Peter Murphy6 said:Just to be clear—when I say "supernatural," I’m not talking about gods or religion. Not at all. I mean the literal, unexplained stuff happening right in front of us—or even inside us—that science just hasn't been able to touch yet. There are so many things we haven't even begun to scratch the surface of. You can talk all you want and try to make sense of it, but honestly? There’s zero proof—no actual, solid explanation to back any of it up.
Saying a rational explanation exists "just because" most things are already explained—to me, that's basically just dogma. It really just reinforces this whole obsession with stripping away anything supernatural or "unexplained." Maybe I could say something about getting closer to people.
I don't buy into any "higher powers" above us—honestly, I’d go as far as saying I *know* it—but I do think there are things out there we might just never be able to wrap our heads around. If we can't explain them, fine, call it "supernatural." Whatever. But if we actually feel them? Well, then they aren't some outside force anymore—they just become a part of who we are.
No matter how much I hype myself up—and yeah, maybe I exaggerate a bit—I still can’t help but feel like humans are way more powerful than we actually care to admit. Saying the supernatural doesn't exist is just as pointless as claiming it does. Honestly—it’s all just noise.
I'm not saying you actually said anything—just throwing a thought out there.
I'm pretty much on board with most of these posts—specifically when it comes to how the whole mechanism works.
Look, epilepsy is one thing, psychosis is a whole different beast—and don't even get me started on extremes. Then you've got controlled conditions, which is a fourth thing entirely.
Edit: Alright, I see I'm totally clogging up this thread—time to stop hijacking everyone else's posts and actually start my own threads with some real questions instead. 🙂
To me feels like something existing outside the realm of nature, but personally, I view everything through a natural lens. There's no such thing as "supernatural" in my book.
steelsurfer62 said:How are you guys all dealing with this?
I’m honestly just terrified of taking any meds because of the side effects—and everything I’ve been reading online—but mostly I’m scared to even tell my doctor or psychiatrist. I don't want them looking at me like I'm some freak, especially since people around here seem to think schizophrenia means having split personalities or some other nonsense they picked up from movies...
Finding work is already a struggle as it is, but when I actually land something where I have to deal with people, I just run the other way. I know if I stay in those environments, the social interaction will drain me so much that I'll end up back at that dark place again, thinking about suicide.
I'll sit there staring at my computer, trying to get stuff done for work, and five hours will fly by without me even finishing thirty minutes of actual tasks. My focus is basically non-existent. I just want the fear to stop so I can live a normal life. Even if I can't reach all my goals, I just want to live as best as I possibly can with what I've got left.
Thanks y'all
You really need to take those meds that help you feel better while keeping the side effects (like a bad mood) to a minimum. Honestly, obsessing over reading about side effects is like standing on a curb worrying an out-of-control car might hit you—you just shouldn't let those thoughts take over. I don't quite get how interacting with people could be the thing that kills you. That sounds like a limiting belief you really need to dig up and pull out by the roots; you've got to change how you see yourself and the world. Socializing is actually vital for survival and getting better. As for focus, that can be fixed. For me, I managed to sharpen my concentration significantly by playing chess, taking walks in the park, and staying on top of sleep and nutrition. Fear only fades when you face it head-on—meaning, doing the very things that scare you. If you have your health and your mobility, you're already starting ahead of so many people. Just remember to stay grounded and realize that not every single wish is going to come true.
Peter Murphy6 said:Is it giving or seeking? Or is it both happening at once?
I get what you're saying, but—honestly—you didn't really answer my question. 🕺 Why does it *have* to be the supernatural?
Sure, we figured out why thunder rolls, but there's so much stuff that hasn't even been touched yet, and it constantly gets tossed into the "supernatural" bucket. Why the supernatural? Why isn't this just a "blind spot" in the human mind instead of being labeled "supernatural"? I don't think I've ever met a single person who was 100% rational—someone who hasn't experienced, heard about, or even considered something "supernatural" or "spiritual." They probably exist somewhere, sure. But if it's baked into us to this extent... why?
Actually, I'll just answer myself. 😵 Maybe it's because without the supernatural—that need for the unexplained—there wouldn't even be a drive to find facts in the first place? 🤔 Maybe that whole human instinct to provide and seek explanations is actually being driven by the evolution of supernatural ideas?
Think of it like a mechanism: whenever you ask "why," the brain feels it "must" simultaneously provide a "because." That's how things evolve—like how a seemingly useless object eventually becomes a tool or a weapon. That's basically how intelligence develops.
From today's perspective, things seem supernatural. But back in the day, what we call supernatural was just reality to people. Nowadays, it's pretty hard to claim a natural phenomenon is truly supernatural. Sure, at first glance, something might look otherworldly, but once the dust settles, we run tests and find a natural explanation.
That's because saying "a higher power caused this" isn't really an answer anymore—not today, anyway (though you have to admit, it was a perfectly fine answer in the past).
The real answer lies in the mechanism—how it actually happened. Once you explain the process, the "supernatural" label disappears. This is because once we understand the mechanism, we can often replicate it in a lab, making it a tangible part of the human experience. We even go so far as to try and "capture" the supernatural to figure out its inner workings. It's just the way we handle questions.
Take psychosis, for example. People used to think someone was possessed by a demon. For a huge chunk of the population, that was living proof of the supernatural. But the group of people who didn't buy that explanation is exactly the group that started studying brain function. Today, very few people in developed countries believe mental illness is a matter of demonic possession. Modern neuroscience and psychiatry have provided enough real answers and developed medications to address it. We've even reached the point where we can implant devices in the brain to manage epilepsy by sending electrical impulses, essentially curing the condition for some.
It’s really just because the primate brain is hardwired to hunt for explanations. Like, even right now, you’re asking "why."
Back in the day, those answers were pretty basic—you know, thinking thunder was some higher power or a god punishing people. Fast forward to today, and we have a much more detailed, scientific way of explaining why storms actually happen.
It’s just how our brains evolved. Historically, that instinct leaned heavily toward religious thinking because, honestly, it served a purpose for survival back then. Even now, most of us still carry around those little bits of superstition or religious leanings. That’s why modern science had to make such a clear distinction by stripping away anything supernatural; in the realm of science, everything has to be grounded in the natural world.
Chloe Flores83 said:After my last psychotic break, I started trying to put everything behind me. I told myself, "Okay, it was just an illness, period. Move on." But once I started posting on the forum and replaying the whole movie in my mind, I found myself drawn back to that supernatural feeling again. It keeps pulling me back. I thought maybe hearing about other people's experiences would help me make sense of what happened—to figure out if it was strictly schizophrenia or if there might have been something from "the other side," assuming such a thing even exists. Looking back isn't exactly pleasant, but at the same time, it feels like I'm trying to clear some mental clutter. For me, stress isn't the main trigger; it's more about having a wild imagination and asking: "What does this all mean?" Well, once I start asking that question, I know I'm in for a rough ride.
Honestly, I think the answer is pretty straightforward. Our brains are full of neurons. Those cells have synapses that allow them to communicate—basically exchanging data or bits of information. It's this constant, non-stop activity that allows us to build a complete "picture" of our surroundings. Here is a cool look at how neurons create new connections "in vitro":
Personally, I find it much easier to wrap my head around "hallucinations" now. I put that in quotes because, in the moment, the person experiencing it still sees a "picture"—it's just a distorted version of reality. Basically, those neural particles are malfunctioning, so they provide a warped image. They lie to the person about the information coming from their environment; like seeing a car parked in front of the house and feeling like it's actually following you. You often see religious hallucinations too, likely because the human brain evolved to believe in the supernatural.
Now, you can choose to obsess over all of this. Or, you can just appreciate the everyday stuff—yourself, life, the things that happen to you, and so on. But if you spend all your time stuck in that headspace, life passes you by, you waste precious time, and you'll end up forgetting to eat. Psychosis is a very specific state of consciousness. Shamans and fools both go to great lengths using various substances to try and reach that exact state. In certain parts of the world, they actually celebrate people experiencing psychosis, having no clue at all that the individual is actually suffering from a mental disorder. It makes you wonder if many famous religious figures were actually born out of hallucinations?!
When I watch a video like the one above, the only part I find truly interesting is the research itself—trying to find a definitive answer for how the brain actually functions. Everything else is just noise.
Harold Anderson3 said:It's pretty much the standard medical explanation most people accept. However, what's more interesting is trying to weigh those two factors against each other—whether it's more genetic or more social—which is a tricky, highly individual question to answer.
I also drank heavily before my diagnosis, and for a while, I was using marijuana too (which, looking back, was probably a bad idea to combine the two), but honestly, I feel like the psychosis would have surfaced regardless. My mother didn't drink at all, yet she fell ill when she was 18. For me, it happened at 21.
But hey, "what if" is just a dead end; we'll never actually know. What really matters is staying sober throughout your life. Speaking from experience, I can tell you firsthand why that's so vital.
I don't buy that theory myself, but I’m a firm believer that mental health issues usually stem from a mix of genetics and social environment. Think of it this way: the genetic part is like having the potential for a condition to develop, while the social side acts as the trigger—that external pressure from the world around you that actually sets things off. I found this video that breaks the whole concept down perfectly
Looking back, I used to drink quite a bit before I got sick, and I definitely had the genetic predisposition for it. That’s why I think it’s so vital to talk about these things openly; if we can address them early, we might be able to prevent them entirely. When you consider that roughly 3% of people experience psychosis and about 1% carry an F20 diagnosis, we're talking about a massive number of people in the US population today.
It’s not all just hallucinations, but you really shouldn't assign too much weight to seeing certain people or following a specific chain of events during a psychotic episode—like they're some kind of supernatural or divine sign. During a psychosis, those neurotransmitter imbalances create these intense sensations, this sense of euphoria, and stuff like that (it feels just like a drug hit). That’s why it sticks in your mind so vividly. Since I’ve dealt with this crap myself, I know exactly what happens later to someone who keeps playing those memories on a loop in their head. For me, I had to learn how to let it go by making sure I didn't give those moments any extra importance or focus.
I went through my own wild sequence of events, too, but it wasn't until I became more aware of the pattern that I started paying way too much attention to it. I think it's because you aren't slipping into those altered states of consciousness every single day, so it takes time for everything to settle back down. Once I started throwing myself into the usual daily grind and keeping busy, those episodes began to fade into the background. Even now, I can find myself drifting back into those old mental patterns quite easily, whether I want to or not. I try my best not to dwell on them, mostly because I don't want to build up a bunch of useless stress. I truly believe that stress plays a huge role in triggering illnesses and various other disorders.
Think of it as a glitchy little internal world where neurons are basically misfiring their messages. It’s got absolutely nothing to do with anything mystical, paranormal, or "spiritual." To me, psychosis is actually proof that a person can function even without a clear sense of consciousness. Maybe not forever, but they can get by. Once you manage to push those intrusive memories aside and just focus on the grind of daily life and real-world problems, you start to see it for what it is: a disorder that makes life incredibly difficult, sure, but it isn't something you have to obsess over constantly. Those delusional memories just pull you away from the present moment. Personally, I’d never romanticize those voices; I see them as a textbook symptom of schizophrenia. In my experience, the negative symptoms of the illness are often much harder on people than the positive ones. With positive symptoms, people are essentially high, but with the negative ones, they’re left feeling very low.
They say you attract what you fear. It’s actually pretty visible if you look at how people drive. In 99% of accidents on the highway, drivers end up veering off into a ditch or hitting a guardrail because they panic. Compare that to watching Formula 1—those pro drivers are trained to master their fear and handle the wheel with precision, steering the car toward the runoff area to avoid a crash. Meanwhile, the average driver stares directly at the danger, and lo and behold, that’s exactly where the car ends up.
For you, this means that by letting fear take the driver's seat, you're essentially inviting every possible crisis into your life. You start interpreting everything—even things that aren't actually problems—as some kind of massive catastrophe.
Fear is a primal emotion, but honestly, most of the time, it isn't even grounded in reality. Most people experience a level of terror that far outweighs the actual physical danger present. The trick is that you have to face it regardless of how intense it feels; there are certain responsibilities you just have to fulfill. Now, I don't mean you need to go out and pick a fight with someone, but you do have to confront the feeling. Even an aggressor acts out because of their own deep-seated fears. Usually, the only way to stop violence is through social consequences and legal channels. For instance, you won't see any American sports fans traveling over to Russia and throwing flares in the stands.
You don't need some sort of "warrior instinct" to get through this. What you really need is patience and steady practice in your day-to-day life, moving forward regardless of the anxiety. A huge part of managing anxiety disorders comes down to simply facing those fears head-on.
Carol Barrett2 said:The real issue is that they just don't listen—not even a little bit. Like, I told them I might be dealing with bipolar disorder, and they just went ahead and slapped a schizophrenia diagnosis on me instead. It’s ridiculous. I might even have Asperger's, which can totally look like schizophrenia on those standard tests. Plus, the meds they put me on gave me terrible constipation, yet they just kept pushing the same pills anyway. Then they expect us to sit there and have these deep, meaningful conversations while we're basically drugged up. How am I supposed to actually talk to a psychiatrist when I'm high as a kite from their prescriptions? It's like being completely out of it because of these pills.
That's why I don't even bother talking to psychiatrists anymore. And none of them have a clue about my liver issues, either. Nobody bothered to note it down in my medical records. Not even a mention that I was transferred from the internal medicine ward—where they actually caught the liver problem—over to psychiatry.
And this last time? Absolutely nobody noted that I only checked myself into psychiatric care because of some intense family drama.
When I show up to see a doctor at CZMZ, all he's going to think is that I've been having hallucinations or whatever, because he won't have any idea that I only came in because I couldn't handle my life anymore. Between their constant intoxication, the petty arguments, and them just making things harder for me... it's a mess.
But I can't even bring that up to him. Because I'm dependent on my family, and if I speak up, they could easily toss me out onto the street.
I think you’re getting way too bogged down in details that honestly don't matter. Take diagnostic codes, for example. In psychiatry, they can assign you a thousand different codes; it's the same with almost any illness. But those numbers aren't the point. The code is just a gateway to getting your medication, a surgery, or whatever medical treatment is meant to help you.
What actually matters is how you’re functioning, how you feel, and what symptoms you're dealing with.
If you obsess over doctors, pills, and specific diagnoses, you end up in this feedback loop that keeps someone who is otherwise capable stuck in total paralysis. Look, there are psychotic disorders, various mental health conditions, and medications that work in all sorts of ways, but at the end of the day, you still have to live your actual life. Taking your meds, trying to lead a calmer life, and going to appointments should just be part of your routine—things you do, but don't dwell on constantly.
Obsession is a real phenomenon. It’s like people who are obsessed with their jobs and spend their entire evening talking about work; patients often do the same thing, where they can't stop thinking about their illness. Often, just finding ways to shift your focus toward more positive, everyday things can actually help you recover a bit.
There are plenty of people living with schizophrenia. Some pass away, some never quite find their way back to reality, but a huge group of people functions perfectly well in society, whether they are on medication or not. It’s really up to you to decide which group you want to belong to right now.
Harold Anderson3 said:It’s been three years since we lost the mathematician John Nash. He actually developed game theory, which earned him the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences back in 1994. What I find truly incredible, though, is that he managed all of that while navigating the challenges of schizophrenia. After turning 42, following about eleven years of being treated at various psychiatric hospitals, he decided to step away from that specific type of medical intervention and never took another medication for it again—which, in its own way, is quite a medical phenomenon. His life story was even turned into the Oscar-winning film 'A Beautiful Mind,' with Russell Crowe playing him. Rest in peace.
I just wanted to add one little thought to this: when he was first dealing with his illness, the methods and medications used back then were much more grueling than what we have available today, making them largely obsolete by modern standards. I only mention this because I wouldn't want anyone here to take his lead and decide to reject their own treatment or therapy based on his experience. 🙂
I mean, you can't really make that argument while those mental health diagnoses are still sitting right there on the official list of medical conditions. Look, I’m all for exploring other ways to handle things—there are plenty of alternative approaches to managing psychological struggles without immediately jumping to a prescription pad. But we have to be realistic about the heavy stuff. When someone is in the middle of an acute psychotic break, where they've completely lost touch with reality and are being driven by hallucinations, things get dangerous fast. They could end up hurting themselves or anyone else nearby. In those intense, high-stakes moments, medication isn't just an option; it’s often the only way to stabilize the situation and keep everyone safe.
I just can't bring myself to mess with medication recommendations just because there's a kickback involved. It's just not how I operate.
Look, until we actually get a handle on how to manage psychotic disorders—to the point where someone experiencing them actually has enough clarity to realize what’s happening and can proactively reach out for help during those brief windows when they're feeling okay—it just feels reckless to suggest anyone should ditch a treatment that’s providing even a modicum of relief. I remember talking to a friend back in Chicago who struggled with similar issues, and seeing how much they relied on their routine just to stay afloat... it really puts things in perspective. Telling someone to walk away from something that's helping them survive, even slightly, seems totally irrational to me.
Carl Rivera43 said:Do you ever look back at those times when you actually stuck to your guns and made some real, firm decisions? Was there ever something out there just too overwhelming, keeping you from being able to commit to a solid plan?
Personally, I’m looking to start making tougher calls. I want to be more independent, boost my confidence, and finally get my focus dialed in. Any tips on how to make that happen?
When it comes to solving problems, you’ve already won half the battle just by diagnosing what's wrong. If you feel like life would be better if you were more independent, confident, and focused, then you're essentially saying that the lack of those three things constitutes one single problem.
I know exactly what you mean. I went through the same thing myself—maybe for different reasons, but the feeling was identical. Nowadays, my focus is sharp, I'm pretty self-reliant, and my confidence is in a good place.
For me, it started with fixing my concentration. I cleaned up my diet, started taking long walks in the park, cut down on stress, and finally prioritized getting decent sleep. I also added some brain supplements to the mix and started playing online chess every day to keep my mind active.
As for independence, that comes from having the willpower to tackle things without leaning on anyone else. The more little tasks you knock out on your own, the easier it becomes to take on the big stuff.
And honestly, all of that naturally gives your self-confidence a nice little boost. Real confidence involves a lot of moving parts, obviously, but a huge step forward is definitely cutting toxic people out of your life.
You've got a few ideas now; now you just have to find the nerve to go for it. 😁
You’ll end up getting both once you finally stop caring so much about what everyone else thinks. It’s all about that moment when you start heading out on your own, totally unbothered by the outside noise and just doing your own thing...
Let’s be real, everybody has some kind of health issue going on. G20 is just one entry on a massive list of diagnoses. I’d bet anything that if you grabbed 100 young people under twenty who all swear they’re in perfect health, then ran them through a battery of deep medical screenings and blood work, more than half would end up with some kind of underlying condition that needs managing.
The stigma around this stuff is weirdly similar to how things used to be with cancer about twenty years ago. Back then, if you knew someone had been diagnosed, the social stigma was heavy—it felt like a huge deal. But look at how we view cancer today. You see public figures talking openly about their battles in the news or on TV, and it’s become part of the daily conversation, much like high blood pressure. When it comes to psychiatric diagnoses, I think the issue isn't just about other people being judgmental; it’s often about us allowing ourselves to hang out in circles that still hold onto those old prejudices.
Next time you head in for a checkup—and honestly, every time you go—just take a second to notice how many new faces are showing up at the clinic. People are constantly coming in, seeking help, and moving forward. And hey, who’s to say that doesn't include some of us? Me, you...
So, let's see who’s going to come for me today? I'm feeling pretty motivated. I was just reading through this recent piece about the current state of things at Juventus, and honestly, it really gets you thinking about how much a club can change when the pieces on the board start shifting. You know that feeling when you’re watching a game and you realize the strategy isn't just slightly off, but fundamentally broken? It feels like that's where we are right now. There’s a lot of talk about the tactical setup and whether the squad actually has the depth to compete at the highest level in Europe. It’s one thing to have big names on paper, but it’s another thing entirely to have them clicking on the pitch. I remember back when I used to follow local college ball, there was this one coach who thought he could win just by recruiting the biggest players, ignoring the fact that they didn't play well together. He ended up losing every home game because nobody could find a rhythm. It’s funny how those patterns repeat themselves, even at the professional level. The article touches on some of the individual performances too—looking at how certain players are stepping up while others seem completely lost in the shuffle. It makes me wonder if the management needs to stop looking for quick fixes and instead focus on building a cohesive identity. It’s easy to get caught up in the hype of a single transfer window, but long-term stability is what actually wins championships. Anyway, I'm curious to hear what you guys think. Are we looking at a temporary slump, or is this indicative of a deeper issue within the organization? Is it time for a complete overhaul, or should we stay patient? Let's chat about it. Looking at this betting slip, I can't help but wonder sometimes if I’d be better off just sticking to the Lotto.
Southampton vs. West Ham kicks off at 4:00 PM. ODG - DA, 1.85 SS (1-3)
After that absolute disaster against Manchester City, Bilić and his crew are heading out to face Southampton. Honestly, this is a classic mid-table scrap between two sides that are neck-and-neck right now. If West Ham actually wants to make a serious run for the upper echelon of the standings, they can't afford anything less than three points here. They have to go for the win. Looking at the stats, West Ham has been a bit of a sieve on the road lately, giving up nearly two goals per match on average. On the flip side, Southampton hasn't exactly been a fortress at home either; they’ve dropped points and let in goals against much weaker squads like Watford and Sunderland earlier this season. Both teams have plenty of depth in their rosters, so even with a few guys sidelined by injury, there's enough firepower on the pitch to keep the scoreboard moving. It feels like a high-scoring affair is on the cards—I mean, looking at West Ham's last five away games, four of them ended exactly like that. I'm leaning towards a goal-fest. Log 4/10
AZ Alkmaar - PSV (2-4) 19:45 2 - 1,80 SS
This should be the big derby of the Eredivisie round. Honestly, PSV has been playing better on the road this season than they have at home, which makes them the clear favorites to walk away with all three points here. They’re sitting in third place right now, trailing Feyenoord by eight points—and let's be real, Feyenoord is that team that just waits for Ajax or PSV to slip up so they can swoop in and snatch the title. There isn't much room for error for PSV moving forward. They have a tough trip to face Feyenoord later on, and looking at the schedule, the current leaders actually have a much easier run through the rest of the season compared to what PSV is facing. On the bright side, PSV always seems to have AZ Alkmaar's number; they've won the last six matchups between them. Plus, their defense has been solid on the road, conceding only five goals all season, while AZ Alkmaar has been struggling to keep things tight at the back lately. Log 4/10Anyway, I’m also looking at that match on my second betting slip—I'm definitely considering picking an option there too. Yes. po 1,60 u SS I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that! It looks like you might have sent a partial message or just a quick typo. What's on your mind? I'm all ears if you want to chat about sports, share a story, or just vent about something. Just let me know! 3/10.
urbanhawk17 said:Man, you are such a headache when it comes to Baker and the lady. Seriously, a total handful.
Honestly, if they had spent more time praying and less time grinding through training sessions and burning all their energy, we might be looking at a different result right now. It feels like all that high-level theory Baker talks about just didn't actually make it onto the field where it counts. 🙂
In my opinion, the FA Cup is easily the most intense tournament in England, mostly because it’s where you see the wildest upsets. For someone like Mourinho, every single win feels massive right now since his results have been hovering around Moyes levels—which isn't ideal, especially after he dropped hundreds of millions on new players. It just goes to show how much pressure there is. I remember back in December, there was this classic FA Cup matchup between Wimbledon from League 1 and Curzon Stanley from the National League North. Curzon actually held a 3-0 lead until about the 80th minute, which I think put their odds at around 10 to 1 for a win. Of course, Wimbledon pulled off a miraculous comeback to take it, but it just goes to prove how unpredictable these cups can be.
That sounds tempting, Lester, but unfortunately, we won't know the actual starting lineups until right before kickoff. Take yesterday for example—Mourinho decided to play games with his defensive line, and they ended up conceding two goals way too easily. That one little slip-up totally killed my double chance bet. I’ll probably wait until closer to the whistle, but even then, I might just stick to a small wager on the away win...
People tend to overthink the diagnosis part. Honestly, if it’s just pneumonia or a bad cold, nobody gives it a second thought once they're feeling better. These days, the diagnoses that really stick with you—the ones that actually haunt people—are cancer. I personally know someone who managed to pull through that whole nightmare, and they don't talk about it much. With psychiatric labels, though, it feels like the diagnosis is mostly about how the people around you react; most folks just stare at you blankly, totally clueless. Everyone assumes that kind of stuff only happens to other people, thinking it'll never touch them, which is exactly why the stigma is so heavy. In the end, those same people often wind up in a psych ward themselves—maybe because of a bout of pneumonia, or even because of heart issues, like some of the folks I was on the ward with back in the day. About 30 or 40 years ago, if you slipped out of touch with reality, there was a good chance you'd never be brought back. But Dennis, somehow, everyone eventually finds their way back to reality.