143. Living with Schizophrenia with Wesley Alston

Adversity to Advantage

“A lot of people that knew me could sense that something strange was going on”

I feel so privileged to speak with Wesley Alston as he opens up to me about his experience of living with Schizophrenia.

Wesley is 29 years old, from Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S.A. and started to experience symptoms of schizophrenia in 2011 at the age of 20. It was later that same year he was diagnosed. Through mentorship and support from a number of people including his family, psychiatrist and day program "Sanctuary House" Wesley has been able to regain stability over the last ten years. He now finds himself waking up every day feeling joyous and confident about his life.

We go deep on topics such as:

• The effects of Covid-19 on mental health
  
• First symptoms of Schizophrenia
  
• Being hospitalised
  
• Navigating the first few years after diagnosis
  
• The struggle of finding a compatible medication
  
• The stigma of mental health and the distancing of friends
  
• Reintegration into the workplace and education after diagnosis
  
• Battling the voices within
  
• Coping mechanisms to keep the best state of mental health
  
• Feeling of purpose and looking to the future
  
• Benefits of a good support system
  
• Practicing patience
  
• The importance of talking
  

Connect with Wesley more at: Instagram