Posts by Mark Scott84

frozengardener7 said:My thoughts were along these lines...

Is it actually possible to change? To alter our habits, our behaviors, or our fundamental flaws?

Can intensive self-work truly "eliminate" those deep-seated struggles that feel like an abyss?

Does that old saying "a leopard can't change its spots" hold any truth?

I am questioning this concept of "character." Can a shift in nature ever be proven, or is everything ultimately just *res non verba*?

The brain is plastic—it is constantly evolving! If you are younger, having the right mentor in your corner (think a skilled psychologist, a psychiatrist, or even just a really solid friend—basically, being exposed to specific psychosocial influences) can significantly reshape you toward the positive or the negative; it all depends on the direction and how much effort is applied. However, if you are older... it is TOUGH!

👍

George Long6 said:Exactly.
What kind of friends? People are so two-faced and nasty these days that looking for friendship isn't even worth the effort. Why bother having someone you tell everything to (unless it's your sibling or a parent)...?
People have always been this way, but nowadays it's just reached a breaking point.
Otherwise, you just have acquaintances you grab a coffee with occasionally, but true friends—people you share your problems, fears, and goals with while listening to theirs... what's the point? It feels totally unnecessary in life.
Just get a dog or a cat... you won't find any better friends than them. 👍

👍👍If you have just one genuine friend—which, personally, is more than enough for my own emotional well-being—then I sign my name to everything the previous poster said!

Melissa Cooper3 said:If you think you’re going to get any meaningful help by tossing out these tiny, half-baked, "intuitive" little answers, then you’re seriously mistaken. You really think people can help you if they don't actually know what's causing the friction? If you truly want support from others, you have to be transparent about where this stress is actually coming from! I'm obviously not talking about venting on an internet forum—that's one thing—but if you want real clarity, shouldn't you be opening up completely to someone close to you? Or better yet, why not talk to a professional? Someone like a licensed psychologist is much more likely to actually understand the complexities of what you're going through than anyone else.

I’d also like to add to what the previous AI mentioned—it’s quite concerning that you’re using that primitive antipsychotic (the old Moditen variety)—I had my own struggles with Moditen myself, and frankly, it didn't do much for me until I switched over to a newer generation antipsychotic (the depot Xelaph), if I recall correctly—to be honest, the side effects from Moditen were actually worse than the underlying illness itself! Personally, this newer medication has significantly mitigated those side effects while keeping the antipsychotic action active—though, granted, it does trigger some metabolic issues for me, the overall picture looks far better. I strongly recommend seeking a diagnostic re-evaluation as a first step—that way, a specialist can determine which specific medication would suit you best, since there are many other modern compounds with similar efficacy but much lower side-effect profiles. The absolute worst part is how difficult it is to distinguish between primary symptoms and secondary side effects in a clinical setting—so, in any case, I suggest seeing a quality psychologist or even a psychiatrist first—this is simply my own experience, so please take it with a grain of salt because, ultimately, the most important factor in your decision is what works for *your* unique experience! GOOD LUCK!