Schizophrenia Survivor: My Birthday Epiphany & Battling Illness
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- Опубліковано 19 чер 2024
- Welcome back to "Surviving Schizophrenia with Stephen." In today's video, Stephen opens up about his struggles during his 24th birthday and how a sudden realization brought about positive change. Despite battling schizophrenia and currently being under the weather, he shares how crucial moments and the unwavering support from his family have given him new hope. Stephen also touches upon how his newfound passion for chess has allowed him to connect with his distant family.
The content of this video serves as a testament to human resilience and the unexpected revelations that life often throws at us. Even amidst the tumultuous storms of illness, both mental and physical, Stephen found a glimmer of hope and appreciation.
Stephen starts by addressing the obvious - he's been absent for three weeks, and by the sound of his voice and appearance, it's evident he's been sick. But his recent birthday, just a week and a half ago, had been the focal point of his reflections. The dread surrounding birthdays isn't unfamiliar to many, and Stephen's sentiments echo those of countless individuals who struggle with personal demons and expectations. For him, birthdays often resurrect feelings of melancholy and conflict, juxtaposing societal norms of joy with personal experiences of sadness.
The absence of large gatherings on his birthday, due to his schizophrenia and general aversion to parties, was keenly felt. But the presence of his cousin did serve as a comforting distraction. They even celebrated at Benihana, a personal favorite of Stephen's. Yet, despite the delicious calamari steak and raspberry lemonade, Stephen's internal turmoil wasn't easily quelled. The external demeanor often hides the internal strife, something Stephen poignantly pointed out. Depression doesn't always manifest in visible symptoms; the struggles are often internal, silent, and deeply personal.
However, the day took a turn when Stephen received his presents. It wasn't about the materialistic value but the sentiment behind each gift. The overwhelming realization that his family deeply cared for him brought an epiphany. The revelation wasn't necessarily about his family's love - he'd always known that - but about the appreciation of that love. It emphasized that happiness is not just a feeling but a mindset. Our perception shapes our reality, and Stephen realized that focusing on the negatives, like his schizophrenia, only amplified his despair. The birthday realization allowed him to pivot his perspective, fostering positivity despite challenges.
A few days after this heartwarming realization, Stephen fell sick. The symptoms - relentless shivers, sleepless nights drenched in sweat, and an exhaustive cough - drained him. But with his newfound positive mindset, he approached his sickness with an optimistic outlook. His reframed perspective enabled him to see beyond the immediate pain, focusing instead on recovery and hope.
Stephen was eager to share his experiences and revelations with his audience as he began recuperating. His hesitations, stemming from his tired appearance and hoarse voice, melted away in the face of his genuine desire to connect and share.
An interesting tidbit that Stephen shared was his recent foray into the world of chess. Having learned the game as a child from his father, Stephen rediscovered his love for it and even ventured into online matches. Using the chess.com app, he played against his cousins from Texas, bridging the physical distance with a virtual connection. This served as another reminder of life's simple joys, even amidst adversity.
Stephen's journey, as detailed in this video, is a testament to the human spirit's capacity to find light in the darkest corners. It highlights the importance of perspective, the value of familial ties, and the unexpected moments that can shift our entire worldview. His story serves as a beacon of hope for those navigating their struggles, proving that every cloud, no matter how dark, has a silver lining.
Great video! You aren’t alone In the struggle with fatigue and exhaustion. Wishing you all the best. Thank you for sharing everything you are going through with us Stephen, take care and have a great day!👋❤👍
Happy Belated Birthday, Stephen! This is another example of your amazing progress. The fact that you were willing to record this video despite feeling lousy demonstrates your strength and courage. Thank you for the inspiration!
Thank you, Stephen, for sharing your journey. You are admired by thousands. God Bless!
Be positive brother
Keep up the good work.
Happy birthday fellow Virgo! 🥳 I was home schooled and isolated as a teenager. So I know how lonely it is to not have friends and not have gatherings for birthdays. Keep on going 💜🔆
Congratulations that you developed a new appreciation for your own blessings and being able to feel happiness for your life because of your loved ones. Belated happy birthday. It's okay to changing the wording to your own suiting, such as "Peaceful birthday." Coming up with new words and ways to appreciate the events in your life may free you from comparing your state of mind between your childhood before schizophrenia. My father had schizophrenia. I am grateful for your work to teach people about schizophrenia through living your life. Healthy sleep to you, restorative sleep to you, precious sleep to you and a return to feeling much better.
Thank you for sharing your story, it helps others. Keep up the great work!
Happy Birthday Stephen! I think it is amazing that despite your challenges, you manage to find gratitude for your blessings. You realize that your gifts of love and support from family, far outweighs your challenges. You have grown so much, emotionally, as well. The fact that you want your loved ones know how grateful you are to them shows maturity and integrity. Hope you feel better! My 20 year old son plays online chess. Great hobby!
Stephen, I’m thankful to you. For many reasons. I was in a crisis of sadness when I woke up this morning. I tried to pray and cried then wanted to distract myself from my sadness. Because it hurt. There are 2 in my family who …… Anyway, my Bible casually parted to Isaiah 61. I saw I was there in verse 3. I found a song that carried ver. 1-2. The Word and the song up lifted me. For today, and whenever I turn to the Anointed One, I’m healed of this debilitating despair.
Feel better quickly. I'm so happy to hear you had a wonderful birthday. Love of family is so important and we often forget all they mean to us. Stay strong, young man. Warm thoughts from a farming mema in AB Canada.
Stephen you are a light. Your videos are informative and down to earth. Please stay strong
A very happy belated birthday to you. I'm happy you have a loving support system. ❤
Happy birthday, Stephen! That's wonderful you had such an epiphany! And I'm so glad you're starting to get better from your illness. You are an amazing young man. You should be so proud of yourself. You have an awesome channel. Keep on, keep on!
One of the biggest ironies in life is that so-called "mentally ill" people usually make more sense than most supposedly "normal" people do.
I’m that way too. I can hear something and know it’s true but days, weeks or years later I’ll have an epiphany and all of a sudden I’ll know in my heart and brain that it is really true.
Happy birthday Stephen. My son also are suffering mental illness since 2022. Now he is full recover. But taking antipsychotic drugs.
Happy Birthday Steven! Keep smiling - you have a wonderful smile!
Happy Belated Birthday, Stephen! You're the best! Get well soon.
I'm glad that you are feeling better. Please get plenty of rest so your body can heal. I just subscribed and look forward to learning about schizophrenia. It's great that you want to educate people and help remove the stigma.
Feel better 😊❤
A very happy (and insightful, healthy and strong too) 24th year Stephen!! Happy belated Birthday to you!! 🎂 🍰 🧁 🥳 🙌 🎈 🎉 🎊 Thank you for posting your videos.
My son Dillan suffering from same i suffer from mental illness. You're special beautiful soul & handsome im praying for all of us in these hard times i love you for putting this out for us that need to hear
You should collab with living well with schizophrenia 😮
interesting idea
Yes please
TY Stephen for sharing ur videos You are an amazing young man with a great family! I have a Son (57) who has schizophrenia He had his first episode when he was 50)diagnosed after his 50th birthday He is managing his illness well with Meds and his Doctor and with lots of love and support from his family. You are such a positive person I have learned a lot ref schizophrenia from your videos. Keep up the good work you are helping so many ppl. Love & hugs from a Mom who cares ❤
Wishing you a happy healthy birthday
Happy late birthday Stephen.
These past few days, I've been checking in every day to see if you have any new videos. I want to know how are you today.
I have 2 relatives with schizophrenia, 20 years! Thank for You and Your Father's videos. Watching these videos, I understand my relatives better, so I know how to talk to them, how to take care them. Before, I didn't know how to talk to them, because I didn't understand what they thought and how they felt.
Thank You very much.
From Vietnam
That's great Stephen. You have a great attitude, in spite of your trials. God bless you
❤❤❤
It is so good to hear fro you! I have thought of you often and wondered where you were. In all honesty, it is not unusual for birthdays not to be what they were when you are younger. Not to worry. They get lonelier as you grow older. Life. You have plenty. Plenty of love. Plenty of purpose. Lots of admirers. This is the truth. Yes, life is not easy for most. Sick or not. Hang in there! We love you!!
I have learned over the years that when I am having a bad day, I remind myself I have had plenty of them. They come to pass. This too shall pass. Tomorrow will be better.
Happy birthday Stephen, Thanks for your videos and all you do to help others.
there are a lot of people who love and care about you stephen. happy belated birthday xo
Yes, that’s so true
It's perfectly natural and normal to greave the time we've lost due to mental illness. But it is what it is, and we are now able to celebrate the milestones of our life. Even more so, simply because we've overcome so much. Looking forward now, allows us to focus on and be greatful for the good little things that happen every day. Perhaps we may not be wanting to be a party animal during celebrations but quite celebration is perfectly fine. So HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPHEN May every day bring you a little joy. You really have got this, and you really can expect many good things and people to happen in your life. Thriving despite schitzophrenia.
Keep up the good work, Steven! You WILL get better! If you start feeling funny or weird from te Meds, say something, Steven! You deserve the very best the world has to offer! You are a Blessing. I wish you were part of my family!
Happy Belated Birthday! I'm so glad you're feeling better. It's great that you realized the blessing of your family. I've realized that myself and am very grateful for them.
I’m not suffering with Schizophrenia, but I do have other things that make me susceptible to Depression and Anxiety. I don’t know what I would’ve done without love, and the imposition to be thankful. To keep my eyes on other things than myself. Preferably things that are… I would put it in a more universal way for others… The higher things in life. The good and true things. Ideals of love, faith, hope. The tenets of those things. As you may find them. They get you through. And off of yourself.
Happy belated birthday 🎂🎉 to you. Hope you feel better soon! Glad to see your wonderful smile. You are a fine man.,💗🧡💙
Hang in there Steven......!!! I also struggle with mental illness myself complex Ptsd depression and anxiety. It's so bad I can't function that well I have a hard time holding a job I never really had a steady job ever because of mental illness.
Hi, Stephen. Happy belated birthday. Your channel is so inspirational. I just wanted to state that your words are wands. As you realized, reframing or changing the narrative of your words will greatly improve your moods. Stay strong.
Happy Birthday, Stephen. Wishing you, happy and healthy days with your family!!!! Lots of hugs to you! ❤
Thanks for the video Stephen. Glad you enjoyed your birthday 🎂 Get well soon👍
I just discovered you Steven. Thank you so much for sharing Sending lots of healing prayers from 🇬🇧
Happy Belated Birthday! I hope you feel better soon. 🙂
Happy birthday stephen pray god bless you happiness peace of mind and strength to fight . Your purpose of life to help other from sharing your experience has been a great help.keep going at your own phase.🎉🎂🥂🎤
Happy Birthday! All the best to you!
Hello Stephen. I found your video as an advertisement and I would like to thank you for sharing your 24th birthday experiences as I can relate to them and your insightfulness has opened my eyes.
Happy belated birthday Stephen!! XO
a belated happy birthday.. thanks for sharing..
Happy birthday to you Stephen ! Following you from Quebec /Canada sending you support/hug
Thank you for sharing your stories .It is important that you get your message out to the world. ❤
"What you think, you become" The Buddha
Happy belated birthday Steven!
Happy belated birthday!!
Happy birthday brother stay positive
Always remember to put yourself first, which it seems you did taking the time off. Your health is a priority. It's wonderful that you've created such a welcoming community to combat stigma and that you have so much support as seen on your Birthday (Happy Belated 🙂). As always, God Bless, and all the best.
Happy belated birthday Stephen! Your channel is so important to me. Thank you for putting out content even though you were not feeling that well. Honestly, you look and sound great in the video. I really couldn't notice anything about your respiratory illness but I hope you feel better soon.
Good to see you, Stephen. Love your beautiful smile❤ Happy Late Birthday! Hugs for you and your Mom and Dad. God bless you all. Always look forward to your videos.
That's awesome you allowed yourself to be celebrated!!!
That's really hard for me!!!
Happy birthday ❤🎉😊
I love your soul being for being so healing and helpful and strong as the warrior you know and we all know you are!!:))))
You’re a powerful transparent person and your communications are so inspiring and amazing to me!!;) And to positive ppl like you and me and all of us that love you! And respect you!😊❤
And I wish my own schizophrenic traited amazing TwinFlame husband that also has asd, would be strong and transparent and humble and healing for this world 🌎!!;) Like you are, everyday!!:))
Keep up the good work! And never give up and stop! ❤
Bcs it’s your calling you wrote in your life chart/contract!! Wink wink👍🪬🧿🔮🌎🫶
Much light and love namaste 🙏
Leah
YOURE GREAT STEPHEN. GREAT FUTURE AHEAD OF YOU .
Great video and praying you start to feel better soon!
Ur amazing, glad you are feeling a bit better❤
My son has just turned 33. He takes Aripiprazole. He also has problems with temperature. (I think it's a hormone problem.) He has a job as a custodian and makes a good living.
Thank you for this!!!
Happy birthday 🎉🎁🎂🎈
Happy birthday mate. It gets better as you get older.
Good Video. Happy Birthday.
Happy Birthday 🎂
love always wins
Happy belated birthday Stephen
Good Man💯
U might be feeling nuts from allergies. Dust all surfaces from ceiling to floor. Make sure wen done u swipe finger check to make sure u removed all dust. Dust kills. And rhinitis is the closest thing to rage I've ever encountered...
Ps. Happy birthday fellow Virgo!!!
Happy birthday!
Thank you! I appreciate it
One word of advice, even though I'm not a Doctor. Steven, the best way to feel.good is to walk, walk walk! You will feel exhilarated at the end! Try to walk around least 20 city blocks. That is one mile! It will move your bowels and you'll feel a Good feeling at the end. People don't realize how important it is to exercise!
Good job
Get well soon ❤ sounds like the flu that is going around. Rest,hydration lemon honey tea.
I'm so happy you are experiencing joy and love.❤❤❤
hope youl´ll be well soon
i hope you get to feeling better my friend
We love you too❤❤❤
Thank you so much! I really appreciate it!
Haldol, it keeps my son well.
Covid, maybe? Anyway, wishing you a very happy birthday Stephen.
My mother and older brother has schizophrenia.. sometimes, I don't know what to do or say to them
❤❤❤
I would drop my thesis on how anything conceptual isnt real, and you shouldnt think about it... but i feel that it wouldnt natter to you anyway. You have reason to consider thise things. It cant be helped. But thoughts and udeas arent made of snything... they arent real. It makes me sad to think about, that my consiousness is a thing that has no form, and itll be gone when i die... but i get the feeling youd ignore me so i dont care. Being happy, the feeling happy... its all thst matrers. Its the only thing that matters
I don't like parties either. Even the word 'party' has me diving for cover. In my opinion only dim people enjoy orchestrated happiness.
Obsessive negative thinking is called Ruminating I know because I have it getting outside and communing with nature helps me more than anything else I know you can't right now but I know you will feel better later
I thought folks with this condition didn't suffer 🤔