Living with schizophrenia

Shall we give this a shot?
Everything is just so much broader, wider... when you talk about health and schizophrenia, there's sooooo much more to it than people realize... let's start tying all these loose ends together—it’s high time... for a new era.

I'm definitely interested, I'll be one of them...😉

If I'm reading this correctly, are you actually suggesting we open some kind of sub-forum dedicated specifically to health and schizophrenia?

User123 said:So, if I'm following you correctly, you're suggesting we start some kind of sub-forum dedicated to health and schizophrenia?

Personally, I'm totally against opening something like that on a public forum. A private setting just works way better for getting people actually involved in a project like this.

Anyway, I think since we can all just link up online and basically ignore distance and time zones, it'd be super easy to set up a solid channel for talking...

What's your take? On all of this, I mean.

Bradley Fisher20 said:Personally, I’m not a huge fan of opening up topics like this on a public forum. A more private setting usually works better for deep dives and getting everyone involved in the project truly engaged.

Anyway, I think that by connecting online—which basically lets us bypass any distance or scheduling issues—it should be pretty easy to set up a high-quality communication channel.

What’s your take on that? On all of this, really.

Yeah... too much outside noise bleeding in, and it just messes with the workflow.
How exactly were you thinking we could handle that "private atmosphere" thing?
And is being interested enough? I mean, who exactly are these "individuals" we're talking about?

p.s. (just for Bradley Fisher20) "anywhere... everywhere."😉

Bradley Fisher20, what kind of project are you even talking about here? What exactly am I supposed to be doing, and how on earth do you think this should be organized?

As far as I'm concerned, those of us on this Reddit can speak openly about our own situations—and you've already seen proof of that.

User123 said:As far as I'm concerned, I can speak openly about my situation here on this forum, which you've already seen.

Obviously, 🙂

And I think it's better this way—being open... without needing any specialized forums.

Kenneth Hill37 said:Yeah... too much outside noise leaking in, totally messes with the workflow.
so what were you thinking... about having a more private vibe?
and is just being interested enough? I mean, who even are these individuals?

Here I go again 🙂. I was talking about an open forum that still keeps certain private details under wraps. Just being interested is plenty, obviously. Individuals? People who are interested 😁. I'm already seeing seven people here.

p.s. (just for Bradley Fisher20) "anywhere... kiki everywhere"😉

😘

User123 said:Bradley Fisher20, what kind of project are you even talking about here? Like, what am I actually supposed to be doing, and how do you think this whole thing should be organized?

From what I can see, we need some kind of counseling service for mental health patients—people who are actually going through it, plus those who feel the same way, and maybe even people who just want to understand what that's like. That last group would probably be professionals or family members.

As far as I'm concerned, I can talk openly about my own situation right here on this forum, and you guys have already seen that.

Back when I worked on other projects, I noticed a lot of people hate airing out their personal business in public like that. People relax and open up way more when things feel private...

It’s all because they aren't terrified of being labeled by outsiders. That makes a huge difference.

BTW, there's one major thing we absolutely have to dig into if we want to find any real answers. We need to figure out how to spot delusional states and how to shut them down.

Look, I’m gonna be blunt with you.

Kenneth Hernandez67 said:I honestly think it's better this way, just being open... no need for special private forums.

Listen, Kenneth. You're just putting on an act. You aren't actually showing anyone the messy parts of yourself—the stuff that's hard to admit out loud. And trust me, you need to do that if you ever want to actually grow.

Bottom line, the perks of a closed group are that it's easier to open up, there's less outside judgment, and the vibe is more supportive.

The upside to this place right here is that it's just easier to get to.

It's your call. My vote is for the 🙂.

Yeah, totally.

Since this step is obviously crucial for building a place like this, there’s zero reason to rush it. It’s way better to sit down, analyze everything, and really nail how we say it so nobody screws up the final call.

An open forum has its perks because then the whole damn public gets to see what’s actually lurking behind actual schizophrenia. But look, this project isn't meant to educate the masses—it's for the people who actually need the help.

The upside to an open forum is that someone might just stumble into the conversation by accident. A closed forum (let's call it that) has the edge because the target group will find it easier to get involved.

Personally, I’m all for open source, but this is about privacy. And honestly? Being completely wide open in a society that is far, far from being accepting might be overkill... maybe even harmful. BTW, I actually think one of the issues with people dealing with schizophrenia is that they're just way too open sometimes.

Because let's face it, we all have so many dogmas... any harsh run-in with those beliefs from people who don't even realize they exist could totally backfire.

And whatever. Who am I to tell anyone what they can or can't do? That's why I think the place should be totally open, but definitely more private.

Bradley Fisher20 said:I’m going to be blunt with you.
Look, Kenneth Hernandez67, you’re just putting on an act. You aren't showing the world the darker sides of yourself—the parts that aren't easy to air in public. But being honest about those flaws is exactly what's required if you actually want to make any progress.

I think you’ve got it backwards; I don't need social circles for my own sake. 🙂

Besides, I don't particularly care for your views, but I accept them as part of the necessary diversity of thought.

You still seriously think this forum is the ultimate fix?

Alright, let’s get this show on the road—I think we’ve chatted enough already to break the ice.😉
My name is M (you know what to do... just say "Hi M" and give me a round of applause when I'm done... like in those classic American movies😁). I'm 25 years old (😁) and I live with my two brothers, my mom, my dad, my dog (😁), and honestly? By any medical definition, almost all of us are... well, a little "off." I also have a cat, a dog, an orange tree, a tangerine tree (which, by the way, grows right next to the orange tree in front of the house—they basically take turns fruiting), AND A WHOLE BUNCH OF OTHER STUFF (those last few were just random thoughts flying out, I won't go on about them... here😁)
Everything I've just typed is just words... nothing more, nothing less (you know that song "Love is..."😉)... but they could actually mean something—I truly believe that. That's why I'm writing.
To kick things off, let's start with this much, and then we'll move forward....
😎

A SOUND MIND IN A SOUND BODY

First things first—forget about all those clinical definitions and diagnoses for a second.
I’m going to try to lay out a rough framework here...
Schizophrenia is essentially a state of the spirit.
The mind and the body are inextricably linked—you can't separate them.
Whatever nourishes the spirit also serves as fuel for the body.
And whatever feeds the body acts as sustenance for the spirit.
Now, try to look back at everything we’ve posted on this Reddit thread... all that stuff about healthy living and whatnot.
Just wipe the slate clean.
Moving on
Man is an animal.
But man is also distinct from animals.
The difference lies in the fact that humans have control over their own reactions.
Humans experience fear... just like animals do.
Yet, the human brain is far more sophisticated than an animal's.
Humans possess the ability to control that fear.
Next step
Humans have choice.
Think back to what we were rambling about regarding freedom over on the Philosophy board.
Forget everything we wrote about freedom on philosophy.
Further still
The human brain is a complete mystery.
The human brain stays active even while you sleep.
The human brain dreams when it sleeps.
The human brain dreams even when you can't recall those dreams.
The human brain forgets and...
The human brain remembers.
😉

Hey, I'm Draco. I've been around the block a few times now, living at home with my mom and my dog—a big Schnauzer. I've also got two sisters, both married; one has three kids and the other has two. If anyone actually cares to see what I look like, you can check out my profile picture under the "Miscellaneous" section. Honestly, I have no idea why I'm even here. Did someone make a mistake? 😎

I see a lot of you all pointing me in different directions, so I figured I’d just ask here:
Someone very close to me is in this state where they’re aware of their disorder one minute, but completely oblivious the next. On top of that, they’re basically destroying themselves with alcohol while insisting they have everything under control and aren't addicted. Their big defense? They claim they perform perfectly at work.
It’s a totally bipolar personality—swinging from pure euphoria to deep pessimism and even diving into "conspiracy theories" in the blink of an eye.
They’re refusing to see doctors or undergo any treatment. To make matters worse, nobody in their inner circle thinks anything is even remotely strange because, on the surface, they just seem like some "eccentric, happy-go-lucky guy."
What can I actually do to help them???

Quote: Illegal

Raymond Allen said:I see you guys have been tagging me in quite a few things lately, so I figured I’d just step in and ask:
It’s someone close to me—someone who, for a fleeting moment, actually realizes they have an issue, but then spends the vast majority of their time completely oblivious to it. To make matters worse, they’re absolutely destroying themselves with alcohol while insisting they have total control over it. They claim they aren't addicted, and their "smoking gun" argument? That they perform flawlessly at work. As if being a high achiever at the office somehow negates the fact that they're spiraling. It’s exhausting.
Pure bipolarity—swinging from absolute euphoria to total pessimism—and those "conspiracy theories" only separate him for a split second.
He’s flat-out refusing to see doctors or follow any kind of treatment plan—and honestly, nobody in his inner circle thinks it’s even that weird. To everyone around him, he just comes across as some sort of "eccentric, happy-go-lucky guy." They aren't seeing the red flags at all.
What can I even do to help him???

The infamous "case."
In my experience—and I say this after dealing with plenty of nonsense—it really comes down to what you've actually lived through.
Look, I’ll say it plainly: conspiracy theories simply don't exist. People love to obsess over shadows and hidden agendas—it’s practically a national pastime here in the States—but let's be real for a second. What people call "conspiracy theories" are usually just a desperate attempt to find patterns in pure, unadulterated chaos. It's much easier to believe there's some shadowy cabal pulling all the strings than to accept the terrifying reality that nobody is actually in control. It’s psychological comfort masquerading as deep insight, and frankly, it's exhausting to listen to.😉

Alright, you losers. Is this all just one big joke to you?🙂

Look, it's not funny. Because honestly, there isn't much smarter we can do right now anyway🙂.

So what *can* we do? One idea spinning in my head is finding some kind of feedback loop to prove we're actually losing it. It’s obvious that "gut feeling" isn't something we can rely on, since feelings always feel good even when reality is totally different.

What I'm thinking—like a sort of guide for this whole mess—are those techniques people use for lucid dreaming, where you do a reality check to see if you're actually asleep.

Because even in a dream, while most things seem totally normal, certain things just won't work. To figure out which rules still apply and which ones don't, the most effective thing to do is what?

Keeping a journal, logs, stuff like that. BTW, is there anyone among you certified crazies willing to actually do something like that? If we built a solid database, maybe we could spot those hidden patterns that help us realize what state we're really in.

From what I've noticed, the biggest issue is how those hallucinations and the noise created by forcing them are absolutely killing our health and schizophrenia. We need to get rid of the hallucinations fast.

Only once we have a way to tell if we've fallen for the movie or not can we start doing some real cleaning up. Until then, it's hard to imagine any way forward.

Let me know what you crazy bastards think. 🙂

Bradley Fisher20 said:Alright, you jokers. Is all you care about just messing around?🙂

Look, that’s not okay. Because honestly, we can't really do anything more productive than this right now anyway 🙂.

So, what *can* we actually do? One idea rattling around in my brain is finding a way to establish feedback—something that tells us when we're actually losing it. It’s obvious that "gut feeling" isn't something we can rely on—since a gut feeling can feel perfectly fine even when reality is falling apart.

What I'm thinking of—as a sort of North Star for this whole mess—are techniques used in lucid dreaming, where you perform a reality check to figure out if you're still asleep.

Because in a dream, even though most things look identical to real life, certain things just don't work. To figure out which rules hold up and which ones break, the most effective thing to do is what?

Keeping a journal, logging entries, stuff like that. BTW, is there anyone among you proven crazy people willing to actually do something like that? Because if we could build a solid database, maybe we could identify those seemingly hidden patterns that would help us spot our own state of mind.

From what I've noticed, the most critical issue is how much damage those subtle allusions and the noise created by forcing them can do to your health and schizophrenia. We have to get rid of those allusions as quickly as possible.

Only once we have a method to tell us whether we've fallen for the movie or not can we start some actual, high-quality cleaning. Until then, I find it hard to imagine any progress.

I'm looking for comments from my fellow crazies. 🙂

😁

Kenneth Hill37 said:There's a famous "case"
From my own experience
there is no such thing as a conspiracy theory😉

I just don't get 😕