This summer of 2026, I am celebrating 18 years of full recovery from schizophrenia. I was told I would be totally disabled in 2007 when I was diagnosed, but today I am fully recovered.
Thomas Insel has said that recovery in schizophrenia involves “people, place, and purpose” (1). Today, I enjoy many close relationships with family and friends. I live independently in my own apartment and spend my days with a balance between full-time work and hobbies I enjoy.
In my recovery, the following are things I prioritize as my self-care.
Medication
The foundation of the life I enjoy today is my antipsychotic medication. I have never missed my nightly antipsychotic medication since I resolved to take it in 2007. I always plan to get my medicine at the pharmacy as early as it is available. When I travel, I bring extra pills on my person, with some in both my pockets and also in my purse.
When I am traveling on the West Coast, I usually go to bed early, and I take the medication three hours earlier, as though I were on Eastern Standard Time. This keeps my medication blood level steady. It is important to take medication at the same time each day.
Diet and exercise
I believe that my healthy diet keeps me sharp and active. I try to eat green, leafy vegetables every day, blueberries and other fruit, and drink milk for calcium and protein. I enjoy eating salmon, one of the healthiest available sources of vitamins and protein.
Many people living with schizophrenia have a medication-induced disorder called metabolic syndrome. This can involve weight gain and high blood sugar, and people may gain weight, sometimes very much, even if they do not eat more calories than they used to prior to beginning the medication.
My first antipsychotic medication made me gain about 20 pounds very quickly. I remember a ravenous, uncontrollable appetite. A few hours after eating a big breakfast, I felt like I had not eaten at all that day.
Notably, there is no biomarker or test that will determine who will gain weight on which antipsychotics.
Today, I take a different antipsychotic medication, which has enabled me to lose some of what I had gained previously and stopped me from developing metabolic syndrome. But in order for me to manage my weight, I have to work at it. I fast intermittently and avoid sweets.
People, place, and purpose
People struggling with schizophrenia often isolate themselves. I remember living homeless outside and paranoid, going days without seeing anyone I knew. And the people I did consider friends were really only acquaintances. I developed a cycle where I would spend time with people I met in parks or libraries, and then cut them off, paranoid that they might question whether I might be homeless. Without a stable place to live, healthy relationships used to be almost impossible.
Today, in recovery, I make it a priority to meet with a close circle of friends on a regular basis for a meal or coffee. Every week, I attend a church where I enjoy being with people I have known for many years. Occasionally, I volunteer with my church, serving meals to the homeless, which allows me to help others experiencing the hardships that I have lived through.
Over the years, I have found it is important to balance my social life with work and hobbies.
When I was young, my life was out of balance. I practiced violin and piano for up to four hours a day. This became very isolating, as I was refusing parties and social gatherings, preferring to be alone.
Today, I do not practice nearly as much, but I enjoy playing for church services. I enjoy teaching piano. Music relaxes me and makes me feel happy.
The work I do makes me feel excited to get up every morning. I serve as co-founder and president of a nonprofit organization, assisting families with information and hope. I feel I am making a contribution. I am careful to pace myself to conserve my energy so that I am able to give my best.
Full-time work gives me many opportunities to meet interesting people who enrich my life.
One of the greatest pleasures I have enjoyed in the last several years through my work with the nonprofit is getting to know people like me who are thriving despite schizophrenia. When we share stories of our journeys, we learn from each other.
Summary
Self-care is vitally important for everyone to help them feel their best. As I age, I hope that my good choices will keep my mind active and sharp so I can continue finding joy in helping others.
