Schizophrenia - General Discussion

Joshua Lewis9 said:Yeah, "A Beautiful Mind" is an awesome movie starring Russell Crowe... I finally wrapped my head around it the second time I watched it... it's a bit heavy to process at first.....🤣

Hey there, buddy... you've been totally MIA... what's going on with you? Even a supernova couldn't find you when you're hiding like this... I talked to Jack, and he said you haven't even checked in with him. You acting too cool for us now? Don't let the wild ones get you! Reach out... come back to us...🙏 🙏 👍

So, I've been taking Valerian for a few weeks now. The label says it helps with restlessness, tension, stress, and insomnia... it's not a bad supplement. I'm not trying to sell it or anything, but it works great... especially paired with 2 mg of Normabell. Yeah, just 2 mg... it's a solid combo. For me, the 2 mg of Normabell feels refreshing, while the Valerian really hits that relaxation spot. I've cut out alcohol completely—just sticking to water and juice. I try to avoid soda, too much Coke, and huge amounts of caffeine. Honestly, I feel like I'm constantly seeing things... but as long as I stay busy and focus on something positive, it stays away. Sometimes I hear things, though... just occasionally. I can't quite figure out why all this happens. My psychiatrist tells me, "Don't go back to your old ways... let's see how things are moving forward now." As I write this, it's like thoughts are traveling through the air to reach me. Sometimes my thoughts don't even feel like mine. Why would you let a thought spin around your brain like it's under a spell? Where is the solution to all this? A "spellbound" thought could be about anything... any random thing. Why do thoughts sometimes feel like they're stuck in a loop? Do you ever feel a sharp sting, like a needle prick, and you aren't even sure what happened? You know why? I was watching TV and reading about psychosis. I don't want to scare anyone, but there's something happening that I just can't wrap my head around... those "demon" hallucinations. They are incredibly hard to deal with. But if you have faith, you can endure it—if you're a fighter like me. It gets tough when you lose that faith, and those demon hallucinations are powerful... but there is always a way out. Whether it's talking to a priest or just fighting through it, someone eventually comes out a winner. Watch out, because those demon hallucinations are no joke... it's a real battle. Just something to think about... bye

What is the true nature of these sensations? Do you experience them as if someone or something is merely brushing against your skin, or does it feel more like a sharp pinching sensation? Furthermore, is this perceived contact limited strictly to your surface skin, or does it feel as though you are being touched or pinched from deep within your very being?

Nicole Barrett76 said:What is the true nature of these sensations? Do you experience them as if someone or something is merely brushing against your skin, or does it feel more like a sharp pinching sensation? Furthermore, is this perceived contact limited strictly to your surface skin, or does it feel as though you are being touched or pinched from deep within your very being?

The guy literally said it feels like getting stung by jellyfish.😲

Carl Gray65 said:It’s terrifying. I live with a brother who has schizophrenia, and when he skips his meds—which is where we are right now—he gets aggressive. We’re all living in constant fear for our lives... honestly, people like him, especially if they can't hold down a job, should be in specialized facilities. Places where they can socialize but also actually stick to their treatment plans and stop being a public health hazard... because my brother specifically isn't "fine" even when he *is* medicated... at least then I'm not fearing for my life... He was hospitalized once after nearly killing my younger brother... and they just let him out after two weeks. And now, suddenly, he's "doing great." Can you believe that? It's easy to say he's fine when he's been heavily sedated for fourteen days... I'd love to see some doctor try living with him for a week before they claim everything is perfectly under control...

I also live with a brother diagnosed with F20.0, though he stays consistent with his treatment. For us, life is actually pretty peaceful; he has these specific rituals and habits that I don't quite wrap my head around, but he isn't a threat to anyone, including himself. For instance, he hits the sack early, wakes up at dawn, and heads into town for coffee while everyone else is rushing off to work. He’s obsessed with movies—he can watch the same film three times in a single day. He doesn't care for friends, especially people his own age, and he loves his cigarettes... Sometimes I wish things were different, but mostly we just accept him for who he is. It stings a little seeing his peers working jobs or finishing college while he's just lying there watching films, but it is what it is. At the end of the day, the most important thing is that he isn't having psychotic breaks and isn't suffering. Nobody chooses to deal with this kind of illness.

feraleagle24 said:I also live with a brother diagnosed with F20.0, though he stays consistent with his treatment. For us, life is actually pretty peaceful; he has these specific rituals and habits that I don't quite wrap my head around, but he isn't a threat to anyone, including himself. For instance, he hits the sack early, wakes up at dawn, and heads into town for coffee while everyone else is rushing off to work. He’s obsessed with movies—he can watch the same film three times in a single day. He doesn't care for friends, especially people his own age, and he loves his cigarettes... Sometimes I wish things were different, but mostly we just accept him for who he is. It stings a little seeing his peers working jobs or finishing college while he's just lying there watching films, but it is what it is. At the end of the day, the most important thing is that he isn't having psychotic breaks and isn't suffering. Nobody chooses to deal with this kind of illness.

The hardest part is watching him spiral while Mom and I just watch on helplessly......
Such a devastating diagnosis... and I often feel like nobody is truly stepping up to help him......

Carl Gray65 said:The hardest part is watching him spiral while Mom and I just watch on helplessly......
Such a devastating diagnosis... and I often feel like nobody is truly stepping up to help him......

God, I know that pain. Watching my own mother crumble was devastating, especially because my dad—of course he did—just packed up and started an entirely new family after everything fell apart. But look, the hardest part eventually passes. Once Dad left, Mom and my brother finally found their own rhythm. She dedicated herself to him, and she truly loves him and helps him; I think they actually became friends through all this. The truth is, society doesn't give a damn about people in these situations; it’s only family that provides any real shelter or support. It sounds like you’re in a similar boat—you have enough family members to rotate the caretaking duties. When one person hits a wall, someone else needs to step in. Please, protect both Mom and your brother, because your brother is a victim here, not some criminal. You really need to find a psychotherapist who can work on getting him to actually take his medication, while also helping you figure out how to live in this "new normal." I believe there are even free psychologists out there who specialize in family crises through Catholic Charities. Look around where you live; in my city, they were a huge help to us.
After the initial shock and the total collapse of our lives, my family began to rise like a Phoenix; we learned how to adapt and live with the reality of F20.0.
I absolutely adore my brother. I admire how he handles such a brutal illness, and I’m genuinely grateful for the chance to be there for him.👍
Did your brother finish school? Is he working at all, or how does he spend his days?

He finished his carpentry training and actually tried working, but even when he’s on the clock, he can’t seem to stick it out... He’s put on a massive amount of weight because he spends all day sleeping, and honestly, just getting him moving feels like an impossible task... I’m constantly hunting down odd jobs for him, but they usually only last a day or two. Anyone who lays eyes on him just assumes he's lazy, since he's moved so incredibly slow lately, so none of that really leads anywhere... He just spends the entire day stuck in bed, staring at the TV.

There’s actually an excellent book out there on all of this—it's by Hans-Jurgen Luderer, titled *Schizophrenia: Learning to Live with the Illness* (it's packed with useful info for patients and their families). Honestly, watching someone you love lose their will to live is gut-wrenching, but that’s just part of the condition. You have to find ways to help them, specifically by finding what sparks a little bit of motivation in them. For instance, we used to take my brother out for walks every single day; eventually, it just became his routine, and now he goes out on his own without us even asking. We were constantly reading up on everything, and now he’s started reading a ton himself! My husband spends hours drawing, and he actually managed to get my brother interested in it too—my husband will sit there for hours, while my brother might manage thirty minutes, but hey, it's progress! Dealing with them can feel a lot like raising children sometimes; instead of teaching them the alphabet, you're trying to teach them how to actually be interested in *something*. It’s incredibly tough at first, but eventually, these things become part of their daily pattern. I am sending so much luck to you and your family. Just stay optimistic—the world isn't over, it's just this illness!!!!

Right, I totally blanked on saying this, but the absolute most critical thing is getting your brother started on his medication. Seriously, if you have to, just force the issue and get him admitted to the hospital. You know how the system works—you call 911 and the paramedics, tell them he’s being aggressive toward himself and the family, and that’s usually the only way they'll intervene. It feels terrible, honestly, like such a heavy-handed way to help someone you love, but when the procedure is this broken and disgusting, what else can you do? My own brother ended up in a psychiatric ward in Chicago through that exact process, and he was stuck there for three weeks. But look, it worked. He’s been consistent with his meds ever since. At first, my mom had to watch him like a hawk to make sure he actually took them, but now? It’s just become part of his daily routine.

Where did everyone go? Is anyone even here?

Honestly, I know this is true because I live it every day... it’s just so incredibly hard to get involved in anything. I try constantly, I really do, but it just doesn't happen. There’s this weird resistance toward work and being productive. I can't quite put my finger on why, but once I start something, I just can't seem to cross the finish line. It's like this total apathy toward everything, especially tasks. Sometimes I just can't find the spark to move. That's just part of dealing with this illness. And it's even tougher when you aren't getting that support from friends or family... this struggle is heavy. Getting back into the swing of things is such a mountain to climb. I don't even know the root cause myself. I can sit at my MacBook all day, chatting online or surfing the web, but actually starting something creative? Total standstill. I have no clue why I lose interest so fast. My brain just loops on these thoughts about why I can't follow through—what's actually stalling me? Is it just intrusive thoughts, or is it pure brain chemistry making it impossible to be productive? Or maybe it's some higher power blocking my path... or just casting a spell on me so I lose the drive for even the small things I want. Maybe it's something everyone goes through. I was reading a book by Luther about this, and it talks about how these things hold us back from growing instead of letting us move forward. It's awful. The kicker is, I still have the energy to hang out and grab dinner with people, but when it comes to actually creating something? Nothing. It's just gutting.

feraleagle24 said:Right, I totally blanked on saying this, but the absolute most critical thing is getting your brother started on his medication. Seriously, if you have to, just force the issue and get him admitted to the hospital. You know how the system works—you call 911 and the paramedics, tell them he’s being aggressive toward himself and the family, and that’s usually the only way they'll intervene. It feels terrible, honestly, like such a heavy-handed way to help someone you love, but when the procedure is this broken and disgusting, what else can you do? My own brother ended up in a psychiatric ward in Chicago through that exact process, and he was stuck there for three weeks. But look, it worked. He’s been consistent with his meds ever since. At first, my mom had to watch him like a hawk to make sure he actually took them, but now? It’s just become part of his daily routine.

THANKS...

Can someone outline the different types of schizophrenia and how they're diagnosed? Thanks.

Sophia King42 said:Can someone outline the different types of schizophrenia and how they're diagnosed? Thanks.

One could easily look this up online to gain a more systematic understanding of the subject. However, if I recall correctly, the primary classifications include:

Simple schizophrenia,
Hebephrenic schizophrenia—also known as disorganized schizophrenia,
Paranoid schizophrenia—characterized by the persistent belief that others are following or persecuting you,
Catatonic schizophrenia,
Microsoft—though this final category often aligns more closely with borderline functioning, where one isn't quite ill enough for a full diagnosis but still exhibits mild symptoms.

Nicole Barrett76 said:One could easily look this up online to gain a more systematic understanding of the subject. However, if I recall correctly, the primary classifications include:

Simple schizophrenia,
Hebephrenic schizophrenia—also known as disorganized schizophrenia,
Paranoid schizophrenia—characterized by the persistent belief that others are following or persecuting you,
Catatonic schizophrenia,
Microsoft—though this final category often aligns more closely with borderline functioning, where one isn't quite ill enough for a full diagnosis but still exhibits mild symptoms.

I was told I have some kind of "nocturnal epilepsy." Apparently, it's electrical issues in the brain... vision impairment, sudden mood crashes, blacking out momentarily, my brain running three times faster than normal, neurons dying off at an accelerated rate, and so on. Ever heard of anything like that?

Sophia King42 said:I was told I have some kind of "nocturnal epilepsy." Apparently, it's electrical issues in the brain... vision impairment, sudden mood crashes, blacking out momentarily, my brain running three times faster than normal, neurons dying off at an accelerated rate, and so on. Ever heard of anything like that?

Never heard of it.

Did a neurologist or a psychiatrist tell you that?
Do you happen to know the specific name of the diagnosis, or maybe the code they used?

Eric Jackson11 said:Did a neurologist or a psychiatrist tell you that?
Do you happen to know the specific name of the diagnosis, or maybe the code they used?

It wasn't a psychologist or a psychiatrist. It was some herbalist. I don't know the technical term.

Are you kidding me right now?
Go ask some amateur for help.
Maybe some basic weed might do the trick...

Can someone explain what F21 actually entails? Specifically, I'm looking for the distinction between F20, F21, F22, and so on...

I did a little digging online, and this seems to be what we're looking at: http://www.mentalhealth.com/icd/p22-pe03.html
Still—it’s not entirely clear to me. Is this officially classified as schizophrenia or not? And is it a lifelong diagnosis?
A member of my family was recently diagnosed and they've been prescribed Risperdal twice a day, along with Akineton and Ativan.
Is anyone else here on these specific medications? I'd be interested to hear about your experiences.

ironbison23 said:Can someone explain what F21 actually entails? Specifically, I'm looking for the distinction between F20, F21, F22, and so on...

F21: Schizotypal disorder, essentially a schizophrenia-spectrum condition.
F20: Non-specific schizophrenia.
F22: Persistent delusional disorders.