Schizophrenia - General Discussion

Honestly, I look at it just like any other health struggle you might face. In my line of work, I run into people dealing with this all the time, and it’s really eye-opening. If someone stays on top of things—you know, actually being disciplined with their treatment plan and keeping those doctor appointments—they can absolutely live a full, normal life. It’s totally manageable when you put in the effort.

briskgull27—did I ask you something, were you given electroshock therapy too, I think I saw that mentioned in one of your posts?

Rebecca Flores5 said:briskgull27—I wanted to ask you something, have you ever undergone electroshock therapy? I think I saw you mention it in one of your previous posts.

I actually have an official document with a stamp to prove it.

Down at the Los Angeles facility, we were just chatting—another lady struggling with her mental health and myself—
and she tells me, "Honey (she means well), you could have just stayed quiet instead of talking."

Sending love!🙂 😘

briskgull27 said:I actually have a document with a stamp on it.

Listen, just another crazy lady and I are talking about some bloody mess in Los Angeles,
and she tells me, "Honey (she loves me), you could have just stayed quiet."

Love ya🙂 😘

Do they give you any local anesthetic during that, or do they sedate you? Or is it all "live"?
Did you experience any side effects afterward..?

briskgull27 said:Listen closely, sweetie...
It’s like this: as far as I know, they perform ECT at Rib, but they definitely don't do it at the Los Angeles facility.
After I told my doctor that she was just a Schizophrenic woman, then started throwing pills around and smashing those glass wire doors, my dad had to sign off on me receiving electroshock therapy; he basically had to take full responsibility for any lasting side effects. I went through 6 sessions.

I honestly didn't know what to expect—I'm actually surprised I still remember all my English after 6 rounds of shock therapy!
1. They put a mouthguard in for you.
2. You get an injection.
3. As you're drifting off, they place something against your temples.
4. You wake up.

The best part was when my friends came to visit me for my 19th birthday. They were allowed to visit by then, and they were all like, "Hang in there, it'll get better!" Then the nurse would walk in saying, "Come on girls, let's go, just one more shock," and they'd leave while I was headed back in for another one.

☕

They usually resort to electroshock when medications haven't worked for a while—in my case, it was three weeks.
And back at the Los Angeles facility, I ended up in a COMA, and then a doctor hit me with so much Haldol that I wasn't myself for two months. I was shaking like a leaf. Honestly, I have my doubts about that Hippocratic Oath.

😂 😂 🎉 ☕

Everything is written right here.☕ 😍 🙂

Haha, no, I don't have any side effects at all; my horoscope is looking pretty bright.

For about six to eight months, I actually went through a phase where I felt like I was losing my mind—like I was just some total lunatic with no value whatsoever.
But then, life just starts moving forward again.
It has to happen; there’s really no other way.

What an absolute disaster. I was reading up on it, and while I get that it’s a last resort when meds just aren't cutting it, I honestly don't see the point. I mean, I understand the mechanics, but if a procedure carries that many side effects, why is it even still part of the playbook? 👎
I feel terrible for you regarding that.😘

Rebecca Flores5 said:what a total disaster—I was reading up on it, and sure, I get that they resort to it when the meds just aren't cutting it anymore, but I honestly don't see the point. I mean, I understand the mechanics of how it works, but when a procedure carries that many brutal side effects, why on earth is it still part of the playbook?..👎
man, I really feel for you on this one😘

honestly, I don't see the point either 😕

When they tell me, "Your child might stay like this for months, the medication might not work, and you may eventually have to move her to a long-term care facility,"
I’d sign those papers in a heartbeat. Wouldn't you, Dad? 🙂 🙂 🎉

BUT THAT SOUNDS EVEN WORSE THAN BEING LOCKED UP IN A STATE ASYLUM

Okay, fine, I did sign off on an abortion once, but this is a whole different level of heavy

I guess my old man knew I wasn't exactly the brightest bulb in the box and that I don't have a clue what I'm doing here
🙂

Ann, basically, they use electricity to depolarize your brain to shift the chemistry, which is supposedly how it works😕 , but briskgull27 is proving once again that it doesn't.

I found some info on newer shock therapy methods—it’s called TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) now instead of ECT, but the concept remains identical:

The magnetic fields used in this new TMS procedure can actually penetrate the skull to target specific areas. A large capacitor generates a rapid alternating current, creating magnetic fields that enter the brain through a metal coil placed against the scalp.
These magnetic field lines pass through the brain, inducing a weak electrical current that causes electrons to depolarize. This triggers what are known as "mood circuits" in patients with major depression, shifting them toward a better mood.
Since the magnetically induced current travels indirectly, it can be focused solely on specific parts of the brain, such as the prefrontal cortex—the area responsible for suppressing negative emotions. Along with other psychological shifts, this treatment boosts serotonin levels, which is the same neurotransmitter targeted by medications like Prozac and Celexa.

blah, blah, sounds terrifying

Thank God they sedate you beforehand... I swear, back when I used to watch those old movies, they always showed them doing it while the person was wide awake... and I was absolutely convinced that during electroshock therapy, you're just fully conscious and staring at the ceiling...

Just take a second and imagine what’s actually going down in that basement right now.
Nothing at the moment.
But just six hours ago, dinner was served.
If anyone dares to raise their voice, the cleaning lady (excuse me!) snaps: "Quiet!"
Then, everyone gets their meds around 8 or 9 PM.
The doctor keeps switching shifts—she isn't even supposed to be there in the morning since her shift ends at 4 PM—but she wanders around looking like an alien with that expression on her face:
"Ugh, you people are awful. I actually have to work with you."
Some of the older ladies are busy praying the Rosary, while others just wander around if they can get to the outdoor area.
But!
It’s not too much; people just head off to grab a coffee from the vending machine.

Well, that's life at Rib.

Honestly, things are so much better over at Jankic—it's way more lively, like everyone is just one big, crazy family.

Taylor Howard36 said:Thank goodness they sedate you beforehand... I used to watch movies where they always did that to a conscious patient. I was honestly convinced that people were wide awake during electroshock therapy...

Wait, is insulin shock therapy something completely different?

I’m not sure about a cure, honestly. My dad used to tell me they’d just give you a little bit of an electric shock.
Just a few volts 😂 😂 😂 😂 🤣

Taylor Howard36 said:Thank God they sedate you first... I always assumed while watching movies that they did it to someone wide awake... I was totally convinced people were conscious during electroshock therapy...

To be honest, I suspect they used to perform it on patients who were awake, though I'd have to double-check the records.😲 ...

briskgull27 said:Wait, insulin shock is something else entirely, right?????????????

I don't follow. Insulin shock?

briskgull27 said:Wait, isn't insulin shock something else entirely?????????????

Well, honestly? It’s probably just as horrific—actually, scratch that, it’s way, WAY worse than being hit with electroshock because when you're dealing with that insulin shock, you're actually fully conscious for the whole ride.😬

Yeah, maybe a little... I'm honestly worried about the battery life too.😬

Rebecca Flores5 said:I don't get it—insulin shock?

It’s basically what happens when someone "overdoes it" with their insulin dose... at least, that's my take on it anyway... 😬

Are we talking about insulin shock in psychiatry?