Taking on Goliath (And Winning)

  Running Low on My Medication                Since my mental health diagnosis, I have been deeply aware of taking my prescribed medication. In order to manage the symptoms of schizoaffective disorder, it is crucial that I stay on the regimen that my doctor and I have worked out together. One of my medications has to be prescribed by the pharmacy after I have blood drawn. The timing of having my blood drawn, getting the report to my doctor, his studying the report, confirming next month’s meds, and getting my monthly prescription mailed to me is a tightrope of timing. Because of a move to a new state and a new psychiatrist, I recently found myself running right up to the night when I took my last pill for the month, however, my prescription for the next month had not arrived. As a result, I began to fixate on not having enough medication to get me from month to month.         ...

  To Mom and Dad   You gave me the sun sky and stars The cool touch of Fall And the hot tub feel of the Summer While placing me in this family’s shelter Having the right amount of distance Between So we will not step on each other toes You are fine examples of patience and love You touch my soul like cushioned slippers And were part of my life Swimming with me in the undertow I am as comfortable with you as cold beer celebrations I can’t wait to see you again

  Relating to a Person Living with Schizophrenia  Schizophrenia Bulletin, Volume 42, Issue 5, September 2016, Pages 1081-1082, https://doi.org/10.1093/schbul/sbt004 published: 13 February 2013 The only thing you had to eat was a breakfast bar or granola bar. Suddenly, you notice it is time to go home from work so you do. You sit down in your comfortable chair and start to watch TV while trying to figure out what you are going to eat for dinner. A Papa John’s commercial comes on. You are glued to the screen. Your mouth starts to water, and you now can taste pizza with 6 kinds of cheeses, pepperoni, and sausage. Another example is: You are in your bed, in a deep sleep. In your dreams, you are running for president. Your speeches are an inspiration, your mannerisms are emulated, and people cry out your name. You might even feel famous (in your dreams). Abruptly, you are woken up and for a split second, you still feel the aspirations of your supporters. Yet, there is no ...

  Acceptance  Jason Jepson Schizophrenia Bulletin , Volume 42, Issue 3, May 2016, Page 534,  https://doi.org/10.1093/schbul/sbt118 Published:   Most people with a mental illness have something like social anxieties. They may ask themselves, will they accept me or will they understand. It is a hill to climb or a lock on the door. Even people without a mental illness feel and ask these questions. The most important thing we as mental health consumers can do is accept ourselves. Are you willing to climb that hill? If you are, in most cases, you will be glad you did. People like to talk about sports, music, or movies to name a few. You can be that face in the crowd that people will be happy to see. We all have a place. I experience my self-acceptance at a bar. Now a bar isn’t the best place to meet people, and if you take medication that is affected by alcohol, then you definitely should be careful, maybe drink less than moderation. There was nothing ...

  My Stages of Recovery  Jason A. Jepson Schizophrenia Bulletin , Volume 43, Issue 1, 1 January 2017, Pages 3–5,  https://doi.org/10.1093/schbul/sbu024   When I first was diagnosed with schizophrenia, my first response was, “No, not me.” The response was probably due to what I thought mental illness was. I was scared I would be put in a straight jacket. I thought I would be closed off to the world. I finally came to the conclusion a person with schizophrenia must find help, or possibly wind up on the local news. My First Day My sunglasses were still on as I entered the small room. My platoon Sergeant was behind me, and I noticed that the man waiting for us wore a nametag calling him a “Doctor.” I was wearing sunglasses because without them, my disease would spread. That meant, through the channels of extra sensory perception, my reality would take hold, and an individual would be able to speak with another individual without them being present. Sudd...

  The Walk The sound of traffic dances in both directions The breeze taps me on the shoulder As I avoid the cracks on the sidewalk Knees feel weak like a middle school infatuation But my mind inspires and directs me to keep going The humidity of the mid-summer morning Like lounging in a heated Jacuzzi I pass older couples and dog walkers Starting their day with smiles as I turn around Like a soldier’s about face To march back home