Schizophrenia - General Discussion

Amanda Morris3 said:True, though I really think having a strong sense of character and practicing a little autosuggestion can make a huge difference too.
I honestly think some people just let their illnesses linger because they secretly love having someone there to look after them. 😲
I’ve actually just recently managed to pull myself out of a really heavy depressive episode, though thankfully I didn't have to deal with any psychotic symptoms this time around.
Even without any antidepressants, I’ve somehow managed to block out the source of my depression by finally leaning into the things I actually love doing.
Honestly, once you've navigated through two or three heavy depressive episodes, you almost develop this strange kind of immunity, and when the darkness eventually rolls back in, you just find a way to pull yourself out on your own.
Antidepressants just kind of numb you out, but hey, at least they help you find a little bit of that positive headspace, right?

That’s true, but antidepressants aren't actually curing your hallucinations; they just make you feel better because of the meds. There isn't even a theoretical chance they'll change what's actually messing with your head—I'm talking about psychosis here, I don't know much about neuroses.

Jesse Brown5 said:Hi everyone!

I guess—well, it feels like (and it’s not just me, my whole family feels it too)—that one family member might have schizophrenia... the issue is, they would never agree to see a doctor or even think anything is wrong. It makes life incredibly difficult for the rest of us!
It's pretty contradictory; they're convinced they're someone special and that they're the only ones who deserve anything... they create all sorts of issues and look for problems where none exist. They can take some tiny little thing and turn it into a massive crisis in their own head, making it feel like the worst thing in the world. It can honestly ruin the mood for days while they stay furious...
What are the symptoms of schizophrenia? What is typical or always present? Is there any way to help someone who refuses treatment?? Has anyone dealt with something similar?? How did you realize you were struggling, or how did you notice a family member, friend, or even a partner had schizophrenia??
help!🤷

To me, this doesn't sound quite like schizophrenia; it sounds more like an obsessive-compulsive personality disorder...

schizophrenia symptoms >
+ (positive) > hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech, disorganized behavior
- (negative) > anhedonia, avolition, flat affect, alogia

Schizophrenia where positive symptoms predominate (like auditory hallucinations or persecutory delusions) generally has a better prognosis than schizophrenia dominated by negative symptoms (which can often mimic depression or cyclothymia, making a diagnosis much harder to pin down for a long time)

David Kern14 said:That’s true, but antidepressants aren't actually curing your hallucinations; they just make you feel better because of the meds. There isn't even a theoretical chance they'll change what's actually messing with your head—I'm talking about psychosis here, I don't know much about neuroses.

Which really brings us to two different ways of looking at psychiatry.

The old-school European style... which still seems to view Freud as if he were God, treating depression as a purely individual matter stemming from genetic predispositions or something similar.

Then there's the American approach... which recognizes that society plays a massive role in how people actually behave.

Personally, I think it’s much better to follow the American school of thought whenever possible... for instance, instead of just handing out meds, we might suggest someone struggling with depression take a break, travel somewhere far away, move to a new city, or just shake things up. But if those options aren't on the table, then we fall back on the European way and prescribe antidepressants.☕ Though, honestly, that older approach tends to lead to more relapses.

Amanda Morris3 said:To me, this doesn't sound quite like schizophrenia; it sounds more like an obsessive-compulsive personality disorder...

schizophrenia symptoms >
+ (positive) > hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech, disorganized behavior
- (negative) > anhedonia, avolition, flat affect, alogia

Schizophrenia where positive symptoms predominate (like auditory hallucinations or persecutory delusions) generally has a better prognosis than schizophrenia dominated by negative symptoms (which can often mimic depression or cyclothymia, making a diagnosis much harder to pin down for a long time)

Thanks for the response, Amanda Morris3!

I looked up obsessive-compulsive personality disorder online, but I'm not sure if that's really it... I mean, the main symptom of that disorder seems to be living through rituals...

The person I was describing doesn't really have any special or unusual rituals; they're just an average person, I guess...

The only thing is; they definitely deal with fears (that's for sure, because those fears grab them all the time)

That person speaks in a disorganized way (meaning, when they say something to you, you can't make sense of it at all, and then they get upset because you didn't understand what they were thinking!) No one can understand when they explain things... it's almost like they're speaking in codes from their own little world, and nobody can decode their thoughts.

They are driven by intense jealousy... even toward their own children, and from that jealousy, a great rage grows...

Then they elevate themselves to this high pedestal; it's hard to say for sure, but they act like some higher being, above everyone else, something incredibly precious (which is why I might say schizophrenia)... the person imagines they are uniquely capable or successful and tries to belittle others. Objectively speaking, though, they aren't more capable than the average person. They might even be a bit weaker in terms of mental abilities.

As for whether they have hallucinations, I don't know; maybe they do, but then they stay silent about it... but that's possible, since they haven't slept well at night since they were young...

Amanda Morris3 said:Which really brings us to two different ways of looking at psychiatry.

The old-school European style... which still seems to view Freud as if he were God, treating depression as a purely individual matter stemming from genetic predispositions or something similar.

Then there's the American approach... which recognizes that society plays a massive role in how people actually behave.

Personally, I think it’s much better to follow the American school of thought whenever possible... for instance, instead of just handing out meds, we might suggest someone struggling with depression take a break, travel somewhere far away, move to a new city, or just shake things up. But if those options aren't on the table, then we fall back on the European way and prescribe antidepressants.☕ Though, honestly, that older approach tends to lead to more relapses.

Look, I've known all of this since the very beginning—right from when the illness first started, the advice has always been about making changes.

Staying in certain places can be absolute game-changers for getting into remission, but honestly, you've gotta make sure you're also taking care of the mental side of things too.

I just don't have it in me today. Even if I force myself to head out and face the world, it’s just not happening. I've listened to all the advice out there, but honestly? Still feeling the same.

I might need to grab something to help me sleep later, but just to be clear, I’m not dealing with depression—it's psychosis.

stormyseal4 said:I’m looking for some advice—how do I actually get a person living with schizophrenia into a hospital when they are completely refusing treatment?

It’s my dad, and he lives all by himself now, totally lost in this world of delusions, paranoia, and conspiracies about people spying on him or trying to kill him. To make matters worse, he’s dealing with another serious physical illness right now that could be fatal if left untreated, but he won't see any doctors because he’s convinced "all doctors are just killers and spies." He basically stays shut inside his house all day long...

He was already diagnosed with schizophrenia and used to take his medication, but he stopped everything, and since then, he's just been sinking deeper and deeper into this state.

So, I'll ask again—is there a way to get him admitted? Should I just call 911? I don't think he's at a total crisis point quite yet, so I'm worried the paramedics might just drop him off at a psych ward and send me home. Or should I reach out to his primary physician or contact a psychiatric facility directly? I'm honestly terrified of making the wrong move, because if I push too hard and it goes badly, he might just shut me out entirely, and then I'll have nothing left to help him with.

This is such a classic example of how schizophrenia is "created"... It almost always starts within the family. Have you guys considered, maybe, actually talking to your father? And I don't mean a quick little chat over coffee, but rather a constant effort to show up and demonstrate love.
It kind of reminds me of those people who ship their elderly parents off to assisted living facilities just because they become an "inconvenience," allowing them to rent out the house to make a few extra bucks and focus more on their own empty routines.
A father doesn't necessarily need a hospital. Maybe some meds for a temporary period, sure. But what he really needs is understanding from those around him and so much more... You need to ask yourselves when these "delusions" actually started. You have to learn to interpret the metaphorical language of madness that your father is using. But doing that requires intelligence. Unfortunately, many psychiatrists aren't "trained" to grasp those nuances, nor do they have enough > (or perhaps their indoctrination destroyed whatever they had left) to truly engage with it all. But hey, your father is a burden, right? So since you've already stigmatized him as being "lesser," let's just toss him into a hospital and hope he accepts his disability. Well done.

Hey, I really need some advice on how to help a close friend... I’m starting to think we're looking at schizophrenia here. He’s constantly dealing with these intense fears and phobias—like he's being watched or controlled by his wife. He’s become super withdrawn too... honestly, his whole life just revolves around meds and pharmacology lately. He doesn't have time for anything else, yet he isn't actually doing anything... just spinning his wheels. His train of thought is totally disconnected, and then there's the drug use, where he has zero grip on reality or his finances. He’s got a wife and daughter, and since serving in the military, things seem to have gone downhill fast... though half his family deals with similar stuff anyway.
His main priority right now is basically just figuring out how to score more drugs. Is there any actual way to help someone like this? He’s been hospitalized more times than I can count. He’s on a cocktail of Moditen, Akineton, and Haldol... he can't even sit still for five minutes without getting restless. Is there any hope left? For us addicts, anyway... because it feels like no junkie ever just has one single mental health issue.☕ ☕ 😲

I have a question for those living with schizophrenia or other mental health conditions: How are you actually feeling?
Can anyone besides Donna Sullivan7 please weigh in?

Q. Why does American culture draw such a sharp line between mental health struggles and physical illnesses?

A. Honestly, it’s mostly fear. People are spooked by mental illness, and there’s this deep-seated anxiety about realizing we might actually share some common ground with those struggling. Everyone’s secretly wondering, "will i catch IT"

Q. In what ways does the stigma surrounding mental health impact someone's road to recovery?

A. It’s brutal—sometimes even harder to deal with than the actual condition. Instead of being seen as a person like Instead of John or Susan, they get pigeonholed as "that Guy with Schizophrenia" or "The Woman with Bipolar." It creates this massive divide in how people are treated.

Q. What kind of percentage of people living with schizophrenia are able to lead successful lives?

A. Generally speaking, about a third of people with schizophrenia do really well. Another third stay fairly stable but still run into regular hurdles. Then you have the final third who face a constantly uphill battle.

Q. Since several U.S. states still haven't fully implemented mental health parity in insurance, is treating mental illness significantly more costly than something like heart disease or cancer?

A. The idea that mental health care is prohibitively expensive or that people are just faking it is pure fiction. Realistically, investing in prevention is way cheaper than trying to fix a crisis later. Plus, most folks actually tend to hide their symptoms rather than over-report them.

Q. What’s the best way to support someone through their recovery process?

A. Providing support is what builds hope. You have to remember that recovery isn't the same thing as a total cure. Just like someone managing cancer, they have to live with the possibility of it coming back. We aren't saying schizophrenia just vanishes; we're talking about helping them build the most full and meaningful life possible. We just have to drop the unrealistic expectations.

Hey mistyscout2,

I think there might have been a little misunderstanding, so I wanted to clear things up regarding my father and his struggle with schizophrenia.
The thing is, on top of dealing with schizophrenia—which he isn't currently being treated for—he’s also battling another life-threatening illness that’s going to be fatal if we don't get him medical help.

But because of the schizophrenia, he refuses any treatment because he's convinced the doctors are actually out to kill him.

It’s been incredibly tough; I haven't even been able to get in touch with him for a full year because he won't answer his phone, won't pick up, and won't even open the door... but then, out of nowhere, he reached out to me after all this time, and honestly, he looks terrible. He’s always been this way with everyone, too... if you don't tell him exactly what he wants to hear, he just shuts you out completely. It’s like everyone would have to sit there and pretend he doesn't have schizophrenia and validate his delusions about people prowling through his house at night trying to murder him just to get him to talk.

So, here’s my question... how can I get him to go to the hospital so he doesn't die?

Latest Updates and Breakthroughs in Schizophrenia Research

http://www.findcounseling.com/help/n...enia_research/

My mom was diagnosed with schizophrenia just a couple of years after I was born. Growing up, I never dealt with any bullying or teasing at school because of it—mostly because nobody knew, and those who did felt too ashamed to say anything. People tend to be cowards when it comes to stuff like this, so there’s really no point in playing the "what if" game with these situations. It is what it is. The reality is that the healthcare system in America is far from where it needs to be. The psychiatrists worth actually seeing charge an arm and a leg, while the ones we're stuck with usually just go through the motions unless they happen to be young and still driven by some sense of enthusiasm. Because of all that, I’ve learned never to take my own mental health for granted. 🙂

I’ve been scrolling through some of the earlier posts in this thread, so please forgive me if I end up repeating a question that’s already been addressed. For as long as I can remember, I’ve felt fundamentally different from everyone else—this sense of being an outsider that I suspect others pick up on, too. I struggle frequently with bouts of depression and a pervasive sense of lethargy. There is also this persistent, nagging paranoia; I find myself constantly worrying that people dislike me, that they’re holding grudges, or that they’re whispering about me behind my back. At times, I act in ways that feel completely foreign to my actual personality and character, though I haven't experienced anything quite severe enough yet to make me fear for my sanity. What I am truly trying to understand is what the initial symptoms of this illness actually look like. Is there a specific hallmark that defines someone living with schizophrenia? Furthermore, does this condition always manifest as aggression, or are there types of people who remain entirely passive and listless?
Thank you.

TNX

Don't mention it.
I just remembered the exact moment everything started to fall apart. I walked through my front door
sat down in my chair, and simply said:
"I can't do this anymore."
God, it hurts. It’s such a profound sadness that no pill on the market could ever touch.
Perhaps it's because there is no physical manifestation of this pain? Since others don't show it, how am I supposed to accept it myself?

Kenneth Price74 said:Don't mention it.
I just remembered the exact moment everything started to fall apart. I walked through my front door
sat down in my chair, and simply said:
"I can't do this anymore."
God, it hurts. It’s such a profound sadness that no pill on the market could ever touch.
Perhaps it's because there is no physical manifestation of this pain? Since others don't show it, how am I supposed to accept it myself?

I've always wanted to ask you, but I get the feeling you're just fed up with everything lately, so maybe not.>>
What?
Well, I mean, would you write about what happened to you—the trips, the symptoms, the visions, and how you fought through it all before reaching that breaking point where you said "I can't do this anymore." Just go deep with it.

Personally, I'm interested, and I think you'd be doing everyone else a huge favor too, since they might see themselves in your story and realize they need to seek help.

Noah Sanchez7 said:I've always wanted to ask you, but I get the feeling you're just fed up with everything lately, so maybe not.>>
What?
Well, I mean, would you write about what happened to you—the trips, the symptoms, the visions, and how you fought through it all before reaching that breaking point where you said "I can't do this anymore." Just go deep with it.

Personally, I'm interested, and I think you'd be doing everyone else a huge favor too, since they might see themselves in your story and realize they need to seek help.

I’ve become introverted—or perhaps "avoidant" is the right term. In a sense, my very character has shifted, though maybe it’s more accurate to say my interests have changed. Most importantly, while everyone else was acting wild during our teenage years, I found myself settling down.

Kenneth Price74 said:I’ve become introverted—or perhaps "avoidant" is the right term. In a sense, my very character has shifted, though maybe it’s more accurate to say my interests have changed. Most importantly, while everyone else was acting wild during our teenage years, I found myself settling down.

Pretty concise.. 🙄

Noah Sanchez7 said:Pretty concise.. 🙄

Fine, you want an example?
I just didn't have the energy to leave the house anymore. 🙄
Now I remember sitting in a chair for two weeks straight, just staring at notebooks. My entire existence was reduced to eating, sleeping, and fighting.
Just watching them. 😂