Posts by Sarah Wood8

Kenneth Campbell said:Exactly.
And let me add this...
There is really no issue with taking medication for years, or even for a lifetime.
Some people ask, "How can I take psychiatric medication my whole life? I just can't." But it’s no different than someone taking pills for high blood pressure or something similar; there isn't a distinction in my view. Look at how many people, including doctors, have to or choose to take daily medication for various reasons. Take aspirin, for instance—almost everyone takes it, even healthy people, just as a preventative measure. It becomes a routine, a habit, so it isn't an issue. Similarly, someone managing a mental health condition who takes their prescribed pills or injections is doing themselves a massive favor...
When I saw a professional bodybuilder consuming the sheer volume of supplements and substances they take daily just to enhance training and muscle mass, what you're talking about seems trivial by comparison. And he doesn't find it difficult; he accepts it as a lifelong commitment.
Personally, I see no problem with long-term psychiatric medication for those who have been properly prescribed it. If used correctly, the benefits far outweigh any perceived drawbacks...

I’ve never been a fan of taking pills. I was prescribed some stuff for my own situation—diagnosed with anxiety—but nothing really worked for me. Anxiolytics would just knock me out or dull things down slightly, so I'd use them occasionally, but antidepressants or even antipsychotics did absolutely nothing for my derealization and depersonalization, even after long-term use. Eventually, I decided I wasn't going to be a guinea pig for Big Pharma, so I quit everything cold turkey. After a long time, things started clearing up on their own.
Because of that, I don't believe there's a magic pill for everything, because I know firsthand there wasn't one for my condition. Even on international forums where people from all over the world gather to talk about these exact problems, I haven't heard anyone say a medication completely wiped out their symptoms.
Even though it felt terrifying at first to feel like I was totally on my own, that's actually what made me stronger—taking control of my own fate. This happened after I dealt with several psychiatrists who weren't just useless, but incredibly arrogant. Not to mention the absolute idiot who practically spitefully refused to help when I was in such a bad state that I had to call a crisis center.

Hey, Kenneth Campbell. Thanks for the deep dive. I’m actually on board with everything you said—it pretty much aligns with how I’ve been looking at the whole situation myself. As for what religion does to humanity, or what it's done to us over the years... well, that goes without saying.

Harold Anderson3 said:That whole experience you described with derealization... honestly, it could very well be schizophrenia, except for one major detail: the fact that your condition improved without any medication.

Regarding the genetic side of things...
The general prevalence of schizophrenia in the US population is about 1%. However, I suspect there are actually twice as many people carrying the gene, perhaps closer to 2%. I arrived at that conclusion based on two points: first, if one identical twin develops schizophrenia, there’s only a 50% chance the other will, despite them having identical DNA. Similarly, if both parents have it—which would mean their child almost certainly carries the gene—the actual chance of the child developing the disorder is still only around 50%. So, beyond just having the genes, you need some kind of trigger to activate them, and I'm convinced that comes down to environmental stressors, especially during early childhood. My own upbringing was pretty traumatic (much like my mother's), which, combined with our genetics, led to this diagnosis. My half-brother also had a really difficult childhood, but he stayed healthy because he doesn't carry "that gene."

I honestly feel like so many symptoms get slapped with a schizophrenia diagnosis just because people don't know any better. Depersonalization and derealization are everywhere these days, especially among young people, usually triggered by intense trauma, chronic stress, or various drug use—but those specific symptoms haven't ever actually caused schizophrenia, no matter how long they persist. In my opinion, it’s physically impossible for those sensations to evolve into schizophrenia on their own.
And that’s exactly what I find most infuriating—this trend where people who clearly don't know what they're talking about love to spread this absolute nonsense that you can actually develop schizophrenia from depersonalization or derealization. From everything I've gathered by reading hundreds of firsthand accounts on international DP/DR forums, that's just flat-out wrong; you can't "develop" a psychotic disorder from these sensations, because derealization is simply the brain's way of reacting to stress, regardless of what triggered it in the first place.
Of course, if you tell someone experiencing derealization that they're actually developing schizophrenia, you're just going to make things a hundred times worse for them.
It turns out the whole thing boils down to this irrational fear of developing schizophrenia just because of a few overlapping symptoms—which, honestly, is completely idiotic.
Depersonalization and derealization exist as distinct symptoms far more often than they do as part of schizophrenia, and honestly, they don't lead anywhere else besides the symptoms themselves. Without an actual underlying foundation for schizophrenia, you aren't going to spiral into it. At least, that’s how I see it. If that weren't the case, I would have been diagnosed by now, or maybe I eventually would have developed it if I actually carried the gene—but since I don't, all this derealization stuff is just a dead end.
That’s exactly why I think that tiny 1% of the population supposedly lacking any genetic predisposition for schizophrenia is just being misdiagnosed. They’re likely presenting with symptoms that look similar on the surface but actually have absolutely nothing to do with schizophrenia itself.
I’ve been hearing all this chatter lately about people getting slapped with a schizophrenia diagnosis, only to turn around a year later acting completely normal, as if the whole thing was just some massive mistake.

To be honest, I was fully aware of my situation at the time. I knew exactly where I stood and who I was, but there was this massive disconnect on a purely experiential level—my perception of myself and the world around me was just completely warped. It was like I couldn't recognize the world anymore, and there were plenty of moments where I wasn't even sure if I still knew who I actually was. In other words, I KNEW the facts, but I didn't FEEL them.
I used to get hit by these waves where just staring at a plain house facade or watching people pass by outside my window would completely drain me. It was like looking at anything ordinary sucked me straight into another dimension, and honestly, it felt like pure hell.

Schizophrenia? Please. It’s not that, it's something else entirely.
Medication hasn't done a damn thing for me, and honestly, I don't have much faith in it anyway—not for what I'm dealing with. Now that I'm finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel, I’ve realized just how much certain mental health professionals love to spread misinformation and stir up drama about needing these pills. It feels like they're just pushing sketchy formulas to line the pockets of Big Pharma. From my own experience, nothing worked except for the heavy-duty anti-anxiety meds that basically just knocked me out.

In the end, I had to take matters into my own hands by cutting ties with everyone—the psychiatrists, the doctors, the medication, all of it.

Harold Anderson3 said:I suppose we could compare this to dreaming. When you’re in the middle of a dream, there isn't really a way to tell if it's actually happening or if it's just a dream, right? It’s only once you wake up completely that everything becomes clear and you can separate reality from the fantasy. It felt much the same for me. It wasn't actually the cars themselves that gave it away, but rather the license plates. I saw plates from Germany and thought I was actually over there, then I saw French ones, and then some from local cities here in the States. Honestly, I think the only ones that felt truly real were the ones from my own hometown.😁
but it isn't just about having simple hallucinations; it's a much more complex disorder than that...

I can definitely relate to what you're saying. About a year and a half ago, I was hit by a wave of derealization so intense it felt like I’d been dropped straight into hell. It wasn't just a weird feeling; I was fully aware that everything was wrong and that my brain was malfunctioning, which honestly made the terror even worse. I remember spiraling into these sudden, violent physical tremors from pure panic. I ended up in the ER at the local hospital several times because I couldn't breathe or think, and even though things have improved significantly since then, I still carry the remnants of it today. The way the world looked was completely distorted—it's almost impossible to put into words. It felt like I was living someone else's life, or maybe a thousand different lives all at once, with time itself becoming a tangled mess in my head. I'd lose the ability to recognize my own bedroom, my street, or even the city I grew up in. It's a living nightmare, like being trapped in a fever dream where your past self feels totally erased. The one thing that kept me grounded was the fact that I remained lucid enough to know this wasn't schizophrenia. I didn't spiral into those paranoid delusions about losing my mind that so many people fall into during these episodes. I actually diagnosed myself and took that specific concern to various psychiatrists across the state, and none of them ever told me I was wrong. In the end, no medication did much for me; it just eventually started to subside on its own. Of course, it’s easy to play philosopher now that I’m feeling better, but back then, it was pure survival. It also helped knowing there’s no history of mental illness in my family, which gave me some peace of mind.

I was reading somewhere that scientists supposedly found this specific gene linked to schizophrenia. Apparently, it’s some kind of ancient virus that integrated itself into human DNA way back in prehistory, back when we were barely even human—probably just some transitional primate or something like that.
I’ve been sitting here wondering about this: is schizophrenia actually rooted in an organic, genetic foundation—something we often mistakenly label as purely "psychological"—when in reality, it's hardwired into our DNA and passed down through specific genetic lineages?

What are the actual odds of someone developing this without any genetic predisposition? I’m pretty convinced that schizophrenia is fundamentally rooted in genetics—it feels like something so tangible and organic at its core. What are the chances of someone just waking up to it out of thin air if there isn't a family history involved? Even if they develop similar symptoms, can we even call that schizophrenia, or is it just some other psychological burden masquerading as the real thing?

I realize I’m throwing out a lot of questions here, and maybe my understanding of schizophrenia isn't exactly textbook perfect, but I’m honestly convinced it’s almost entirely genetic. I keep hearing these stories about people being diagnosed without any history of it in their family tree, but to me, that just sounds impossible. If this condition actually degrades the brain—specifically the gray matter, as the science suggests—it feels like there has to be some underlying organic trigger that doctors haven't quite pinned down yet. It doesn't make sense to me that something this physically destructive would just spontaneously emerge from nothing, or simply stem from other neurotic issues like anxiety, paranoia, or derealization. There has to be a biological root cause at play.

The idea that this just happens spontaneously without any genetic component sounds completely absurd to me—it’s like someone claiming they broke their leg while just lying there in bed.

Harold Anderson3 said:Schizophrenia hits every single person differently, and honestly, I wonder if we should even be calling it just one single disease. In my own experience, I’d say about two weeks ago I was in an amazing mood, but then the fears and paranoias started creeping in—I genuinely thought people were out to get me—and it all eventually ended with hallucinations. All of this might have been preventable, but it felt like nobody was willing to step up and help me. I've heard stories about people thinking they are famous historical figures and all that, but for me, I was just seeing cars because I was walking along the interstate. It's a mix of things that are actually there and things that simply aren't.

So how did you actually tell they were hallucinations? How did you distinguish real cars from the fake ones? I bet the imaginary ones would've been way more interesting... like some vintage classic cars from the 1920s😁

Harold Anderson3 said:I think I heard someone mention a while back that a certain Democrat claimed Kosor was acting like she had schizophrenia. Is that really considered an insult nowadays—just telling someone they have schizo?🤷

It’s probably because she lives in a total vacuum, which is pretty obvious whenever she opens her mouth. She’s basically Alice in Wonderland at this point. 😁

Basically, it feels like you're either losing the plot because you're spiraling into total paranoia and fear, or you've hit that schizophrenic peak where everything feels amazing. It’s like you either don't realize you're losing it, you're riding a manic high, or you've convinced yourself you're some legendary historical figure, so everything feels fine again.
The truth is, most of the time you aren't even aware of what's actually happening to you, let alone if it's even "good."
Am I overthinking this?

Harold Anderson3 said:It all started with inherited traits mixed with what I’ve built myself—basically a fifty-fifty split. It began with these intrusive, racing thoughts, which eventually spiraled into depression. Then, just when I truly believed I had finally turned a corner and managed to feel okay without medication for the first time in years, life threw me a curveball: boom, schizophrenia.

So how did you actually realize it was schizophrenia? Was it something others noticed before you did, or did you just figure it out yourself? And what did that "boom" moment look like? Did you suddenly start believing you were someone else, or was it more about hallucinations?
You mentioned feeling good for the first time! Does that mean the schizophrenia hit so hard it felt terrifying, or were you just totally unaware that something was fundamentally wrong?

Dana Alvarez said:Could someone explain the difference (in terms of schizophrenia) between someone who is absolutely convinced they are seeing a demon versus someone who just fears or thinks they might see one? Does that distinction even matter when it comes to schizophrenia? Thanks!

There’s a massive gap between having an anxiety disorder and actually living with schizophrenia. Don't sweat it 😁

Really solid movie. Definitely a four-star flick for me.

Frank Moore4 said:Nah, The Core is definitely bottom-tier trash—both generally and within the Sci-Fi genre—simply because of the massive pile of "bad science" nonsense it relies on. That's why it constantly gets dumped at the very bottom of polls, right next to "2012." But honestly, "2012" at least had top-tier production value, whereas with The Core, they actually had to fix the visual effects in post because they looked like absolute cheap crap during the test screenings.

The movies you mentioned are basically B-movies anyway, while The Core tried to present itself as an A-list production, which just makes its failure even more glaring.

Whatever. To me, it's just an average movie.

Frank Moore4 said:Even as a massive Sci-Fi fan, I have to say this movie is total trash.

Plus, "Core" is basically a rip-off of the 2000 film "Deep Core" starring Terry Farrell (Jadzia Dax from DS9) and Craig Sheffer.

Speaking of which, I was watching an episode of Eureka (3x03) yesterday that dealt with almost the exact same theme as these two movies. 😁

I don't know about you, but I've seen way worse stuff than The Core. I mean, most of those cheap action flicks they run on FOX, or even total trash apocalypse movies like Epic Movie... compared to those, The Core isn't even in the same league of suck, no matter how bad it actually is.

The movie was just okay. Nothing special... just another forced disaster flick, and there are plenty of those out there, though this one might sit a notch above the usual trash and serves as decent enough entertainment. Honestly, I’ll watch pretty much anything starring Hilary because, for some reason, I just find her incredibly captivating.

I honestly haven't seen anything more brainless in my entire life; I couldn't even make it to the end... who on earth thought filming this was a good idea!?
I can usually stomach some low-brow comedies, but there isn't a single funny moment here—it’s just pure stupidity without a shred of actual humor.

William Lee34 said:I find it rather curious that no one has mentioned him yet :

Yeah, he was great! It’s hard to keep track of all the supporting cast, but honestly, some of those character actors end up being way more interesting and better than the leads.

briskscout13 said:Ernest Borgnine.

He isn't some side character... he’s a total legend. Honestly, I'm sick of seeing his face everywhere just because he's always the lead actor. 😍
That guy is still going strong; he’s pushing 90 now, yet he carries himself and looks like he's only in his 70s.

Whenever someone in my family sees David Morse on screen, they immediately associate him with his role in Dr. House. I’ll mention he's in a movie, and my Grandmother will just roll her eyes and say, "Oh, you mean that guy Dr. House shoved a thermometer up his butt and left him like that?" 🤣

Mel Gibson is a talented actor, but as a human being, he’s a total moron. You can really see his fanaticism and sheer madness bleeding through his movies, which are mostly just bloody, fatalistic, and obsessed with revenge and similar crap. For me, he was at his best in the Lethal Weapon series; those are easily some of the best action flicks ever made because they nail that perfect balance of action and humor.
Look, if it were just about how he insulted Oksana and said all those things—honestly, I might have let it slide if she were just some gold-digger staging a scene—but the guy clearly hates Jews, insults them, and is completely obsessed with them. He even told a drunk Winona Ryder that she was "one of those who escaped the oven," which seriously destroys any shred of credibility he has left as a person.
You have to be a massive idiot to say stuff like that. If he were 15 or 20, sure, you could write it off as being a dumb kid, but being that much of an idiot in your late middle age? 🙏
Regardless, none of that—not even the fact that he's a lunatic, a sexist, an antisemite, and a woman-beater—changes the reality that he's a great actor. Acting is one thing, and real life is another entirely. We don't actually know the true character of any actor, so frankly, I don't see why Mel's personal business should concern me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5N35kQAPv0 😁

Kyle Roberts91 said:Look, I know I'm digging up a dead topic again, but I just have to say that CARICA 😉))

I can't help but wonder if her legs are still doing that move. Anyway, this is basically how every concert starts, lol:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjpve1LoqiE

He's got that one... what's it called, "The Name of the Rose," if I remember correctly, starring Sean Connery and Slater.