Carl (therapist) gave me a writing assignment today. He wants me to write about life with schizophrenia, so, here goes nothing. 

—-

Life with schizophrenia means hospitals and slippers
Peanut butter crackers from the unit galley 
Life with schizophrenia means breakdowns and Ativan
Crying on the floor with nurses by my side
Life with schizophrenia means voices and demons 
My own nails digging deep into my skin
Life with schizophrenia means therapy and medication
One, two, three pills each night 
Life with schizophrenia means being followed and watched 
Different than most and barely functioning
Life with schizophrenia means daily fights with my brain 
Pushing and pulling myself in ten different directions 
Life with schizophrenia means late nights and early mornings 
Questioning my existence and begging for relief 
Life with schizophrenia means new therapists and doctors 
Hoping that, with their help, I can pave a new way 

-Grace