This is going to be hard to write but I'll do my best. Thank you for your patience and understanding!

Here's my story:

When I was younger I loved playing sports and being active. I played all the time; in school, on weekends, etc. By being so active, it's no surprise that I injured my head on several occasions. Never did get it properly checked out because the symptoms (such as: dizziness, blackout, flashing light, etc) would always go away. Unfortunately, after the last head injury, my personality changed (according to friends and family) and I made some very poor life choices hereafter. I started making new friends and that led to my experimenting with drugs (worst decision of my life!). It was like I became a different person. At parties, while skipping class, and so on, it seems like I was always on something even if it was only caffeine and cigarettes. I did this for years. I stopped for weeks at a time but I would always come back to it. It felt like I needed it to live a normal life. Eventually I did stop, but the damage was done. I don't know whether it was the head injury or the drugs or perhaps both but I ended up being diagnosed with schizophrenia shortly thereafter. The only thing I'm on nowadays is my antipsychotic medication which is prescribed for the schizophrenia. I see a psychiatrist once a month but that's about all the help I get. Life has become very difficult especially since I became sober. I would really like to repair all the damage that was done to me and possibly become the person I could have been but I don't really know if this is possible. Lately I've been researching cognitive enhancers which show some promise. But I don't know if they're right for me. The search continues.

Thanks for reading!

Hi Ethan and welcome to NeuroTalk.

Here is the link to the Schizophrenia forum: http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum40.html

Congratulations on improving the choices you're making in your life. That's not always easy to do.

There are many very caring and supportive folks here at NeuroTalk and I'm sure more will be along soon to welcome you.

Hello Ethan and WELCOME to Neurotalk!

I see that Kitty has given you the link to our Schizophrenia Forum.

Please feel free to roam around and join in anywhere! Kick off your shoes and stay a while.

If you have any questions or need any assistance in finding your way around...please don't hesitate to ask....someone will always be around soon to help in any way that we can.

I look forward to seeing you around the board.

Abbie

Ethan,

Happy to see you have come to be with us. As you can tell there are great and caring friends here to assist you, just let us know if we can be of any help. Our shoulders are here for support in many ways. Please keep us up to date on your condition & needs.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene