Vivir con esquizofrenia y trastorno bipolar: Mi viaje

Living with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder feels like existing in two distinct realities. One is the world that others perceive, and the other is a hidden realm that I experience internally. I share my story not to provide solutions but to connect with those who may feel isolated in their struggles.

### The Voices: Internal Struggles For many years, I endured relentless internal voices that delivered harsh criticisms. These were not mere whispers; they were strong, repetitive messages that echoed in my mind: ‘You’re a failure,’ ‘You’re a loser,’ ‘You’ll never succeed.’ Unlike typical thoughts that I could manage, these voices took control, steering my mind into chaos and despair.

Through therapy, I learned that the key distinction lies in control. While I could guide my internal dialogue, the voices commandeered my thoughts, turning them into a barrage of negativity.

### The Hallucinations: Distorted Reality In addition to the voices, I experienced hallucinations that shook my sense of reality. The most alarming episodes included vivid delusions, such as believing I was a traveler between dimensions. I perceived changes in billboards and landmarks, convinced that they existed in my altered universe, despite them being figments of my imagination.

Determining what was real became increasingly challenging. On some days, the boundary between reality and illusion felt alarmingly thin, leaving me grasping for the truth.

### Finding Help and Hope My turning point came when I started taking the right medication—an antipsychotic that diminished the disruptive voices. This treatment revealed that the negative thoughts were not my own; they were symptoms of my mental health conditions. With the noise reduced, I began to uncover my authentic self, which had been overshadowed for years.

While my journey is ongoing, I notice improvements. The volume of my internal struggles has decreased, and the intensity of my hallucinations has lessened. Therapy has equipped me with strategies to manage the noise, and I continue to learn and adapt.

### Support for Others If you or someone you know is grappling with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or any mental illness that alters perception, remember: You are not broken. You are dealing with an incredibly intricate challenge, and your efforts are valid. I am still on this path, and if you are too, take heart—you are not alone in this journey.