[robbi15]

Hi, I have been taking olanzapine (10 mg) for last few months and I don't know if it worked or not.... because, every now and then I will have these episodes where I think everyone is conspiring against me or talking about me. when I am not having episodes, I have these negative symptoms like lack of motivation, hard time expressing my feelings, hard time talking to even my family members. I am constantly on the edge and restless and I have isolated myself from every social contact because I have also developed social anxiety; I am afraid people will judge me or will misunderstand me. I feel like I have lost my freedom, I am always scared of myself and the world.
So, my question is, even though I am taking my medication as prescribed my doctor, I am not feeling that much better... what should I do... how can I ignore above symptoms... how can I cope with above symptoms... I wanna start college again and I am afraid that these symptoms will become a problem...what can I do to get better...please share your views.

[Sometimes psychotic]

The medicine doesn't work for negative symptoms only positive....therapy can go a long way toward helping social anxiety but there is also sarcosine for negative symptoms which some people say takes the edge off. Personally I would add both but of course talk to your pdoc before adding anything in pill form. I would also recommend fish oil for omega 3's just to help in general.

[Angelique67]

I have trouble with motivation too. If I don't want to do something I just won't, until it reaches some sort of horrible crisis.

[stayingafloat]

I think i can relate to most of the symptoms listed abvoe, like lack of motivation, difficulty in expressing, harboring thoughts related to people talking about you, being misunderstood, other than conspiracies...I felt trapped in this world and i always find a need to isolate myself from it, because i am sick and tired of being judged negatively, its such a frustrating situation because i felt there is a strong need for me to avoid the emotional and social abuses, else i may lose control just to get rid of it.

[Axiom]

APs make some things better, and some things stay the same or get worse. Negative symptoms often get worse, while positive symptoms get better (for most people). I have a lot of anxiety too, I don't call my friends because of it and I stay inside most of the time. I write down what I should try to do each day and that helps me complete my chores and go outside more, but it's difficult and some days I don't leave the apartment or do anything useful at all.

[robbi15]

Originally Posted by Axiom

APs make some things better, and some things stay the same or get worse. Negative symptoms often get worse, while positive symptoms get better (for most people). I have a lot of anxiety too, I don't call my friends because of it and I stay inside most of the time. I write down what I should try to do each day and that helps me complete my chores and go outside more, but it's difficult and some days I don't leave the apartment or do anything useful at all.

same situation here... I am just so preoccupied with my thoughts and worries that I can't do anything...I feel like I a mentally paralyzed. I can't even read a book without pausing after every sentence. I don't go out much...nor do I contact any of my friends...will it get better over time? I am sometimes so frustrated that I want to stop my medication... I sometime feel like, stopping my medication will get me back to my previous , carefree self.
what is the solution to these negative symptoms...will it get better over time...does medication have to do anything with these symptoms.

[junkDNA]

Originally Posted by Angelique67

I have trouble with motivation too. If I don't want to do something I just won't, until it reaches some sort of horrible crisis.

meeeee toooooo

[Angelique67]

Originally Posted by junkDNA

meeeee toooooo

But you do a lot! You work, and go to your T, and buy furniture! That's a lot! You just moved too.

Sent from my A0001

[UnhingedHick]

Originally Posted by robbi15

Hi, I have been taking olanzapine (10 mg) for last few months and I don't know if it worked or not.... because, every now and then I will have these episodes where I think everyone is conspiring against me or talking about me. when I am not having episodes, I have these negative symptoms like lack of motivation, hard time expressing my feelings, hard time talking to even my family members. I am constantly on the edge and restless and I have isolated myself from every social contact because I have also developed social anxiety; I am afraid people will judge me or will misunderstand me. I feel like I have lost my freedom, I am always scared of myself and the world.
So, my question is, even though I am taking my medication as prescribed my doctor, I am not feeling that much better... what should I do... how can I ignore above symptoms... how can I cope with above symptoms... I wanna start college again and I am afraid that these symptoms will become a problem...what can I do to get better...please share your views.

This sounds so very very much like my life, its horrible and really confusing and im never sure what to do about it!

[Angelique67]

I feel like I'll never get off my bed again. I'm so tired and sore and depressed. I'm also really hungry and there isn't much to eat here. So depressed.

Sent from my A0001

[The_little_didgee]

I'm a sloth.

It is so hard to do anything even look after my basic needs like eating. Showering, getting dressed and going out everyday used to be easy until that illness, whatever it is, took over in my mid twenties. I cannot attend class and work at the same time. I can only do one or the other and it has to be part-time, since I wear out easily. The didgee symptoms come back if I don't sleep and keep stress under control. I'll never be able to function like the majority.

Robbi, try starting with one or two classes. If that is manageable you can add another class in the second semester.

[Shmooey]

I am newly diagnosed SZA depressive and I have been learning that a lot of what I do is actually negative symptoms of my illness. It makes me feel like I'll never get better at things when it's not just mind over matter to get things accomplished.

So much I have no motivation to do - I posted on the SZA side earlier today - putting clothes away, laundry, picking stuff up, throwing things away, showering...I am looking for a therapist to help me deal with these aspects of my illness. I always said I'm not lazy but I didn't know what was wrong. Now I do.

I feel like I'll never function like the majority either. I am currently on a short-term disability from my employer. Feel like I'll never be able to handle full time again, but can't afford to lose my health coverage since I carry it for both my husband and me. In this way, we should never have left Canada to come to the U.S. I am originally from here and I missed my mom after nine of years of too-infrequent visits. Health coverage puts way too much stress on me here though.

[Angelique67]

Originally Posted by Shmooey

I am newly diagnosed SZA depressive and I have been learning that a lot of what I do is actually negative symptoms of my illness. It makes me feel like I'll never get better at things when it's not just mind over matter to get things accomplished.

So much I have no motivation to do - I posted on the SZA side earlier today - putting clothes away, laundry, picking stuff up, throwing things away, showering...I am looking for a therapist to help me deal with these aspects of my illness. I always said I'm not lazy but I didn't know what was wrong. Now I do.

I feel like I'll never function like the majority either. I am currently on a short-term disability from my employer. Feel like I'll never be able to handle full time again, but can't afford to lose my health coverage since I carry it for both my husband and me. In this way, we should never have left Canada to come to the U.S. I am originally from here and I missed my mom after nine of years of too-infrequent visits. Health coverage puts way too much stress on me here though.

Welcome Shmooey. I have trouble with all of that too, but I can force myself to do things. Especially if I get panicked, that burst of adrenaline can really push me to do something like shower. I do "forget" a lot of the time to keep up with things like getting the garbage ready to go out or cleaning the kitchen a little, etc. If my mind is on it, I can usually force myself to go do it. It doesn't have to be hopeless. Lots of hugs.

Sent from my A0001

[robbi15]

Originally Posted by The_little_didgee

I'm a sloth.

It is so hard to do anything even look after my basic needs like eating. Showering, getting dressed and going out everyday used to be easy until that illness, whatever it is, took over in my mid twenties. I cannot attend class and work at the same time. I can only do one or the other and it has to be part-time, since I wear out easily. The didgee symptoms come back if I don't sleep and keep stress under control. I'll never be able to function like the majority.

Robbi, try starting with one or two classes. If that is manageable you can add another class in the second semester.

ya....will try to start slow and will try to work my way up to studying more... I have also lost the sense of purpose in my life...and somehow I feel that going to college is going to bring me back to reality...I just hope I get better when I start studying again and I hope I don't forget what I have learned already..