Not Like The Others @NLTO_Blog

Blog by Katie Sanford about living with mental illnesses like schizoaffective disorder. Spreading education and understanding through writing & speaking. katiesanford.net Illinois, USA Joined February 2020

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Not Like The Others @NLTO_Blog

2 years ago

New video up YouTube! When my symptoms of #schizoaffective disorder began to subside, I was shocked to find that I didn't know who I was without them. This video discusses what happened and how I worked through it to find an #identity outside my illness youtu.be/AjQBPpwclCw

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Not Like The Others @NLTO_Blog

3 years ago

A professor told me to keep my schizoaffective diagnosis close to my chest in the workplace. Recently, I was hired for a position in part because of my lived experience. So I wrote a letter reflecting on his advice, when it was vital, and how it's changing katiesanford.net/wp/2023/03/12/…

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Not Like The Others @NLTO_Blog

3 years ago

When you or a loved one is experiencing psychosis, it's easy to feel at a loss as to what to do. In my latest blog post, I detail 5 small things that have a big impact on how I handle my symptoms of psychosis. #mentalhealth #schizophrenia #schizoaffective katiesanford.net/wp/2022/12/12/…

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Not Like The Others @NLTO_Blog

3 years ago

Behind most of my symptoms, breakdowns, and agitation, is emotional dysregulation. While common in #schizophrenia spectrum illnesses like mine, it's not talked about enough. For more on my experiences and how we can help, check out my latest #blog post. katiesanford.net/wp/2022/11/01/…

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Not Like The Others @NLTO_Blog

3 years ago

At its onset #Schizoaffectivedisorder took control of my access to words and one of my most valuable #coping tools - #writing. Though my ability has been recovered, full control of my words has not. For more, check out my latest article. katiesanford.net/wp/2022/09/20/…

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Not Like The Others @NLTO_Blog

3 years ago

For years I questioned my experiences with #schizoaffective disorder. Why? Because though I fit the diagnostic criteria with ease, society told me I should be experiencing it differently. But what I have learned is that, most often, #society has it wrong. katiesanford.net/wp/2022/08/05/…

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Not Like The Others @NLTO_Blog

3 years ago

Video is up for the Students With Psychosis panel on College Life with Psychosis on which I participated at the South Southwest MHTTC First Episode Psychosis Conference 2022! You can watch here: youtube.com/watch?v=KH5UhV… #mentalhealth #psychosis #schizophrenia #schizoaffective

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Not Like The Others @NLTO_Blog

3 years ago

No one knows psychosis like those with lived experience. It may not add letters next to your name, but it's a kind of expertise that could help change the way we treat and research psychosis. For more on why&how, check out my latest blog post #mentalhealth katiesanford.net/wp/2022/06/21/…

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Not Like The Others @NLTO_Blog

3 years ago

They say not to give up #hope when you get a #schizophrenia spectrum diagnosis, and I didn't. But what I didn't realize was that I gave up a lot more. The thing is, I never had to give those things up, and neither does anyone else. #mentalhealth katiesanford.net/wp/2022/06/09/…

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Not Like The Others @NLTO_Blog

3 years ago

Invalidation comes in all sorts of forms. Even words meant well can be devastating, and anyone is fair game. Take a closer look at invalidation through the lens of my experiences with schizoaffective disorder in my latest post on Not Like The Others katiesanford.net/wp/2022/05/29/…

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Not Like The Others @NLTO_Blog

3 years ago

Do you know what it's like to not be able to #trust your experiences or #thoughts? As someone living with #schizoaffective disorder, this is my daily life. It goes well beyond not being able to trust my senses. In many cases, logic can't comfort me. katiesanford.net/wp/2022/05/13/…

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Not Like The Others @NLTO_Blog

3 years ago

It's easy to believe the #stereotype of #schizophrenia when the media ignores voices of lived experience. Admittedly, I was one of those who believed it. Until I was #diagnosed with it. In my latest #blog post, I discuss what I learned & how we can change. katiesanford.net/wp/2022/04/03/…

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Not Like The Others @NLTO_Blog

4 years ago

What do you do if someone with #schizophrenia needs #support? If it's not a crisis, the answer might be simpler than you think. In this blog post, I share an experience where a coworker helped me and break down how her small actions made a huge difference. katiesanford.net/wp/2022/03/06/…

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Not Like The Others @NLTO_Blog

4 years ago

Though #socialskills training is not uncommon in #schizophrenia, I always hoped my level of functioning meant I didn't need it. But, despite my denial, I'm starting to see a real difference. For more on my experiences, check out my latest #blog post. katiesanford.net/wp/2022/02/28/…

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Not Like The Others @NLTO_Blog

4 years ago

To the roommate I hate, my unloving life partner, This is how you make me feel. This is the reason I fight to protect others. And this is why you deserve no credit for who I have become Dear #schizoaffective disorder, These #notes are for you #mentalhealth katiesanford.net/wp/2022/02/21/…

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Not Like The Others @NLTO_Blog

4 years ago

Check out my latest #interview, where Tony Roberts of the Revealing Voices Podcast and I talk #mentalhealth and moving forward #schizophrenia #schizoaffective #mentalillness #SMI zoom.us/rec/play/p7w5C…

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Not Like The Others @NLTO_Blog

4 years ago

Met with one of my #managers today to update her on my #mentalhealth. I am very #lucky to have employers who take an active role in my #workplace mental health. It's easy, costs them nothing, and leaves me #happier and more #productive. I encourage all employers to do the same.

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Not Like The Others @NLTO_Blog

4 years ago

My #schizophrenia diagnosis came with a feeling that my life was over. But what if it could come with #hope instead? For more on my experience receiving this diagnosis and how we can #change that for others, check out my latest post on Not Like The Others. katiesanford.net/wp/2022/01/30/…

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Not Like The Others @NLTO_Blog

4 years ago

Dear World, we need to #talk. My #unscripted thoughts on #Schizophrenia and why we need to start addressing self-stigma caused by #stereotypes. #mentalhealth #mentalillness #schizoaffective #stigma #youmatter #humanity #braindisease #worthy #support

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Not Like The Others @NLTO_Blog

4 years ago

Behind the symptoms of #schizophrenia spectrum diseases is a quiet pain. This is the #story of my fight to overcome shame and self-stigma and the impact it had on my life. And this is me telling you that people with schizophrenia still matter.#mentalhealth katiesanford.net/wp/2022/01/23/…