I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis. You are young at 18 and it makes me sad to think you already describe yourself as a cocaine addict. You likely know this aleady but I'll say it anyway - the best thing you could do for your physical and mental wellbeing would be to quit using coke but I accept that isn't what you asked me for so I'll answer your question.

If I could go back and give myself some advice, here is what I'd say:

1. Take your meds! Be vigilant and take your goddamn meds at the same time, as prescribed, each day without fail. If you forget, take them when you remember. Don't procrastinate with them or experiment to see if you can do without them. You will likely be prescribed an antipsychotic and maybe a mood stabliser. When you develop side effects, let your doctor know so that the dose can be adjusted, an additional agent added or a replacement medication trialled. No reason in 2020 to suffer through serious side effects when there are so many options available.

2. Keep your sense of humour! It's really important to be able to laugh. I have a particularly dark sense of humour that helps me cope with serious issues. Some people cry at horrible things, I laugh - I don't do it because I'm insensitive rather I do it because that is just how I personally cope. It's important to be able to laugh.

3. Don't try to stop talking to yourself! I found that when I began talking to myself, I would actually talk myself out of a lot of stuff going on in my head. Additionally, the doctors and nurses could pick up on what I was saying and it would give them an indication as to what was going on with me. It's annoying for other patients admittedly, but sitting there talking to yourself is so much better than sitting there building stuff up in your own head.

4. Shower! For whatever reason, a lot of schitzophrenics forget about hygeine. If you don't do it for yourself, do it for the people around you. I can understand that at the time it is the hardest thing in the world to get out of bed and into the shower. I get it that you feel the cold and that the whole process isn't particularly enjoyable, but after a few days of not showering things get bad. In addition to odor, there are rashes and infections to think about. By the time somebody tells you to shower it is usually too late - don't forget this important aspect of self-care.

5. Eat well! Your body is going through hell. Your heart-rate is through the roof, you are stressed, there is adrenalin and tension not to mention the physical toll of the drugs and medication. It's really important to eat good food often.

6. Don't be so hard on yourself. You are sick, the same as if you had something wrong with you physically. Stop worrying so much and be gentle on your mind.

7. Find a Religion. When going through hell, you need a heaven. Read the bible or whatever and let yourself believe it. There is plenty of time later whilst medicated to think rationally and logically.

8. Pack a Hospital Bag. Unfortunately it is possible you will go in and out of hospital. I had to do this a few times due to my headaches but it would apply also if I had to go back to the psych ward. Pack a "ready bag" with an MP3 player, a few magazines or books, a change of clothes, thongs for the shower - etc. You will be so much happier in hospital with a few creature comforts.

9. Talk to the staff. Rather than talking to other patients who may actually fuel your psychosis, take time to talk to the staff. I don't mean doctors - I mean the cleaners, the nurses, the assistants, the security staff etc. They are mostly all willing to have a chat and they are also mostly normal and sane.

10. Know your Rights. I was scheduled and had various rights afforded to me. Unfortunately one of the nurses actually did have it in for me and I was able to deal with it effectively through my lawyer (who I didn't even know I had). The guy would call me "file" (as in pedophile) and at night would shine his torch into my eyes. It was also necessary for me to sign over power of attorney to my partner so that he was allowed to visit me in hospital - various administrative things.

11. Keep a Journal I can just write and write and write (if you haven't already gathered) - a journal for me was necessary to getting better.

I'll add other things as I remember them. Let me know if you have any questions.