Posts by Taylor Campbell4

Enchantress said:You clearly haven't been part of our community here. Honestly, if you hadn't mentioned being schizophrenic in your posts, I doubt anyone would have even suspected it while reading them. Now that we know, though—well, it doesn't change how we feel about you.

To be perfectly honest, I don't think any of us are entirely free from prejudice—not even when we think we are. I won't go into my own biases regarding outtheoftheblue, as that isn't really the point, nor will I swear that there aren't people among us with slightly different minds (and their accompanying diagnoses) who don't participate in these psychological threads quite as candidly—though I am quite observant of it, if not exceptionally so.

If I were prone to a bit of "paranoia"—and since I don't know outtheoftheblue at all, having heard some rather unpleasant things about her (as well as other folks dealing with schizophrenia)—I might actually be afraid to share a room with her at night. 😬 (Well, I mean, theoretically speaking—if certain conditions were met.)$$

Ultimately, it's all there: the stigma. Whether it's someone with long hair, someone who stammers, or whoever else, everyone carries some sort of label because no mind is truly free from forming preconceived notions about others. However, for the person "carrying that stigma," it isn't particularly productive or helpful to constantly analyze how people react to them. One shouldn't dwell on it; rather, one should accept it and realize that the individual is often just as biased toward others as the world is toward them.

What matters much more is how that person views themselves—specifically, trying to adopt a fairer, more balanced perspective toward their own struggles and flaws. That, in turn, inevitably influences everything else, including the environment (which eventually adopts that same attitude from the individual).

briskgull27 said:That's a great point—it isn't a coincidence, and it doesn't necessarily have to be physical in nature, either. It could be something non-material. 🙂 And when I say "underlying factors," I'm not talking about family dynamics or home life.

I didn't mean to imply it was just luck, though I wouldn't rule out life circumstances or past traumas—those certainly play a role. But even then, those are just triggers; the root cause lies within the individual itself—as Bema mentioned, and I won't go into too much detail.

Dana Brooks3, here is one more 👍 from my side—I’ll let this stand as the default for now, though I might reach out if I find myself disagreeing with anything later on. 😉 🙂

Gregory Young3 said:It’s definitely a chemical imbalance. I was actually watching a documentary on mental health disorders just the other day. The current medical consensus is moving toward the idea that all mental health issues are essentially just different degrees of chemical imbalances.
Schizophrenia, for instance, would be considered one of the most severe levels. Before that, you have things like bipolar disorder—though there are a thousand different ways to categorize them now. But that's the general idea.

By the way, I'm not sure if anyone caught that show hosted by Mirjana Rakić. They were discussing the link between THC (marijuana use) and schizophrenia, specifically psychosis. They mentioned that for people with a certain predisposition—especially teenagers—it can cause permanent changes in the brain because THC affects serotonin and those neural pathways.

I don't think there's anything "obvious" here—as in, it isn't just a given that one thing causes another.

Even if we accept that a chemical imbalance is part of a broader treatment plan, they aren't really providing much in terms of actual solutions. I mean, what's the root cause of that imbalance? Is it just random chance?

Right now, we're seeing two different scientific paradigms clashing, and because of that, treatment methods haven't fully evolved to match the newer school of thought.
However, a small group of pioneers in this field are far more informed about these nuances than the average person—and even more so than the average professional.

Brenda Cook4 said:Tell me, Dana Brooks3, based on how you write—I get the feeling you might even work in this field professionally—what do you think are the actual triggers for schizophrenia?

Specifically, do you believe (as much as modern medicine suggests) that this condition is strictly a brain disorder? Like, just a simple chemical imbalance that's treated almost entirely with medication?

Yeah, I'm curious about that too.

And I agree—when it comes to severe mental illness, 99.99% of those alternative types (think healers, especially those bioenergy folks and Reiki practitioners) don't have much to offer. Though, I can't say I'm entirely certain about that—I'm not 100% sure Reiki doesn't help at all, even if I don't hold a particularly high opinion of it (especially regarding the masses of Reiki teachers out there).

But there are other alternative techniques; you can certainly find information online about treating schizophrenia that way. (Those same alternative methods were mentioned in the link I shared earlier.)

Dana Brooks3 said:The third advantage is intellect and reason. That is the key player in systemic problem-solving—one should invest all their capacity there to break out of the cycle.

👍

Dana Brooks3 said:Just one more little thought while I'm sitting here thinking about you.

Basically, it seems to me that when someone is as true to themselves as you are—because it doesn't matter who refills your prescriptions or drives you to the hospital and checks you in—they are simply following their nature. Your nature, who you truly are, defines how you relate to everything you're going through.
Your strength lies in being energetic, lively, and spirited by nature. So, no matter how this illness tries to play games with you, you find ways to push back during those moments when you aren't feeling completely broken or defeated...
A third advantage is your intellect. That’s the key player in systematic problem-solving, where you should really pour all your energy to break out of this cycle.
I don't mean you can change your fundamental nature. Or that you can just reason your way out of mental imbalances. Reason is for control... in the sense that... it can help manage the behavioral patterns that contribute to the illness and its impact on your life and personality over time.
There are psychotherapies designed for exactly that kind of deep, systematic self-work that lasts for years.
I honestly don't know who does what or where in America, since I've only lived here for a year and a half.
I'm not sure if I missed something you already wrote about this somewhere.
I don't know what kind of therapy they offer in the hospitals here. Whether they educate you on the mechanics of the disease, how the medications work, or train you to observe how and when you react to your surroundings and your meds... and then gradually learn to control all of that.
I assume they do, and I apologize if I'm repeating myself.
But even if they don't, I know you likely understand quite a bit about all of this already...
I just wanted to say that if you focus on those things and head in that direction... I believe you can help yourself.

👍
It sounds like you're making some very valid points. However, I worry that psychiatric care in the US can be just as lackluster as other medical fields, often failing to provide the kind of holistic treatment (like the link I shared a few pages ago) that is so necessary.
People often claim that our healthcare system is decent because we have cutting-edge surgical technology, which is true in a sense. But when it comes to actual therapy and long-term treatment, I feel like we are lagging far behind—especially outside of major hubs like New York City, which I've observed, though thank God I haven't had to experience it personally.

And private psychologists, whether they are actually experts or not, charge an absolute fortune for a 45-minute session, making them totally inaccessible to most people who actually need them. 🙄 It's pathetic. That's the reality right now—it's grim—but I try to remain an optimist...

@briskgull27

Regarding what you said about feeling like people are mocking you when they try to praise you—honestly, I have that exact same trait. It was even more pronounced back when I was in high school. It's clearly just a lack of self-confidence, plain and simple.

Do they educate you on the mechanisms of the illness, on understanding how medications work, or equip you to independently observe how and when you react to your surroundings and your meds?

Honestly, this is the worst part—doctors, by definition, rarely say anything at all, barring a few rare exceptions, regardless of their specialty. Nothing. Zero. Whether they don't actually understand the underlying mechanisms of the disease, haven't been trained to explain them, or simply lack the time, I can't say. Or perhaps a small minority just play deaf when you ask—I’ve certainly dealt with that myself. I once had color blindness discovered during a routine checkup, and I didn't even have to prompt the doctor; she just started writing things down. When I politely asked for clarification—as I always do—she just stared back in silence. It was incredibly dismissive. 🙄 🤣
Doctors here seem to offer next to nothing, even when they have the time. It feels like most aren't used to communicating, and frankly, many have a terrible bedside manner when it comes to explaining things to patients.

I’m running the latest version of the Metropolitan Opera browser myself, and I’ve never run into that issue. You might want to try asking around on some tech forums instead;

restlesstrucker86 said:I've always been kind of terrified of mental health issues, I guess...
Not sure why, but those illnesses where you look fine on the outside while everything is falling apart inside just freak me out.
Luckily, none of my inner circle—family or friends—have ever dealt with anything like that.

If I'm being honest about my fears—and I have been quite fearful at times—it’s more that I worry about a child being born with severe physical disabilities or developmental delays. While I know some people are terrified of mental illness (honestly, everyone is afraid of something; I was browsing an American health forum recently and seeing why people go to the doctor actually made me feel sick myself 😬), that specific fear isn't really something I resonate with.

I find myself much more preoccupied with those small, everyday anxieties 😬 🙂

brighteagle39 said:There is really no need to descend into hysteria or start panicking. It seems to me that your child isn't opening up because they likely felt your initial reaction was a bit too intense, causing them to shut down entirely. You should try to sit them down and gently explain that they haven't actually done anything wrong. It might help to walk them through the concept of adult phone services—explaining that some people engage in those types of calls simply as a way to earn money by talking to others, using language that fits their level of understanding.

I agree—it’s vital to try and create an environment of total openness before you even start talking. If it's a boy—which I assume is the case 😁—perhaps having a father figure handle the chat might help, whether that's a dad, an uncle, or an older brother. You have to approach this without any hesitation or judgment; otherwise, the child picks up on that tension and starts building walls. It helps to be direct: tell them these things are expensive and that they shouldn't be calling. If they're curious about the industry, suggest they ask questions now so they can understand what kind of career paths might be available once they've grown up—they just need to practice a little patience for now.

Quote : Cognitive Therapy: Cognitive therapy is also known as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Cognitive behavioural therapy focuses on how our underlying beliefs, thoughts, and internal dialogue drive our actions. When applied to schizophrenia symptoms, CBT works to help individuals recognize the inconsistencies within their delusions while building practical tools to manage persistent symptoms.

Source http://www.sfnsw.org.au/consumers/recovery.htm

This is essentially what I was getting at in that other thread—I think it was the one where that girl was listing out all her various delusions. People called me an idiot back then. But there's actual substance here: Cognitive Therapy.

http://www.sfnsw.org.au/consumers/recovery.htm

Here is an interesting link regarding schizophrenia treatment—though I’m honestly not sure how much practical value you'll find in the content. They do touch upon some alternative therapies, too.

I actually know a medical doctor—or maybe he's a psychologist, I can't quite remember—who is also a true master of yoga. And I don't mean just the basic stretching and exercise kind; I mean the real deal. He could be a solid, reliable source for anyone looking into alternative approaches to managing schizophrenia. (The man doesn't even charge for his advice or services.)

He has an incredible amount of knowledge and experience with various ancient techniques. He's incredibly responsible, so he would never suggest anything that might actually cause harm, and as I mentioned, he does have a medical degree. He travels to Washington, D.C. every two weeks to give different lectures.

briskgull27 said:🎉
I mean, let’s be honest, we’re all a little bit crazy, aren't we?
Check out this conspiracy theory I've got for you: Imagine if I actually called up ABC News to film a segment on schizophrenia.
They show up, they set up the cameras, we grab a coffee.
But here's the catch.
The producers would probably insist on filming me with a blurred face and a distorted voice. Can you imagine? It would be
way too shocking for people to see my actual face,
and honestly, it could really mess with my life.🙂
So, I guess I'll just stick to the fringes of science for now.

So, what was your part in that segment? Man, I really regret missing it. That one guy from the schizophrenia feature—the friend I mentioned in that other thread—he seemed to have a milder version of it. He didn't mention anything about them blurring his face (though, to be fair, I didn't ask him much. He's originally from NYC anyway)

That was actually about six months ago, maybe a little later, I can't quite remember. 🙄

I've been catching up on this thread lately, and it's honestly fascinating. briskgull27, you're awesome 🙂 ,sending you good vibes through everything 👍 (hopefully it's not all for nothing 😠 😎 )

Jesse Hayes2 said:Honestly, what is there even to say about comments like these? It’s pretty obvious these people don't have the slightest clue what mental illness actually entails, because if they did, they wouldn't be out here peddling such incredibly moronic advice and half-baked conclusions 😉

I think we can all agree that stupidity knows no bounds. 😉

A-ha, that’s pretty much what I was thinking.

A friend of mine—well, an acquaintance—is actually on some modern therapy; just one pill a day, though it's quite large (not really, but you get my point)—and he's doing totally fine. It’s supposedly a newer treatment, so hopefully the side effects aren't too brutal, and he's been using it for a while now. I didn't grill him for details or anything, but I know he even attended a psychiatry convention once or some other thing like that.

urbanwalker22 said:It’s all just madness, isn't it? Once you decide to cut ties, you really cut them. That nagging little voice telling you, "Oh, just go ahead, do it," eventually just falls silent.
It all started when I’d be up in the middle of the night, pounding on doors because I was convinced some imaginary soulmate was about to walk through. My parents would wake up, and even after they spent ages trying to convince me that nobody was coming—telling me to just go back to sleep—I’d find myself up again, knocking away. Eventually, they just put me in the car and drove me straight to a clinic in suburban Chicago. Even during the drive, there was this internal voice—though maybe it wasn't even mine 🙂—whispering that everything would turn out fine, and that my mother would be the one staying at the facility in Chicago, not me. Honestly, I’m still a bit stunned that I’m actually the one staying here now.
Heading to bed. Fingers crossed for work!!!!

I see... I get it. Maybe it’s actually a good idea to nurture that inner voice—the observant, more analytical one, if you ask me. It helps to distinguish reality from illusion. Now that things have settled down, I realize everyone lives by certain illusions—so many of them, actually—that don't align with reality, though they're just more socially acceptable or "normal." Like someone thinking they're a genius or always being right, for instance; I can't think of anything else off the top of my head.

The fingers are crossed and ready! 🙂.

PS: This reminds me of when I was a kid; I had an older sister, six years my senior, and she used to constantly say, "Keep your fingers crossed for this" or "Keep them crossed for that." I took her so seriously that I’d actually follow her lead, and I think I used to ask her specifically what time I was supposed to start keeping my fingers crossed. 😁)

So, what time should we keep our fingers crossed? 🙂

Look, if you truly believe you're some kind of savior—trying to step in and solve everyone's problems all at once 😁—but then find yourself feeling completely burnt out or just plain lazy, well, maybe it’s time to face reality and admit you aren't the savior you thought you were. 😁 🙂
(It’s a lot like thinking you're the CEO of a Fortune 500 company; if you don't get at least ten urgent business calls on your cell within the first hour, you might want to start questioning your credentials. :d )

briskgull27 said:Who really knows
I’ve just reached a point where I don't care anymore
since I feel like I'm already gone inside
If God actually existed, He would have taken me at seventeen—but we all know that isn't the case😕 🙄 😎 😉 👍 😉 😎 🙄 😕

😕

(I fixed my typos in the post where I asked you that...)

urbanwalker22 said:I’m doing alright, I guess. Starting a new job tomorrow... I’m just praying it doesn't turn into a rerun of last time, because I completely lost my mind just two weeks after starting my first gig.
I’m still playing back the whole tape in my head, obsessing over everything I said or did, because some of it feels so incredibly real. Like, that part about things syncing up to my computer at home... I honestly can't tell if I was actually tripping or not. Probably was, but then again, anything is possible these days, right?

I forgot to mention earlier how great it is that you found work. Honestly, it’s a luxury people without these kinds of struggles wouldn't understand.

And don't even get me started on those psychiatrist fees—it's absolute robbery. In my opinion, they're just greedy opportunists, much like certain lawyers, except they hide their greed even better behind a professional mask... (I wanted to start a whole thread about whether it's even ethical for them to charge those kinds of numbers, but I didn't quite have the energy to dive into it..)

I still find myself replaying everything in my head—all those things I was convinced were true—because some of it felt so incredibly real.

Just curious—do you think it's possible to laugh at those delusions you had? Personally, I think that would be a pretty healthy way to look at it. Just a way of accepting yourself and your own past.

briskgull27 said:"And why are you always heading back to the hospital? What happens when you go?"

Haha, well, I just wanted to be like John Nash🙂 🙂
though I’m definitely not a genius on his level.
I stopped taking my meds—straight to the hospital, right? If you don't stay on top of things, you'll end up facing the People's Court.
I haven't had to visit a hospital since 2004, ever since I started taking lithium and everything else every single day.
It took me forever to finally accept that being a totally normal person includes taking medication.

Haha, well, I just wanted to be like John Nash🙂 🙂
though I’m definitely not a genius on his level.
I stopped taking my meds—straight to the hospital, right? If you don't stay on top of things, you'll end up facing the People's Court.
I haven't had to visit a hospital since 2004, ever since I started taking lithium and everything else every single day.
It took me forever to finally accept that being a totally normal person includes taking medication.

Haha, well, I just wanted to be like John Nash🙂 🙂
though I’m definitely not a genius on his level.
I stopped taking my meds—straight to the hospital, right? If you don't stay on top of things, you'll end up facing the People's Court.
I haven't had to visit a hospital since 2004, ever since I started taking lithium and everything else every single day.
It took me forever to finally accept that being a totally normal person includes taking medication.
So, what happens if you just decide to skip them? Do people just notice you're off your meds, or does someone actually report you? I don't see how else they'd find out.

urbanwalker22 said:I’m currently on Zyprexa in the mornings and taking Lamictal at night... because I hit a total breaking point. I went through this massive depressive episode once everything just let go of me—that moment when I finally realized the world keeps spinning exactly the same way, no matter how many lives I tried to "save" while working at the hospital.

So, the delusions have subsided, but now you're dealing with depression instead, right? Did this shift happen recently?
Are you seeing a therapist or anything?

briskgull27 said:Once for all those hallucinations, whereas I deal with them constantly.
Man, I used to have hallucinations too—ugh, they were always sexual in nature.
I would move to the VA hospital in a heartbeat, but the facility in Queens has much better access, and the Subway is right there.

Why do you end up back in the hospital so often? What usually triggers it?