For My Fellow Schizomystics
Welcome. You are not alone! I am on the schizophrenia spectrum with a diagnosis of bipolar schizoaffective disorder. I am also on a valid Christian vegan spiritual path. Putting these two sides of myself together in a Venn diagram, I believe it is fair to say that I am in the "schizomystic" area where these two circles overlap.
After a year in the hospital (actually 3 months in the mental health unit of a county jail, 5 months in a state forensic psychiatric unit, and 4 months in a state psychiatric center), and then another five years in high-quality outpatient care, I am just now going public with a blog in the second quarter of 2025. I know that I still have several years of religious formation ahead of me - perhaps a decade - before I can think about providing formal spiritual direction for others. In the meantime, I aim to publish peer discernment reflections that could be of help to my support network and to fellow schizomystic pilgrims who find themselves facing similar recovery and vocational challenges.
This makes it especially incumbent on me to apologize if any of the material in this blog is triggering for you. That is not my intent. On the contrary, I very much want you to feel stable, joyful, and loved by God and by your support system. I very much want you to achieve the spiritual peace that I know is possible through medication compliance, therapy, and a rich contemplative prayer life (especially one that skillfully balances solitude, virtual fellowship, and bricks-and-mortar community). Difficult thoughts and feelings may still arise at times, and there are always side-effects to contend with, but you will be better able to manage them if all the parts of your treatment plan are working effectively together. Please reach out to your healthcare providers and your interdisciplinary support network if you need help processing anything that comes up for you in relation to this blog.
May our Heavenly Father lead you ever upward in the mysterious, meaningful, and ongoing work of repentance and sanctification that is your unique recovery journey!