Schizoaffective disorder ft. Jonny Benjamin 

Wow what a testimony, God is healing you

@@kingdom_lights I have experienced the same and I'm getting through it. My advice for you is to turn to God, he can help you. I'm off all meds for 2months now

please listen to my story on RU-vid at Hearing Voices: real help and understanding. Praying for you, Carol

Xi Zui I sleep for over 12 hours a day. Don't do very much during the day. I feel very anxious over things. During menstruation I become so worried. There is no sense of urgency. Very slow.

I'm seeing a psychiatrist over this motivation thing, on too much meds so I see what you going through.

It helps to force yourself to do things, even if it's just little things like making a meal or going to buy groceries if your mind so says just do it anyway it's hard yes but afterwards you feel like you accomplished something and overcame the negative thoughts.

ok i will try as hard as I can

to paul same here I find that quetiapine dampens my motivation and makes me more slow. its very annoying.

Hi there, It’s understandable that being diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder will leave you feeling all sorts of things and perhaps you may have questions or concerns too. We’re glad that hearing Jonny’s experience has help a bit! If you’d like more support, and you like the UK, you might want to consider joining our online community community.themix.org.uk/ for a safe place to chat and get support from other young people. You can also contact our team directly www.themix.org.uk/get-support/speak-to-our-team for one-to-one support. Take care, Maisy@TheMix

Ariella Espania My son was diagnosed with schizoaffective. The drugs given him are very scary. Can I ask was drug you are taking that help. The son takes 3 different drugs a day. he is 20.

Becky Snellings I take saphris it's an antipsychotic. It works really well. Give it a

+Becky Snellings why are on earth are you letting hem give your son drugs! he is simply just a human being! let him be a human and get him away from psychiatry so he can live a life! children should be allowed to be children not medicated!

He's 20 not a child

+Becky Snellings my mistake sorry i had in my mind the mans comment about having it since he was 6. But my message is the same. IT causes irreversible damage, I have seen it in so many people. I do not know your son, But most are normally very creative and sensitive, good imaginations. The drugs paralyze what they are already struggling to express. look into it more , your son deserves a happy life not for it to be taken away and it will be.. I was once this person and speak from experience. It led me to meet so many others and its never been a good end to a story

Hi there, Thanks for commenting and glad to hear that you found the video helpful in trying to understand more about your son’s diagnosis. You might also find Mind’s article on schizoaffective disorder www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/schizoaffective-disorder/about-schizoaffective-disorder/ If your son would like to get support, and he lives in the UK, feel free to suggest he join our online community community.themix.org.uk/ for a safe place to vent, chat and get support from other young people. He can also contact our team directly www.themix.org.uk/get-support/speak-to-our-team for one-to-one support. Take care, Mary-Ellen@TheMix

Hi there, We're glad that you found the video helpful! You might want to check our article on schizophrenia www.themix.org.uk/mental-health/psychosis/schizophrenia-6634.html and hearing voices www.themix.org.uk/mental-health/psychosis/how-to-get-support-if-you-hear-voices-48438.html for more information. If you're looking for support and you are between the ages of 13-25 and are in the UK, feel free to join our online community community.themix.org.uk/ for a safe place to chat and get support from other young people. You can also contact our team directly www.themix.org.uk/get-support/speak-to-our-team for one-to-one support. Alternatively, there is always MIND www.mind.org.uk/ a national charity dedicated to helping those with mental health disorders. Take care, Maisy@TheMix

THANK 🙏

("raise awareness "= $$$) Money Hungry!!... leave us alone, we struggle on our own and don't need people like you turning a serious issue into a "campaign" etc... find a new scheme, please.

Hi there, It sounds like it’s really difficult and isolating living with schizoaffective disorder. Even though you are outside of the age range that The Mix supports, we would still like to signpost you to organisations that you might find helpful. For emotional support, you can contact the Samaritans www.samaritans.org/ or SANE www.sane.org.uk/how-we-help/emotional-support . For support relating to symptoms of schizoaffective disorder, you might want to check out the Hearing Voices Network www.hearing-voices.org/ Take care, Maisy@TheMix

I have the same disorder since I was 30 the urge to off yourself is probably the worst thing about it, I got pretty close last night luckily I live with my parents so my dad helped pull me off the proverbial ledge but it scares them and it's isolating well anyway cheers

@@SwordOfTheRaven Stay strong ... This illness is tough..But you are stronger than you think

How did you survive this long with the illness im 22 doubt ill make it to 50

Hi @Andrae Baxter Thanks for commenting and sharing your story with us. It sounds like you’ve been through a lot- being on medications that don’t work for you and then being diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. It’s good to hear that you are able to find healthy ways of blocking out negative thoughts, such as producing music or art. Our article on schizophrenia www.themix.org.uk/mental-health/psychosis/schizophrenia-6634.html also encourages a healthy lifestyle to keep symptoms at bay. If you’d like more support, and you are in the UK and between the ages of 13-25, feel free to sign up to our online community community.themix.org.uk/ where you can chat and get support from other young people. You can also contact our team directly www.themix.org.uk/get-support/speak-to-our-team for one-to-one support. Alternatively, there’s always the Hearing Voices Network www.hearing-voices.org/hearing-voices-groups/ or MIND www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/schizoaffective-disorder/about-schizoaffective-disorder/ Take care, Mary-Ellen@TheMix

Hey there, We’re glad you found the video helpful! It’s understandable that you would feel scared about hospital and not want to go because you don’t want to get drugged up or electric shock. Depending on where you are in the world, electric shock therapy isn’t normally given and a psychiatrist usually helps to get the dosage of medication right for you. Try not to let your fears stop you from getting the help and support you need. You might want to check out our article on psychosis www.themix.org.uk/mental-health/psychosis/about-psychosis-6636.html to help you understand what kind of you help and support you can receive. If you are between the ages of 13-25, and you live in the UK and would like more support, feel free to join our online community community.themix.org.uk/ for a safe place to chat and get support form other young people. You can also contact our team directly www.themix.org.uk/get-support/speak-to-our-team for one-to-one support. Take care, Maisy@TheMix

Hi there, Dealing with any mental health issue can be difficult but know that you aren’t alone. If you are dealing with schizoaffective disorder, you might want to check out our article on schizophrenia (a related disorder) for ideas on how to cope: www.themix.org.uk/mental-health/psychosis/schizophrenia-6634.html If you are looking for more support and you are between the ages of 13-25 and live in the UK, feel free to join our online community community.themix.org.uk/ for a safe place to chat and get support from other young people. You can also contact our team directly www.themix.org.uk/get-support/speak-to-our-team for one-to-one support. Alternatively, there is always MIND www.mind.org.uk/ a national charity supporting those living with mental health issues. Take care, Maisy@TheMix

Brittany, please listen to my story on RU-vid at Hearing Voices: real help and understanding. Praying for you, Carol

my brother is too we evaluated him yesterday im on here learning more about it

how is he now?

Hey there, I’m sorry to hear you are struggling. It must be difficult for you. If you haven’t already, you might want to look for support groups in your area specifically for schizophrenia/schizo-affective disorder or a Hearing Voices Network that might help you connect with others who also experience similar things. If you are interested, we also have an article on schizophrenia that you might like to check out here: www.themix.org.uk/mental-health/psychosis/schizophrenia-6634.html If you are in the UK and are between the ages of 13-25, feel free to join our community community.themix.org.uk/ or contact our team directly www.themix.org.uk/get-support/speak-to-our-team for one-to-one support. All the best, Mary-Ellen@TheMix

I have a friend who was on that combo of meds too with little relief. Can I ask if you have found something that has worked for you or someone you may know? Thanks!

Mental breakdown at College studying Criminology.

Hi there, It sounds like college was a difficult time for you, more so since you struggled with having a mental breakdown. You might be interested in checking out our article on schizophrenia (similar to schizoaffective disorder) www.themix.org.uk/mental-health/psychosis/schizophrenia-6634.html for ideas on how to help yourself to help keep further breakdowns at bay. If you’d like more support, and you live in the UK and are between the ages of 13-25, feel free to join our online community community.themix.org.uk/ for a safe place to chat and get support from others. You can also contact our team directly www.themix.org.uk/get-support/speak-to-our-team for one-to-one support. Alternatively, there is always MIND www.mind.org.uk/ a national organisation supporting those living with mental health conditions. Take care, Maisy@TheMix

@@TheMixUK Thanks for your reply though

Hey there, The man featured in this video, Jonny Benjamin, is a mental health activist and author. He was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder in his 20s. It can be difficult to work with schizophrenia and depression, but not impossible, once symptoms are under control. If you’d like more information, feel free to check out our article on schizophrenia here: www.themix.org.uk/mental-health/psychosis/schizophrenia-6634.html and mental health in the workplace here: www.themix.org.uk/work-and-study/workers-rights-and-pay/mental-health-at-work-1359.html If you are in the UK, and between the ages of 13-25, feel free to sign up to our online community community.themix.org.uk/ for a safe place to vent, chat and get support from other young people. You can also contact our team directly www.themix.org.uk/get-support/speak-to-our-team for one-to-one support. Take care, Mary-Ellen@TheMix

Hi there, There are definitely similarities between OCD intrusive thoughts and schizophrenia. However, there are also many differences too such as the voices heard in schizophrenia may sound like they are coming from outside the person as well as having other symptoms such as hallucinations (visual, auditory, tactile etc), paranoid thoughts and disorganised speech. For more information, feel free to check out our article on experiences of OCD www.themix.org.uk/mental-health/anxiety-ocd-and-phobias/my-obsessions-repeat-over-and-over-in-my-mind-nonormal-28988.html and schizophrenia www.themix.org.uk/mental-health/psychosis/schizophrenia-6634.html You can also read up about these conditions on MIND’s website too www.mind.org.uk/ Take care, Maisy@TheMix

Hey there, Sometimes psychotic disorders can be triggered by drug use but there are also other factors that may increase the risk of developing psychosis and psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder including- stress, trauma and genetics. For more information, feel free to check out our articles on schizophrenia www.themix.org.uk/mental-health/psychosis/schizophrenia-6634.html and psychosis www.themix.org.uk/mental-health/psychosis/about-psychosis-6636.html as well as cannabis www.themix.org.uk/crime-and-safety/cannabis-9963.html If you’d like more support, and you are in the UK and between the ages of 13-25, feel free to sign up to our online discussion boards community.themix.org.uk/ for a safe place to chat and get help. You can also contact our team directly www.themix.org.uk/get-support/speak-to-our-team for one-to-one support. Alternatively, there is always the Hearing Voices Network www.hearing-voices.org/ and FRANK www.talktofrank.com/ Take care, Mary-Ellen@TheMix

Hello Marilyn. I have Schizoaffective Disorder . I was diagnosed with it when I was almost 19 . The reason why i got diagnosed with it because i was with a girl that was a schizotypal crackhead/crackbaby and she was gang stalking me.

@@TheMixUK Its for my daughter and we are in the Caribbean

Allahu akbar

wrong...try again. methamphetamines make it WORSE

Amphetamines induce psychosis in bipolar patients.

+Brian Jones The solution is to believe God, that only The Lord Jesus Christ can rescue and deliver you from the powers of evil demonic spirits, called demons! The Lord helped me in this battle and can help anyone who will believe God. Please listen to my story on RU-vid at Hearing Voices: real help and understanding. Praying for you, Carol

Hi there, Unfortunately, not everyone understands about hearing voices and some people may make fun of you. But you shouldn’t have to put up with others making fun of your experience. MIND has some support on living with hearing voices www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/hearing-voices/about-voices/ that you might want to check out. If you’d like support, and you are in the UK and between the ages of 13-25, feel free to join our online community community.themix.org.uk/ for a safe place to chat and get support. You can also contact our team directly www.themix.org.uk/get-support/speak-to-our-team for one-to-one support. Take care, Mary-Ellen@TheMix

Hi there, Thanks for commenting! While it is true that there is a lot of CCTV cameras in and around London, what Jonny may have been referring to is his experience of paranoid thoughts, such as being followed by cameras, that led to his diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder (a combination of symptoms between schizophrenia and mood disorders such as depression or bipolar). If you’d like more information on schizophrenia, feel free to check out our article here: www.themix.org.uk/mental-health/psychosis/schizophrenia-6634.html And for more information on paranoia in terms of psychosis or paranoia as an effect of taking drugs, you can check out this article here: www.themix.org.uk/mental-health/psychosis/paranoia-6635.html All the best, Mary-Ellen@TheMix