Blinders for Coping with Schizophrenia

When horses pull a carriage, sometimes they are wearing blinders over their eyes so they cannot look to the right or left. They can only look forward without any distractions coming into their view. This is a good picture of how I approach my life in recovery from schizophrenia. Metaphorically speaking, putting on blinders each day is a way I have learned to cope with my diagnosis of schizophrenia.  Every month I go to a veteran’s hospital to get blood work for my medication and to get my monthly injectable. On the drive there, I am the only one in the car so if I hear a voice, I block it out because the doors are locked, windows are up, and I know I am the only one in the car. If I see a shadowy figure appear beside me, I might look again to be sure there is no one there. Just as a horse wearing blinders looks straight ahead to the path before him, I try not to be distracted while I am driving. My first stop at the hospital is the blood lab. Waiting in line I often hear other veterans saying something like,” Hurry up and wait,” meaning they hurry to get to the hospital, but then they have to wait in line. If a vet appears to be talking to me, I concentrate on looking at his lips. If his lips are closed, then I could be imagining they are talking directly to me. If their lips are moving and they are talking, and I see that their eyes are showing some interest in what I have to say, then I engage in conversation with them. I concentrate on giving my full attention to th...
Source: Psych Central - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Personal Stories Schizoaffective Disorder Schizophrenia breakthrough symptoms Delusions Hallucinations Paranoia Source Type: news