[Photonate]

Hello. I hope this is the most appropriate place to post this thread, it is mainly about coping with an emotion (hopelessness) so I figured it would be, anyways...

I'm a diagnosed schizophrenic, and of course suffer from depression, with (often overwhelming) hopelessness, among other things. Various reasons contribute to the depression, but my main cause for hopelessness, is things such as schizophrenia, paranoid delusions etc. coming with the charming "incurable but treatable" tag...

I can not illustrate how disheartening and crushing it feels everytime I think about or am told this. Why? Simply put, because I personally can't just 'cope' or 'deal with' the delusions and things I face, for the rest of my life. I just can't. I've already had times when wanting/trying to end my life was a problem, and it's only been around 4/5 years now. So just learning to 'cope with' my particular case, for the rest of my life, is out of the question.

I've told this to my therapist, and she just considers dealing with chronic psychological illness similar to dealing with a chronic physical disease, and that "many people go on to live quality lives". But, this still doesn't manage to really provide much comfort or hope for me personally... I guess I'm just looking for some other opinions or thoughts - that maybe even manage to change this attitude towards coping - although I doubt anything really will..

[Skeezyks]

I wish I knew what to tell you about this. I don't have schizophrenia. But I've struggled my entire life with my own mental health challenges. And I'm 70 years old now.

I wish I could tell you that your condition really is curable despite what your therapist has said. But the fact is, while I may doubt it, I really don't know. You wrote that learning to cope with your condition for the rest of your life is out of the question. But I don't know what the alternative is... well I do… but assuming you don't really want to go there... (I've made 2 major attempts in that direction in the past.)

In my life I've just kept putting one foot in front of the other, so to speak. Growing up, many years ago, my father used to say: "You're not required to like it. You're just required to do it." I've taken that as my mantra. And, in the end, although day-to-day life has sometimes been a struggle (who's isn't?) I've ended up in a pretty comfortable place. That's about all I can say. My best wishes to you...

I’m sorry you’re going through this. I haven’t experienced this personally but I understand the hopelessness that comes with coping with ongoing tough issues. Is it possible to find positive things about your personality and think more about that? I think your counselor’s statement reflects that she sees you have the potential to do well but maybe you just don’t see that right now.

[downandlonely]

I don't have schizophrenia, but I do have chronic depression. I have accepted that I will need to take anti-depressants for the rest of my life, just as people with Type 1 diabetes need to take insulin. I guess if the meds weren't working though, it would be a different story. Do you find your meds help with psychosis?

[BLUEDOVE]

No matter the situation,more self-esteem will aid you to beat it.I recommend world expert on
self-esteem,Nathaniel Branden,his titles "Honoring The Self",and "The Six Pillars Of Self-Esteem",
will lift you,of that,I have no doubt.Please invest in dear self.
Deepest Respect,
BLUEDOVE