Schizophrenia - General Discussion

Angela Stewart6 said:Well, I did manage to scale back mine, though it wasn't some overnight transformation—it took plenty of time because I only reduced things as I felt ready to handle it. Eventually, I realized that sometimes there isn't even a real need to change anything; I was just telling myself I had to. To be honest, I don't really suffer from major side effects now—I went through that initial period of adjusting to the medication, and frankly, they've done more good than harm for me. The only thing is that I occasionally feel a bit sluggish, though even that is becoming less frequent. And even then, I can't definitively pin that on the medication itself—it's hard to tell if it's the pills or just my general state of being.

Listen, what matters most is you. Your well-being is the priority here. If you feel good, and if the people around you feel good because of it, then we've won. That's what I've learned. As for the sluggishness... yeah, I get that too. Sometimes. But maybe it isn't even the meds. Sure, medication can slow down your brain waves and your thought process, but it could just be the weather. You should ask your doctor, but it's common knowledge that anyone dealing with chronic issues becomes hyper-sensitive to the seasons and the atmosphere. We belong to that group, after all. Personally, when things get gloomy, I find it helps immensely to escape to somewhere sunny or bright. It keeps me grounded. Because if you're struggling with depression, or feeling low, and the world around you stays dark, it's just going to drag you straight into the gutter.

Diego Maradona, I wish you nothing but the very best of luck with everything! On my end, things have been a bit of a rollercoaster—my mother has been struggling with depression, though I honestly feel like she’s finally turned a corner, or at least reached a point where she doesn't need as much support as before. My father is also managing things with sleep aids and Diazepam, but he’s actually holding up quite well—all things considered, since he did go through that major stroke and all the recovery that entails... it's just one of those situations where we all have to lean on each other and stay united. That's just how life goes sometimes. 🕺

Jose Ward4, you know what really gets me thinking—it’s a bit of a nagging concern of mine. I completely see where you're coming from with your point, but let me give you an example to illustrate my perspective. Sometimes, when I tackle a task, I might take things a little slower, and then other times, I’m lightning-fast and deliver top-tier quality. But there are those moments—and they happen!—where I try to rush through that exact same task to be more efficient, and I don't quite know how to put it... it's just this feeling that it actually would have been better if I had just slowed down a bit.

Angela Stewart6 said:Jose Ward4, you know what really gets me thinking—it’s a bit of a nagging concern of mine. I completely see where you're coming from with your point, but let me give you an example to illustrate my perspective. Sometimes, when I tackle a task, I might take things a little slower, and then other times, I’m lightning-fast and deliver top-tier quality. But there are those moments—and they happen!—where I try to rush through that exact same task to be more efficient, and I don't quite know how to put it... it's just this feeling that it actually would have been better if I had just slowed down a bit.

I'm not quite sure which specific task you mean—it might help to clarify. Are we talking about the way you move while washing dishes, or maybe when you're out shopping? But look, that movement belongs to you. You know? Don't try to force it to be faster or drag it out; just try to make it logical. That friction you're feeling happens because of that. Honestly, you're the only one who can find the fix for that, but if it starts weighing on you mentally, then just take a breather. Slow the pace down. You've got to find your own rhythm. This kind of thing has probably been happening since you were a kid, but now that you're on your medication, your whole tempo is shifting. I really think you just need a little more time to adjust, figure out your flow, and settle into it.

@Angela Stewart6: "Yeah, I read somewhere that we tend to be pretty self-absorbed, but honestly, maybe that isn't such a bad thing. From an outsider's perspective, a person like that just has their own little world going on. Trying to force changes on them to make them more 'objective' feels risky. We might draw all the wrong conclusions because we're so tied to our own beliefs. Everyone lives in their own bubble; it’s just more pronounced in some people. Personally, I think instead of trying to break into someone else's bubble, you should just try to improve things within it if you can."

I mean, yeah, we are incredibly wrapped up in our own little bubbles, and let's be real—we can be pretty lazy too. I know I am, and I suspect most of us are. We just don't feel like grinding through pointless tasks. Thank God I have this remote gig; otherwise, I can't imagine dealing with the soul-crushing grind of a 9-to-5. But that internal world isn't inherently bad or malicious. It's usually well-intentioned. After all, there's a razor-thin line between being a genius and just being totally detached from reality, right? I don't think we've fallen into the latter category. As for me, I actually enjoy my solitude. Having someone in my life would be great, obviously, but I'm not going to overthink it. I remember once I was out on a date, and when we met up, she looked at me all puzzled and asked, "Did you seriously not notice I changed my hair near my temple?" I told her no, and she just sighed and said, "You're totally in your own world," much like my sister does to me. At the end of the day, everyone has their own universe, and we all just try to adapt to it as best we can.

Jose Ward4 said:@Angela Stewart6: "Yeah, I read somewhere that we tend to be pretty self-absorbed, but honestly, maybe that isn't such a bad thing. From an outsider's perspective, a person like that just has their own little world going on. Trying to force changes on them to make them more 'objective' feels risky. We might draw all the wrong conclusions because we're so tied to our own beliefs. Everyone lives in their own bubble; it’s just more pronounced in some people. Personally, I think instead of trying to break into someone else's bubble, you should just try to improve things within it if you can."

I mean, yeah, we are incredibly wrapped up in our own little bubbles, and let's be real—we can be pretty lazy too. I know I am, and I suspect most of us are. We just don't feel like grinding through pointless tasks. Thank God I have this remote gig; otherwise, I can't imagine dealing with the soul-crushing grind of a 9-to-5. But that internal world isn't inherently bad or malicious. It's usually well-intentioned. After all, there's a razor-thin line between being a genius and just being totally detached from reality, right? I don't think we've fallen into the latter category. As for me, I actually enjoy my solitude. Having someone in my life would be great, obviously, but I'm not going to overthink it. I remember once I was out on a date, and when we met up, she looked at me all puzzled and asked, "Did you seriously not notice I changed my hair near my temple?" I told her no, and she just sighed and said, "You're totally in your own world," much like my sister does to me. At the end of the day, everyone has their own universe, and we all just try to adapt to it as best we can.

I feel compelled to weigh in here. I'm not a professional, though I have family members who work in border patrol, but it is a complete falsehood to claim those people are lazy. I have witnessed incredible feats of adaptation from individuals who integrate themselves perfectly without ever asking for special treatment.
In my view, "neurotypical" people possess developed "filters" that allow them to breeze through daily hiccups. On the other hand, people dealing with some variation of psychosis are essentially overwhelmed by petabytes—I'm not sure how else to put it—of useless information. They have to sift through all that noise to figure out what actually matters and draw a conclusion in a fraction of a second.

Just one example (which isn't meant to be taken too seriously, but it hits at the core of the issue): Imagine an employer calls an employee over to fix a problem that isn't even part of their job description. The worker solves the issue mentally in an instant, but they just stand there with their mouth open because reality is finally setting in. Now, the employer wants the worker to either solve or ignore the problem, and they're watching from the sidelines along with a crowd of onlookers interested in the outcome. Ultimately, the worker isn't solving a simple task; they are navigating how the employer *wants* them to solve it. Now, that worker has spent their life essentially sabotaging their own cognitive processes (to put it bluntly, to achieve a sense of blessed silence), so even if their thoughts are clear, what they say or write might not always come across as eloquent.
It is quite difficult to write about something so abstract, especially when your interlocutor is a neurotypical person.
And one more thing: the idea of a person struggling with mental illness working in a group of five or more people is a fantasy. It’s not just because of the illness itself; it’s because everyone has their own little agendas, and people can act like piranhas when they smell blood in the water.

rustyskipper7 said:I feel compelled to weigh in here. I'm not a professional, though I have family members who work in border patrol, but it is a complete falsehood to claim those people are lazy. I have witnessed incredible feats of adaptation from individuals who integrate themselves perfectly without ever asking for special treatment.
In my view, "neurotypical" people possess developed "filters" that allow them to breeze through daily hiccups. On the other hand, people dealing with some variation of psychosis are essentially overwhelmed by petabytes—I'm not sure how else to put it—of useless information. They have to sift through all that noise to figure out what actually matters and draw a conclusion in a fraction of a second.

Just one example (which isn't meant to be taken too seriously, but it hits at the core of the issue): Imagine an employer calls an employee over to fix a problem that isn't even part of their job description. The worker solves the issue mentally in an instant, but they just stand there with their mouth open because reality is finally setting in. Now, the employer wants the worker to either solve or ignore the problem, and they're watching from the sidelines along with a crowd of onlookers interested in the outcome. Ultimately, the worker isn't solving a simple task; they are navigating how the employer *wants* them to solve it. Now, that worker has spent their life essentially sabotaging their own cognitive processes (to put it bluntly, to achieve a sense of blessed silence), so even if their thoughts are clear, what they say or write might not always come across as eloquent.
It is quite difficult to write about something so abstract, especially when your interlocutor is a neurotypical person.
And one more thing: the idea of a person struggling with mental illness working in a group of five or more people is a fantasy. It’s not just because of the illness itself; it’s because everyone has their own little agendas, and people can act like piranhas when they smell blood in the water.

I didn't mean it quite so literally when I said they aren't "capable." It's more that they struggle to perform certain tasks effectively. It’s harder for them. They push through, but there's a real difficulty there. I agree with everything else you said, though. Even if it isn't obvious to everyone, handling work assignments is much more taxing for them. I know people who simply can't manage it anymore. I used to volunteer with the Sparkle foundation back when I was involved about two or three years ago, and most of the folks there were practically unable to work. And I don't just mean on some official paperwork; you can actually see it in how they carry themselves. You look at their body language and hear them speak, and it's clear they can't focus on anything besides their own illness.

@Angela Stewart6, let me know how you're doing. I'm genuinely curious!

Is Olandix the same thing as Zyprexa? What’s the actual difference in how they work?

Lisa Morgan27 said:Is Olandix the same thing as Zyprexa? What’s the actual difference in how they work?

Basically, Olandix is just the generic version of Zyprexa. I can't speak to the exact molecular differences, but I've been on Olandix for five years now—and honestly, between this medication and my psychotherapy, it has been a massive help. It feels like I'm making steady progress—though, admittedly, probably not at the lightning speed someone without a diagnosis would experience! But hey, that's fine; I've made my peace with that reality.

@Jose Ward4, I've been feeling a little bit low these past two days, but it’s nothing I can't handle. Since I'm also taking antidepressants, I can definitely say those heavy down periods have become much less frequent.

Angela Stewart6 said:Basically, Olandix is just the generic version of Zyprexa. I can't speak to the exact molecular differences, but I've been on Olandix for five years now—and honestly, between this medication and my psychotherapy, it has been a massive help. It feels like I'm making steady progress—though, admittedly, probably not at the lightning speed someone without a diagnosis would experience! But hey, that's fine; I've made my peace with that reality.

@Jose Ward4, I've been feeling a little bit low these past two days, but it’s nothing I can't handle. Since I'm also taking antidepressants, I can definitely say those heavy down periods have become much less frequent.

That’s wonderful news. Honestly, I’m just really glad to hear that. The weather here has been pretty gloomy lately, too. Once the sun finally decides to show up again, I bet you'll feel even better.

Angela Stewart6 said:Basically, Olandix is just the generic version of Zyprexa. I can't speak to the exact molecular differences, but I've been on Olandix for five years now—and honestly, between this medication and my psychotherapy, it has been a massive help. It feels like I'm making steady progress—though, admittedly, probably not at the lightning speed someone without a diagnosis would experience! But hey, that's fine; I've made my peace with that reality.

@Jose Ward4, I've been feeling a little bit low these past two days, but it’s nothing I can't handle. Since I'm also taking antidepressants, I can definitely say those heavy down periods have become much less frequent.

Thanks... My doctor prescribed this alongside Prozac, but the instructions say not to take them together, so I'm hesitant to mix them—especially since both are scheduled for the evening. My cognitive issues are my biggest struggle right now. Is the nighttime dose actually good for sleep? I read that some people on Zyprexa end up sleeping almost all day. Also, what does it mean when they say you feel the effects in three days, but the full impact takes two to four weeks?

Angela Stewart6 said:Basically, Olandix is just the generic version of Zyprexa. I can't speak to the exact molecular differences, but I've been on Olandix for five years now—and honestly, between this medication and my psychotherapy, it has been a massive help. It feels like I'm making steady progress—though, admittedly, probably not at the lightning speed someone without a diagnosis would experience! But hey, that's fine; I've made my peace with that reality.

@Jose Ward4, I've been feeling a little bit low these past two days, but it’s nothing I can't handle. Since I'm also taking antidepressants, I can definitely say those heavy down periods have become much less frequent.

Oh, I forgot to mention... look, what you're feeling is totally normal. You know that, right? We all go through these ups and downs. Life isn't just one straight line. But I wanted to suggest trying some cocoa when you're up for it. Just warm milk, a little sugar, and dark cocoa. It’s soothing, and honestly, it’s not too heavy. I tend to get a stomachache sometimes—too much fat messes with me—and sometimes my meds (I'm on therapy too, honestly, it's a struggle) give me this restless anxiety. I can literally feel it in my chest. When that happens, chamomile tea helps. It’s a natural sedative, so give it a shot. Since you're on medication now, your body might absorb things differently; your metabolism might be working a bit faster. Also, try smoothies. If I toss a banana, half a lemon, half an apple, maybe a pear, and a bit of parsley or spinach into a blender, I feel better within five minutes. Even just vitamins made a huge difference for me, so definitely try that. Anyway, I'm off to take my meds now. Goodnight. Goodnight to everyone! I hope you all have peaceful, beautiful dreams. And if anyone is tossing and turning, there's a really gripping movie on YouTube. If you're interested, you can watch it here with subtitles: The Man from Earth - with subtitles

@Jose Ward4, one shouldn't consume more than about half a cup of parsley per day.

Nicole Barrett76 said:@Jose Ward4, one shouldn't consume more than about half a cup of parsley per day.

Half a cup? Are you kidding me? I’m talking about putting it in a daily smoothie! Seriously, have you ever actually tried a parsley-infused shake? You toss in three or four large leaves and the flavor just pops. Honestly, any veggie you throw into a juice like that—you won't feel a thing from just a few leaves. But since it’s all blended into a liquid, your body absorbs everything way faster. It hits you in like five or ten minutes. And once you finish that shake, you get this massive rush of vitamins because it's all liquefied. It actually kicks my hunger right back into gear after two or three hours—like, a real appetite comes roaring back. If you've ever done it, you know exactly what I mean.

Lisa Morgan27 said:Thanks... My doctor prescribed this alongside Prozac, but the instructions say not to take them together, so I'm hesitant to mix them—especially since both are scheduled for the evening. My cognitive issues are my biggest struggle right now. Is the nighttime dose actually good for sleep? I read that some people on Zyprexa end up sleeping almost all day. Also, what does it mean when they say you feel the effects in three days, but the full impact takes two to four weeks?

Look, if your doctor wrote the script that way, there’s definitely a medical reason behind it! I’m not entirely familiar with Paxil, so I can't speak to that specific interaction. As for side effects—honestly, you can't take those warnings as a rule—because everything works so differently from one person to the next. If you start feeling off, you absolutely have to loop your doctor in. In my own experience, I actually found myself sleeping much more during the initial phase of treatment—even a bit longer than usual—but that was because I was on a much heavier dosage that my doctor was gradually tapering down. For sleep, I just use Ambien as needed, so Olandix isn't strictly my "sleep pill," though I know it works wonders for some people! By the way, what exactly do you mean when you talk about cognitive deficit?

Ever since February, I have felt as though my jaw was constantly locking up.

Has anyone else here experienced the exhaustion of having to "hop" from one antidepressant to another just to find stability?

Fortunately, I am not currently on a daily prescription, but I have cycled through several different medications before finally settling on unknown for quite some time now.

It served me well initially, but lately, it feels as though the medication is inducing anxiety rather than soothing it. Since I don't require a daily dose at this moment, I honestly can't find the motivation to schedule an appointment with my therapist to discuss a change. Especially now, with all this snow blanketing everything, living out here in rural America makes it such a chore—it feels silly to drive all that way just for a ten-minute consultation.

Jose Ward4 said:Oh, I forgot to mention... look, what you're feeling is totally normal. You know that, right? We all go through these ups and downs. Life isn't just one straight line. But I wanted to suggest trying some cocoa when you're up for it. Just warm milk, a little sugar, and dark cocoa. It’s soothing, and honestly, it’s not too heavy. I tend to get a stomachache sometimes—too much fat messes with me—and sometimes my meds (I'm on therapy too, honestly, it's a struggle) give me this restless anxiety. I can literally feel it in my chest. When that happens, chamomile tea helps. It’s a natural sedative, so give it a shot. Since you're on medication now, your body might absorb things differently; your metabolism might be working a bit faster. Also, try smoothies. If I toss a banana, half a lemon, half an apple, maybe a pear, and a bit of parsley or spinach into a blender, I feel better within five minutes. Even just vitamins made a huge difference for me, so definitely try that. Anyway, I'm off to take my meds now. Goodnight. Goodnight to everyone! I hope you all have peaceful, beautiful dreams. And if anyone is tossing and turning, there's a really gripping movie on YouTube. If you're interested, you can watch it here with subtitles: The Man from Earth - with subtitles

Hmm, well, I don't actually eat much fatty food—I barely touch meat at all. I love fruits and vegetables, though they can get pretty pricey sometimes, and honestly, my appetite isn't always that strong (maybe if I put more effort into it, I'd feel the hunger more often). I try to avoid sweets too, though I do occasionally get those late-night cravings where I just *have* to have something sugary, and once I start, I can't seem to stop—I'll just grab 🙂 whatever happens to be within reach 🤣.
As for movies, I don't watch them very often, but the last one I saw was The Great Gatsby, and I actually found it quite thought-provoking.

@zecic, when I first started my treatment, I actually looked up contraindications to see if my medications would clash, but nothing happened to me... so, who knows?

I’m honestly fed up with my memory failing me. I forget things almost the second they happen. It’s impossible to follow instructions because my attention span is shot—I’ll read something and it just doesn't stick; nothing stays in my head. My concentration is non-existent. I get these weird waves hitting my brain and ears, this pulsing sensation that gets even worse when I try to focus. It feels like I’m physically here but mentally checked out, totally detached. Information just won't settle. I know I'm not demented since I'm only 18, so maybe it’s some mental health issue, a side effect from medication, or some kind of delirium. I don't know. All I know is whether I'm at school or at home, I can't grasp anything or retain it, and I have no clue how to fix this...
I also had this gross taste of rotten eggs from Olandix this morning.

Angela Stewart6 said:Hmm, well, I don't actually eat much fatty food—I barely touch meat at all. I love fruits and vegetables, though they can get pretty pricey sometimes, and honestly, my appetite isn't always that strong (maybe if I put more effort into it, I'd feel the hunger more often). I try to avoid sweets too, though I do occasionally get those late-night cravings where I just *have* to have something sugary, and once I start, I can't seem to stop—I'll just grab 🙂 whatever happens to be within reach 🤣.
As for movies, I don't watch them very often, but the last one I saw was The Great Gatsby, and I actually found it quite thought-provoking.

@zecic, when I first started my treatment, I actually looked up contraindications to see if my medications would clash, but nothing happened to me... so, who knows?

Man, groceries are expensive. Just yesterday, I grabbed three loaves of bread, sugar, two cartons of milk, some peppers, and cucumbers $23 and I hadn't even picked up any candy or margarine yet 😁 I usually have jam, too. The Great Gatsby—that's the one with Leonardo DiCaprio. I don't remember the whole plot perfectly, but I know he's this wealthy guy who falls for this lovely woman. He throws these big parties at his mansion. It was an interesting movie, but I didn't actually finish it because Rush popped up on my radar. You know, that Formula 1 movie about Niki Lauda. So, I put a couple of movies on a thumb drive and ended up cutting the first one short because I really wanted to see that one instead. I hooked up some small speakers to my TV, and they're actually decent—the sound is crisp—so I really wanted to hear the roar of the engines and the cars hitting the turns. Even so, that's a great film, even if it focuses a bit more on his rival back then. I should probably rewatch The Great Gatsby, but it felt more like a romance, if I recall correctly, so maybe I'll save it for when I'm watching something with my girlfriend, once I actually have one.