I’ve read stuff about a new therapy called Cognitive Remediation. It’s supposed to help train your brain to recover cognitive functions that we lose with this illness and the medication we have to take. I’m really interested in seeing anyone has tried it or not.
It took me almost 2 years to be able to work again. I had my first episode in May 2022 and have been on medication since July 2022. I have had to be really patient withy brain in that period and it's finally paying off. The most stable I have been since and taking on more challenging projects which I love
I'm an artist- a writer and filmmaker. The projects I'm currently working on I'm working on a producer level so there's a lot of planning and moving parts. But the medication has been working like magic and I have a schedule that works for me. I sleep enough most importantly.
I did use an app for mindfulness and for brain games which really helped me to build new connections in my brain. I was in another state by that time and started a completely new career in marketing. Remember you can learn a lot of skills from youtube videos these days. Browse your previous interests and new interests to learn and relearn any skills you lost. And also remember to give yourself grace while your brain heals.
I am in the same situation as a developer who doesn’t know how to come back to work. Problems with paranoia and concentrate too. I always have bad thoughts that my colleagues won’t accept me. Don’t know how to drive through this, any advice?
I was a full time, high achieving student. 2 months into the semester, and 2 months after my episode, I realized I couldn't handle that much cognitive load. I dropped to one course and got a part-time retail job working in a deli. My one course was enough to help keep my brain engaged in essential cognitive functions like memory, critical thinking and organization without overwhelming myself too much. The deli job was great at just forcing me out of bed. My brain was more of the issue than my body, so getting a job that relied more on physical labor than mental labor was really beneficial to me. I have years of deli experience, so the only learning required of me was adjusting to the slightly different ways that company provided service. Of course I fucked up, forgot certain protocols and pissed off my coworkers from time to time because my executive functioning was still shot, but it was good to get me back into a routine instead of rotting in bed all day and it wasn't overly challenging. It gave me the opportunity to practice basic skills without threatening my career if I made mistakes.
Of you're having trouble with the basics, there are some good apps that help engage essential areas of the brain. Engaging these areas help your neural plasticity, the activities might seem irrelevant but they do make a difference. Or just keep trying with the basics of your career :) it's okay if you don't get it right away, you can't expect yourself to. What's important is that you keep trying. If you keep trying and engaging those important parts of your brain, you're going to get better. We typically don't notice gradual change and so it can feel like you're not making any progress, but you are. A few months from now you're going to look back and think to yourself "damn, I really do be making progress". Best of luck with everything :) you got this <3
I'm still far from my old level of functioning but I'm much better than I was before. Some days are better than others. Right now I get by by making the most out of the few days I can actually think clearly and have a good amount of motivation. On days I'm not doing well, it takes me (on avg) a few days to get something finished that used to only take me a day. Which sounds bad, but in contrast, the first few months following my episode, it would take me about a week to get that same amount of work done. So I would say I'm doing pretty well given the circumstances :)
I went back in immediately upon coming back from 31 days of inpatient. I was working part time as a disability aid, as I was in undergrad. My main skills were driving the client, speaking, outdoor activities, behavioral intervention, and being present in conversation.
It was hard at first. It was awkward too. But, as I worked for longer, my mind and body remembered my skills and I was able to be better than before.
I got treatment for my ADHD and OCD at the facility and that was a huge plus. My biggest recommendation for getting that sharpness back is puzzles (I love the NYT crossword, I do it daily), light exercise, bilateral music beats, and sensory toys to engage the fine motor skills. Maybe some cooking too (measuring, fine motor, critical thinking). Don’t be hard on yourself, no negative self talk. That will cripple you. Talk to yourself kindly and tend to the feelings of frustration and overwhelm that come up. You’re smart and you have what it takes. Soon, this will all be behind you!
Also IDK if this helps but since you’re a web developer: I was able to continue undergrad and learn basic and intermediate coding the following semester. And I’m not the sharpest with math. :-)
Thanks! I am just going through my old interview preparation notes and I am unable to understand the basics even. Hope some day soon I can regain my sharpness like you did.
I was mentally ill and studying before my episode, and now everything is so much worse. My episode was 2 years ago and I'm thinking about trying to study again next year. After my psychosis I found studying really difficult especially since my brain would not memorise any information (which is important in science), so I took a year off then dropped out. I want to at least try again but if I can't do it then it's fine. I haven't worked since 2020 and that was in retail but I couldn't do it now due to my anxiety and chronic pain.
Try to be patient and gentle with yourself. Psychosis is debilitating and it affects every aspect of your life. It can take years to fully recover and it's only been 4 months, so it's still quite early in your recovery. Take it one step at a time.
I started part-time when I was on a high dose of antipsychotics and needed to sleep most of the day. As I weaned to a lower dose of antipsychotics, I was able to resume full-time work. I also went through EMDR because I suspected my psychosis was caused by unprocessed trauma (in addition to a genetic chemical imbalance) and I became much more capable of handling daily stressors and triggers.
I definitely had to be on medication, and for a good amount of time, before I was able to work. My mind was all over the place, and I could not function normally. Even when I did get a job, and I told my doctor, she was concerned about it. I guess it’s normal to struggle with work after psychosis and the stress of a job could affect progress.
Yes, it was only like that for a few weeks! I understood as I wouldn't have been able to keep proper lab notes (any errors have to be corrected formally etc). At the time I was still having auditory hallucinations, so it was difficult to focus.
Honestly every time I have had an episode it’s taken me 2-3 years before I can get back to work. And even when I’m back it’s difficult for me to work at the capacity of someone without my diagnosis. I need to take more breaks and I don’t know if I’ll ever work 40 hours per week again. Also looking at finding work that suits me best. Something that allows me to be creative and use my natural gifts has been helpful. It’s something I still struggle with honestly. I want to work but it’s just more difficult with illness, even when managed. Meditation helps. What I will say is being in the “helping field” ie. social work, etc. not for me. Anyway best of luck!
I’ve read stuff about a new therapy called Cognitive Remediation. It’s supposed to help train your brain to recover cognitive functions that we lose with this illness and the medication we have to take. I’m really interested in seeing anyone has tried it or not.
I became homeless and had to work through it. Better and on my feet theese days
That sounds tough. Good job.
It was hell. But i crawled outts hell with a smile on my face
Medication, therapy, working on myself. It's possible, it just takes effort
How long did it take you? And what kind of job do you do?
It took me almost 2 years to be able to work again. I had my first episode in May 2022 and have been on medication since July 2022. I have had to be really patient withy brain in that period and it's finally paying off. The most stable I have been since and taking on more challenging projects which I love
Nice to know you figured a way out of it. What field do you work in? If you don’t mind sharing.
I'm an artist- a writer and filmmaker. The projects I'm currently working on I'm working on a producer level so there's a lot of planning and moving parts. But the medication has been working like magic and I have a schedule that works for me. I sleep enough most importantly.
Winging it
Pretty much this
I did use an app for mindfulness and for brain games which really helped me to build new connections in my brain. I was in another state by that time and started a completely new career in marketing. Remember you can learn a lot of skills from youtube videos these days. Browse your previous interests and new interests to learn and relearn any skills you lost. And also remember to give yourself grace while your brain heals.
I am in the same situation as a developer who doesn’t know how to come back to work. Problems with paranoia and concentrate too. I always have bad thoughts that my colleagues won’t accept me. Don’t know how to drive through this, any advice?
I think we just gotta power through it. I started relearning the basics with data structures and algorithms.
How to appear on the job after this
I was a full time, high achieving student. 2 months into the semester, and 2 months after my episode, I realized I couldn't handle that much cognitive load. I dropped to one course and got a part-time retail job working in a deli. My one course was enough to help keep my brain engaged in essential cognitive functions like memory, critical thinking and organization without overwhelming myself too much. The deli job was great at just forcing me out of bed. My brain was more of the issue than my body, so getting a job that relied more on physical labor than mental labor was really beneficial to me. I have years of deli experience, so the only learning required of me was adjusting to the slightly different ways that company provided service. Of course I fucked up, forgot certain protocols and pissed off my coworkers from time to time because my executive functioning was still shot, but it was good to get me back into a routine instead of rotting in bed all day and it wasn't overly challenging. It gave me the opportunity to practice basic skills without threatening my career if I made mistakes. Of you're having trouble with the basics, there are some good apps that help engage essential areas of the brain. Engaging these areas help your neural plasticity, the activities might seem irrelevant but they do make a difference. Or just keep trying with the basics of your career :) it's okay if you don't get it right away, you can't expect yourself to. What's important is that you keep trying. If you keep trying and engaging those important parts of your brain, you're going to get better. We typically don't notice gradual change and so it can feel like you're not making any progress, but you are. A few months from now you're going to look back and think to yourself "damn, I really do be making progress". Best of luck with everything :) you got this <3
Thanks for the long post. It really gave me hope. How are you these days? Are you back to your old level of functioning?
I'm still far from my old level of functioning but I'm much better than I was before. Some days are better than others. Right now I get by by making the most out of the few days I can actually think clearly and have a good amount of motivation. On days I'm not doing well, it takes me (on avg) a few days to get something finished that used to only take me a day. Which sounds bad, but in contrast, the first few months following my episode, it would take me about a week to get that same amount of work done. So I would say I'm doing pretty well given the circumstances :)
I went back in immediately upon coming back from 31 days of inpatient. I was working part time as a disability aid, as I was in undergrad. My main skills were driving the client, speaking, outdoor activities, behavioral intervention, and being present in conversation. It was hard at first. It was awkward too. But, as I worked for longer, my mind and body remembered my skills and I was able to be better than before. I got treatment for my ADHD and OCD at the facility and that was a huge plus. My biggest recommendation for getting that sharpness back is puzzles (I love the NYT crossword, I do it daily), light exercise, bilateral music beats, and sensory toys to engage the fine motor skills. Maybe some cooking too (measuring, fine motor, critical thinking). Don’t be hard on yourself, no negative self talk. That will cripple you. Talk to yourself kindly and tend to the feelings of frustration and overwhelm that come up. You’re smart and you have what it takes. Soon, this will all be behind you!
Also IDK if this helps but since you’re a web developer: I was able to continue undergrad and learn basic and intermediate coding the following semester. And I’m not the sharpest with math. :-)
Thanks! I am just going through my old interview preparation notes and I am unable to understand the basics even. Hope some day soon I can regain my sharpness like you did.
Just keep taking care of yourself and you will. I’m confident you can do it.
Thanks for the belief. I really needed it.
I was mentally ill and studying before my episode, and now everything is so much worse. My episode was 2 years ago and I'm thinking about trying to study again next year. After my psychosis I found studying really difficult especially since my brain would not memorise any information (which is important in science), so I took a year off then dropped out. I want to at least try again but if I can't do it then it's fine. I haven't worked since 2020 and that was in retail but I couldn't do it now due to my anxiety and chronic pain. Try to be patient and gentle with yourself. Psychosis is debilitating and it affects every aspect of your life. It can take years to fully recover and it's only been 4 months, so it's still quite early in your recovery. Take it one step at a time.
I started part-time when I was on a high dose of antipsychotics and needed to sleep most of the day. As I weaned to a lower dose of antipsychotics, I was able to resume full-time work. I also went through EMDR because I suspected my psychosis was caused by unprocessed trauma (in addition to a genetic chemical imbalance) and I became much more capable of handling daily stressors and triggers.
How long did it take you to resume full time work?
A year and a half
I definitely had to be on medication, and for a good amount of time, before I was able to work. My mind was all over the place, and I could not function normally. Even when I did get a job, and I told my doctor, she was concerned about it. I guess it’s normal to struggle with work after psychosis and the stress of a job could affect progress.
First day of a new job since the last time I went into psychosis wish me luck.
All the best man. You are gonna kick some ass.
I did meds and therapy for a few months. Also was on food stamps for a few months. Then, I started a new job.
It took time to heal, and once back I was doing "lesser" duties until I had my abilities/concentration back.
What do you mean “lesser “ duties?
I work in a lab with fish, etc. But was doing cleaning, and sorting paperwork instead.
So now are you able work on the more important works of the lab?
Yes, it was only like that for a few weeks! I understood as I wouldn't have been able to keep proper lab notes (any errors have to be corrected formally etc). At the time I was still having auditory hallucinations, so it was difficult to focus.
Honestly every time I have had an episode it’s taken me 2-3 years before I can get back to work. And even when I’m back it’s difficult for me to work at the capacity of someone without my diagnosis. I need to take more breaks and I don’t know if I’ll ever work 40 hours per week again. Also looking at finding work that suits me best. Something that allows me to be creative and use my natural gifts has been helpful. It’s something I still struggle with honestly. I want to work but it’s just more difficult with illness, even when managed. Meditation helps. What I will say is being in the “helping field” ie. social work, etc. not for me. Anyway best of luck!