Posts by Michelle Evans

Robin Lopez2 said:That’s exactly why I believe—if you look at it from the opposite perspective—that every believer is a potential schizophrenic. There is always that underlying possibility that the illness could manifest in all its full glory, even if it doesn't necessarily happen that way.

The logic is inverted. 🙂
It would be more accurate to say that every person with schizophrenia is a potential "believer." I put that in quotes because we aren't talking about traditional religion here. It's more about having a framework where a person's delusions can actually find a place to fit. But religiousness itself doesn't "cause" schizophrenia.

It’s the same with any lifestyle or personal philosophy an individual holds. Take vegetarianism, for example. In some cases, it isn't just a diet; it becomes a collection of rituals that serve as their own purpose. To an outsider, it looks like a deeply committed lifestyle choice, so people often just label them as eccentric.

@klikaklik, I don't take anything you write personally, so I hope this comes across in the right spirit. Some behaviors are indeed symptoms, but that doesn't apply to everything a person does. It isn't helpful to use an illness to justify every single action, and it isn't fair for those around the person to label every behavior as a symptom either. Honestly, it's quite patronizing and contributes to the stigma. It's also unfair if the individual uses their condition to excuse their actions toward others. That just leads to a passive attitude toward recovery...

Four years after a breakup, it might be time to embrace the choices you made back then—since being in that relationship was your decision—and acknowledge that it was a turbulent, destructive chapter. Finding peace with your past self is how you close that door. As for your ex and their issues, they are in the past now... leave them be.

John Perez8, most psychotic episodes involve religious delusions.

Regarding your ex, there's no way for anyone here to know if he actually had schizophrenia. He might have, or perhaps it was a different psychotic disorder—since schizophrenia isn't the only one involving psychosis. It’s entirely possible for an illness to manifest so subtly that it goes undetected for a lifetime, with people simply labeling someone as "eccentric." Or, he may have just been within the realm of normal. Not every deviation from social norms is a clinical disorder. And honestly, even if you could know for sure, how would it change anything for you?

People living with mental illness truly are sick; they aren't just going through a rough patch or feeling unlucky. There is a massive difference between being "crazy" and having actual schizophrenia. It’s like when people claim they’re feeling a bit depressed today. They haven't experienced true clinical depression.
If you believe you are omnipotent, invincible, or chosen by God to reveal great truths; if you feel you have a special mission to announce once the world is ready—yet you're the one deciding when the world is ready and who deserves to hear it; if you see blue where things are clearly brown, or see movement where everything is static; if you hear voices speaking to you, believe everyone is part of a massive conspiracy against you, think license plate numbers are secret codes, or lose track of what day it is or whether it's night or day... and so much more... then yes, it's very likely you're dealing with schizophrenia (or something else on the psychotic spectrum).

No one is perfectly healthy. The reality is that we only talk about illness when symptoms start manifesting to the point that they disrupt a person's ability to function in daily life...

Nicole Barrett76 said:Is it not true that most of us have at least a few individuals toward whom we feel an instinctive inability to resist, or at the very least, find it significantly harder to stand against? Even for those who appear outwardly bold and courageous, they often possess the skill to mask such vulnerabilities quite expertly. However, I wonder, does there exist anyone in whom we lack such profound deference, especially when faced with a psychotic episode—someone so trusted that the individual might actually allow themselves to be forcibly taken to the hospital? I am certainly not claiming to know for certain if you represent such a rare exception, but when dealing with a state of psychosis, I would consider being that exception to be an incredibly positive quality.

It wasn't really about me. I was just there, holding the candle, so to speak...

But I'm not the only example. I know someone else who has been through it. Of course, it doesn't mean it works for everyone, but it clearly isn't impossible. It's just that people often feel lost in those moments, which is understandable, so they wait for someone else to step up or assume they're helpless. You always have to try first and see if it's doable...

velvetjackal28 said:It truly means a great deal to me to hear those words from you all. I suppose it does make things feel slightly more manageable when someone else validates a decision that feels a bit... questionable, if only to provide a sense that perhaps I'm moving in the right direction.
Let’s just try to make it through the weekend; Monday is when everything really kicks off...

That’s the only fair way to handle this. There aren't any other options.

If waiting until Monday feels too heavy, you can always head out sooner. Emergency psychiatric services are open 24/7 and you don't need a referral. I'm not sure if you're currently in New York City, but if you are, just head to the nearest facility near where you live—they won't turn you away regardless of which one you choose.

Larry Lewis said:Look, you really need to get your mother to a hospital—and I mean right now—because the longer someone stays stuck in a psychotic break, the steeper the uphill battle for recovery becomes. Trust me on this, I’m speaking from experience; I didn't check myself in back when I was completely losing my grip on reality—and let me tell you, I was 100% out there—and even now, four years later, I'm still working through the aftermath of it all.

Oh, I forgot to mention something crucial. That's how our doctors explained it to us.

If her first breakdown happened a year or two ago and she stopped taking her medication immediately after being discharged, there's a very high chance she's been in a psychotic state this entire time.

velvetjackal28 said:Michelle Evans, you are absolutely right, and please don't worry because I truly understand where you're coming from. It’s just that every difficult decision seems to require some kind of outside perspective—perhaps someone to just give you a firm nudge and say, "Yes, exactly what you're dreading is what needs to happen." It's about being told that YOU have to be the one to step up, to force the issue, and to insist on getting your parent into the hospital until they improve, assuming there really isn't any other option. I suppose accepting that is the hardest part. I find myself praying to Bill Gates to somehow find a simpler, easier way around this, though deep down, I suspect there isn't one. There's no escaping this reality, I guess. So, it looks like the next stop is the hospital.

I know how much weight this decision carries; it's an incredibly stressful situation. When it involves a parent or someone close to you, the pressure feels even heavier. In the beginning, you always second-guess whether you're doing the right thing, but eventually, clarity comes. It’s never easy, but you learn how to navigate the process...

Wishing you strength through all of this, and I hope everything turns out okay.

Just feeling a bit under the weather today... As follows:
Getting her to see a doctor isn't even on the table right now. She’s convinced she isn't sick, so any attempt to help just turns into a massive argument... She sees herself as the victim, while the rest of us are labeled as "negatives" or just plain ignorant...

It’s the same story with anyone experiencing psychosis; this situation isn't any different. When I suggested getting her to a doctor, I didn't mean you should beg her to go... I meant you load her in the car and head straight to the ER. You don't even have to tell her where you're going. I realize that lying and saying you're just heading out for a drive or visiting friends feels pretty pathetic, but sometimes that's just how it is. In my view, it beats waiting for her to do something reckless and having to wait for the police or an ambulance to arrive. It’s one option, and it works in practice. Another way—which worked in my own experience—is simply telling her she isn't well and that you're taking her to the hospital, leaving no room for debate or negotiation. This only works if there's someone she views as an authority figure whom she won't dare defy. Again, you just get her in the car, and it's best if more than one person goes along with her...

What does "psychosis" even mean in this context? She doesn't just have occasional episodes... she lives by that conviction every single day...

What is the current status of the psychosis? Once they stop believing their own family members are CIA spies—which will happen with the right therapy—the psychotic state will finally subside...

I have a doctor's appointment scheduled, but even if they come out for a home visit, I'm worried it won't lead anywhere... She might just see it as an attempt to mislead her...

Just leave it to your primary care physician and coordinate everything through them. It doesn't make much sense to rule out an option before you even know what it is...
What if she views this as nothing more than a setup? She’s at a point where even a delivery driver knocking on the door could feel like part of some massive conspiracy...
If a family doctor determines that someone qualifies for inpatient care because they fall into a high-risk category—specifically those who pose a danger to themselves or others—you can call 911 to have them transported to the hospital...

At the very least, I hope she reaches a point where she starts questioning those wild ideas of hers... and finally agrees to take her medication...

I’m not trying to scare you, nor am I being pessimistic—I can tell you right now that this simply won't happen. She isn't going to question her own delusions when they feel like her absolute reality. You can't exactly talk someone into taking medication when they truly believe they're perfectly healthy... Nothing here is going to change on its own, unless things take a turn for the worse...

I have one more question. How should I handle it when she starts diving into conspiracy theories? I always try to tell her she's wrong, but I feel like I'm just pushing her away... I'm worried she'll eventually just shut down and stop talking to everyone.

Regarding this, I’ve actually picked up several different perspectives from doctors. Some suggest confronting her directly, while others say it's better to just ignore it and change the subject once she brings it up. It really depends on the specific situation and how she's feeling at the moment. Right now, given her current state, arguing with her probably won't achieve much. It might just hurt her feelings, making her feel misunderstood and causing her to lose trust in you. You don't have to encourage the behavior by playing along, either. My approach would be to gently steer the conversation elsewhere when she starts going down those rabbit holes. Once she receives the right treatment and things begin to stabilize, you'll be able to figure out the best way to move forward...

velvetjackal28 said:Hello everyone!

I am a newcomer to this forum; I stumbled upon this community while searching for information regarding schizophrenia, as my mother has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. To be honest, I am hoping to ask for some advice concerning doctor visits and medication management. I would really love to handle this in a way that is as painless as possible for her, though it seems like that might not be an easy feat. It feels like the more we attempt to discuss it, the more she resists. In short... her diagnosis was made about a year or two ago after she ended up in a hospital ward. Since we haven't lived together, the whole situation felt quite surreal to me at first—I honestly thought perhaps she was just dealing with deep depression due to some heavy life circumstances. However, once she sat me down to explain what was happening, everything became much clearer. Without getting too carried away, I have read many similar stories here on the forum, some of which seem to overlap perfectly with our experience. For instance, the theories about intelligence agencies, government agencies, people wanting to kill her, being constantly followed, being poisoned, or threats against those around her... basically, she believes all of us (and I am even starting to wonder if I am part of it now) are part of a system designed to destroy her, and that everything is tainted. Even as I type this, she is running from room to room because she thinks she hears helicopters outside... When she was hospitalized, she started taking medication and her condition did improve, but immediately after she was discharged, she stopped taking them and won't touch them now. She refuses to even hear the word "doctor," let alone the word "schizophrenia." I simply cannot convince her to see a physician; am I truly forced to wait until the situation escalates and something tragic happens? Please, if anyone could offer any advice... preferably as soon as possible.
😢

If there isn't an immediate danger to anyone, options for involuntary psychiatric commitment are fairly limited.

Reach out to her primary care physician and talk things through with them. They might be able to perform a home visit under a different pretext, then use their assessment and your observations to write a referral for hospital treatment. For specific details on what's possible in this exact situation, definitely consult her doctor first.

Alternatively, you or another family member could take her directly to the psychiatric ER. It’s often much easier if someone she trusts or respects accompanies her. Just keep in mind, someone in a psychotic state won't just decide to see a doctor on their own, no matter how much people try to convince them...

Once she stabilizes, staying consistent with medication is everything, which requires a strong support system. If she's left to her own devices and still believes she isn't ill, a relapse is almost inevitable. The family usually needs to help manage the medication schedule. There is also the option of long-acting injectable therapy, which a doctor might recommend once a month or every two weeks. This is typically used for patients who struggle with daily pills. Her psychiatrist will make that call, though...

That’s my two cents, anyway. Someone else might jump in with more ideas or a different perspective...

wiredmason56 said:I’ve been on Effexor for about a month and a half now, though I haven't been super consistent with it, which I know isn't ideal. Before this, I tried some generic skin treatments, but they didn't really do much for me. And way back, I was on Prozac, but that just made me feel totally hyperactive—kind of like having way too much caffeine running through my veins. I have a follow-up appointment coming up soon, so I’m planning to chat with my therapist about maybe adding Carbamazepine alongside this new antidepressant. What kind of meds are you taking, if you don't mind me asking?

I don't take anything.

My apologies for implying those medications weren't prescribed to you... my mistake. :mea culpa:

If I could suggest something, please head to your follow-up as soon as possible to discuss adjusting your treatment with your doctor. You might find it helpful to check out the psychopharmacology thread to read about other people's experiences with different meds...

Once your treatment starts working, getting out, moving around the city, and tackling everything others have advised will feel much more manageable. Sometimes it just takes time to find the right fit, and staying consistent is key to seeing progress...

P.S. That fear of losing your mind or losing control is something many people dealing with anxiety face...

wiredmason56 said:So, lately, I’ve just been feeling this growing sense of helplessness... like I can't really get a grip on things, even when it comes to stuff that should be totally minor. For instance, I'll be walking down the street and I get this overwhelming feeling that everyone is staring at me, just judging and whispering under their breath. Or the other day, there was some kind of emergency in the apartment building next door—police, fire department, they were literally breaking down doors. I felt this massive wave of anxiety, and part of me just desperately wanted to go see what was happening, you know? I couldn't stop thinking about it all day, wondering what's going on in that unit, because it feels like every single week there's a siren or some kind of crisis outside my window.😲 On top of everything, my closest friend fell into a coma and, sadly, passed away right around Christmas. She had been mixing all sorts of pills with beer, and it just... well, it ended that way.😢 Now, I find myself terrified that something similar might happen to me. I've started having these recurring thoughts that life isn't worth the struggle, like I'm just stuck in this dark, heavy world. I'm taking antidepressants and anti-anxiety meds, but honestly, they don't seem to be doing much of anything. I'd really appreciate any honest advice you guys might have.

How long have you been on them? And does your doctor know you're still struggling?

EDIT: Did a doctor actually prescribe these, or are you self-medicating? I ask because I saw a post where you mentioned wanting to try Carbamazepine based on its effects... that makes me wonder if this is a supervised treatment plan...

Alex Thomas27 said:A psychiatrist out in rural Alabama is actually claiming that patients with mental health issues should be kept in the dark if they get diagnosed with cancer.

Honestly, who’s the crazy one here? Doesn't a patient have the basic right to know their own medical reality?

What would you guys do if you were stuck in that position? Say you're a nurse or a doctor and you're legally or ethically obligated to break that news to someone with a mental illness?

That sounds great on paper. But I honestly can't see how doctors would explain the need for surgery, chemo, or radiation to someone who is mentally unstable without being upfront about the diagnosis...

hollowcanyon56 said:Why on earth is it such an uphill battle to check the topic history before posting... 🙂
The answer was already provided in the two posts above yours.

Does the facility on Rockefeller Boulevard accept voluntary plasma donations at the end of the street? Are you absolutely certain it's specifically plasma they're looking for? I was under the impression they only accepted whole blood there...
Someone asked earlier if there were any locations for voluntary plasma donation where no monetary compensation is given, and instead, it just goes toward your donor card.

They do.
In addition to "whole blood," they collect plasma and platelets at that location...

Timothy Cruz6 said:So other professions can be psychotherapists? But aren't psychiatrists fully trained and qualified for psychotherapy during their schooling and residency?

The first two doctors I saw just pushed pills. No real conversation, no depth. Just a "take whatever you want" attitude. One actually asked me, "Just tell me what you need."

I didn't take anything from either of them, and I've avoided them by a wide margin for years.

Now I've seen a psychiatrist who prescribed medication immediately, but she also noted that therapy would be mandatory alongside the meds once we finalize my lab work and testing. I resisted the pills at first, but after a few more incidents, I realized I had to. I'm curious to see how her "psychotherapy" actually functions, given that this isn't a private practice, but part of the public healthcare system.

Not at all. Most of them aren't actually trained for it. They have to commit to many more years of additional schooling if they want to practice psychotherapy...

Raymond Wilson4 said:If my memory serves, psychiatrists undergo psychoanalysis training during their residency. However, in practice, they lean heavily on psychopharmacology for at least two primary reasons:

1. Their fundamental model views mental distress as a direct byproduct of neurological dysfunction—such as neurotransmitter imbalances—meaning they treat the underlying biological "glitch" with medication.

2. From a purely logistical standpoint, conducting psychotherapy limits them to just a handful of patients per day. By focusing on pharmacological management, they can manage dozens of patients daily.

There are distinct differences between these two roles.
Furthermore, significant variations exist between different therapeutic modalities, much like how specialists within a single field vary.

Ultimately, you cannot simply choose any provider at random. One should avoid the sweeping generalization that all practitioners are incompetent just because a specific individual failed to meet expectations.

Not really. There are maybe ten psychiatrists qualified as classical analysts in the whole country (plus a few more in training), and only a few dozen trained for psychoanalytic psychotherapy—maybe about 40 in New York City, and probably just a couple dozen more elsewhere in the US...

EDIT: @User22, if you're having suicidal thoughts like you mentioned, it would be best to reach out to a psychiatrist. One bad experience doesn't mean they're all bad. Since you sought medical help four years ago and the issue is still there—and even getting worse—it likely won't just disappear on its own...

crimsonfox5 said:Maybe the issue isn't actually what I think it is:
Whenever there's an emergency—like an accident, a sudden illness, or some kind of natural disaster—where you really need to keep a cool head, I seem to handle it perfectly. But once the "crisis" is over, things start falling apart. I deal with sweating, shaky knees, tremors, and sometimes just unexplained crying... It usually starts anywhere from an hour to maybe 24 hours after the stressful situation ends. How do you all manage this?

The folks at the CDC explained to me that you should actually be more concerned if you *don't* have a reaction after facing an extremely stressful situation. Plus, everything others have mentioned here—it all tends to surface once the stress passes and your body finally starts to relax, letting those guard rails down. It helps to focus on relaxing activities like sports, yoga, or some form of meditation... just surround yourself with people you feel comfortable with and try to keep a steady routine...

Andrew Lopez10 said:Ugh, trying to map out my whole psychotherapeutic journey is honestly way too complicated for a single post 🤣 😁

So, I bounced from Gestalt therapy over to psychoanalysis for maybe two or three months before circling right back to Gestalt again.
Look, I get that a year might not seem like a massive amount of time to some people, but I feel like I’ve already hit the core of it—or at least, I finally see the big picture. Honestly, there’s no point in me rehashing every single specific instance because they all followed the exact same pattern: just me feeling embarrassed and alienated.

I can't tell you how many times I felt like life was actually better during that initial phase when I was still blissfully living a lie. The second I walked into therapy and finally admitted, "Everything is fake, I'm finally feeling myself," everything just went south. I became a total neurotic wreck, drowning in this sense of worthlessness that had been buried deep down until then, and now I can't even find my way back to that old sense of self-worth I used to have. It feels like I'm stuck in this loop forever 🙂

Anyway, I don't know. It sucks. 😁

PS Regarding the therapy itself, I seriously feel like we've hit a wall. There's nothing left to say, and we're just digging through the same dirt and obsessing over the same old topics over and over. We have a great rapport and we know each other inside and out, which is exactly why I'm sitting here wondering what else I'd even be doing there.

Well, if you're feeling exactly how he described above, then your impression that there's nothing left to work on is mistaken. The whole point of therapy isn't to leave you feeling worse in the end. And it certainly isn't finished just because you've built a rapport with your therapist. That's actually when the real work begins. 😬I'd say you have plenty left to tackle...

Thomas Jackson7 said:Hi everyone, does anyone here have experience with F23.2 psychotic reaction? I'd love to hear some more detailed insights if you're willing to share.

It might be helpful if you could elaborate on what specifically you're looking for, just so people can give you more useful advice.

There was actually a discussion about F23.2 (Acute schizophreniform disorder) right here on the site, which might help you out...

Michael Miller39 said:I'll admit I might be wrong, BUT... what kind of "protocol" are we even talking about? There's a patient list, a med list, some cups, and then you hand them out. I honestly don't see what part of that is complicated. All you need is thirty minutes of peace and focus, and you're done. They aren't the ones prescribing the meds; they're just supposed to distribute them. If I'm missing something here, please, enlighten me.

Also, we aren't talking about holding hands or weeping with the patient here—in fact, they *should* maintain professional distance. We are talking about actually doing the job. If your job description includes maintaining hygiene for an immobile patient, then I really don't know what excuse you can make when they find someone covered in dried feces. That doesn't just happen instantly.

There is a huge difference between keeping your distance and simply failing to do your job.

Everything said is true, and the work should be done right. But calling this job not especially difficult because of those who do it correctly is just ridiculous. Personally, I think bathing bedridden people would be hard, and turning them every day to prevent pressure sores would be exhausting. Do you really not think that’s tough?
Especially given the staffing shortages, the lack of supervision, and the absence of psychological support—because working with terminal patients is indeed mentally draining and requires support—making burnout incredibly common in this field...

Otherwise, I can't tell if it's just me, but it feels like this conversation isn't going anywhere constructive and is turning into a total smear campaign (with exceptions, of course).🤷

Personally, I've had far more good experiences than bad ones. The bad ones were negligible.
But I wouldn't generalize based on my own experience. I know there are all kinds out there, some doing the work with heart and others who just wandered into the profession by mistake...

redtrucker2 said:@driftinggull21 Look, can I just walk into any private psychiatrist's office and demand they write me a private prescription for Seroquel without even having a medical history on file?

That sounds a bit like wishful thinking to me...
No doctor, whether they're in private practice or not, is going to write you a prescription just because you asked for it...

Kyle Lee7 said:I'm not sure where you're getting that from, but I have to disagree.
I've been going to therapy regularly using my insurance for several years now, once a week.
(And there are a few other people on this forum, plus some people I know personally, who do the same)
What's more, there is an entire clinic that focuses primarily on psychotherapy—all covered by insurance.

I am employed, and being unemployed isn't a prerequisite for receiving therapy.

I earn more than enough to afford a private therapist; however, meeting and starting work with my current one happened by chance (if anyone believes in coincidences), and since I'm happy with our progress, I haven't even considered looking for someone private—and why would I? The idea that high-quality medical services in America can only be obtained through private practice, while public providers are somehow inferior, is just another urban legend.

Rebecca Scott3 doesn't write for RH.😉

Because of that, this whole debate about pricing and comparing other services to psychotherapy just doesn't hold water here... It never really made sense before, and it certainly doesn't now, since we're constantly hearing "well, over there it's like this" or "over there it's like that," when this context is specific to us... while here isn't RH, yet we find ourselves responding based on how things work in America.

@Rebecca Scott3:
It would be helpful if you clarified that you aren't providing data specifically for RH. When you don't, it just creates confusion and misunderstanding... people end up having to read between the lines just to guess what you mean.

The landscape for psychotherapy and the state of the profession in America functions in a way that could be completely different from any other country.

In America, you can access therapy through an insurance referral.
You can get consistent, long-term care regardless of your financial situation—it's not just limited to those with zero income or those with specific diagnoses.
The demand is massive, and because therapists are in such high demand, you might not get someone exactly when you want them, but it's certainly not impossible to find help.
Oh, and I should mention, that package includes psychoanalytic therapy. For any other type, you pay out of pocket and see a private practitioner (though you can always go to a private specialist for psychoanalysis too, if you can afford it).

Therapy is a deeply serious undertaking, both for the therapist and the client alike.

It seems like many people on this thread—including those who have been on both sides of the couch—are still stuck on the idea that therapists need to be flawless. There’s this notion that they should be perfect not just in the office, but in their private lives too, as if being human would somehow compromise their ability to work. But I know plenty of professionals who function incredibly well precisely because they aren't perfect; they admit they're constantly working on themselves, just like anyone else...

As for the billing aspect... I haven't noticed anyone else being judged for working for a paycheck or having a career that pays the bills.

....maybe it's unrealistic to expect more....but can someone tell me if you're truly okay with seeing a psychotherapist who does nothing more than take your money......

That’s why you start with an initial consultation. You lay out your concerns, learn how the process works, discuss what you expect from them, and what they expect from you. From there, you both decide if it's a good fit to move forward together.