NEW HERE

Hello:

My name is Christopher and I suffer from schizophrenia and severe depression. I am 37 and have been only officially diagnosed for about three and a half years, though I was symptomatic years before.

I have recently come to acceptance of my illness, but it was a rough road to get here.

I am in the midst of a med change, going from Geodon to Clozapine. So far so good. I hate med changes in general, ususlly I am messed up for a while. I have been on 6 different antipsychotics in these three years and nothing has totally controled my symptoms.

I live in Augusta, Maine with my wife and two daughters, ages 17 and 14. It hasn't been easy for them either, not knowing what "crazy" thing I will do next or say. But I try to be a good husband and father, given the circumstances I have.

I graduated college Magna cum Laude with a BA in Art. I have won awards for my art, and done some commissioned work as well. But I don't do my art as much as I would like, the illness has zapped the creativity out of me it seems.

I like to listen to music, my iPod helps to drown out the voices. I write poetry.

That's about it for now. Thanks for having me aboard.

only an egg,
-Christopher-

Hey Christopher,

You're doing well despite your problems. Getting awards and even getting the degree are great achievements for someone who has to deal with a mental illness too. I'm guessing that your partner, parents, etc are proud of you for that; and you should be self-proud too. As this is only the introduction thread, I will not say much more. Just one thing though: How long did you stay on each drug which you took?

Kevin