Posts by Kevin Nguyen3

Eric Mitchell55 said:I’m still having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that I'll be on medication for the rest of my life. It’s heavy, knowing I’ll be managing this condition indefinitely, just constantly hoping to stay in remission for as long as possible. Looking back at the stretch between age 14 and 19, I went through six episodes—which works out to a little over one episode per year on average.
Lately, I feel so disconnected from myself. I struggle to trust people, I find it hard to believe what I see right in front of me, and I definitely don't trust what I hear. Everything just feels... surreal, like nothing is quite real.
To be honest, I’m scared of what life has in store.

I have had—unfortunately, if I am being honest with myself—the opportunity to participate in group therapy sessions, though constraints regarding space, time, and, let's face it, money, meant I was often grouped with severely psychotic patients.
We were talking about so-called short-term group psychotherapy. It is such a neglected form of treatment; I haven't heard of anyone practicing it since, nor do I know if anyone even still does.
Over time, I realized that the facilitators of these therapies treat different patients in entirely different ways—they employ distinct approaches that yield vastly different results. Does that make sense?
Initially, based on a patient's history and medical background, the therapist would assess the stability of their Ego. With patients whose Egos were, shall we say, completely overwhelmed by psychotic experiences (think severe cases of schizophrenia or those "neglected chronic" types...), a very specific approach was taken. The goal wasn't necessarily for the patient to fully grasp their condition, but rather to help them adjust their orientation from their internal world toward the external world.
This particular style of therapy demanded an immense amount of effort and total commitment from the doctors—from the psychotherapists, specifically.
Then, there was also this focused method of short-term group therapy designed for less severely ill individuals—or perhaps more accurately, those who are partially ill and approaching recovery with much more ambition.
In those cases, the work was more educational in nature.
It could essentially be broken down into three parts.
1. Helping the patient accept assistance from another person within the group.
2. Providing them with some way to understand their own "maladaptive" behaviors.
3. Pointing out potential provocations or dangerous situations related to the illness, such as a regression or a relapse.
If the group can help a patient recognize these triggers and find a way to avoid them, then that therapy is a success. Is that not the ultimate goal?
There is so much more to say—I could write pages upon pages—but I have noticed that this type of therapy is incredibly effective, yet it remains completely forgotten and overlooked.
Generally speaking, group therapy works, provided one attends regularly and the sessions are conducted properly.🙂

Larry Lewis said:Look, I know you have a desperate need to be right.
Regarding what the Bear mentioned—maybe try scrolling back through a few pages and you'll catch up.

I stopped grasping at luck a long time ago.

It’s a bit arrogant, don't you think? To tell people they've "realized" something or haven't—considering I don't know you and you certainly don't know me.

Stop playing the part of the concerned soul-searcher and go focus on math or physics instead; clearly, dealing with people isn't your forte.🤷

If there are facts out there that support my view, then of course I'm going to defend my position. Is that really such a strange concept?
You say you aren't chasing luck, yet wasn't it just a few posts ago that you claimed everything is nothing but luck?!🤷
I don't need to know you personally; I read your posts. But honestly, why even bother arguing about that? You either get it or you don't.
I'm not pretending to be anything; I am exactly who I am. And for the record... I do work with math and physics.☕

Larry Lewis said:Good grief—if I can't figure out what's eating at you, then honestly, who on earth could? I know exactly what’s going on here.
It’s a plain truth—people come to this forum because they’re looking for a lifeline, and honestly, if someone actually manages to lend them a hand, even just a little bit, then credit where credit is due—kudos to them.

It’s one of those things that really gets under my skin—this modern tendency to see a collection of symptoms instead of seeing the actual person standing right in front of you. You walk into a clinic, and instead of being treated like a human being with a life, fears, and a history, you’re suddenly just a walking list of diagnostic codes and physiological malfunctions. It’s clinical, it’s cold, and frankly, it’s exhausting. I remember back when my old neighbor down in Chicago used to get sick; people actually sat with him, listened to his stories, and understood that the fever was only half the battle—the other half was the toll it took on his spirit. But now? Everything is so detached. We’ve become experts at deciphering a lab report while completely failing to comprehend the soul behind the illness. It’s a tragic sort of myopia—treating the malfunction while ignoring the man.

For me—if I’m being honest, which is a rare occurrence in this weary world—true happiness only ever exists within the realm of love. It’s the only thing that holds any weight. Whether that’s a devotion to one's career, a deep affection for a partner, or even just the simple, grounding bond with a dog... it all counts. But if you really peel back the layers—and believe me, I have spent many long, cynical nights doing exactly that—the most vital kind of love is the one you hold for yourself. Without that foundation, everything else is just... well, it's just noise.

Remind me again—when exactly did that Bear tell me that he’d only just realized humans are complete idiots? He was questioning whether his own little brain wasn't at least a bit foggy, if not outright washed clean... honestly, I can't quite recall the specifics of that conversation—it was such a strange, rambling exchange—but the sentiment remains etched in my mind.

I know you know. But when did you find out? Once you answer, you'll realize there was once a time when you didn't. I highly doubt you figured this out through some online research or similar methods. No, you learned over time that this is who you are... and you'll always be learning, though you'll never truly be certain that the learning is complete.
There's still this lingering question hanging in the air... why do you think no one can understand you as a human being? On what basis do you claim that?🤷
Life isn't a lottery or some game of chance; you live the life you build for yourself. If you haven't built it the way you envisioned or desired... well, you go chasing luck. Fine, I can accept that, especially if you actually understood it.
Regarding that settled Bear, I have no idea what you're talking about, but I'm sure you two know the story. I refuse to write about things I don't understand.😉

Larry Lewis said:Only you truly know your own mind, and believe me, nobody is ever going to fully understand you—unless, if you're incredibly lucky, someone manages to love you regardless.

As for the forum and the "brainwashed" crowd, I'll tell you this: just like everywhere else on the internet, everyone here is just looking for something to consume.

You know, you’re actually missing the mark on several fundamental points here. The real issue is that people—and I mean people in general—don't actually know themselves or what's truly eating at them. That is precisely why they seek help; they want someone to finally define who they are and offer them an alternative path.
How can you possibly claim that no one will understand you?
It really depends on how you define "understand," doesn't it?
The reality is that modern psychiatry has made massive strides in both knowledge and actual comprehension.
And honestly, luck in love has nothing to do with it. Happiness is simply the result of what you build today—whether it's for tomorrow or what you did yesterday for today.
I am not looking for anyone to exploit (it hasn't even crossed my mind, frankly).
I have no idea what you're basing this whole "brainwashed" argument on.☕

Andrew Doyle said:I’m not going to get involved in a feud with a condescending egoist; that’s a mess for the two of you to sort out... if you even can.

Regarding people and the whole concept of trust... honestly, it is incredibly, painfully difficult. It’s especially hard if you’ve been burned before—and I don't mean just once. I’ll tell you what I know from my own life: thank God I finally met someone who actually had the patience to deal with me. Someone who survived my inner demons, kept his cool, and stayed right by my side despite everything. 😲 He stuck with me even after I practically drove him away because I was terrified. I was scared of commitment, scared of love, scared of actually giving anything to someone else. Honestly, Zeus, I have no idea what I did to deserve it, but I was given the chance to truly be myself and experience a healthy, positive relationship where nobody is trying to tear the other down or hold them back. In fact, we have both become better, more grounded people since we started this journey together.🙂

I believe the whole concept of "deserving" something—that question of "I don't know why I deserved this"—shouldn't even be a topic of conversation in the first place. It shouldn't even be written down. Isn't it just a basic human instinct to strive for our own well-being? Or rather, isn't it common to try and strip away someone else's "right" to feel good?
The truth is, simply by existing, we have both the right and the responsibility to create circumstances that make us feel better. Of course we do.
There are all sorts of people out there, but if you maintain a certain "normal" way of behaving, many things stop being so unpredictable. Essentially, through our relationships, we build an environment for ourselves so that life doesn't hit us like a sudden slap in the face, purely because of the reality that certain types of people exist.
We help ourselves by adopting a lifestyle and a way of acting that creates a recognizable, acceptable atmosphere, which brings a sense of predictability... we are trying to paint our own "destiny" and future based on the information we possess.
Self-awareness and self-reflection. A perfectly natural occurrence.
Every previous "burn"—regardless of whether it was necessary or not—simply results in more experience. That experience teaches us what actions we must avoid to prevent worsening our own state or situation.
How to extract positive truths for one's own benefit? Well, everyone must decide that for themselves.

Kenneth Scott41 said:Does anyone else actually lose sleep over the idea of being on AD for the rest of their life?
Personally, I don't give it a second thought, because if it weren't for the AD, I might have been six feet under by now.
It helps me feel human again, so I really don't see the point in worrying about it.

Some people who know me a bit better—a few friends here and some folks I've connected with online—are aware that my daily routine involves more than just AD just to stay afloat... but even I have had to face the reality that this is likely a lifelong commitment.

But I'm not letting it get the best of me! 🙂

Go ahead, salt me. Just give it to me straight.🙂
But... I simply have no choice. Truly, what else is there to be done?🤷
It is either this... or a miserable, wretched existence. If such an existence even exists at all? Is there even a way out?😢
Between two evils—which is quite a predicament, if you think about it—one simply cannot select a "good" option when no such thing exists! It’s an impossible choice, isn't it? Truly.
I am fully aware of the consequences if I take them... truly, I am. And yet, I am equally aware of the consequences if I don't? Is that even a choice at this point? It feels like walking a tightrope where both sides lead to a drop. I know exactly what happens if I follow one path, and I know precisely what awaits me if I choose the other. How does one navigate such a narrow ledge?
Caught between two walls... a winding, crooked path, yet somehow, you always end up right back at the wall again. Isn't that just the way of things? You wander and turn and think you've found an exit, only to find the barrier waiting for you once more. Is there ever truly a way out, or are we just circling the same obstacle over and over?
I have been taking them for years, and honestly? I’ll keep taking them for as long as necessary... just so I can find the strength to write. Is that too much to ask? To simply be able to put pen to paper? It seems like such a fundamental thing, yet here I am, relying on this just to function. I will continue. I must. 😉Seriously, though... what is even happening with these posts? It’s just... honestly? Just... ugh.🙄

Noah Garcia4 said:If even a single person who lives a typical life reads this thread occasionally and realizes we aren't just mindless caricatures, I’d consider that a massive win.
In my book, having my expectations met by just one person is plenty.
Did you honestly think someone here had actually grasped how difficult things are for us?
It seems to me that most people in polite society won't even whisper the word schizophrenia, let alone engage with a whole group of people living through it. 😍😬 🙂😁

Now, look, I’m no psych professional, but I truly empathize with what you're going through... I've actually been intimate with people suffering from these conditions, so believe me when I say I know firsthand just how grueling this illness can be.😉

Keith Jackson44 said:The author is attempting to joke with us, though if this is indeed a joke, it is incredibly tasteless. You cannot silence my opinion here, and frankly, it seems you already possess the answers to your own questions; you are likely posting only because you assume some "sensitive soul" will appear to repair your questionable character. Let us be clear: I am not judging you, I am merely attempting to understand you, and I must admit I am having a difficult time doing so. Generally speaking, I believe we all suffer from a lack of critical thinking when analyzing human interaction. The only thing I can tell you is that this entire narrative isn't about the child or the innocent bystanders—it is about you, and you alone, though I suspect you are already aware of that.

Hmm, well written. All of those points crossed my mind, but I didn't want to jump to any conclusions based on the limited information we have unless I was absolutely certain.
And I am still not certain.
Anyway, a solid reaction to the topic.😉
At one point, the sound of a child crying fades into the background, and what emerges instead is a concern over how others perceive her.
One might assume that such concern would likely exist even if there were no child present—perhaps pointing toward some other, more bizarre underlying issue.
In any case, the author will eventually weigh in on this; wouldn't it be fascinating to read her perspective on everything?🙂

steeleagle23 said:But honestly, do you really think a stranger should be jumping in to worry about why a baby is crying, especially when the parents are right there and don't seem bothered at all?

In terms of basic empathy? Yes. We've become alligators to one another. I mean, sure, there are exceptions, but the general impression—which is quite frankly devastating—is just what it is.
I am not suggesting that people are just sitting around eavesdropping and cutting their wrists from sheer anxiety. But we can tell, can't we? We can see clearly when someone is judging us, stripping away everything we are, versus when someone looks at us with genuine understanding.
Well, when you haven't slept for days on end because you're rocking a baby through colic, you tend to look at your partner with a certain warmth in your eyes, don't you?
Regardless of who they are or what they're like.

Michelle Ward3 said:My turn too.😉

I’d much rather deal with general noise interrupting a conversation than have to listen to a child crying while being completely ignored by their parents.

Exactly. Hats off to you.😉
People living these incredibly isolated lives—if you can even call them "lives"... hmm... they can't see past their own noses or their immediate interests. Anything that disrupts their little version of reality is simply unacceptable to them.
Take a look at what happens on a typical street corner when an elderly woman uses a crosswalk; I’d bet at least 75% of those drivers—just a wild guess, mind you—would rather run her over just because she’s crossing now, while they have a meeting to get to right this second.
It’s the same thing with a baby crying, which is usually for a very good reason, because I highly doubt they're weeping over political unrest in Pakistan or anything of the sort.
We’ve become desensitized—not everyone, obviously—to everything happening around us that doesn't directly impact our own immediate bubble.
In that sense, why should you care what some stranger thinks? Especially someone who refuses to take a stand on anything, or heaven forbid, shows even a flicker of concern or a sign of empathy to let you know they actually understand what you're going through.

Keith Ortiz4 said:So, I’m out for a walk today with my three-month-old (who basically lives in my arms), and we decide to stop at an outdoor patio for a quick break. I order two sparkling waters, and within minutes, the baby just starts crying. It’s not just a whimper—it’s a full-on meltdown. I tried holding him, but nothing worked; he just wanted to be carried. He was clearly overstimulated and fussy. Honestly, I felt so embarrassed. In a moment of total desperation, I just set him down to lie there and cry for about ten minutes while I had a cigarette and finished my water. Eventually, the crying turned into this intense, piercing screaming.

Just a few yards away, there was this group of about six people in their 30s, and they were staring at me the whole time.

When I finally decided to head out, I apologized for the noise. They didn't even say anything back; one of them just gave a little wave, like a "whatever" gesture.

I really want to know what you guys think. Was I being judged?

Was it because I was being "rude" by staying and making everyone listen to the screaming instead of just leaving immediately? Or were they judging me for letting the baby cry while I sat there calmly smoking and drinking?

How would you have reacted if you saw this happening? What would your take be, and honestly, how should I have handled it?

Six people means six different perspectives. Why on earth are you even paying them any mind?
But since we’re talking about crying, why was the baby actually crying? What’s your take?
My first thought? Maybe the little one was having cramps. Though, who am I to say? I could be wrong.
In this country, if people see a woman sitting in a bar having a cigarette while her baby is wailing—I mean, can you imagine the judgment? "What kind of mother is she? She's a monster!" They'll judge you like you just committed a federal crime. People are obsessed with judging others; it's practically built into the culture here, so please, don't waste your mental energy wondering what they think.
You were there, and now you aren't. It happened, and it's over. They aren't going to see you again, and you certainly won't see them. So why stress over their opinions?
The only opinions that actually matter are those of your friends, your family, and the people who truly hold weight in your life.
Some people simply cannot handle it when a child's cry disrupts their precious, "perfectly normal" afternoon stress.
Anything can happen in life—your boss could micromanage every single task on your list every day, or drag you from office to office—but the moment they hear a natural sound, like a baby crying, they completely lose their composure.
Just shake it off and move forward... leave them behind. You really don't need that baggage.😉

fadedbear92 said:They basically work the same way, but one has way fewer side effects.

Seroquel is the real deal (ranging from 25-300 mg doses), whereas Q-pin is just the generic version—my doctor actually explained it to me by using an analogy, like how Xanax is the brand name while something like generic Alprazolam is the alternative.

Both fall under the quetiapine category.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quetiapine

Well, isn't that obvious? We've known that for ages.
Once a patent expires, a generic version hits the market, and everyone keeps insisting—insisting!—that it's identical to the original brand-name drug (which usually held its patent for about eight years).
But is it really? Is it truly the same? I don't think so... there are individual differences that matter.

Eric Mitchell55 said:I have an appointment with my psychiatrist this Thursday, and I’m really hoping we can finally phase out this 10mg dose of Haldol. It’s honestly just draining the life out of me...
I seem to be doing okay with the Helix, Prazosin, and Cymbalta, but this one is just brutal.
In my opinion, Haldol is pretty awful. My doctor mentioned she might switch me over to Seroquel instead—has anyone here had any experience with that?

Seroquel? It's a double-edged sword, really. I think I mentioned this somewhere else already, didn't I?
It works fine for psychosis—both schizophrenia and bipolar stuff—but for anything else? It's just bad.
If you find yourself sleeping through the day or feeling totally groggy and hungover when you wake up, then... well, it simply isn't for you.
It's one of those controversial antipsychotics, isn't it?
If there is any other option available, you should seriously consider looking into Quetiapine or Zyprexa.
They offer a similar effect but come with significantly fewer side effects.
With Seroquel, you often end up needing to take something else just to "get moving" enough to actually function the next day, which just drags you into another cycle of more pills.
And aren't we just going in circles here? Instead of letting the body try its best to fight the illness on its own, we force it to behave according to what we *think* is best. Isn't that the tragedy of it all?
Then there's the whole issue regarding suicide risk at the start of treatment, though I suppose that depends entirely on the specific diagnosis.
I was on it for a long time, and frankly, my opinion of the drug is pretty low.
In this day and age, there are much better "modern variations" based on that same formula.😉

William Evans10 said:thank you sir 😢 She’s been in the hospital since Saturday... and from what I understand, they’re planning to discharge her soon once they try this new medication regimen. The thing is, she keeps insisting she feels fine and tells them she’s doing better, but she really isn't... we’re the ones who actually know her, and we can see she hasn't improved at all. She isn't heavily sedated by the meds anymore, maybe just a little bit, but we can tell she's still "not there." It’s like there's no soul left in her, nothing. She just says she wants to get home, get past this, and go back to her old ways. Plus, she’s feeling so much shame about being hospitalized—which is triggering more paranoia about what people might think of her. Honestly, I’m terrified that things will just revert to the old cycle: staying in bed, smoking, lying around, more lying around... that's it. And then she’ll spend months upon months begging them to adjust her meds again. Maybe I'm rushing to judgment, but I'm scared. I think I might need to see a psychiatrist myself.

Not you. You have Lawrence.😉
Your boy is your priority right now.😍
I have my doubts about how quickly they'll actually let her go, but hey, maybe I'm wrong.
Not every doctor is heartless or stubborn, you know? There are wonderful people out there. Like my doctor, for instance.🙂
I told you before, she is in a void; she isn't truly present here, nor is she somewhere else. She is clearly ill. She needs proper treatment, and that takes time—say, about six weeks, because any other timeline results in different reactions—before you start seeing visible progress (the kind of internal shifts we can't actually see happening).
We have all dealt with the side effects of starting any kind of medication (the crushing depression, the suicidal thoughts, and all that nonsense). She is simply navigating that phase right now.
Have faith in her recovery... and have patience. There are no shortcuts here...

Noah Garcia4 said:Those medications are powerful enough that quitting them cold turkey is essentially an invitation for madness. Any competent psychiatrist knows there’s a delicate process for tapering or discontinuing drugs. Honestly, it’s much better to stay on a low dose than to face a full-blown relapse.☕

I just had my follow-up appointment, and my doctor is thrilled with my progress. I'm doing fine without Seroquel. To be honest, I feel better myself—I have more energy and my mind feels significantly sharper.

See, this is just one more piece of evidence proving that you can live a completely normal life.
Will it stay this way? Is it an indicator of worsening health or something else entirely? Who knows? Often, the body—or the brain, really—simply develops a kind of resistance to the illness. That's where psychopharmacology comes in to help.
I've taken Seroquel myself, and let me tell you, living with that stuff is incredibly difficult. Major props to you.😉

Noah Garcia4 said:I suppose I’m struggling to find the perfect way to articulate this, but I tend to look at it through this lens: if you can actually manage to drive a psychotic individual down to a neurotic level, then you’ve truly succeeded. It essentially boils down to whether they can maintain a functional grip on reality. I realize there are plenty of nuances here, and I know definitions tend to shift depending on who you ask, but that’s just my subjective take—using a few technical terms as a sort of metaphor to get the point across accurately. Well, I finally caught him...

I find myself drifting back into philosophy again, though everything we believe about our own nature holds a certain weight of truth. It’s honestly difficult for me to pinpoint that exact line where a mental health professional crosses over from trying to be helpful and error-free into that extreme territory—where they essentially lose their grip and descend into chaos. But if you view someone's sudden, irrational urge toward self-destruction as nothing more than a symptom, and you actually dig into what lies beneath it—what specific idea triggered the impulse or what unresolved emotional baggage is driving the engine—then you might actually start excavating the root cause rather than just pruning the branches. It isn't like you're walking down a street in Chicago and suddenly decide to jump into a furnace on a whim; it takes time to construct such a complex, elaborate hallucination. There is an entire psychological process and a massive web of mechanisms at work. In our current American healthcare system, the path of least resistance is almost always to hand someone a prescription and say, "Good luck, you're on your own," which solves absolutely nothing. It particularly bothers me when people have lives that are completely unraveled, only to have a psychiatrist shrug and imply that they simply need to learn how to manage it. So, once again, you're just handed a pill and sent on your way. 🤣 My point was that most psychiatrists simply don't have the bandwidth or the actual desire to dive deep into someone's psyche. It’s not really their lane. If you want any kind of meaningful, heavy-duty work done, you have to leave it to a dedicated psychotherapist. 😂 Isn't it just hilarious that we’re all forced to play along with this collective madness? It really is. And then, of course, they try to dress it up with some pseudo-intellectual nonsense, acting as if everything follows Gauss's curve—as if certain people can just slide by while others get stuck dealing with the fallout.

Pick just one single thing you want to fix—something that actually matters to you—and focus entirely on that. Once you've spent a month or two truly grinding through it, then, and only then, should you move on to the next thing.

That’s about it. It sounds almost trivial, doesn't it? But it really is one of the most significant hurdles in American psychiatry. In fact, as our understanding deepens, it seems to be becoming an even more massive challenge than when psychosis wasn't such a central focus of study.
The real goal is to establish contact with the patient's healthy ego. When you manage to achieve that—even if it's done somewhat crudely—the patient enters a state where they can find a "healthier resistance" to their own issues, which is a standard occurrence in any therapeutic transference.
Only then does true transference become possible. From there, through various forms of psychotherapy, we can dismantle the problems piece by piece until we reach a person who is finally ready to confront their struggles head-on.

David Vaughn75 said:Look, you totally missed my drift there—you’re kind of misreading what I was actually getting at.

Look, here’s how it works in my book—when you're taking your meds and everything feels steady, that’s your window of remission. That’s when you can actually function like a normal human being and get stuff done. But if I tell you that you’re slipping into psychosis? That means things have gone south fast. When you're hitting those low points, even the simplest errand—like just walking down to the corner bodega to grab some milk—becomes this massive, overwhelming ordeal. It's not just "being tired," it's being completely sidelined by your own head.

See? Now we finally agree on something very basic. It's all perfectly true.😉

David Vaughn75 said:I had this guy on my ward once who was absolutely convinced he was headed straight to hell. He obsessed over it until he basically snapped. Good luck trying to explain to him that two billion Christians are apparently wrong and that hell doesn't exist.

Believing in things we can't prove is just a standard, built-in feature of the human mind. The real distinction is that a person in a psychotic break can't function in daily life because of those beliefs, whereas a priest can.

You just can't seem to tell one thing from the other, can you? It’s like you're constantly mixing up apples and oranges! Why is that? Honestly, I find it quite perplexing.
That man certainly hasn't lost his mind—not because he was actually under the impression he was headed straight to hell!
And you just lump them all together, don't you? Every single patient suffering from various forms of psychosis—just tossed into one giant, indistinguishable bucket. It’s imprecise! Truly imprecise! Why can't we establish a proper distinction? Why not categorize them based on actual outcomes? For instance, wouldn't it be more logical to separate those who manage their condition successfully? Those people who live completely normal, productive lives in the US, yet still face periodic relapses? Sometimes the illness returns more intensely, sometimes it's just a dull ache... it varies, doesn't it? We need nuance! We need a system that recognizes the reality of recovery versus the reality of chronic struggle!
And then there are those people... you know the type? Those who stubbornly resist every proven, standard medical treatment available to them. They fight against everything that actually works! And for what? It’s as if they have some sort of chronic sickness of the soul. Why must they insist on this path? Is it pride? Is it just pure, unadulterated stubbornness? It truly is exhausting to witness.
I know people—real, functioning members of society. I actually personally know a woman who was married once before! So, this whole idea that people dealing with psychoses—and I am specifically using the plural here—simply cannot live a "normal" life? It just doesn't hold water. It simply doesn't!
Posts like these... they truly drain one of all hope. They strip away faith. It feels like a calculated attempt to undermine the very foundations of psychiatry, suggesting that almost any ailment can simply be cured away. But really, isn't the real question how much we actually want that? How much do we truly desire such a thing?
What on earth does a priest have to do with psychoses? Seriously, where is the connection there? Is there even one? I find myself wondering... truly wondering... how such disparate worlds could possibly intersect! It seems entirely nonsensical, doesn't it? To link the spiritual guidance of the clergy with the profound complexities of the human psyche? One deals with the soul, the other with the mind—can they even occupy the same conversation? Or am I just overthinking this? Perhaps there is a bridge I am simply too blind to see!🤷
Are you really attempting to conflate someone's religious convictions with the concept of psychosis? Truly? It seems to me... well, it feels quite misplaced, doesn't it? Why must we drag faith into a discussion regarding psychological stability? It simply doesn't follow!
On what basis? Really! What is the actual foundation for such a claim?😕
We have established this by now—after all these pages, really—that psychosis isn't just some isolated affliction trapped inside one patient's head. It doesn't stop at their skin, does it? No. It spills over. It becomes a sickness that infects the entire immediate circle... the friends, the family, the whole support system. It’s a collective struggle, isn't it?
Can a priest believe whatever his heart desires? Is it not his prerogative? As long as he isn't meddling in someone else's private business, should it even matter? I mean, really, where does one's personal conviction end and another's privacy begin? It seems quite simple, doesn't it? To hold a belief—to carry that weight within oneself—without imposing it upon the neighbor... surely, that is the essence of it!

ruggedtinker9 said:I notice this thread is gaining some traction, so I suppose I should contribute to the discussion. I have endured three psychotic episodes thus far; the most recent occurred just over a year ago. My doctor has recently tapered my medication down to 5 mg of olanzapine, and it seems I will be completely off it soon. However, I feel absolutely wretched. I find it nearly impossible to articulate to others just how terrible I feel. It is as if every ounce of energy has been drained from my body, leaving me feeling like some sort of zombie. I sleep late every single day and lack the slightest inclination to leave the house or engage in anything at all. I am physically alive, yet I feel as though I am merely existing in a state of numbness. Lately, thoughts of suicide have crossed my mind quite frequently, though I suppose I lack the courage to follow through. I am also terrified of applying for work, because I worry that if I were to secure any kind of job, an employer would eventually realize I am dealing with certain issues. Practically speaking, my mental capacity, motivation, and focus simply do not exist. I cannot concentrate enough to accomplish even basic tasks... I feel utterly burnt out and, perhaps most distressingly, I see no way out of this situation. Consequently, I retreat to my room and stay inside, as I feel that is the safest course of action. When I speak with my parents, my mother invariably remarks that "we should have disciplined you more strictly." The environment I find myself in feels narrow-minded and decayed, and I see no escape. I feel no gratitude toward my parents, as they have instilled nothing but fear in me. I have never truly known who I am or what I represent; I am essentially lost, searching for something without even knowing what that might be. Life has lost its purpose, and this entire quest for meaning—for finding something to bring joy or something productive to do—feels like a complete illusion. I see nothing meaningful in this world; in fact, the world is maximally cruel, and even those closest to me, who pretend to love me and wish me well, actually serve only to deepen my depression. I see no point in money anymore either; I think about how it would be good to earn my own income, but what is the ultimate gain? I can buy objects, certainly, but I cannot purchase internal satisfaction or a sense of well-being. I honestly wish I could end my life and stop this suffering, because I am truly going through hell. The realization that I am mentally ill and that I will likely spend my entire life visiting psychiatrists and swallowing pills is terrifying. Is such a life even worth living? I feel like a mistake of nature, possessing mutated genes that prevent me from adapting or integrating into a society that claims to be "normal," though that society is far from it. Reaching out to a doctor to ask for help feels equally futile, since my physician tells me that life is one thing and the medical aspect is another. He can only attempt to address things from a clinical standpoint by adjusting my dosage—which feels like nothing more than a mask. I do not know whom to turn to for help, nor do I know how one even recovers. I have considered looking into joining a residential community or a commune specifically for people struggling with psychosis and schizophrenia, if such a place even exists in America.

Just think about it... there are people out there who have lived like this for twenty or thirty years, and they manage to live quite orderly lives. And believe me, their suffering might even be deeper than yours. They take their medications, armfuls of them, and they go to therapy, and their entire existence revolves around the clinic and home. And yet, they live.
It is absolutely worth it. Over time, you come to accept medication as an essential part of who you are; you take them knowing they help you, knowing they define a small part of your identity... much like how one views their clothes or socks.
First, you need to go to your doctor and explain clearly that you aren't feeling better, even with the current treatment. You have to be persistent in the fact that you want to feel better, because you know that improvement is possible. It is possible, believe me.
Be serious, be convincing, and tell the truth. Your doctor will reach his own conclusions, and those conclusions could fundamentally change your course of treatment if you try to hide things from him. Truth first. Always.
Do some reading. Educate yourself.

Noah Garcia4 said:Philosophy, psychology, psychiatry 😵

The core of psychosis isn't just chasing ghosts, though that’s certainly its most glaring symptom. Delusions and hallucinations tend to flare up specifically during those psychotic episodes.
Then comes the remission, where you’re left to deal with the very real fallout of an unreal state of mind. You become acutely aware of your illness, and there’s a certain heavy grief in knowing that your own brain is driving this whole chaotic experience.
While antipsychotics can help pull your perspective back toward reality, how much "objective" truth can one actually achieve? That’s where individual subjectivity and personal character step in to muddy the waters.

In the clinical world of psychiatry, freedom of thought and reality might seem like two sides of the same coin, but in actual life, they are anything but. At the end of the day, if someone decides they are God or the devil—provided they aren't hurting anyone—they could theoretically start their own church and build a successful business around it. They wouldn't be labeled psychotic because they’ve managed to translate their internal philosophy into a functional reality that doesn't disrupt society.

I’m not quite sure why people still debate whether psychosis is a biological brain disorder. Of course it is. The brain remains the most mysterious organ we have. We’re fortunate to have neurochemistry that, in most cases, offers a way out, though that same chemistry influences far more than just psychotic symptoms, bringing both benefits and side effects in equal measure.

And since everyone seems so intent on debating faith, it's worth noting that modern psychology and psychiatry often find themselves at odds with religious belief, ranging from views on sexuality to the fundamental question of what constitutes reality. 😉☕

So, what does "real life" actually consist of? What even is life?
It's just an endless stream of questions, isn't it? A billion different answers for a billion different people. We can save the deep dive into spirituality and philosophy for another time.
Right now, I am focusing on the gray area—that thin line between a person who is struggling mentally and someone who is considered healthy.
I am talking about the generally accepted standards of the environment we all live in.
Then there is this other thing: how a person transforms themselves into something that fits their specific circumstances, for whatever reasons they might have.
Add in some good presentation skills, and suddenly we have ourselves a whole new topic to chew on.
But really, we are dealing with something much deeper here.😉