Hi, New here

[Guest6274]

Hi, I have been living with Schizoaffective Disorder for about 23 years and have had different diagnoses over that time but Schizoaffective has been the most permanent one. I am a solitary, introverted person with sensory problems so I find interacting with people difficult, just because I become so mentally exhausted and then need to be alone to recharge. My family(Mum, Dad, siblings), are really supportive and understanding of me and my illness. I pretty much manage my illness myself and am currently in the middle of researching to find a new psychiatrist. I have trouble with hallucinations but I am able to manage these to a large extent.

I find engaging in activities that feel good are pretty key when it comes to staying well. I make art, I really enjoy gardening and my pets, and I like going for really long walks. I have little nieces and a nephew and they are just amazing and so much fun to spend time with.

Well I guess that’s it for now😊

[Guest6274]

Hi Birdy77,

Thank you so much for your welcome message. Yes this is one of my artworks, it’s about self care and rest. It’s so great that you enjoy making art too, I find it really healing sometimes.

ThinkingAlot

[Doolhof]

Hi Again,

Your art work is amazing! Just wanted to mention that. Well done to birdy for asking if it was a piece of yours.

Cheers again from Dools

[Burdy]

Yes I love that piece, it resonates with me - I have an autoimmune disease and get tired quickly, it reminds my of my afternoon naps with my cat, she always joins me and keeps me company when I'm sick.

Wish I could do art, I'm still in the stick man stage lol. Same with gardening, I enjoy a beautiful garden but my family jokes how I even manage to kill cactus.

Thank you for sharing a piece of your art here with us.

Burdy

[Guest6274]

Hi Doolhof

Thank you, I’ve been making art for a long time now and have had some success with it but I think I prefer making art as a hobby as it is much more enjoyable and less stress if I make it just for myself.

ThinkingAlot

[Guest6274]

Hi Burdy

Yes, cats are such a great comfort, I can relate to that, I feel like my cat can tell when I’m not going very well. Also I think anyone can learn how to draw and make art as it is just a skill like reading and writing. Most people love making art as children and then are intimidated and stop when they get to their teenage years which is really sad. There are people who would disagree with me but I really believe it can be taught to anyone.

ThinkingAlot

[Burdy]

Thank you ThinkinAlot and you re not the first person I heard say that.

When I was working I helped a work colleague in an art program she ran, I liked it and gave me a chance to play around with a few different mediums, I quite enjoyed mosaics and could get lost in a piece for hours.

I can certainly see the therapeutic benefits of art.

I use music in the same way I guess, I play guitar and find it helps to quiet the noise (ironic ey?)

Burdy

[Guest6274]

Hi Burdy

Yes, I think that is what I love about making art, is that I get lost in what I am doing and don’t notice the time passing, it’s like I go somewhere else for a while.

It’s so great you can play an instrument, I can’t play anything Lol. I never was really able to understand how to play music, even on a keyboard. I really love music though. Maybe it’s a bit like making art and can take you somewhere else for a while?

cheers ThinkingAlot

[Burdy]

Yes that's it, it's like an escape. I can pick up my guitar in a room full of people talking and completely zone out and silence my mind.

And just like art, can be learnt by anyone. I guess its finding the medium that suits you, for example I have tried a few different instruments but some I just can not grasp like drums I felt very uncoordinated lol

Burdy