Keeping it simple

The symptoms of schizophrenia can bring with them an overload of the senses and an inability to filter that overload. They can bring hallucinations in that you hear and see things that aren’t there, or what is there is somehow distorted. You can have paranoia and the impression that thoughts are being inserted into your mind.

As my psychiatrist once said to me, “When you are relapsing, there’s so much going on that even just getting through the day can be exhausting and leave little else for refinements.” This evaluation is absolutely accurate.

In Western culture, we are encouraged to be ambitious and to feel that the more work we do and the more activities we can be seen doing, the better, as such an approach must surely lead to societal success. We are not encouraged to pace ourselves by relying on what we are comfortable doing.

If you live with a severe mental illness, it’s essential that you do not experience overload in your timetable. It’s often a simple adjustment that turns an unhealthy day into a rewarding one. It may involve canceling a social engagement you feel you need help to face, and no help is available. This decision is not a symptom of social withdrawal if it doesn’t happen daily. It may be a well-judged opportunity to rest at home doing something you like, such as listening to music and watching a favorite film, rather than having a miserable outing.

It is essential for anyone with a severe mental illness to establish a simple routine that marks each day, and that is doable. You can always add activities if that is possible for you. Don’t be apologetic about it. Make it part of your identity. Above all, keep it as simple as you can.

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