[leetulturtle]

Hi there, I'm new to this forum and decided I'd come straight to the schizoaffective section to introduce myself and such. I was diagnosed schizophrenic age 18 (5 years ago) then changed to schizoaffective two years ago.

I guess I joined to find people who are in similar situations to me - specifically, I really want to be in contact with other schizoaffective mummies. I have three young children and they are my everything. But I'm not a "normal" mother. I do have some mummy friends in "real life" but lately I've been feeling more and more isolated because they can't even begin to understand what it's like being a schizoaffective mother, most of them wouldn't even know what schizoaffective is. I just want to connect with people who understand.

So if you fancy chatting and sharing experiences and generally just being there for one another please send me a private message or reply to this post thanks for reading x

[Skeezyks]

Hello leetulturtle: Well... the Skeezyks is not the member you're looking for here on PC. However since this is your introductory post... welcome to PsychCentral… from the Skeezyks! I hope you find the time you spend here to be of benefit.

PsychCentral is a great place to get information as well as support for mental health issues. There are many knowledgeable & caring members here. The more you post, & reply to other members’ posts, the more a part of the community you will become. Plus there are social groups you can join & chat rooms where you’ll be able to connect with other PC members in real time (once your first 5 posts have been reviewed & approved.) Lots of great stuff! So please keep posting!

[Kuras]

Welcome to the forum. Plenty of people here who can relate rather well to your struggles (though, as I don't have kids and am a guy, I obviously can't claim to relate to the mom aspect lol).

[lazlo]

read books on schizoaffective disorder
heres a couple
http://tinyurl.com/qz6rya3

http://tinyurl.com/p6j6q54

[dmhobbit]

Originally Posted by lazlo

read books on schizoaffective disorder
heres a couple
http://tinyurl.com/qz6rya3

http://tinyurl.com/p6j6q54

A great book I found while browsing books a million was the dummies guide to bipolar disorder and made notes throughout the book it was very informative in a easy to understand language. I highly recommend it.

[dmhobbit]

try reading the dummies book for bipolar disorder at your local book store or on amazon its a very informative book written in easy to read language and covers all areas of bipolar spectrum.

[ickydog2006]

My son is 6 now. I've had a few hospitalizations since he was born, but am currently medicated and been hallucination free for two years. I was diagnosed schizophrenic after his birth, before that I was diagnosed with different depression and anxiety disorders because I wasn't honest with doctors about hallucinations. After he was born I realized the hallucinations and delusions were affecting his safety so Dr's, psych, and therapists started working to find meds and a way to stabilize me. Thankfully, when I've needed to go inpatient for delusional episodes or hallucinations, my parents have been able to come down and help my husband with our son. It is hard talking with other people sometimes. I try to be open because I think ignorance on the subject is a huge problem and those of us who are stable need to show people that this diagnosis is not the end of everything, and you can have a life. However, my mom hates my outspokeness because I've had people who barely know me call child services because they can't believe anyone with my condition could be a good mother. (All those who know me think I'm a great mother, usually far better than I think of myself.) But that ignorance and the damage that type of thinking does is exactly why I feel like I need to be open, so people know that type of thinking is wrong.

[hexacoda]

Hi there - I have 2 boys aged 11 and almost 10 and have been hallucination free for 6 years, but still on anti-depressants and anti-psychotics. One thing I find hard is that I think about having another child but I won't do it given my health (I started getting sick after I had the boys, when they were still young). No one can relate to that. My sister in law is pregnant again and I'm disappointed I can't be because of the medication I need.

[dmhobbit]

Yes I agree. It's a tough choice before pregnancy to make as to if you can do what usually doctors say to go off all of your medication for the healtiest birth possible. Some people like me are in need of medication so bad on a regular basis that it is near impossible to stop without having a freak-out and having to go inpatient prior months well before a womans birth time would be as in several months just into pregnancy.

It's a personal decision and I've read many womens postings on both sides of the fence and on top of it. I think if you can do it go for having that child, if not stick to your meds and and adopt? I myself was adopted about two weeks after birth and there are many couples out there that would love a child in their family but for some reason cannot have a pregnancy for one reason or another.

I hoped this helped IMHO. Namaste.

[hexacoda]

Do you think agencies will adopt to someone who has a history of mental illness?

Personally (and this is just me talking about myself) I don't even trust myself with a baby.

[Biteplate]

I have wondered this too. I'm a good parent despite my illness. My daughter is taken care of and not neglected.

[neodoering]

I'd try reading "Icarus Redeemed: A Schizoaffective Story" by G. H. Francis and "Schizoaffective Disorder: Victory is Possible" by Lacy Wise. Icarus is the better book for my money, but Lacy presents her story from a religious point of view, which is rare in mental illness memoirs. Both these books deal with the symptoms, suicidal thoughts, etc. that come with this condition.