Nick Hankewicz endured years of struggle due to undiagnosed schizophrenia, grappling with feelings of being “crazy” for a significant part of his life.
Hankewicz’s quest for stability, particularly for the sake of his daughter Malia, led him to a groundbreaking solution – antipsychotic injections.
“It’s been rough. I mean, there are times when I thought I was crazy,” he said. “I thought everybody was out to get me, and they weren’t. I just needed some help.”
According to Our World in Data, schizophrenia has affected 0.29 per cent of people in Canada, and that’s only those who have been diagnosed.
Hankewicz received his diagnosis in late 2022 and commenced treatment in early 2023. His journey with injections began around August.
“The injections help me. It makes me just better overall and better around my family,” he said.
His daughter played a significant role in motivating him to seek help, along with the support of his girlfriend, Summer Luddington. These two, along with his family and friends, are his core support system.
While parenting has presented challenges, it has ultimately been a rewarding and positive experience for him.
“She has been there for me when I really needed it, not just by telling me to get help. She’s been there through it all,” said Hankewicz
However, managing schizophrenia is not a quick-fix scenario; progress takes time. Typically, it takes around three months for any medication to exhibit significant effects with consistent use. Hankewicz receives injections monthly, with each injection’s effects lasting between two to 12 weeks.
Despite its efficacy in reducing psychosis, the treatment is not without its downsides, leading to side effects like extreme weight gain, fatigue, and stiffness.
“I think it’s gone well. He still has some things to work on. As with any other human being, I guess we all have flaws,” said Luddington. “He’s come far, he’s put in a lot of active work, and he’s been mindful of applying himself and what he’s learned thus far.”
The changes have positively impacted Hankewicz’s relationships, especially when it comes to being present for his daughter, and he has learned to regulate his emotions.
“I see a lot of personal growth and ambition. A lot of learning to love himself and learning who he is as a person because I don’t think he ever really had a full opportunity to discover that for himself,” said Luddington
“I think he was always so focused on survival mode that he never had a fair shot at finding out what he was interested in or wanted to do with the rest of his life. So, I think that is one of the biggest things I’m looking forward to seeing in his future.”
The Alberta Health Services Mental Health Helpline is available 24-hours-a-day and can be reached at 1-877-303-2642.
