— PERFECTLY DAMAGED —

..

..

Schizoaffective disorder: a mental illness in which a person experiences a combination of mood disorder and schizophrenia symptoms.

..

know about this illness — very well — because I suffer from it. It's been four years since my diagnosis, and ever since, I've been living in a dark hole. Voices constantly invading my thoughts. Hallucinations. All of which force me to question if what I'm experiencing is even reality. But here I am, still hanging on, still breathing and living through it.

..

That is, until she stumbled into my life. I don't want any part of her. I've pushed her away, but she isn't easily deterred. I've told her I'm different, but she doesn't care. She's trying to slowly break me down. I'm trying just as hard not to let her. She doesn't know how truly damaged I am; what will happen when she does? I know the truth — she'll never be able to look at me the same way again. Just like everybody else.

..

..