Accepting Difficult Diagnosis
I was recently diagnosed with a severe psychotic disorder and I'm having trouble accepting it. I've been waiting for a diagnosis for a long time. This is what I suspected I have, I fit the criteria, and there's little doubt that I have it. I'm just having trouble with it - saying the name, really accepting it. I guess it makes it feel more real, which brings to mind all of the challenges it'll cause in the future.
Does anyone who's been there before have any advice?
@RecoveringKid. I think any diagnosis is difficult. And everyone deals with it different. I understand not being able to even say the word. It's like if you say it it's really true and you feel so overwhelmed that your mind just starts spinning and yes into the future. How will this affect me??? You have so many questions that all of them don't have answers.
I know how always hearing, "I'm sorry you are dealing with this" often sounds generic. But I can resignate with how you are feeling. I've been depressed for 30 plus years. There are still things that I struggle saying out loud but I have found that often just saying it lifts some weight from your chest. It's scary, at least for me. I wish I could give you better advice because I know what it feels like to just want an answer.
If you are still struggling with saying it out loud try writing it down. Write about it. Use the name. Be angry. But write the word. It may be a step or bridge way to being able to eventually say it out loud.
I wish members could have private messages because I would like to help. Maybe helping you will help me as well and get me to say things out loud. Being my age all I can do is encourage you to face it now because pushing it down or ignoring it gets you know where. Which is where I am. Try to face it and acknowledge it before it gets a complete hold on you and it owns you. You need to own it so it doesn't have as much power. Being that you have thought you had this particular illness means that you may have the upper hand per say. Sometimes the diagnosis, no matter how big or small, is better than wondering.
I really do wish I could help you more. I'm sure you may feel alone and scared. For me alone and scared can be the worst feeling. I really do hope that you are able to bring yourself to say it. Acceptance is a whole other issue.
If you do want to talk, you don't have to say "it" but I can at least listen to anything you need to get off your chest. Please know that this post is sincere. Me responding and trying to ease your feelings is good for me as well. So I thank you for posting so I could hopefully "Pay it Forward".
I wish you luck and am here. 💚
@EnergySensitive Thank you for your kind words. It is a shame that we can't PM, although emailing would work for me. You're very right - I do feel scared and alone. I don't know what to do, and I feel like my life will never really be the same. It feels good that someone else understands it though.
@RecoveringKid. I would love to email but am not posting my email for the world to see! Only thing I can think of is one of us setting up a private chat line on an app. I know it can be done. Maybe if we both try to figure out how to set it up, together we can figure it out!! We will figure this out! Check out some apps!!!
@EnergySensitive With Chatzy.com, you can set up a private room and delete it later. If you post your email there, I'll delete the room.
@RecoveringKid ok. Wait try this [link removed]
@EnergySensitive I had to edit your post. Offsite contact information isn't allowed to be shared anywhere on 7cups.
@EnergySensitive great answer
Both you and @recoveringkid are welcome to chat with me
Sorry you're dealing with this.
Getting a diagnosis can cause lots of emotions - sometimes it's good to finally have a word to what's going on and then it can also be helpful with getting treatment. There's the downside of actually having an illness though and it can be scary!
I think even if the symptoms themselves don't improve with time and/or treatment over time the diagnosis gets easier. It starts to become your 'normal' and most learn to cope better too.
I don't know what your treatment plan is, but if you're able try to I think spending a bit of time just dealing with getting diagnosed in therapy, a support group, etc. is helpful. Not necessarily right away, depending on everything else going on, but whenever it feels doable to add in the time spending doing that.
@RecoveringKid im sorry your dealing with this
@caringShoulder14 @AffyAvo Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate the support. In the past few months, I've been getting better with accepting it. I know there will be challenges in the future, and I've certainly gone through the five stages of grief for the life I may no longer be able to live, but I have made it to the acceptance stage. I have schizophrenia - schizoaffective disorder, actually, which is both schizophrenia and depression - but that's okay. Life with schizophrenia can still be worth living. I can even still go to college (or try, anyway). I can live a happy life, even if I'll always be schizophrenic.
@RecoveringKid
@RecoveringKid I am glad you situation has improved some! You can definitely live a happy and successful life with your diagnosis
I'm so, so proud of you for having both the bravery and courage to reach out for a diagnosis. You're truly a role model! 
Although it can be hard to accept a diagnosis, as you said, remember that a diagnosis will never, ever define who you are. Similar to how when people receive feedback they're encouraged to take it as a growth opportunity rather than negative criticism, receiving a diagnosis can be similar. Instead of thinking of your diagnosis as something that disables you, remember how many things you are indeed able to do - and how you can feel empowered despite a diagnosis. You can do this, we believe in you!
@RecoveringKid you are more than just your diagnosis!
You are amazing
