Schizophrenia - General Discussion

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Forbes_Nash,_Jr.

Kenneth Alvarez98 said:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Forbes_Nash,_Jr.

Yeah, I agree. That man certainly deserved his own movie, at the very least 🙂.

feraljackal152 said:Wishing you and everyone here the best.
I have a 16-year-old child dealing with this, so I find myself reading your conversations quite often. I'm trying to understand the mindset here and figure out how I can help.
Sending lots of love, luck, and positive vibes.

I am so incredibly sorry to hear that; she’s so young to be dealing with this. Personally, I didn't face my own challenges until I was twenty-one, though I had been in psychiatric care even before then. As for how to help, I think it comes down to constant encouragement from everyone around them, staying consistent with psychotherapy, and making sure the medication routine is followed closely. I also find a lot of comfort in reading self-help books; I tend to feel much more capable when I focus on positive thinking and hold onto the belief that things will eventually work out. Just stay brave. 😉

Thanks.
We all just lean on whatever works, right? We eat the "brain food," listen to our therapists, lean on family and friends, and use this forum—all hoping it actually leads to something good.

Harold Anderson3 said:Yeah, I agree. That man certainly deserved his own movie, at the very least 🙂.

I am so incredibly sorry to hear that; she’s so young to be dealing with this. Personally, I didn't face my own challenges until I was twenty-one, though I had been in psychiatric care even before then. As for how to help, I think it comes down to constant encouragement from everyone around them, staying consistent with psychotherapy, and making sure the medication routine is followed closely. I also find a lot of comfort in reading self-help books; I tend to feel much more capable when I focus on positive thinking and hold onto the belief that things will eventually work out. Just stay brave. 😉

Honestly, he deserves a movie and a Nobel Prize. Given everything he went through, pulling this off is a massive win. It’s like he was meant to be a beacon of hope for anyone struggling with schizophrenia.

Does anyone here living with schizophrenia and depersonalization actually have an awareness of what's happening to them?

Ronald Nelson4 said:Does anyone here living with schizophrenia and depersonalization actually have an awareness of what's happening to them?

My doctor actually noted in my clinical report that I was experiencing some "partial depersonalization" at one point. It mostly cropped up during certain religious experiences, but even during my most intense episodes, I always maintained a solid sense of who I really am.

I wanted to share a quick thought on dealing with psychosis. When my hallucinations first started showing up, they took the form of this character who basically told me, "Just wait, I’m going to haunt you." It was almost like being taunted or manipulated into doing something reckless while caught in a delusional state. This whole thing happens when we lose our center and can't find peace amidst the delusions. Whether it's obsessive thoughts driving you crazy or hallucinations talking nonsense to try and boss you around—it's overwhelming. But here’s my takeaway: when it hits, just try to stay grounded. If you can hold onto your composure and find that inner calm, the darkness starts to fade. Once you find that harmony within the chaos, the illness begins to retreat. It might be an uphill battle at first, but staying steady is totally worth the fight!

Come and find your own peace in the middle of the storm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!☕☕

What is the nature of the auditory hallucinations you experience? Are these voices merely subtle whispers, or do they possess a full, commanding volume—perhaps even shouting at you? Or perhaps, even without the shouting, do they resonate with such overwhelming intensity that it feels as though you are listening through a massive loudspeaker?

Do they speak in a foreign tongue, or perhaps in English? Is it a language that you have already mastered to some degree?

I have read accounts suggesting that hearing female voices is actually quite rare, and that those who experience this typically hear the voices of middle-aged men instead. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this?

The hallucinations are actually quite brilliant—they say some incredibly profound things, and I find myself listening to them intently. Sometimes, though, they’ll just snap at me—loudly, too—so loudly my mother can hear the shouting from the next room. And it isn't just that; it's the constant, nagging idea that we "schizophrenics" are all completely unhinged—that people should just run for the hills because we're dangerous. But honestly? It’s not our fault... it’s more like having some spectral, controlling grandmother hovering over us, dictating every single move we make.

Larry Lewis said:The hallucinations are actually quite brilliant—they say some incredibly profound things, and I find myself listening to them intently. Sometimes, though, they’ll just snap at me—loudly, too—so loudly my mother can hear the shouting from the next room. And it isn't just that; it's the constant, nagging idea that we "schizophrenics" are all completely unhinged—that people should just run for the hills because we're dangerous. But honestly? It’s not our fault... it’s more like having some spectral, controlling grandmother hovering over us, dictating every single move we make.

I wish I had your perspective, because I don't find them to be very pleasant company at all...🤷
Now, maybe the part about us being crazy is somewhat accurate, but as for being dangerous... well, I mean, who? Personally, I'm certainly not 😉

Larry Lewis said:The hallucinations are actually quite brilliant—they say some incredibly profound things, and I find myself listening to them intently. Sometimes, though, they’ll just snap at me—loudly, too—so loudly my mother can hear the shouting from the next room. And it isn't just that; it's the constant, nagging idea that we "schizophrenics" are all completely unhinged—that people should just run for the hills because we're dangerous. But honestly? It’s not our fault... it’s more like having some spectral, controlling grandmother hovering over us, dictating every single move we make.

Honestly, I think alter was just being sarcastic when responding to my questions.

Nicole Barrett76 said:Honestly, I think alter was just being sarcastic when responding to my questions.

My bad, piskavac—I was definitely in a bit of a funk there.
I actually sat through some congressional hearings back in the day—though it was a lifetime ago and passed by in a blink—so I can't even recall
the specifics of what was said or who was testifying, but I do know one thing for certain: they were incredibly awkward to sit through.

Nicole Barrett76 said:Honestly, I think alter was just being sarcastic when responding to my questions.

I get it, I guess I played up the craziness a little too much.😁 I actually only dealt with hallucinations during that one single episode, and it was everything—auditory, visual, and even smells. Ever since I've been staying consistent with my medication (it's been nearly three years now), things have pretty much settled down completely.

Michelle Evans said:It might be helpful if you could elaborate on what specifically you're looking for, just so people can give you more useful advice.

There was actually a discussion about F23.2 (Acute schizophreniform disorder) right here on the site, which might help you out...

I was wondering, is this considered a more severe mental health condition?

Thomas Jackson7 said:I was wondering, is this considered a more severe mental health condition?

If we are dealing with an acute condition, does that not imply its nature is merely temporary? If such a state is fleeting, then regardless of how debilitating the symptoms might feel in the moment, can we truly classify it as a profound mental illness, given that the patient eventually recovers and returns to their former self?

At least, that is my perspective on the matter.

Nicole Barrett76 said:If we are dealing with an acute condition, does that not imply its nature is merely temporary? If such a state is fleeting, then regardless of how debilitating the symptoms might feel in the moment, can we truly classify it as a profound mental illness, given that the patient eventually recovers and returns to their former self?

At least, that is my perspective on the matter.

In psychiatry, "acute" can actually stretch out to cover five years. Plus, a chronic diagnosis isn't always a total disaster; with the right medication, a person can lead a perfectly normal life.
But then again, I suppose an acute situation is generally preferable, since the symptoms aren't usually as debilitating and the medication doses are milder, which naturally gives you a better shot at a full recovery.

Good afternoon!

I’m facing a difficult situation here. A member of my family has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, and they have recently stopped taking their prescribed medication...
What steps should I take?

Sam Parker said:Good afternoon!

I’m facing a difficult situation here. A member of my family has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, and they have recently stopped taking their prescribed medication...
What steps should I take?

How has their behavior changed since they stopped the medication?

It’s been going on for about a month and a half now. He’s barely getting three hours of sleep at a time, and his behavior is all over the place—one minute he seems perfectly fine, and the next he’s spiraling into these disjointed stories from his past that just don't make any sense.
He used to be so calm and quiet, really organized and steady, but now he keeps slipping into these episodes that I can hardly find the words to describe. I honestly have no idea how to approach him about getting back on his medication,
because things are clearly getting worse by the day... and I feel completely lost on what to do.

Sam Parker said:It’s been going on for about a month and a half now. He’s barely getting three hours of sleep at a time, and his behavior is all over the place—one minute he seems perfectly fine, and the next he’s spiraling into these disjointed stories from his past that just don't make any sense.
He used to be so calm and quiet, really organized and steady, but now he keeps slipping into these episodes that I can hardly find the words to describe. I honestly have no idea how to approach him about getting back on his medication,
because things are clearly getting worse by the day... and I feel completely lost on what to do.

You should try to get him to a psychiatrist, and if he refuses to go, you might need to call 911. Honestly, it sounds like he needs to be hospitalized, because even if he does start taking his meds again right away, they aren't going to kick in fast enough to fix this immediately.