Schizophrenia - General Discussion

I was losing my mind. My mom just brought home some holy water from a summer camp her friend attends to sprinkle all over the house, and now she’s gone through the high shelves too. How am I supposed to feel okay about this when I’m practically running for the exit? It feels like an obsession. Honestly, it's terrifying.

Andrew Harris7 said:I am honestly on the verge of a total breakdown here. My mom just brought over some holy water from a retreat camp her friend attended to sprinkle all over the house—and she’s started spraying it on everything. How am I supposed to feel okay about this? I feel like I’m constantly running away from it, and now I’m starting to feel obsessed. It’s actually terrifying.

Oh man, why though??? 😍 Don't let your mind go there! I mean, come on, it’s holy water!!! 😍 Mind you, I haven't stepped foot in a church since middle school (unless you count those weddings I've had to attend over the last few years)😍 Personally, I’d actually love to have something like that around... or maybe a blessed crucifix that I could just use as a lucky charm! 😍

I know the i9 feels great, but there’s this weird sensation, like something just isn't quite seated right inside me. As for those technical glitches, I'm finally seeing some progress here.😍

Taylor Howard36 said:Look, I actually really like i9, but whenever I use it, I get this weird sensation—like something just entered my system when nothing actually did. As for those "phantom" sensations everyone talks about, I’ve definitely been noticing some progress there lately.😍

I don't have a single one myself! 😢 I seriously need to go out and pick something up 😬
So, what kind of phantom stuff are you actually dealing with?

-ana- said:I don't have a single one! 😢 I need to pick something up 😬
So what kind of junk are you holding onto?

A bracelet from Lourdes, something from Fatima, and this little stone I keep under my pillow.🙂

I can't believe I'm even typing this out—it’s honestly exhausting just thinking about it—but here we go. I feel like I've said it a thousand times already, and I know I probably sound like a broken record, but someone has to say it! It’s just one thing after another lately, isn't it? You try to do things the right way—you really do—and then suddenly everything just falls apart because of some ridiculous oversight or just plain old bad luck. It’s infuriating. Honestly, it’s enough to make you want to just pack it all in and move to some quiet little town in Vermont where nobody bothers you, though knowing my luck, I’d probably trip over a pumpkin within twenty minutes. Anyway, I digress. What was I saying? Right. The point is, we need to stay focused, even when everything feels like a complete circus. kaže:
Just one little bracelet from Lourdes, some trinkets from Fatima—and then there’s that one specific little stone I keep tucked right under my pillow.🙂

Good grief, I actually have a necklace and a cross from Fatima sitting somewhere around here too... jeez, I completely lost track of them! Honestly, if they were bought at Fatima, I’m pretty sure they’re supposed to be blessed—isn't that how it works? Or am I just losing my mind again? 😬 Look, Al, is the real issue just that the chain is acting a little bit wonky? It feels like it’s skipping around—just a bit jittery, if you know what I mean—and honestly, I can't tell if it's a minor hiccup or if I'm looking at a total disaster waiting to happen. 🙄 They sold it off to everyone like it was pure silver—absolute madness—but in the end, it turned out to be nothing more than some cheap silver-plated trinket. What a joke. 🙄

Hey, I actually burn incense all the time at home. It’s just like what you’d smell in an American cathedral during $1.75. It smells amazing!

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ivana2009 said:I’m honestly on the verge of a breakdown. My mom just brought over some holy water from a friend in the Republican Party area to sprinkle around the house, and now she’s started spraying everything in sight. How am I supposed to feel okay when I’m constantly trying to dodge it all? It feels like I'm becoming obsessed. It’s actually pretty scary.

Oof, hang in there. Either get ready for things to turn around, or brace your stomach.

So, I was doing a little bit of scrolling through the web earlier and stumbled upon this... 😍

SCHIZOPHRENIA

It’s an illness that basically consumes the entire personality—we're talking very specific disturbances in thought, perception, and affect.
Usually the most common, the most severe, and honestly, the most bizarre
In most cases, it's chronic, sometimes even lifelong.
The name itself means "split mind."
It can lead to a complete disconnect between intellectual ability and emotion—basically leading toward autism.

EPIDEMIOLOGY
There's about a 1% risk of developing it.
Most patients fall within the age range of 22.9 to 26.7 years old.

CLINICAL PICTURE
Onset typically happens between ages 15 and 30.
Even the closest family members often don't realize right away that it's actually a medical condition.
The patient starts losing interest in everything around them—including themselves. They neglect their appearance and abandon hobbies they used to love. Their social functioning just tanks. That drive to change or improve their own life? It just evaporates.
They withdraw inward, communication drops off, they might listen to music for hours on end, lock themselves in their room, or just lie awake in bed for ages—sometimes even hiding under the covers with their head covered.
Their sleep cycle flips completely: staying up all night smoking and listening to music, pacing back and forth, only to spend the day in bed, either staring blankly or sleeping.
Then come the delusional thoughts—these "crazy" ideas that even the patient doesn't quite grasp at first, so they try to hide them from everyone else.
Eventually, it starts messing with how they perceive themselves: the boundaries between their own body and the world start blurring—that's depersonalization; then there's derealization (which is a core symptom of schizophrenia and psychosis, where reality feels distorted); affective inversions; autism; and they just progressively abandon all social norms...

THOUGHT DISORDERS
Thought withdrawal, mutism, fragmented reasoning, dissociated thinking, "word salad"—where the clarity of concepts and messages just disintegrates, associations break down, and speech becomes nonsensical and disconnected.

CONTENT DISORDERS OF THOUGHT
Delusional thoughts—unreal, bizarre stuff.
Paranoid delusions.
Lately, some patients even believe they are part of a TV program.

HALLUCINATIONS
AUDITORY—sounds, noise, creaking, music.
There's a "voice" that speaks directly to the patient, which they actually hear—this is dangerous because of the risk of suicide or homicide. These "voices" might even talk about the patient in the third person.
VISUAL—often linked with auditory hallucinations.
SOMATIC—the patient believes their body has been altered or is being changed by some outside force.
Like believing radio or TV signals are rearranging their internal organs, or that a doctor implanted something inside them to shift their anatomy. There are also descriptions of phantom pregnancies and sexual hallucinations.

OLFACTORY—though these aren't typical for schizophrenia, more for epilepsy.

PSYCHOMOTORITY—hypokinesia, Hyperkinesis, stereotypy.
Hypokinesia—a slowing down and reduction of movement, sometimes leading to stupor.
They can stay in the exact same position for hours—like a "psychological pillow."
Negativism—refusing food, broken contact with people, and impaired communication.
Hyperkinesis—catatonic restlessness; intense agitation without any trigger, involving movements and walking that they simply cannot stop.
Stereotypy—for instance, repeatedly walking from one bed to another.
Mannerism—unnatural, odd movements.

DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA:
1. Hearing one's own thoughts out loud.
2. Talking as if responding to auditory hallucinations.
3. Two or more voices discussing the patient in the third person and commenting on their actions.
4. Thought withdrawal and/or loss of feeling.
5. Thought insertion and/or forced feelings.
6. Others being able to read the patient's thoughts—meaning others know what they are thinking.
7. Imposition and control over one's will and impulses.
8. Cenesthetic hallucinations—feeling one's own organs or sensing their autonomic functions.

Source: http://www.geocities.com/very_dark_a...zofrenija.html

Taylor Howard36 Taylor Howard36 said:So, I was just browsing around online and stumbled upon this... 😍

Schizophrenia

Is there anything more profound than a condition that touches every single aspect of a person's identity? We're talking about something that fundamentally reshapes how someone processes thought, perceives the world around them, and experiences emotion. It’s truly all-encompassing.
The most common, the most difficult, and the most bizarre.
In most cases, we’re looking at a chronic condition—sometimes even a lifelong one.
The title translates to: a split soul.
Can a disconnect between intellect and emotion actually lead to autism?

Epidemiology
What are the odds? There's a 1% risk of getting sick.
It looks like we’re seeing the highest concentration of patients in the 22.9 to 26.7 age range. Isn't it interesting how those specific years seem to be the peak?

Clinical Presentation
When does this typically start? For many people, the onset usually falls somewhere between the ages of 15 and 30.
Even those closest to you often fail to recognize that what’s happening is actually a medical condition.
When someone starts losing interest in everything around them—including themselves—it’s a major red flag. You begin to see them neglect their appearance and walk away from the hobbies that used to bring them so much joy. It eventually hits their ability to function in daily life, like missing appointments or failing to meet basic responsibilities. At its core, that drive to change or improve their own situation just seems to evaporate. Is there anything more telling than seeing that spark of motivation simply fade away?
Are they starting to withdraw? You might notice them pulling away from everyone, cutting back on communication, and spending hours lost in their music. They tend to shut themselves away in their rooms, sometimes just lying in bed wide awake for hours—occasionally even hiding under the covers with a blanket pulled over their head.
They’re completely flipping their internal clocks upside down. They stay wide awake all night long—just lounging around, listening to music, and pacing back and forth—only to end up in bed during the day, either staring at the ceiling or finally crashing. Isn't it strange how that works?
He starts getting these dark, intrusive thoughts—the kind that feel totally irrational. At first, even the patient can't quite make sense of them, so they try to mask what's happening by focusing on everything else going on around them.
Then you start seeing disruptions in how they perceive themselves. It begins with those blurred lines where they can't quite distinguish their own body from the world around them—that’s depersonalization. Then there's derealization, which is essentially an altered sense of reality, often serving as a core symptom of psychosis or schizophrenia. You might also see affective inversion, symptoms of autism, or a steady drift away from standard social norms. Is it possible that these shifts are all interconnected?

Disorders of Thought
Have you ever experienced that sudden, jarring sensation where your thoughts just seem to evaporate? It’s a strange feeling—one moment you have a clear idea, and the next, you're left with total thought blocking or complete mutism. It can feel like your ability to form an opinion just dissolves, leaving you with nothing but dissociated or fragmented reasoning. It’s almost like experiencing a "word salad," where the clarity of your concepts and messages starts to break down entirely. When associations become disrupted, speech can quickly turn into something nonsensical and disconnected. Isn't it unsettling how quickly the internal logic we rely on can simply unravel?

What exactly defines content disorders of thought? When we dive into the complexities of how someone processes reality, where do we draw the line between a unique perspective and a clinical disorder? It’s a fascinating, if heavy, subject to unpack.
Ever had those moments where your mind just starts wandering into the weirdest territory? I'm talking about those intrusive, surreal thoughts that feel totally disconnected from reality—just strange, nonsensical ideas popping up out of nowhere. Have you ever experienced that? It’s such an odd sensation when your brain decides to take a detour into the absurd.
Any thoughts on how to handle the pursuit?
Lately, I've been noticing a strange trend where patients start believing they’re actually part of some TV show. It’s a fascinating, if somewhat unsettling, shift in perception, isn't it?

Hallucinations.
The sounds around us—the constant hum, the sudden bursts of noise, that rhythmic creaking, or even the music playing in the background. What do you think?
Have you ever wondered what it’s actually like when someone experiences auditory hallucinations? It isn't always just random noise; sometimes, there is a distinct "voice" that speaks directly to the patient. This can be incredibly dangerous, as the voices might command them to harm themselves or others. In other instances, these voices don't address the individual directly, instead speaking about them in the third person, as if they are observers watching from the sidelines.
Visual hallucinations—could they actually be linked to auditory ones?
Does anyone else ever feel like their body isn't quite their own? It’s that unsettling sensation where a person truly believes their physical self has been altered—or is in the middle of changing—due to some kind of outside force acting upon them.
Could radio and TV waves actually be powerful enough to rearrange internal organs? It sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi thriller, doesn't it? Imagine a scenario where a doctor implants a device capable of physically shifting the placement of organs within the abdomen. If we follow that wild premise into a pregnancy, how would that change everything? You’d have the added complexity of trying to protect both the mother and the developing baby from these constant internal shifts. Then, there's the layer of sexual hallucinations—how would a person even begin to distinguish reality from those intense, manufactured sensations? Is it possible for technology to interfere with our most primal biological experiences?

These symptoms aren't actually typical of schizophrenia; they point much more toward epilepsy.

Psychomotor activity—we're looking at hypokinesia, Hyperkinesis, and stereotypy.
Hypokinesia—it’s that noticeable slowing of movement where everything just seems to drag, sometimes even leading to complete physical stillness. Have you ever wondered how much this impacts daily rhythm?
Can you stay in the exact same position for hours on end? It’s like having a psychological cushion that keeps you stuck in one spot.
Negative behaviors can manifest in several challenging ways—things like refusing to eat, struggling to connect with those around them, or showing significant breakdowns in communication. Isn't it vital to understand how these patterns impact a person's daily life?
Hyperkinesis—it can manifest as catatonic restlessness or intense, sudden bouts of agitation without any clear trigger. It often involves repetitive movements or pacing that feels impossible to stop. Have you ever experienced those moments where the body just seems to have a mind of its own?
Is there anyone else who notices instances of stereotypy? For example, someone might find themselves pacing back and forth between beds quite frequently.
Mannerism—those movements that just don't feel quite natural.

Diagnostic Criteria:
Thinking out loud.
Is it possible that a patient might start conversing as if they are responding to auditory hallucinations? It’s an interesting phenomenon to consider, isn't it?
What happens when two or more people start talking about a patient in the third person? It’s an interesting dynamic, isn't it? They begin analyzing every single move and commenting on everything the person does.
4. The loss of thoughts and/or emotions.
5. The imposition of thoughts and/or feelings
Could others actually read a patient's mind? In other words, is it possible for people around them to know exactly what they're thinking?
7. Imposing and controlling one's will and impulses
8. Cenestetic hallucinations — that strange sensation where you become hyper-aware of your own internal organs and how they're functioning, essentially perceiving your own basic bodily processes.

source:http://www.geocities.com/very_dark_a...zofrenija.html

Everything here is spot on, though I don't personally deal with hearing voices.
I have to admit, though, writing this out hasn't been the most pleasant experience.
It’s been pretty stressful and it's definitely messed with my sleep.
On top of that, some psychic told me that by the time I turn 29, I'll end up in a mental institution for good.
That's only four months away.
But since I've already been through one, I think his prediction falls flat. No biggie.
He even tried to threaten me, telling me I need to change my ways and blah blah blah.
But then I start reflecting on it and I wonder... what am I doing to mess up my own karma?🙂

outoftheblue said:..... and now my sleep schedule is completely shot.

Honestly, 😬 my folks have been riding my back lately because I’ve been sleeping until 1 PM. 😬 Look, I didn't have any responsibilities hanging over my head—nothing!—so I just let myself indulge a little too much... I used to stay up surfing the web until midnight and be totally fine with it. I’d wake up naturally around 8 AM without even needing an alarm... no big deal. But now? There is absolutely zero chance I'm falling asleep before 2 AM... and from 2 to 4, I'm basically just staring at the ceiling counting sheep.😠

outoftheblue said:But then I start overthinking it all again, wondering what on earth I could possibly be doing to mess up my own karma.🙂

Oh, please—you aren't doing anything wrong! Honestly, I think you’re a wonderful person—well, a wonderful woman, let's say 😍 charming, with a great sense of humor 😍 🙏

As for the internet thing—look, just try staying online for twenty-four hours straight and then hitting the sack... it totally threw my whole rhythm off, too... and from what I know about you, sleep is absolutely vital... so maybe just set a limit for yourself, like two hours a day... or whatever works for you... the main thing is just don't go overboard 👍 like I have been lately 😳

So, what’s the deal with medication here? Like, are you expected to just shell out full price for everything yourself—because let's be honest, those prices look pretty steep—or is there a way to actually get them via a prescription through insurance?

My doctor actually suggested I start taking some kind of supplement, maybe even ordering something specific from the States🤣 🤣 😬 , though honestly, at this point, I’m not sure what else is left to try since most new medications just don't sit right with my system. Take care🙏 😘

I must say, I am thoroughly impressed by the quality of this entire discussion! I have spent the last two hours immersed in this thread, reading through everything from top to bottom... though, if I’m being perfectly honest, I might have skipped a few bits here and there. But overall, truly wonderful! 🙂 I am truly, deeply impressed by this entire saga! Honestly, I find myself completely captivated by how everything has unfolded. It’s one of those rare instances where the sheer scale of the narrative just leaves you breathless!

Terry Thompson7, you know as well as I do that things aren't just getting better
so what can I do?
As long as my mind is still sharp, I’m going to do everything in my power.
I'm living proof that these mental struggles are real: on paper, I have everything, yet I still feel terriblehey hey hey hey hey

Just think about how much has changed from when I was 17 or 18 until now.
Even my closest friend doesn't believe how much I'm struggling
so how could everyone else possibly understand?
Get this—there are no external issues; the problem is entirely in this damn brain chemistry. If it weren't, wouldn't I feel fine without needing my medication?

Is this paranoia?☕ 🙂 😢 ☕

briskgull27 said:Terry Thompson7, come on... you know damn well things aren't just getting better.
But what can I do?
As long as my brain is still functioning enough to process this, I’m going to do whatever I can.
I’m basically living proof that schizophrenia is a real thing—on paper, everything looks perfect, yet I feel like hell.heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

Just think about who I was at seventeen or eighteen versus who I am now.
Even one of my closest friends doesn't believe how messed up I actually am,
so imagine what the rest of the world thinks.
You get it, right? There isn't some external crisis—the issue is tucked away in that godforsaken brain chemistry. If it weren't, I wouldn't feel a shred of relief after taking my meds.

Is this paranoia?☕ 🙂 😢 ☕

NOPE—you're writing perfectly lucid and interesting stuff here.😉

FBI investigation. said:Is it possible to write something that's both completely healthy and genuinely engaging? I've been thinking about it lately. How do we strike that perfect balance between substance and style without losing the reader? It’s a fine line to walk, isn't it?😉

Hey, I’ve gotta say, the FBI has me absolutely wiped out right now.🙏 🤣

Oh, please, I didn't mean it like that at all—I'm certainly not suggesting this is just some trivial conversation...
As a psychology student, we are actually covering the CIA and similar disorders in my psychopathology course right now, but let me tell you, it is a completely different experience when you hear the full history and current reality of the condition from someone who actually lives through it...
I truly admire your willingness to speak openly like this, and I appreciate that you haven't been bothered by us pestering you with endless questions...
And, well, just between us, I haven't personally met anyone living with schizophrenia yet (I'll be starting my clinical practicums soon), but even so, I honestly think I might feel a bit uneasy being close friends with someone diagnosed with it... perhaps that's just my career path influencing my perspective, but I really think I wouldn't...