42 THE QUEENS COURIER • WELLNESS • AUGUST 16, 2018 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
wellness
Saying ‘I Can’ to Making a Diff erence With Schizophrenia
Tanara never thought she’d be where
she is today. Leading up to and following
her diagnosis with schizophrenia, she
oft en felt alone - her symptoms led her
to isolate herself from her friends, family,
and community. Now, 7 years later,
Tanara is proud of the close relationships
she’s developed and is thriving as a peer
support specialist who helps others living
with the disorder.
“It took me time to open up about
what I was feeling, but once I put all of
my cards on the table, I fi nally felt like
there was a light at the end of the tunnel,”
Tanara says. “Today, not only am I
on my own journey with schizophrenia,
but I am also helping other people set
goals and achieve them. I feel like I am
doing what I was destined to do.”
Tanara is helping others as a volunteer
with the SHARE Network, a
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., program
made up of people who are dedicated to
inspiring others through their personal
health journeys and stories of caring.
She was paid an honorarium by Janssen
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Aff ecting approximately 2.4 million
adults in the United States, schizophrenia
is a complex and chronic brain disorder
that can impact all aspects of a person’s
daily life. Symptoms of schizophrenia
usually emerge early in young adulthood,
which oft en coincides with major
milestones, such as living independently,
continuing education, starting a job,
and maintaining and developing relationships.
Recovery is diff erent for everyone, and
it is an ongoing process. By following
their schizophrenia treatment plan and
taking medication as prescribed, people
living with the disorder can have the
best chance to control their symptoms
and begin working toward their treatment
goals.
Tanara continues to work toward her
treatment goals with her psychiatrist.
Her treatment plan includes a long-acting
medication for schizophrenia,
INVEGA TRINZA® (3-month paliperidone
palmitate). INVEGA TRINZA® is
a prescription medicine given by injection
every 3 months by a healthcare professional
and used to treat schizophrenia
in adults. INVEGA TRINZA® is
used in people who have been adequately
treated with INVEGA SUSTENNA®
(1-month paliperidone palmitate) for at
least 4 months.
In a long-term study, 93% of patients
treated with INVEGA TRINZA® did
not experience a signifi cant return of
schizophrenia symptoms vs those not
treated. Th e most common side eff ects of
INVEGA TRINZA® include injection
site reactions, weight gain, headache,
upper respiratory tract infections, feeling
restlessness or diffi culty sitting still,
slow movements, tremors, stiff ness and
shuffl ing walk.
With her treatment plan and help
from her psychiatrist and support system,
Tanara has been pursuing her goal
of inspiring others. She was recently recognized
with an award from her local
mental health services organization, for
her accomplishments. In addition, being
able to support others with similar experiences
has provided her with a rewarding
opportunity to share her perspectives.
“I’ve learned so much and want to
share that knowledge with others. And
I’ve learned how important it is to
work with my doctor so I can keep on
track with my treatment goals,” Tanara
refl ects. “My message to others is to stay
positive and be open with your treatment
team so you can fi nd out what will
work for you.”
Courtesy BPT