Schizophrenia - General Discussion

Nicole Barrett76 said:One cannot help but wonder: does this same miraculous logic apply when one is facing the complexities of schizophrenia?

To be perfectly honest with you—and I mean truly candid here—those psychotic thoughts and the deep depressions have largely retreated from my life. What remains is the OCD... though, frankly, I've simply learned how to navigate around it and live my life despite the constant mental noise.

Back in 2008, when I first checked myself into the hospital—it was quite a grim situation, really—I never could have imagined, not in my wildest dreams, that I would eventually feel this much better. Believe me when I say that.

I suppose I go to Mass and pray to God and all that, but honestly, none of it seems to be helping. Today, I experienced a crisis where I was alone in my room, just falling apart, and I don’t believe in coincidences—let’s just say things happen for a reason. For instance, today I saw the exact same man in my own room who told me that if I don't lacerate my arms until they bleed, I would be forced to eat animals—specifically their brains—in order to acquire their power. Right now, I am searching for a new psychiatrist who will actually prescribe a standard course of medication, rather than what I have currently. With my current doctor, I barely get five minutes of his time before he hands me a prescription and tells me, "Just pray to God, He will surely help you." What more can one even say to that?

Arthur Scott5 said:I suppose I go to Mass and pray to God and all that, but honestly, none of it seems to be helping. Today, I experienced a crisis where I was alone in my room, just falling apart, and I don’t believe in coincidences—let’s just say things happen for a reason. For instance, today I saw the exact same man in my own room who told me that if I don't lacerate my arms until they bleed, I would be forced to eat animals—specifically their brains—in order to acquire their power. Right now, I am searching for a new psychiatrist who will actually prescribe a standard course of medication, rather than what I have currently. With my current doctor, I barely get five minutes of his time before he hands me a prescription and tells me, "Just pray to God, He will surely help you." What more can one even say to that?

It feels exactly like hiring an electrician to wire your entire house, only for him to finish the job and then tell you, "Well, just pray to God that the house doesn't burn down from a short circuit."

Arthur Scott5 said:I suppose I go to Mass and pray to God and all that, but honestly, none of it seems to be helping. Today, I experienced a crisis where I was alone in my room, just falling apart, and I don’t believe in coincidences—let’s just say things happen for a reason. For instance, today I saw the exact same man in my own room who told me that if I don't lacerate my arms until they bleed, I would be forced to eat animals—specifically their brains—in order to acquire their power. Right now, I am searching for a new psychiatrist who will actually prescribe a standard course of medication, rather than what I have currently. With my current doctor, I barely get five minutes of his time before he hands me a prescription and tells me, "Just pray to God, He will surely help you." What more can one even say to that?

Are you actually this unwell, or are you just trolling us?

Why on earth would I troll anyone? I have been to the psychiatric wards at Cedars-Sinai and UCLA three separate times now, and my condition is honestly just spiraling further and further downhill. It feels like there is absolutely no help to be found. I am desperately searching for an antipsychotic that actually works, because nothing the psychiatrists prescribe seems to touch the problem. I am currently taking Haldol, Zyprexa, Faverin, Seroxat, Remerica, and several others, but I truly don't know what else I can possibly do. To be honest, I am terrified.

Arthur Scott5 said:Why on earth would I troll anyone? I have been to the psychiatric wards at Cedars-Sinai and UCLA three separate times now, and my condition is honestly just spiraling further and further downhill. It feels like there is absolutely no help to be found. I am desperately searching for an antipsychotic that actually works, because nothing the psychiatrists prescribe seems to touch the problem. I am currently taking Haldol, Zyprexa, Faverin, Seroxat, Remerica, and several others, but I truly don't know what else I can possibly do. To be honest, I am terrified.

That sounds incredibly grim, but you have to fight with everything you've got—because you're fighting for your very life here.

They will eventually find a better medication regimen for you, but you absolutely have to be persistent—insist that they try introducing new medications if the current ones aren't doing the trick. If you aren't in a state to advocate for yourself right now, please, ask your parents to step in and fight that battle for you.

Good evening...

So, I’m actually writing this on behalf of a wonderful woman in her 30s who told me she's just "exhausted by this way of life"... and let me tell you, when a 30-year-old says she's hit her limit, you know things are serious.
I recently got close to her family, and it didn't take me long at all to realize that she has absolutely zero support or understanding from the people around her.
She’s dealing with schizophrenia and is refusing to take her medication... I won't get into all the messy details of what's going on here, but I wanted to ask if there are any support systems available in the greater Los Angeles area?? Like an association, a group, anything... just so she can realize she isn't alone in this fight...

Angela Stewart2 said:Good evening...

So, I’m actually writing this on behalf of a wonderful woman in her 30s who told me she's just "exhausted by this way of life"... and let me tell you, when a 30-year-old says she's hit her limit, you know things are serious.
I recently got close to her family, and it didn't take me long at all to realize that she has absolutely zero support or understanding from the people around her.
She’s dealing with schizophrenia and is refusing to take her medication... I won't get into all the messy details of what's going on here, but I wanted to ask if there are any support systems available in the greater Los Angeles area?? Like an association, a group, anything... just so she can realize she isn't alone in this fight...

A support system? Just move all the Americans to another country and settle some sane people here instead. 🙂

Jeremy Scott said:A support system? Just move all the Americans to another country and settle some sane people here instead. 🙂

I must ask you, please, to refrain from making such sweeping generalizations.

Nicole Barrett76 said:I must ask you, please, to refrain from making such sweeping generalizations.

Fine. Let's say not everyone carries a stigma regarding schizophrenia. But we're still talking about 99% of the population.

Jeremy Scott said:Fine. Let's say not everyone carries a stigma regarding schizophrenia. But we're still talking about 99% of the population.

I honestly can't wrap my head around why there's such a massive stigma attached to schizophrenia when, frankly, the prognosis for recovery is actually quite promising. In my personal estimation—and I've seen enough to say this—borderline personality disorder is far more taxing than schizophrenia.

Just let it go, Jeremy... we live in Washington, D.C.; imagine if we were stuck in some tiny, isolated rural town in the middle of nowhere. We'd never hear the end of it.

Larry Lewis said:I honestly can't wrap my head around why there's such a massive stigma attached to schizophrenia when, frankly, the prognosis for recovery is actually quite promising. In my personal estimation—and I've seen enough to say this—borderline personality disorder is far more taxing than schizophrenia.

Just let it go, Jeremy... we live in Washington, D.C.; imagine if we were stuck in some tiny, isolated rural town in the middle of nowhere. We'd never hear the end of it.

But what about those of us who are actually dealing with both at the same time? 🍿🕺

Eric Mitchell55 said:But what about those of us who are actually dealing with both at the same time? 🍿🕺

I honestly haven't the slightest clue... why don't you enlighten us and tell us how it feels?

Larry Lewis said:I honestly can't wrap my head around why there's such a massive stigma attached to schizophrenia when, frankly, the prognosis for recovery is actually quite promising. In my personal estimation—and I've seen enough to say this—borderline personality disorder is far more taxing than schizophrenia.

Just let it go, Jeremy... we live in Washington, D.C.; imagine if we were stuck in some tiny, isolated rural town in the middle of nowhere. We'd never hear the end of it.

I agree with you wholeheartedly.

Shouldn't we be calling Borderline Personality Disorder the "cancer of the soul" rather than labeling it alongside schizophrenia?

It seems to me that modern prejudices aren't driven by whether someone grew up in a rural town or a big city like Chicago, but rather by their age group—specifically, whether they were born before or after the 1970s.

I truly believe that in America, the generations born before the 1960s simply lack the level of education seen in those born later.

Larry Lewis said:I honestly haven't the slightest clue... why don't you enlighten us and tell us how it feels?

How? Man, it's absolutely wild! ☕

Eric Mitchell55 said:How? Man, it's absolutely wild! ☕

I truly hate to say this—and believe me, I don't enjoy being the bearer of bad news—but you're young, you have your whole life ahead of you, and you've even got a boyfriend backing you up. You can definitely do better than this current situation.

lexi, I'm rooting for you—you know I think you're a great person.

It always weighs on me when someone I actually know is going through a rough patch... I suppose I'm just one of those incurable optimists who refuses to give up on people, no matter how bleak things look.

Just stay strong, lexi, and you will never sink 🙂

Larry Lewis said:I honestly can't wrap my head around why there's such a massive stigma attached to schizophrenia when, frankly, the prognosis for recovery is actually quite promising. In my personal estimation—and I've seen enough to say this—borderline personality disorder is far more taxing than schizophrenia.

Just let it go, Jeremy... we live in Washington, D.C.; imagine if we were stuck in some tiny, isolated rural town in the middle of nowhere. We'd never hear the end of it.

It’s probably because in American crime shows, someone with schizophrenia kills ten people and instead of being found not guilty by reason of insanity, they just end up serving life in a mental institution.

I suppose I’m just navigating this whole ordeal on my own, though it hasn't been easy on anyone. It’s been incredibly difficult for my parents to come to terms with the fact that I’m struggling with my mental health—it's heavy for the whole family, I guess. Anyway, I have an appointment scheduled next week at the Mayo Clinic to see Dr. Miller. I was wondering if you all think going there is a good move? I’ve heard through the grapevine that the psychiatrists at the Mayo Clinic are top-tier—really reasonable people who are willing to sit with you for hours if that's what the situation requires. At least, that’s the impression I’ve gathered...

Arthur Scott5 said:I suppose I’m just navigating this whole ordeal on my own, though it hasn't been easy on anyone. It’s been incredibly difficult for my parents to come to terms with the fact that I’m struggling with my mental health—it's heavy for the whole family, I guess. Anyway, I have an appointment scheduled next week at the Mayo Clinic to see Dr. Miller. I was wondering if you all think going there is a good move? I’ve heard through the grapevine that the psychiatrists at the Mayo Clinic are top-tier—really reasonable people who are willing to sit with you for hours if that's what the situation requires. At least, that’s the impression I’ve gathered...

Even though I am dealing with "only" a physical ailment, my struggles can't possibly compare to yours, and even my own family refuses to fully accept me. They only seem to tolerate me when I stay tucked away in my room acting "normal." The moment I attempt to explain my plans for finding employment, it feels as though they would rather lock me in a basement or temporarily commit me to a mental asylum just so I could be "unstable" enough to satisfy them.

Nicole Barrett76 said:Even though I am dealing with "only" a physical ailment, my struggles can't possibly compare to yours, and even my own family refuses to fully accept me. They only seem to tolerate me when I stay tucked away in my room acting "normal." The moment I attempt to explain my plans for finding employment, it feels as though they would rather lock me in a basement or temporarily commit me to a mental asylum just so I could be "unstable" enough to satisfy them.

Anyone expecting to find steady work in this economy belongs in an asylum🤣 🤣

Just kidding. No hard feelings.🙂