and carefully monitoring your medication it is possible to control this side effect. In the end you will find yourself not only looking better, but also feeling better.
Recent Photo
Sometimes side effects must simply be tolerated, because not taking a medication regimen can be so disastrous. It is between you and your doctor to find a balance between these two. There is no denying that my medication, in the end, granted me a life I thought I would never have. The occasional bump in the road from side effects was well worth the wait.
If you are struggling with a thought disorder, I have shared your pain, and understand some of the struggles you may be dealing with. I want you to not give up hope, and realize that someday you may find yourself in a better place. By carefully monitoring and taking our medication, we can take several leaps forward towards achieving this goal.
Thanks for sharing info, I work as a mental health educator. I appreciate all the help I can get to help keep people on their meds safely.
Hello Joann,
I don’t work directly within the medical field, but I can tell you that some of the reasons I stopped taking the medication in the past was due to side effects. There are of course, often issues with people having delusions towards the treatment plan, but if they work well hopefully that won’t happen often. I wish I could tell you more, but I think every situation is so unique that it can be hard to generalize.
I love this post. You have awesome courage. Thanks so much for sharing your journey
Certainly, medication is the main approaching in the treatment of schizophrenia that is associate with many side undesirable effects. But, the cost benefit of this treatment is much more positive on the regular taking of antpsychotic therapy for long time that gives a guerantee to a appropriate and satisfying management of this serious psychic disease. Besides unexpected and undesirable side effect of medication, it ought to take the psychiatric prescription in order to avoid the evil prognosis of the same. With an arrangement of these bad effects between patient and psychiatrist they may be faced without difficulties and with many benefits for patient with shizophrenia, such is Your occasion.
Of course the medication was the most important thing in treating my disorder, and I would never want anyone not to take their medication. Simultaneously it is important for the doctor to monitor the side effects to make sure they don’t get out of control unnecessarily. Also I would imagine that treatment compliance would increase if the side effects of the medication were more tolerable. So I do think it is a factor that must be considered when dispensing medication.
Thank you,
It is important to give back some, when there are people out there who have helped me along the way.