I am definitely going in to get that recorded tomorrow. I haven't had anything like this done since 1996. The only thing I do regularly is blood work to check my lithium levels. My doctor can be pretty tough on me.(don't be so hard on her, grandpa🤣 ) [/B] She explained it to me this way: in people living with schizophrenia, there's an imbalance of chemicals in the brain known as neurotransmitters. In other words, that's what's happening with me.
Douglas Ramos2 said:I have to say... this is all just completely wild. What exactly defines schizophrenia? It’s such a complex topic, isn't it? When we look at this condition, we aren't just talking about a single symptom, but rather a profound shift in how a person perceives reality. It often involves a disconnect between one's thoughts and the world around them—manifesting through things like hallucinations or delusions that feel entirely real to the individual. It can be difficult to wrap our heads around, but understanding the neurological roots behind these experiences is a crucial part of the conversation. Is it possible to truly grasp the weight of living in a different reality without empathy and education? Of course, it's much more than just a medical diagnosis; it's a deeply human experience that requires patience, support, and a real sense of community to navigate. Illness can be such an unpredictable part of life, can't it? It often feels like it arrives without warning, disrupting our routines and forcing us to slow down when we least expect it. When you're feeling under the weather, it really puts things into perspective, doesn't it? It serves as a gentle, if somewhat frustrating, reminder of how much we rely on our health to navigate our daily lives. How do you all usually handle those sudden dips in energy? Is it a quiet day of rest for you, or do you try to push through?I mean, you really can't just go around claiming that everyone without schizophrenia is some kind of primitive zombie, can you? Perhaps your post actually confirms this: Schizophrenia can make it incredibly difficult—if not impossible—for someone to distinguish between what is actually happening and what isn't. Because their perception of reality becomes so distorted, logical reasoning loses its usual footing. Instead of following a clear path, thoughts begin to veer off into patterns that feel completely unpredictable and nonsensical to the rest of us. Isn't it fascinating how much our sense of truth relies on a stable perception?.
That’s exactly right. At the end of the day, we all live in our own little bubbles, don't we? With over 8 billion people on this planet, every single one of them perceives the world through their own unique lens. Isn't it fascinating how differently we all see things? I have certain beliefs that I hold close to my heart. My friend just looked at me and said, "Good grief, only you could pull something like that off!" But is that really a reliable way to measure illness?
How do you measure someone's health? For me, it’s pretty simple. I look at my dad, see him looking strong and vibrant like he could be my brother, and just tell him: "You're doing great." And I say to myself: how else could the little guy have possibly survived? I just don't get it. We're sitting here, enjoying some watermelon, and that's that. Honestly? Life is what it is.
But honestly, there’s just that undeniable chemistry!! I simply can't live without it 🙂 I’m pretty sure everyone working at the local CVS is secretly jealous of me So, my friend and I were at this party And this guy goes, "I've got plenty of $10 " And we're just looking at him like, "Do we seriously look like we need your help?????????? " Anyway, she ended up finding some herbal She's got everything 🤣
quiethound45 said:There’s just so much self-harm and suicide among people dealing with schizophrenia when they hit a breaking point... A relative of mine actually took their own life during an episode by jumping from a high-rise window because they were lost in a delusion. It was devastating. Medication wasn't helping at all. They would climb on furniture, cut themselves, wreck the house, or even lash out at people. It was chaotic. And honestly, isn't it true that when you're in the middle of one of those "attacks," you aren't even aware of what you're doing?
The strangest part for me is that I actually *was* aware. For instance, back when I was living with my boyfriend, there was a time when he and his parents went to work and I completely snapped at his mother. Because she wouldn't give me his phone, I ended up grabbing her, snatching a gold necklace right off her neck, and pinning her arm down. If things had been any worse, I might still feel like being aggressive toward her today just because she's someone I can't stand. Even before that, I always found her presence kind of unsettling—just a grey, unpleasant vibe that I never liked.
briskgull27 said:Schizophrenia is a mental disorder where someone deals with disorganized thinking, hallucinations, and a reduced ability to experience typical emotions.
😢 ☕ Schizoaffective disorder involves intense depressive, manic, or mixed episodes occurring alongside the prominent symptoms typically seen in schizophrenia.
I really have to chime in here because I definitely feel normal emotions when I see a handsome guy. I just melt like an ice cream cone. And when I go to bed with my husband, I’m all over him. When my grandma asks me something, I get sensitive. When we head out, us women laugh like crazy. As for those mood swings? I am definitely one person in the morning, a different person by noon, and yet another by the evening.
Regarding the "disorganized thinking" part—well, I am an American woman, but more importantly, I am just myself: a unique individual living on this Earth.
I might be hallucinating that I’m actually smarter and better looking than my girlfriends!🤔 🙄 ☕
Schizophrenia- a mental health condition characterized by disrupted thought processes, hallucinations, and a diminished ability to experience emotions in a typical way.
😢 ☕ Schizoaffective disorder- a mental health condition where intense episodes of depression, mania, or a combination of both occur alongside the prominent symptoms typically associated with schizophrenia.
Think about all the people living with schizophrenia who struggle just to put food on the table but even more importantly, those currently facing subpar conditions in state hospitals as well as those residing in specialized care facilities and all the mothers battling this condition who have had their children taken away those who deal with substance abuse alongside their diagnosis those who have spent their entire lives within hospital walls those currently fighting depression and those who are doing okay along with those who have families, children, and steady jobs and are truly happy May God, the Universe, and Mother Earth bless them all😉 🙂 🙂 🙂
Check this out—the last time I was in the hospital, back during the summer, a group of my girlfriends came to visit me. There were four of them, all around 25 years old. They showed up looking totally put together, wearing all sorts of trendy graphic tees and those cute sandals with the little pearls on them. Then one of them looks at me and says, "Jesus Outoftheblu, I would drink absolutely anything they give me just to never have to be stuck in a place like this again. Seriously, whatever you need, I'll drink it."
And honestly? I drank it. On another note, I’ve actually sought help from about ten different holistic healers over the past year and a half—I've been seeing one almost every single day!
In my opinion, taking lithium instead of some other heavy antipsychotic medication has been a really good move for me.👍
Brenda Cook4 said:I'm not exactly an expert on psychology, but I've been reading through this thread for two days straight now...🙂 Hey briskgull27, I was wondering—are there certain things you love doing, activities that truly bring you joy? And when you're caught up in those moments, how does it actually make you feel?
I love surfing; there’s just something about that constant process of learning and improving that makes me feel truly happy. Don't you think there's a special kind of joy found in mastering a new skill? I absolutely love traveling, though I have to admit—I often find myself enjoying the journey much more than the actual arrival. Isn't there just something about that sense of anticipation that makes everything feel better? I absolutely love cooking. There’s just something so rewarding about it, especially since I find a way to make every single dish turn out a little bit different than the last time. Isn't it fun how much variety you can find in the same ingredients? There’s nothing quite like grabbing a coffee with close friends, is there? It’s one of those simple pleasures where you can finally just be yourself. I love how much my husband understands me, but sometimes I can't help but wonder... could he actually be an alien?🙂 ☕ I love photography—thank God for digital cameras! I truly love being productive, but for the time being, we’ve decided that other things simply take priority. How much does our environment actually impact our overall well-being? I’ve been thinking lately about how much my own health is tied to the air around me. It makes you wonder, doesn't it? I actually love chatting with strangers online because they have no idea I'm struggling with my health. Isn't there something liberating about talking to people who don't see you through the lens of your diagnosis?
crimsonhound80 said:Have you ever had a brain MRI? I'm sure you have. What were the results? Any changes in the ventricles or any visible damage?
Honestly, I haven't had any decent medical testing done through our public healthcare system. Now that I finally have some extra cash, I’m planning to go to a private clinic. The last time I actually had anything done was just that one EEG back when I was ten. So frustrating! As Ćiro always says: When you're sick, having money makes everything so much easier. (Because at the end of the day, health is everything, right?)😠
It’s important to remember that there isn't just one single cause for schizophrenia. If we look at conditions like heart disease, we see they stem from a complex mix of genetics, lifestyle choices, and various other elements. Isn't it likely that schizophrenia follows a similar pattern? While we haven't mapped out every single contributing factor just yet, medical experts generally agree that the condition is rooted in abnormal brain function. Fortunately, researchers have already managed to identify several of these key drivers.
For nearly four centuries, the stigma between physical and mental health has been a mainstay in the medical world, but that boundary is finally starting to crumble as we gain a deeper understanding of how the brain works. Scientists now know that clinical depression, schizophrenia, and various other conditions labeled as "mental" illnesses are actually physical disorders. Much like how diabetes stems from issues with the pancreas or a heart attack comes from changes in the heart, these symptoms arise from tangible, physical shifts within the brain. Nevertheless, the medical community still leans heavily on the outdated and harmful label of "mental illness." This stigma—which was central to a 1999 White House conference and many subsequent studies—prevents millions of people from reaching out for help. In fact, nearly two-thirds of those struggling with these disorders never even seek treatment. Isn't it tragic that this stigma fuels so much bias, distrust, stereotyping, fear, embarrassment, and anger?
I’m definitely a bit burnt out, though I don't actually drink—and I really shouldn't start. I’m not much of a meat eater, either. I used to spend my nights knocking back tequila and vodka with my girlfriends until I started feeling genuinely terrible about it.
-ana- said:Hey, I’m feeling a bit too lazy to go digging through old threads right now, so please forgive me if you’ve already shared this! When did you and your husband actually meet? Was it before you got sick, or was it "during your illness"?
It was during my illness. I told him about everything about a month into it.
quiethound45 said:That's true.. briskgull27, I’ve been wondering—what do you think caused this for you? It might sound like a silly question, but isn't it what we all eventually ask ourselves? Why me? If it wasn't hereditary, have you ever sat down and really considered what might have actually led you to this point? My dad's cousin's ex-husband struggled with schizophrenia, and their son ended up inheriting it from him... tragically, the son took his own life. My aunt barely managed to get away from that man (he's started a whole new family now). I was just a little kid back then, so I don't have clear memories of her first marriage, but my dad told me some things about it... honestly, it sounds pretty grim.
Recently, a woman passed away by suicide; she was my dad's sister, and she had lived with schizophrenia.
Taylor Howard36 said:What kind of thought loops are we talking about? Like, give me an example.
It’s a total mental nightmare, but here’s a look: I once thought my dad was actually my brother. Or that my brother had passed away. Or that my mom was still alive and walking around the house. Or that my husband was some big Hollywood star. You wouldn't believe how many more there were before, but thank God, things have calmed down quite a bit since then. There’s also this strange trap when you're struggling—you can feel like you're doing okay, but you don't realize how much you're actually being blindsided because everything feels fine in the moment.
Taylor Howard36 said:So, my mom works for this lady whose son has schizophrenia... he’s a grown man now, about 33, with a college degree, and actually quite bright. His mother mentions that things can get really intense when he’s having an episode, but my mom? Well, she just thinks the guy is incredibly handsome!😬 Plus, he talks a mile a minute.
I either stay quiet like a fool, or I end up talking so much that nobody else can get a word in edgewise.
quiethound45 said:Are you serious? Is everything okay? You seem a little aggressive there—are you feeling alright? Isn't this actually perfect for just relaxing and enjoying a bit of peace?
As for me, I’m feeling pretty wiped out right now; my eyes are heavy and I am ready to crash. But then again, they say doctors love to light up too, don't they?😎
Honestly, I’m a believer in God, or whatever you want to call it. But personally, I feel so much better once my antidepressant kicks in. If I’m feeling off, a good nap usually helps me reset, too. Because of my medication, I tend to lose about three or four hours of productivity compared to healthy people, but when I skip my dose, I end up performing these strange little rituals: throwing pictures around, setting books on fire, calling thirty different people all in a single day... I don't deal with visual or tactile hallucinations, just mental ones. Like, suddenly I'm convinced I'm Audrey Hepburn, acting out, being provocative, and honestly, I can't even remember everything anymore.
I know this is considered a mental illness, but the chemistry really works for me. And frankly, it’s the best thing I’ll ever get for the rest of this God damn life.🙂