Dear Renz Han:

I am glad to read from you again! I am also glad that you saw a psychiatrist last month, and that following being diagnosed with schizophrenia, you were prescribed with a medication that helps many, many people who struggle with the same symptoms as you do.

I understand why the diagnosis shocked you: it takes time to get used to something new, including a new diagnosis. I also understand wishing to be “okay and normal“. The good news is that you can be more okay and more normal as time goes on. Remember, you are not alone: millions of people all over the world suffer from mental illnesses. Also, many people with mental illnesses, particularly when medically treated, hold jobs and provide income for their families.

You wrote:  “I’m still struggling with lots of voices and intrusive thoughts even though I’m taking meds (Olanzapine)“. Like you wrote: “it will take time to recover“, that is, it will take time for the symptoms to lessen.  Olanzapine is a medication that is used to treat symptoms of schizophrenia and bipolar mania.  med line. gov reads about this medication:

“It may take several weeks or longer before you feel the full benefit of olanzapine”. Being that you started taking it recently, be patient, as it takes several weeks or longer for the symptoms to lessen.

The same website also reads regarding olanzapine: “It is usually taken once a day with or without food. Take olanzapine at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take olanzapine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor…

“Continue to take olanzapine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking olanzapine without talking to your doctor. Your doctor will probably want to decrease your dose gradually…

“Talk to your doctor about eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medicine. Be sure to drink plenty of water every day while you are taking this medication”.

There is a lot more about this medication on this website and you may want to read what’s there. I was wondering, in your November 2016 thread, when you were a college student, you didn’t mention hearing voices aka experiencing auditory hallucinations. Today you wrote: “the symptoms started when I was in high school” – did you experience auditory hallucinations before college, while you were in high school? And if you did, what was the experience of hearing voices like, back then?

anita