Schizophrenia - General Discussion

I’ve been going through treatment since 1996 following my service, starting when I was 37. My first stint in a psych ward was back in 1998 for two months, and my discharge papers explicitly listed PTSD F43.1 and a permanent personality change F60.

Then came another month in the facility in 1999 after the police hauled me in. I’d intentionally blown through a red light and plowed straight into two other cars—and to top it all off, I snatched the officer's hat right off his head and told him to shove it. 😁 In that discharge summary, they noted F23.

Aside from that single psychotic episode in '99, I haven't had anything like it since.

Now, my private psychiatrist is saying the exact same thing as the one back in '96: I have F43.1 and F60, and that one specific psychotic break needs to be viewed through the lens of a permanent personality shift.

Taylor Howard36 said:But how are you feeling personally? Are you happy? 😘
......if I recall correctly, you mentioned you have a husband? How does he handle everything?😘

🙂I’d say I’m happy.
I've finally moved past all those people who walked out on me.
My husband is a tall, dark-haired man and
he’s incredibly smart—honestly, he understands me
better than anyone else. He’s actually a year younger than me.
Scorpion can be quite jealous and possessive, but he's mine, and I love him dearly.
And he loves me right back.😍

When it comes to my illness, there are times when things get intense and I end up shouting, "Get me some Haldol!"
"You want it? No problem, just take it."😁

I really hope I won't miss out on too much of what everyone else is doing.
We've already celebrated New Year's together, I was baking cookies yesterday, and today I've been busy making
French cuisine.

Even so, that nagging feeling that you're missing out is something that comes from within, rather than from the world outside.😘

No123 said:I’ve been in treatment since 1996 following the war. I was 37 at the time, and my first stay in a psychiatric facility was back in 1998 for two months. My discharge papers listed PTSD F43.1 and permanent personality change F60.

Then there was a one-month stay in 1999 after the police picked me up—I had intentionally run a red light and smashed into two other cars, then proceeded to snatch the officer's hat right off his head and quit on the spot. 😁 My discharge summary noted F23.

Aside from that single psychotic episode in 1999, nothing else has happened.

My private Psychiatrist actually agrees with the diagnosis from 1996 regarding F43.1 and F60, noting that that one specific episode should be viewed within the context of a permanent personality change.

You know what I think? You and I both know exactly what we’re thinking and feeling, even if the people on the outside don't get it.
They aren't the ultimate judges of our perfection or our flaws, right?
By the way, having too much connection to your mental health isn't always a good thing.
A Psychiatrist is there to help, but they shouldn't become the center of your life.
We really ought to be like happy drunks. 👏

briskgull27 said:🙂 My husband is a tall, dark man and
he’s incredibly smart—meaning he understands me
better than anyone else. He's a year younger than me, though.
Scorpion is jealous and possessive, and he's mine. I love him dearly.
And he loves me.😍

ahhh, a Scorpio 😍
you just can't beat that kind of Scorpio love 🙏 😍
I'm sure he gets you 😉 😁

but anyway, how do they actually act in hospitals—doctors, nurses, and all that—toward you (and everyone else)?

electricpanther4 said:ahhhh Scorpion😍
nothing compares to a Scorpion kind of love🙏 😍
I believe they actually get you😉 😁

but seriously, how do the people in those hospitals—the doctors, nurses, and everyone else—actually treat you (and everyone else) there?

Well, let me tell you.

A doctor can be great right up until things get intense. When everything is smooth, they're wonderful, but once things get heavy, they're gone.
They lose your paperwork or start writing false info on your charts just because they’re the doctor and you’re just the patient.

And the nurses? They can be incredibly harsh with patients while you're stuck in there.
But the moment you step out looking all polished and put-together, suddenly it's a different story.
"Oh, you look lovely! How are you doing?" But when you're back inside with them? "Quiet down!"
That's just how it goes.🙂 🙂

This space is dedicated to discussions regarding schizophrenia.
I have one specific question in mind.
Regarding the medications you're currently taking: are they actually providing relief, or are they simply supposed to?

However, I want to know if anyone is experiencing any negative side effects from them. If so, what exactly are they?
Could someone take a moment to share their experience?

Mark Morris3 said:We are discussing schizophrenia here.
I have one specific question in mind.
Do the medications you are taking actually help, or are they just supposed to?

But more importantly, are you experiencing any negative side effects from them? And if so, what kind?
Could anyone spare a few words to share their experience?

When you're in an acute phase and taking heavy-duty meds, things can get pretty intense—you might deal with hallucinations, tremors,
or some people end up wandering the hospital halls because the meds make them feel overly hyper.

In your day-to-day life, with the long-term maintenance doses, you might find yourself feeling much thirstier,
and there's a high chance of weight gain since many of these drugs cause weight issues, calm your nervous system, and make you sleep more.
It can also be tough to land a solid job without some serious connections unless you finished your education before everything started.
I should probably apologize, as I know certain antipsychotics can really impact your cognitive functions,
but since I take Lithium, it doesn't seem to cloud my thoughts quite as much.

Roughly one percent of the American population lives with schizophrenia. Unfortunately, those affected—and their families—deal with stigma and isolation on a daily basis. It’s hard to find another condition that carries quite as many myths and prejudices as schizophrenia.

(QUOTED FROM THE PSYCHIATRIST at Healthline) 🎉 🙂

Go ahead and join in; with 45,000 people already here, there's definitely someone online somewhere in America.
In the US, the statistics look a bit different—we see about 1% struggling with schizophrenia and another half percent dealing with chronic psychosis similar to it, which actually brings the total higher.
I also notice we have some Mexicans here, and likely some Canadians or maybe even some Canadians too.🎉 ☕

And there are other things in life besides being really really really handsome.😘

Good morning everyone!
I had this dream where my godmother told me: "You don't even realize what they actually told your father,"
which was something he never once mentioned to me.
The usual tightness around my neck is there, but thankfully nothing in my chest so far, thank God.
Poor bro, I actually sent him my will about five days ago.
And now I've just spoken with my stepmother, and I have this feeling she knows—is it just paranoia?
I'm leaving everything to my brother and just a photo to my husband.😁
It’s not like I have much to begin with.
Anyway, I've managed to shift the focus back to myself; I only let it get to me for two days.🙂
Life goes on🎉 🙂

Well, my massive ego just noticed there’s yet another page
dedicated to schizophrenia, though it wasn't started by a SCHIZOPHRENIC !!!!!

Personally, I find meeting new people to be quite a challenge.
Will they notice something is off?
Will they take things the wrong way?
I actually really cherish those initial moments when I'm getting to know someone before I ever mention it.
During that time, I feel like I can just be myself.
But once they find out, suddenly everyone starts walking on eggshells around me, and ugh, it’s exhausting.
Don't go calling me a lunatic—I'm far too mature for an asylum.
However, I have definitely had experiences where people just vanished the moment I told them.🙂
Sometimes it's a little stressful, but honestly, I don't mind it too much.😎

It’s pretty obvious you enjoy socializing and meeting new people—at least in this digital space. 😁 😉
Do you find yourself frequently changing your mind about the people you know?

electricpanther4 said:it seems like you really enjoy socializing and meeting new people (even if it's just virtually) 😁 😉
do you find yourself changing your mind about the people you know very often?

Oh, hey! Finally, a warm welcome.
In my world, there are really only two people who truly matter: my husband and my bro.
Everyone else? They're just people.
I don't actually change my opinion of people; I just change how I act toward them.
For instance, I love my dad, but I've asked him some pretty nasty questions before
and I've even thrown coffee at him once.
I've done the same to my stepmom too—sometimes I feel bad about it, and sometimes I don't.😁
As for everyone else, it's hard for me to hold onto as many deep connections as others might, and they feel the same way about me when they hurt my feelings.
Still, I consider myself a family person at heart, and we have plenty of Americans out there who value that.
Blood is thicker than water, after all.

I love my friends, but I don't have a massive circle, and those I do change my mind about
eventually just become mere acquaintances.🙂

Heh, you don't exactly need a diagnosis of schizophrenic !!!!! to end up hurting the people you care about sometimes... 😈 😁

Anyway, I'm curious—while you're on the medication, how much of the illness actually feels "under control"?
And you mentioned that back when you were younger, before you had an official diagnosis, you noticed certain things but refused to admit it to yourself... what was it exactly? How did you experience all that at the time?

electricpanther4 said:hehe, you don't need a diagnosis of schizophrenia to hurt the people you love every once in a while... 😈 😁

Anyway, I was wondering, when you're taking your medication, how much of the illness actually feels "under control"?
And you mentioned that back when you were younger—before you knew what you were dealing with—you noticed things but didn't want to admit it... what was that like? How did you experience it all back then?

Right, well, as a kid, I was basically a total actor; I always acted so cheerful for everyone else.
But for myself? Honestly, I have no idea who I really am anymore because I've become so much more serious now.

Also, this Lithium isn't doing much for me lately; about five or six days ago, I was actually writing my will.
And now, suddenly, I'm just overflowing with that merry, merry Christmas spirit!🙈 🙂

Oh, and my husband says that being calm and composed means absolutely nothing when my PMS kicks in.

briskgull27 said:Usually it’s just this choking sensation in my neck; nothing in my chest so far, thank God.

Choking in your neck? Can you describe it a bit more? I get these episodes myself where... well, I get this feeling like someone is physically pressing down on my throat.

So I just got off the phone with my stepmom.

Are your parents divorced?
What kind of relationship do you have with your mom and dad?

Douglas Ramos2 said:A tightness around the neck? Can you describe that a bit more? I have periods where that happens to me... it's like I have this feeling that someone is pressing my throat inward.

Divorced parents?
What kind of relationship do you have with your mom and dad?

I think it’s the closest thing to choking—it just constricts all the way around, almost like I have a balloon stuck there.
My Psychiatrist says it feels just like chest pressure—you know, anxiety.

My dad has always been a great dad; he's smart, kind, and easygoing.
But at the end of the day, I'm still his little girl. He moved out.

My mom passed away when I was seven. I remember she was a lot like me
because she treated kids (me) more like adults.
I’ve realized recently that I tend to act the same way with children.

I wouldn't say that influenced my condition, because my bro is a total catch—smart, handsome, studying computer science, and just totally chill. He moved out too.
There aren't any mental illnesses in our family.

My husband and I live in a house with my grandma,😂 and since she's 75, things aren't always the most lucid around here.

I'm 28 years old, no issues there.
But honestly, I've fought hard for everything: getting my driver's license, even going to college for a year, and traveling abroad to places like Amsterdam, Ibiza, Italy, and Greece.

Maybe I wouldn't have accomplished certain things if I were healthy, because I never would have thought: it's now or never!
Seize the day!
Give me the money!
I want the KWAN.

I was asking because I’ve noticed—though maybe I'm just seeing patterns where there aren't any—that people living with schizophrenia often come from dysfunctional families, much like those dealing with other mental health struggles.
In my opinion, schizophrenia is really a combination of both genetics and the environment we grow up in.

Douglas Ramos2 said:I was asking because I've noticed—though maybe I'm wrong—that people with schizophrenia often come from dysfunctional families (just like people dealing with other mental health issues).
I personally believe that schizophrenia is a result of both genetics and environment working together.

That could certainly be true, but I know two incredibly smart, kind, and funny young people
whose father is a schizophrenic !!!!!.
I also know a woman with schizophrenia who gave birth to her third child in a hospital, where the staff rudely suggested she was just making things up because of her weight. That little one is perfectly fine.
Then there's my neighbor, who spent his time brandishing an axe and a knife until he passed away, yet everyone else in the family is completely healthy.

Growing up, my dad and I used to watch crime stories, Law in LA, and Gem from the Nile and stuff like that.
He took me to the beach every single year and life was wonderful, and then... bang.

Ida Bauer said:I was asking because I’ve noticed—though maybe I'm wrong—that people with schizophrenia often come from dysfunctional families (just like people dealing with other mental health issues).
I suppose the onset of schizophrenia is probably a combination of genetics and environment.

That's true..
outoftheblue, I was wondering—what do you think caused this for you? It's a bit of a silly question, I know, but we all tend to wonder at some point: why me?
If it isn't genetic, have you ever thought about what might have actually led you to this point?
My dad's cousin's ex-husband had schizophrenia, and their son ended up inheriting it... the son took his own life, and the divorce was a mess (he's started a new family now). I was pretty young back then, so I don't really remember her first family, but my dad told me some things about it... honestly, it sounds pretty grim.