Can schizophrenics be successful?

I have schizophrenia and want to finish my bachelor's degree. I am not sure how I will do because my schizophrenia makes it difficult to concentrate. I am worried that I would end up with lots of school loans and still not be able to get a job according to my degree. Can schizophrenics be successful in their chosen career?

I am not schizophrenic so I am not sure if I should be responding, but I do have psychotic symptoms and occasional paranoia.

Yes! There are successful schizophrenics, one very notable one was John Nash who had paranoid schizophrenia and was a highly successful mathematician. I think his symptoms came on near the end or just after finishing school, but he had a remarkable career. Mathematics takes an enormous amount of concentration. Don't take that to mean that you have to be at that level to be successful. Nash was one of the 20th century's great geniuses but a quick search for "successful schizophrenics" bring up a lot of people.

It comes down to being able to stay in a decent state to get through each term. I usually fell apart after a term was over and had to use that time to build myself back up. Too be honest, I crashed during terms but spent a lot of energy not letting it affect me too much which is why I fell apart when classes were done. Make sure your med situation is as stable and tolerable as possible.

I understand about not wanting to be in debt. I am in that position and am waiting to see if my loans can be discharged due to my disabilities. It is stressful and not fun. I also feel that I wasted my two degrees because I haven't worked since I completed my MS degree. What I tell myself, and I absolutely believe it, is that education is never a waste. Doesn't make me feel any better.

Try to avoid loans if at all possible. You can do work study, apply for scholarships and definitely max out your pell grants. There is a phenomenal post somewhere on this site where a student took out loans, invested it in rental properties and went to school on that income and had the income after school was over so he turned low interest student loans into a profitable business. Of course, that takes a bit of specialized knowledge and extra energy. There are other ways to profit directly off student loans.

You can also go to the disabled student services office and get assistance while you are in school in the form of extra time for tests, tutors and other non-financial help. It is the only reason I finished my BS degree. Once you are done with school and working, the Americans with Disabilities Act can help put you on a level playing field.

You can be successful, but it might take some good planning and timing. Ease into it slowly, maybe go half time for a term or two to get your bearings.

Here is a nice article on the subject.

I second going to your school's disability office to see what resources are available. The one at my school is da bomb. Very nonjudgmental and supportive.