Nicole Barrett76 said:Despite their extensive education, their direct work with people, and their vast experience, psychiatrists can often turn out to be incredibly egotistical individuals driven by a thirst for power; they cling to the notion that their recollection of your session is the only absolute truth, and when you attempt to question why they said or did a specific thing during a previous appointment, the mere act of seeking clarity can inflict profound emotional pain.
I find myself unable to stop ruminating on the words and actions of my ego-driven therapist from our last session, and I am convinced that attempting to seek any explanation for her behavior regarding our recent encounters will only serve to deepen my suffering. Therefore, I believe the most prudent course of action is to sever ties with her without offering any explanation whatsoever.
Furthermore, when one finds oneself expecting a meaningful dialogue with such an egoist—someone whose function is paramount in my life and whose conversation is vital—one might consider secretly recording the interaction and creating a transcription, which could then be password-protected; thus, when I return to them with a question and they claim they never uttered certain words, I could simply present a large-print transcript to them so they may read it easily and immediately, thereby preventing them from hiding behind the excuse of "context."
It sounds Orwellian, does it not, but is it not also utterly terrifying? And precisely because it feels so daunting, I never developed the habit of secretly recording conversations, and now, in light of these circumstances, I feel a deep sense of regret for lacking that precaution.
And yet, psychiatrists still have the audacity to feel victimized, sorrowful, or indignant when they observe a patient cycling through several different doctors over the course of many years.
The truth is, they just don't get it.
Looking at the arguments > makes in his writings, it’s pretty easy to see why they're so lost. > goes even further, calling psychiatry a pseudoscience and arguing that psychiatrists shouldn't even be considered medical doctors.
Personally, I think for severe mental illnesses, you definitely need psychiatry and a psychiatrist. I'd absolutely include > in that category. But running to a psychiatrist for every little thing that crosses your mind? To me, that's nonsense. It's a waste of time for the patients, and it leads to psychiatrists taking on everyone as a patient, which opens the door to corruption, overprescribing meds for things they aren't needed for, and all sorts of other issues.
nimblemaker5 said:Why do People with Schizophrenia see Things (Schizophrenia Explained)?
Speaking of Vincent van Gogh, there was actually a wonderful film made quite recently featuring Willem Dafoe... The movie is truly excellent; it depicts his time spent at a psychiatric hospital...
Speaking of Vincent van Gogh, there was that great movie made recently starring Willem Dafoe... It’s actually a fantastic film; it really dives into that period he spent staying at a psychiatric hospital...
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Basically? They haven't got a clue.
They don't really have a handle on how to classify these mental health disorders, let alone define them properly. And don't even get me started on their actual understanding of what these conditions entail...
Jamie Adams6 said:Was the intro post supposed to be negative or what? — asking because I work the same way and honestly can't imagine doing things any differently. You say you want it to be different, but I bet you don't even know why you're feeling that way. It's like wanting surprises when you open a gift, not in a daily life that—let's face it—you've organized to suit yourself perfectly.
Life truly begins the moment you step outside your comfort zone.
If you actually went out and ate some hallucinogenic mushrooms, you’d end up checking into a psych ward, and honestly, it would change the entire course of your life forever.
Joseph Bailey41 said:If I recall correctly, he ended up leaving, and the specialist just thought the whole thing was hilarious.
Man, our healthcare system is a mess. 🙏
Because of my line of work, I spent a massive amount of time running through countless psychological evaluations back before things started getting difficult for me.
I remember back in the day, if you were taking an exam for the military and circled the wrong letter on a personality test, they’d pull you in for an immediate interview right then and there.
Nowadays, it feels like some doctors—not all of them, obviously—treat mental illness like it's some kind of joke. 🤦
mistybison said:I believe it is important to distinguish between two different states of mind:
1) Intrusive suicidal ideation characterized by a sense of total hopelessness. This is when a person feels they have lost control over their own thoughts and can't redirect them, seeing death as the only escape from darkness and suffering. This state is a red alert; if someone finds themselves here, they need to seek professional help immediately.
2) Considering suicide as a potential solution to an overwhelming life crisis. This usually follows a major failure, a deep disappointment, or a significant loss—situations where a person struggles to see a constructive way forward after intense existential reflection. This type of crisis isn't necessarily an immediate emergency; many Americans face these moments and overcome them either on their own or with support.
I am not a mental health professional, but it seems to me that the original poster is experiencing the second scenario: an existential crisis mixed with profound disappointment and the fear of trying again only to fail. It is difficult to speak in generalities because everyone is unique, but the goal is to find a new, meaningful philosophy to replace nihilism and pessimism—something that provides a new path or the strength to "give it one more shot."
If the author could provide a bit more specific detail, perhaps we could brainstorm some practical ways forward together. 🙂
That might be why psychological testing exists in the first place. It’s probably better to talk to a pro instead of venting everything on a forum.
The issue with pretty much any illness is getting diagnosed too late.
Honestly, it’s all about how the meds work. Based on the current hypothesis, these drugs basically block certain receptors, which helps dial down those positive symptoms—you know, things like hallucinations or losing touch with reality.
The whole dopamine hypothesis suggests that schizophrenia involves overactive dopamine levels. This idea is backed up by the fact that every effective antipsychotic out there works by blocking dopamine receptors, and their effectiveness really comes down to how strongly they bind to the D2 (DRD2) receptors in the brain.
Since antipsychotics act as receptor blockers, they actually vary quite a bit based on a few specific factors: 1) How intensely they block those dopamine D2 receptors 2) How quickly the drug detaches from the D2 receptor 3) Their affinity for other systems, like serotonin, histamine, or cholinergic ones Following the dopamine theory of schizophrenia, all the antipsychotics currently used in American clinical practice are D2 receptor antagonists. {This was established back in the '70s, and over the last 20 years, it’s been reinforced by both PET and SPECT imaging studies (Howes et al., 2009). The general consensus is that an excess of dopamine release in subcortical areas—specifically the striatum—or just heightened dopamine activity is responsible for psychotic symptoms, but also for things like mania, aggression, and tics (Correll, 2010). When looking at untreated patients with schizophrenia, they show higher dopamine levels in the synapses, meaning their striatal D2 receptors are much more occupied by dopamine compared to healthy individuals (Abi-Dargham et al., 2000). Antipsychotics essentially "cancel out" this surplus. Every antipsychotic we know of acts as a D2 receptor blocker, even if they do it at different percentages. It's thought that you won't get any antipsychotic effect if the D2 receptor occupancy is below 50%. So, when doctors are deciding on the right type and dosage, they have to account for how much the drug blocks those D2 receptors, because that's what drives the therapeutic effect, but also side effects.
Emily Rivera45 said:Sometimes I feel completely depressed and lost, other times I'm totally fine, even happy... but through all those phases, one thing remains constant: I am intensely drawn to death and the thought of it.
When I'm lying in bed at night, boredom kicks in and I start wondering what being dead is actually like—just never waking up again. That idea pulls at me. It’s enough that I’d consider doing it just for the hell of it, simply because I can. It feels like something straight out of a recent episode of Black Mirror (spoiler alert before I hit enter! 🙂 Colin sits on the balcony of an apartment and calmly asks Stephen, "One of us is going to jump, who will it be?" And when Stephen says, "You," he just nonchalantly hops over the railing, says "ok, see ya," and plunges to his death. (end spoiler)
Sometimes, when I've played around with substances a bit too much, I get this feeling that I could actually pull off that exact scenario with the right person—just jump and not care at all. My survival instinct is incredibly low...
I wasn't always like this, of course. The hardest part is trying to fight back when life knocks me down and throws me into the dark, and since I'm pretty much broken in every direction, those moments happen almost daily...
And I wonder how everything became so complicated that my head feels heavy every single day. I think it all started a few years ago when I was in a deep depression and seriously considering suicide. Back then, it terrified me; I cried because I didn't want to leave my loved ones behind. For the first time in my life, I accepted that it could be over—that my end was coming, whatever that meant. I could cry and pray and plead to God or the devil, but life is merciless and won't offer you even a finger to hold onto... As I sat there shaking and falling apart inside, replaying it a hundred times, suicide slowly stopped being a problem and started feeling like an option... or a solution.
Today, I don't really have the mental safeguards that healthy people have regarding death. I've played out scenes of my own death in my head far too many times...
I wonder if it's ever possible to get those safeguards back... so that when I have a bad day, I don't immediately think about leaving, but instead try to distract myself or fix the situation, just like everyone else does...
Working alongside Massachusetts General Hospital is the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, where you can walk in without an appointment or referral between 8 AM and 8 PM, or call them anytime, 24/7.
Suicidal thoughts aren't "normal," and they aren't the result of a brain functioning correctly. A person isn't in control of these thoughts; rather, the thoughts are in control of them. All the famous people who have taken their own lives did so because of addiction, depression, or other mental health struggles.
People who believe that thinking about suicide is normal really need to talk to someone who doesn't experience those thoughts. Even then, it's hard to convince someone struggling with suicidal ideation that it isn't just a natural function of a healthy psyche.
The difference between someone who has acted on suicide and someone who is living with constant suicidal thoughts is clearly the level of dysfunction in the brain's communication. Once that line is crossed— 🙂
Harold Anderson3 said:Let me give you my honest perspective based on my own lived experience. Things can be good—actually, very good—but it won't be exactly the same as living without the diagnosis. There are two main reasons for that: first, the medications required for lifelong management come with their own set of side effects, and second, despite the medication, the illness can resurface, and quite likely it will. I have been dealing with schizophrenia for about ten years now; I work a physical job, but I never actually finished my degree, even though I was officially enrolled in university for ten years. He can certainly try college, but with this diagnosis, it is going to be a massive uphill battle, especially since a career following a degree often carries even more psychological stress than the studies themselves. Generally speaking, even if we set aside the constant stigma that follows anyone with a mental health condition, it is difficult to live a life that is indistinguishable from someone who is neurotypical.
On a brighter note, there is one silver lining to this heavy burden: sometimes, when a person experiences mild psychosis, they possess a level of creativity that exceeds that of a healthy person. I was recently watching a documentary about someone advocating for microdosing LSD to boost mood and creative output. From what I gathered, people with schizophrenia don't necessarily need that, because a person in a psychotic state can exhibit similar symptoms to someone on a low dose of LSD.
I have to respectfully disagree with the idea that the illness is guaranteed to return, though. In medicine, you can never truly predict a relapse for any condition.
And look, at some point, something is bound to happen to everyone. For some, it's a recurrence; for others, it's the first time they face it. It's just part of life.
You just have to learn how to adapt to new situations and adjust, and like you said, you have to keep moving forward, even if it feels ten times harder than it should be.
Jose Ward4 said:John, don't act like you've got it all figured out. You really don't know what you're talking about, and you clearly lack the actual experience to back this up.
Oh, sure... because heart palpitations are totally a classic symptom of schizophrenia and show up perfectly on an ECG, right? 🙏
Olivia Bishop8 said:Hey everyone. I haven't been on this forum for long. I'm the mom of a guy diagnosed with G20. We've been through some pretty rough patches—more than him, obviously. It’s been a little over four years since he got sick. Two hospital stays, a suicide attempt... you name it. But, whatever, I shouldn't complain too much. Things seem to be looking up lately, I guess. The illness is mostly under control. He's doing okay, just doesn't really go out much. Mostly just hangs with close family, though he's actually planning on heading to college soon (the diagnosis hit right after he finished high school). Honestly, I just wanted to see what you guys think, since you're going through this too... Do you think it could come back? Not like it goes anywhere, but still. He's on meds and sticks to them strictly. I'm just wondering if he can actually do college and live a somewhat normal life ??? Or am I just being overly optimistic ???!!!
The key is getting back into social circles. A relapse is always a possibility, and other health issues can pop up too. It's totally normal to deal with anxiety after a diagnosis like this, but facing those fears head-on is really the only way to break out of that constant loop of worrying about the illness.
Brandon Newman95 said:Sadly, it’s not an isolated incident. Neurological issues and psychiatric symptoms can be swapped out so easily. They could be mistaken for anything—kidney problems, heart stuff, MS, you name it.
Not quite, though. Psychosis has such specific characteristics regarding consciousness and behavioral shifts that it stands apart.
Rebecca Rivera3 said:I can't speak to specific diagnostic codes, but you might be thinking of schizophrenia. In my case, I dealt with paralysis, muscle spasms, tremors, sleep issues, and trouble walking—it was all pretty chaotic. It looked like a mental health crisis to outsiders, but once the physical symptoms intensified, my doctors at the Mayo Clinic confirmed it wasn't psychiatric; it was strictly neurological. Naturally, my first reaction was pure, unadulterated fury toward the mental health professionals involved. How could they make such a massive oversight? That kind of mistake is no small thing.
Look, I’m no doctor, but I definitely know there's a massive difference between neurological and psychiatric disorders. Honestly, the hospital in that city should probably just shut its doors down.
I mean, sure, it can be tricky to pin down exactly what someone is going through when they're in a psychotic state—you need long-term observation for that—but the distinction between a brain-based neurological issue and a mental health disorder is usually pretty clear. That's actually why psychiatry and neurology were split into separate fields in the first place.
The diagnoses follow the standard DSM classifications for consciousness and mental health disorders.
I was just sitting here thinking about that old dog of mine, Njušica, and how much she reminds me of a certain kind of energy you only find in the heart of the Midwest. You know those dogs that just seem to have a nose for trouble? That’s her. She’ll be sniffing around the backyard, completely oblivious to the fact that I'm trying to enjoy my coffee, and then—boom—she finds a rogue tennis ball under the porch and suddenly the whole morning is a chaotic whirlwind of wagging tails and slobber. It’s funny how they can turn a quiet Saturday into a full-blown event without even trying. Makes you realize that sometimes, the best part of the day is just leaning into that little bit of unexpected chaos. Asks: So, I wanted to share a little something with you guys—just a bit of my own history. I’ve been through the ringer dealing with schizophrenia, and man, it’s been quite the journey. I ended up being prescribed Haldol and Seroquel, along with a whole laundry list of other medications that I honestly don't even want to get into right now. On top of all the pills, there were also those stints in the hospital. It's been a lot to navigate, to say the least.
At the end of the day, I’m dealing with multiple sclerosis. It’s not like I have schizophrenia or some kind of mental illness; I actually have physical lesions on my brain. That’s just what life in the Middle East does to a person—it leaves its mark, and then people have the nerve to tell you that everything is perfectly normal.
From what I understand, doctors usually rely on a lumbar puncture or an MRI to diagnose MS. In actual practice, though, they most often run an EEG first—mostly just to rule out any underlying physical issues with the brain before moving forward.
By the way, Walmart actually got shut down because they were using marijuana to treat MS.
Honestly, you can look at every single day as either a gift—a fresh start—or just another block of wasted time. If you walk around with that negative mindset, thinking everything is just a drain on your life, you’re going to feel drained. That’s really where the power of positive thinking comes in. Even on days when you aren't out there doing something "productive" for society, you can still do something productive for *yourself*. That’s exactly how you ended up hitting the gym. I think the gym is great because it’s that dedicated time you carve out just for you. Physical activity is non-negotiable for staying healthy, and man, you always feel better afterward. Once you get that routine down, you can start looking at the bigger picture. You can finish your degree too. It doesn't matter which one. Then you find a job—again, any job will do—and eventually, you use that paycheck to buy a car or whatever. But listen, checking those boxes doesn't automatically guarantee happiness. I’ve met people who seem to "have it all" on paper, but they’re actually pretty miserable inside.
Try shifting your focus: make your main goal in life simply being happy. And the best part? That has nothing to do with material stuff. Once you adopt a more positive outlook, making decisions gets easier, and bouncing back from setbacks doesn't feel like such a mountain to climb.
If you stripped everything away—your job, your degree, your school, your friends, your past and future relationships—basically all the ways the world around you influences your mood—would you actually be happy? If the answer is no, then it’s time to start working on your self-esteem and your inner confidence. Even something as simple as a daily walk can shift your mindset for the better. Or going for a run. Anyone can find a little time for that, and it doesn't feel like some grueling chore or a job you'd end up hating.
You hit your big goals by taking tiny steps. It’s just like how we all had to crawl before we could walk. Graduating college, landing a career, and all that stuff works the same way. You shouldn't trap yourself with strict deadlines where you feel forced to hit a target by a certain date. You need patience, motivation, and a really compelling "why." The thing is, over time, that "why" can fade, or your goals might shift entirely. Something that feels vital today might be replaced by something else tomorrow. That’s why it’s so important to get back to basics: being able to find happiness within yourself and feeling content with what you have right now. I honestly think losing sight of those old motivations is just a part of growing up and finding your emotional footing.