How To Recognize High-Functioning Schizoaffective Disorder | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Mental Health

5 Ways To Recognize Someone With High-Functioning Schizoaffective Disorder, Like Me

Looks can be deceiving, so educate before you discriminate.

1260
5 Ways To Recognize Someone With High-Functioning Schizoaffective Disorder, Like Me

Curious as to what someone who has schizoaffective disorder looks like? They must be walking in circles, talking and yelling at themselves, right? Or, if you are an "Orange is the New Black" fan, you probably think they look like "Crazy Eyes," imagining things and acting on them.

But what if there was such thing as a high-functioning schizoaffective? Would you even know? No, you wouldn't.

I have schizoaffective disorder. I have symptoms associated with schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions. There are times I see things that are not real, and I have a running commentary of my day going on in my head.

Would you have ever guessed? Probably not. So, what does someone with schizoaffective disorder "look" like?

We're constantly on the go.

We cannot sit still for more than a few moments. We are very similar to children with ADHD.

We get bored easily and move on to the next thing. This makes completing tasks very difficult on a daily basis.

We change ideas so often that people tend to think there is an addiction problem. We are always doing something, though we rarely complete the task.

Concentration and focus are not things that come naturally.

Schoolwork and family life are more difficult because concentrating on something is different for us. We may be trying to cook something, but our mind is focused on something totally different. And before you know it, we've managed to burn water (not that I am a good cook anyway).

There are so many unfinished tasks that I have started and may never complete. I set goals, and then I change my mind too many times. I try to do too many things at once, but I cannot even focus on one thing, let alone three or four.

Social interactions are awkward and painful for others to watch.

It is seriously like committing social suicide every time you open your mouth. I should just wear an "insert foot in mouth" sign on my chest. I do not know who to be in social settings. I cannot grocery shop without major anxiety because of all the people. Going to school in a normal setting would not work.

We have difficulty connecting with others. We say things that are inappropriate because our brains do not stop to think about what we say. We are constantly interrupting others because, if something comes to mind, it has to be said right then and there.

It is easier to be alone than to answer a thousand questions about why we are weird.

Yes, we talk to ourselves. And we usually answer, too.

Everyone talks to themselves, but do you answer yourself? Usually not.

We tend to think that we are having a conversation in our heads, when, in reality, it is happening out loud. Not only did we just embarrass ourselves, but people now think we have lost our minds. Do not worry, we are harmless.

We experience paranoia at its finest.

We think people are watching us, waiting to take us down. Are they really? Probably not, but you cannot tell us that when it's already inside our heads.

Driving in the car is just as bad. We constantly have the feeling that we are being followed by random vehicles.

We get startled when the phone rings or when we hear a car door slam. We know that there nothing is going to harm us, but our brains feel the need to scare us. You do not want to be around when there is a knock at the door. It takes five minutes just to answer because we have to triple check that it isn't someone posing at a utility person and trying to steal our stuff.

So what makes me high-functioning? Well, I do not function well compared to most, but my illness does not make me a harm to myself or others. I take my medications and know the importance of taking it, while most people do not have this understanding. I do not think I can take on the world (most days) or that I am sent to Earth by God.

Functioning well gives me the advantage of being able to live my life the best I can given the circumstances. I am working on my second master's degree, so I have the ability to learn. It just takes me much longer than the average person.

You cannot judge people based on what you "see" because you cannot judge if someone is mentally ill that way.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Christmas tree
Librarian Lavender

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas is one of my personal favorite holidays because of the Christmas traditions my family upholds generation after generation. After talking to a few of my friends at college, I realized that a lot of them don't really have "Christmas traditions" in their family, and I want to help change that. Here's a list of Christmas traditions that my family does, and anyone can incorporate into their family as well!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Phases Of Finals

May the odds be ever in your favor.

1382
Does anybody know how to study
Gurl.com

It’s here; that time of year when college students turn into preschoolers again. We cry for our mothers, eat everything in sight, and whine when we don’t get our way. It’s finals, the dreaded time of the semester when we all realize we should have been paying attention in class instead of literally doing anything else but that. Everyone has to take them, and yes, unfortunately, they are inevitable. But just because they are here and inevitable does not mean they’re peaches and cream and full of rainbows. Surviving them is a must, and the following five phases are a reality for all majors from business to art, nursing to history.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

2786
How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

It’s that time of year again when college students live at the library all week, cramming for tests that they should have started studying for last month. Preparing to spend all day at the library takes much consideration and planning. Use these tips to help get you through the week while spending an excessive amount of time in a building that no one wants to be in.

Keep Reading...Show less
girl roommates
StableDiffusion

Where do we begin when we start talking about our roommates? You practically spend every moment with them, they become your second family and they deal with you at your best and at your absolute worst. They are there to make you laugh just a little harder, cry a little less and make each day a little better. We often forget to thank them for the little things that they do to make college even a tiny bit easier and more fun. This list of 26 things are what you should thank your roommates for right this minute and every day that you live with them.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

20 Thoughts While Studying For Finals

I may or may not be stressing right now.

2866
Thoughts While Studying For Finals
StableDiffusion


That time of the semester has arrived once again, finals. The worst week ever. Who thought it was a good idea for all your classes to have exams all in the same week? Definitely not me. Here's 20 thoughts you may have studying for finals.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments