Schizophrenia - General Discussion

Harold Anderson3 said:Let me give you my honest perspective based on my own lived experience. Things can be good—actually, very good—but it won't be exactly the same as living without the diagnosis. There are two main reasons for that: first, the medications required for lifelong management come with their own set of side effects, and second, despite the medication, the illness can resurface, and quite likely it will. I have been dealing with schizophrenia for about ten years now; I work a physical job, but I never actually finished my degree, even though I was officially enrolled in university for ten years. He can certainly try college, but with this diagnosis, it is going to be a massive uphill battle, especially since a career following a degree often carries even more psychological stress than the studies themselves. Generally speaking, even if we set aside the constant stigma that follows anyone with a mental health condition, it is difficult to live a life that is indistinguishable from someone who is neurotypical.

On a brighter note, there is one silver lining to this heavy burden: sometimes, when a person experiences mild psychosis, they possess a level of creativity that exceeds that of a healthy person. I was recently watching a documentary about someone advocating for microdosing LSD to boost mood and creative output. From what I gathered, people with schizophrenia don't necessarily need that, because a person in a psychotic state can exhibit similar symptoms to someone on a low dose of LSD.

Don't be such a pessimist, Harold Anderson3. By that same logic, I could claim that countless people have fully recovered from schizophrenia. What you wrote there? That’s just your subjective impression. It isn't objective reality.

Harold Anderson3 said:Let me give you my honest perspective based on my own lived experience. Things can be good—actually, very good—but it won't be exactly the same as living without the diagnosis. There are two main reasons for that: first, the medications required for lifelong management come with their own set of side effects, and second, despite the medication, the illness can resurface, and quite likely it will. I have been dealing with schizophrenia for about ten years now; I work a physical job, but I never actually finished my degree, even though I was officially enrolled in university for ten years. He can certainly try college, but with this diagnosis, it is going to be a massive uphill battle, especially since a career following a degree often carries even more psychological stress than the studies themselves. Generally speaking, even if we set aside the constant stigma that follows anyone with a mental health condition, it is difficult to live a life that is indistinguishable from someone who is neurotypical.

On a brighter note, there is one silver lining to this heavy burden: sometimes, when a person experiences mild psychosis, they possess a level of creativity that exceeds that of a healthy person. I was recently watching a documentary about someone advocating for microdosing LSD to boost mood and creative output. From what I gathered, people with schizophrenia don't necessarily need that, because a person in a psychotic state can exhibit similar symptoms to someone on a low dose of LSD.

I have to respectfully disagree with the idea that the illness is guaranteed to return, though. In medicine, you can never truly predict a relapse for any condition.

And look, at some point, something is bound to happen to everyone. For some, it's a recurrence; for others, it's the first time they face it. It's just part of life.

You just have to learn how to adapt to new situations and adjust, and like you said, you have to keep moving forward, even if it feels ten times harder than it should be.

Jose Ward4 said:Don't be such a pessimist, Harold Anderson3. By that same logic, I could claim that countless people have fully recovered from schizophrenia. What you wrote there? That’s just your subjective impression. It isn't objective reality.

Me, being pessimistic? Fair enough. But if we're playing that game, maybe we both have our struggles with schizophrenia. Did you actually finish your degree? Are you married with kids? That’s really what I’m getting at. Statistically speaking, about 20% of people with schizophrenia reach full recovery, while the rest don't quite get there. Still, the majority manage to function reasonably well in their daily lives when they stay on their medication.
There are certain traits that make a recovery more likely, and others that make it much harder.
Generally, the prognosis is tougher for those who have a family history of the illness, or for cases where the symptoms didn't hit suddenly but rather crept up slowly over time—especially if there wasn't a specific traumatic trigger before the diagnosis. On the flip side, those with the opposite characteristics tend to have a much more positive outlook.

Forget the stats.
If you really want to get technical, plenty of people struggling with mental health issues are actually way smarter than average.
Getting married isn't going to make you any sharper or happier, either.
It’s just a bunch of pointless drama fueled by clichés.

Honestly, maybe high intelligence is just correlated with staying single.

Jose Ward4 said:But look, there are plenty of people out there who didn't finish college but aren't dealing with any health issues either. It doesn't really correlate. Sure, starting life is harder when you suddenly get sick and have to start relying on pills, but once you figure out the rhythm, things smooth out. We can agree on that. And as far as I know, a degree isn't some direct indicator of intelligence; it’s more about persistence. The person who stays the course is the one who graduates. Even then, a degree is no guarantee of anything. Especially here in the States, where only a handful of specific universities actually carry weight internationally—or so I've heard, please correct me if I'm wrong. I didn't finish my degree because I struggled with it and, honestly, I probably just lacked the grit, so I totally missed the mark there. You didn't finish yours either, yet you're doing quite well now. That doesn't mean you lack credibility. You have skills and knowledge right now that others don't, which you can easily leverage down the road. A diploma isn't a prerequisite for success. I see so many people graduate only to struggle to find work, both here and abroad. Competition is fierce, and you still need to be sharp and driven to stand out. As for why I'm not married or having kids, well, a lot of that comes down to the medication. How am I supposed to have children when these pills are basically part of my DNA at this point? I'm just not willing to risk having a child with deformities. My psychiatrist tells me it's fine to have kids while on them, but my gut tells me otherwise. He says it's more of an issue for women, but I don't buy that; I think it affects men too. Maybe they just don't have reliable data. It's like the stuff they say about e-cigarettes—that you should just quit for a few months before trying to conceive if you have a partner. I don't believe those meds just leave your system after a year. In my mind, it would take at least five years for the body to truly clear out. And even then, I'm not certain. That's the only reason for me. Why don't I have a partner? Because who could put up with my nonsense after I've taken my meds for the night? I actually heard a woman mention here once that when her man takes his medication in the evening, he acts differently. Who would want to deal with my ego and all my baggage? It wouldn't be fair to burden someone like that.

My friend, I think you're letting the medication weigh on your mind a bit too heavily.
Just be grateful they exist so you can live a somewhat functional life.
.
I can't even begin to describe how much better my life would be if I weren't dealing with this illness. But since I am, thank God these pills are available. This condition has completely derailed my mother's life, with one exception: she has her child, me, to look after her. Even though I was born under rather strange and accidental circumstances. I haven't just given up on finding a partner; I actively turn away potential opportunities. This idea that your future child would be deformed because of your medication... that doesn't sound like the reasoning of a rational person, sorry. 🕺

Right now, I feel like my entire life is one big punishment for a crime I never committed. Depression is washing over me again, 😢

Harold Anderson3 said:My friend, I think you're letting the medication weigh on your mind a bit too heavily.
Just be grateful they exist so you can live a somewhat functional life.
.
I can't even begin to describe how much better my life would be if I weren't dealing with this illness. But since I am, thank God these pills are available. This condition has completely derailed my mother's life, with one exception: she has her child, me, to look after her. Even though I was born under rather strange and accidental circumstances. I haven't just given up on finding a partner; I actively turn away potential opportunities. This idea that your future child would be deformed because of your medication... that doesn't sound like the reasoning of a rational person, sorry. 🕺

Right now, I feel like my entire life is one big punishment for a crime I never committed. Depression is washing over me again, 😢

I think you’ve got it all wrong—honestly, almost everything you just wrote. You need to look at the actual impact of your actions. A life completely devoid of negative consequences is impossible, but my goal is to keep them to an absolute minimum. And by the way, I don't spend nearly as much time obsessing over my medication as you seem to think. It's almost never on my mind. Instead, I’ve been asking other women for their perspectives. We talked about this during our last get-together, too. They basically told me exactly what I'm telling you now. Believe it or not, it's up to you. But things are going to get better. I tell myself that constantly. I’m on my own right now, and honestly, I kind of prefer it this way. Maybe I’ve been alone for too long, though; I suppose I've just grown used to the solitude. "It'll be better," says Jose Ward4. 2019 is going to be our year. A year of victory and glory! Or whatever. Anyway, I just whipped up a killer Mexican chicken and rice dish for myself. It was delicious—added a little tomato and bell pepper for good measure. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go pass out. 😁 I earned this.

Jose Ward4 said:Things are going to turn around eventually. I’m just keeping my head down and staying solo for now, which honestly suits me quite well. Maybe I’ve been on my own a little too long and I’ve just gotten used to the quiet, but hey, things will look up. That's what they say, right? 2019 is our year—the year of big wins and glory! Or so I tell myself. On a different note, I just whipped up a spicy Mexican chicken and rice skillet for myself today. It was actually pretty delicious, loaded with tomatoes and peppers. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go pass out; 😁 I certainly earned it.

👍 Not bad at all.

I just took 10mg of my medication—feeling a bit more level-headed now—so I figured I’d try to get some thoughts down while I'm calm.

So, here's the deal: I've been diagnosed with F23.2. According to my psychiatrists, everything is technically fine, except for some "emotional issues"—but that doesn't really capture how I feel. My focus is shot; I'm planning to start a PhD program, yet I can't even bring myself to sit down and read. When I do manage to read something, I struggle to connect the dots or build a coherent argument. My ideas feel... off. It's not that I'm hallucinating, per se, but my analytical skills—which used to be sharp and confident—just aren't there anymore. Even casual social interactions leave me feeling foggy and confused. I tend to zone out of conversations incredibly fast, and during those idle moments, my head feels like a total nightmare. It’s as if my thoughts just lack clarity. I’m hoping this is just a side effect of the medication—specifically the injections I've been getting. Man, I really miss that dopamine hit. They told me my condition isn't heading toward schizophrenia, and I am sincerely praying they're right.

So, I wanted to ask—what kind of methods do you all use to sharpen your mind, boost concentration, or just help your thinking feel more cohesive? 🙂

I actually have to do the exact opposite. I need to quiet my brain down. For me, that means drowning out the noise with the internet, gaming, bingeing shows, stuff like that. Because once those thoughts start swarming, they bring all these ideas along with them—some are actually decent, while others are just straight-up crazy, and I’m fully aware of how unhinged they are. Sometimes I’ll even dream up ideas or random stuff while I'm asleep.

As for concentration and all that, I'm genuinely interested in what you guys are saying because my focus has always been pretty terrible. It’s honestly been a struggle my whole life.

Carol Barrett2 said:I actually have to do the exact opposite. I need to quiet my brain down. For me, that means drowning out the noise with the internet, gaming, bingeing shows, stuff like that. Because once those thoughts start swarming, they bring all these ideas along with them—some are actually decent, while others are just straight-up crazy, and I’m fully aware of how unhinged they are. Sometimes I’ll even dream up ideas or random stuff while I'm asleep.

As for concentration and all that, I'm genuinely interested in what you guys are saying because my focus has always been pretty terrible. It’s honestly been a struggle my whole life.

Visionary, hey there. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Honestly, this season is draining me. Things will get better, though. Eat some walnuts or almonds; they're great for brain health. And honestly, getting some fresh air helps a ton. Not to mention hanging out with people. That’s usually what settles my mind the most. But today? Today feels too quiet. Too still. I don't have a family here. Nobody cares about what I do or how I'm holding up. Everyone drifted away, and it wasn't even about health issues—it's just that people can be incredibly indifferent. And why should I be the one to call first? I’m just done with that. Real friends show up when things get rough. I'm looking at the New Year as a clean slate. A chance to actually start something new. Even work is weighing on me. It isn't what it used to be, though I suppose it could still become something better and stronger. Between my job and being glued to the internet, I’ve completely lost touch with dating, and frankly, I couldn't care less. Though, there are probably women out there feeling the same way. There are lonely women who might just want someone to be around for Christmas. Anyway, I didn't even feel like cooking today because I'm just exhausted by the thought of being the one making dinner again instead of someone else doing it for me. I cook with love, otherwise, it wouldn't taste right, but man, sometimes I just want to collapse into bed and have someone else ask me, "What are we having for dinner tonight?" I'm tired of cooking just for myself. This whole "independence" thing is exhausting. So, I ordered a pizza. A Capricciosa, because I'm just too tired to deal with anything else. Happy holidays to whoever can manage them. As for me, I'm heading off to eat my pizza.

Well, happy holidays to you and everyone else, I guess.

Jose Ward4 said:Visionary, hey there. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Honestly, this season is draining me. Things will get better, though. Eat some walnuts or almonds; they're great for brain health. And honestly, getting some fresh air helps a ton. Not to mention hanging out with people. That’s usually what settles my mind the most. But today? Today feels too quiet. Too still. I don't have a family here. Nobody cares about what I do or how I'm holding up. Everyone drifted away, and it wasn't even about health issues—it's just that people can be incredibly indifferent. And why should I be the one to call first? I’m just done with that. Real friends show up when things get rough. I'm looking at the New Year as a clean slate. A chance to actually start something new. Even work is weighing on me. It isn't what it used to be, though I suppose it could still become something better and stronger. Between my job and being glued to the internet, I’ve completely lost touch with dating, and frankly, I couldn't care less. Though, there are probably women out there feeling the same way. There are lonely women who might just want someone to be around for Christmas. Anyway, I didn't even feel like cooking today because I'm just exhausted by the thought of being the one making dinner again instead of someone else doing it for me. I cook with love, otherwise, it wouldn't taste right, but man, sometimes I just want to collapse into bed and have someone else ask me, "What are we having for dinner tonight?" I'm tired of cooking just for myself. This whole "independence" thing is exhausting. So, I ordered a pizza. A Capricciosa, because I'm just too tired to deal with anything else. Happy holidays to whoever can manage them. As for me, I'm heading off to eat my pizza.

I've been reading through some of your posts on this subforum, and I have to say, I really admire your strength. Seriously, hats off to you. Would you mind sharing a little more about how you cope when things get difficult?

Olivia Smith2 said:I've been reading through some of your posts on this subforum, and I have to say, I really admire your strength. Seriously, hats off to you. Would you mind sharing a little more about how you cope when things get difficult?

Man, when things go south for me... I know it's happening because the paranoia starts clawing at my brain. Like, just the other day, there was this massive brawl right outside my apartment building—maybe twenty people getting into it or something. Instead of just walking past, I was gripped by this intense fear that they’d turn on me next. It's like, does anyone know how people act toward bystanders? I was spiraling, thinking, "Is one of them going to come after me?" If it were someone else, they might have just kept their head down and walked by calmly. But not me. Paranoia and those darkest thoughts just take over. It was the same deal about two years ago. I was constantly running to the grocery store or dealing with paperwork for my apartment, and the police were always showing up at our complex back then. Back then, I had this super short haircut—I was basically completely naked on my head, if you catch my drift. My friends were even giving me grief about it, like, "Watch out, don't let the cops pick on you just because of your hair." And it worked; it triggered this paranoia that I was being watched. Even civilians. I can't tell you how long that lasted. Maybe two or three weeks? Then it let go of me. Generally speaking, I’m a paranoid guy. I’m hyper-vigilant. During my psych evaluation, my doctor told me I have heightened anxiety, but also that I seem incredibly rational. Well, who gives a damn? What does that even mean? How are you supposed to find love if you're just "rational"? To her, it means nothing. Love requires a good heart and kindness. Maybe I use that intelligence for my job, but that's it. I’m doing alright now, mostly, but man, these holidays are killing me. I feel so isolated. I’m just counting down the days until they're over. And all these people who used to reach out before, but now they won't say a word? Because they're too busy enjoying their little family gatherings. Honestly, screw them. I can do better than that. Wishing you all the best, truly.

Jose Ward4 said:Man, when things go south for me... I know it's happening because the paranoia starts clawing at my brain. Like, just the other day, there was this massive brawl right outside my apartment building—maybe twenty people getting into it or something. Instead of just walking past, I was gripped by this intense fear that they’d turn on me next. It's like, does anyone know how people act toward bystanders? I was spiraling, thinking, "Is one of them going to come after me?" If it were someone else, they might have just kept their head down and walked by calmly. But not me. Paranoia and those darkest thoughts just take over. It was the same deal about two years ago. I was constantly running to the grocery store or dealing with paperwork for my apartment, and the police were always showing up at our complex back then. Back then, I had this super short haircut—I was basically completely naked on my head, if you catch my drift. My friends were even giving me grief about it, like, "Watch out, don't let the cops pick on you just because of your hair." And it worked; it triggered this paranoia that I was being watched. Even civilians. I can't tell you how long that lasted. Maybe two or three weeks? Then it let go of me. Generally speaking, I’m a paranoid guy. I’m hyper-vigilant. During my psych evaluation, my doctor told me I have heightened anxiety, but also that I seem incredibly rational. Well, who gives a damn? What does that even mean? How are you supposed to find love if you're just "rational"? To her, it means nothing. Love requires a good heart and kindness. Maybe I use that intelligence for my job, but that's it. I’m doing alright now, mostly, but man, these holidays are killing me. I feel so isolated. I’m just counting down the days until they're over. And all these people who used to reach out before, but now they won't say a word? Because they're too busy enjoying their little family gatherings. Honestly, screw them. I can do better than that. Wishing you all the best, truly.

I totally get it. I actually went to the police once during a psychotic episode—thankfully, I had a moment of clarity where I doubted what I was telling them and stopped the whole process before it went too far. I’ll be celebrating tomorrow, even if I’m not really in the mood. Hopefully, since there will be a crowd, I can find a quiet corner to just curl up and be alone. 😁 For me, it's mostly the nostalgia for my ex that hits the hardest—she has a boyfriend now, which is just brutal. That's when the endless, foolish scenarios start flooding my mind. I dated two different women in the two months since we broke up, but it wasn't the same. She was perfect for me, and now I'm just left picturing this goddess being happy with her new guy and having a blast during the holidays. Today, I actually managed to focus and process some of what I read. I really hope the only thing causing me grief is this damn crush that won't fade away. Maybe once my head clears, I'll be okay.

Do you get many chances to meet different women? Surely there's someone out there for you, too. Based on your posts, you seem quite composed—though I suppose I don't truly know what's going on in your head. Are you looking to start something new?

Olivia Smith2 said:I totally get it. I actually went to the police once during a psychotic episode—thankfully, I had a moment of clarity where I doubted what I was telling them and stopped the whole process before it went too far. I’ll be celebrating tomorrow, even if I’m not really in the mood. Hopefully, since there will be a crowd, I can find a quiet corner to just curl up and be alone. 😁 For me, it's mostly the nostalgia for my ex that hits the hardest—she has a boyfriend now, which is just brutal. That's when the endless, foolish scenarios start flooding my mind. I dated two different women in the two months since we broke up, but it wasn't the same. She was perfect for me, and now I'm just left picturing this goddess being happy with her new guy and having a blast during the holidays. Today, I actually managed to focus and process some of what I read. I really hope the only thing causing me grief is this damn crush that won't fade away. Maybe once my head clears, I'll be okay.

Do you get many chances to meet different women? Surely there's someone out there for you, too. Based on your posts, you seem quite composed—though I suppose I don't truly know what's going on in your head. Are you looking to start something new?

Oh, believe me, my head is doing just fine right now. Actually, better than fine 😁. Just kidding. I don't exactly have a social circle filled with great women. I have opportunities. Seriously, I have plenty of chances. It's just that I'm incredibly self-conscious about my teeth right now, and it makes me feel so awkward. I told myself I’d start fixing them in October, but then that heart scare happened. I've finally calmed down, so I'm ready to go back and get it sorted. I have the chances. Really. My friends keep inviting me out to meet their groups, but I just can't bring myself to go because of this issue. But I will. As soon as I fix it. Because the embarrassment is killing me. Over five cavities. Two need to be pulled. It's awful. I've absolutely trashed my teeth over these last two years. My dad passed away two years ago; I spent the year before that worrying about him, and my dental health just went out the window. Even though I brush almost every day, it hasn't helped much. I even tried using some natural toothpaste, but no luck. I'll probably be staying home when you look for someone new. Honestly, I don't even feel like going to parties anymore; I'm just tired of watching drunk people act like idiots. I'm looking for peace. I'll probably just binge some series online. Cook a nice dinner. Maybe watch an old movie I haven't seen in ages. There are some good movies out lately, so maybe I'll check those out too.

Hi everyone. I’ve been reading through your posts because I feel like I know most of you by now after being active here, and I wanted to check in to see how you’re doing and what's happening lately.

It seems to me that most people dealing with schizophrenia have roots in family amnesia or environmental stressors like work and relationship issues.
Well, I fall into that category too. Even though I don't actually have SCHIZOPHRENIA—that diagnosis was just slapped on me a year and a half ago.

My actual diagnosis is G35 Multiple Sclerosis. I was misdiagnosed as a psychiatric patient and ended up being hospitalized in mental health wards three separate times. My initial symptoms presented as psychological issues, like disorientation and paralysis, and it wasn't until I lost the ability to walk and control my bladder that they finally looked at me from a neurology standpoint.

An MRI showed numerous brain lesions, and a lumbar puncture confirmed the MS diagnosis.

So, how am I feeling? Am I better off because I'm not a "schizophrenic" but just someone dealing with the nonsense of MS?...

I deal with frequent blackouts, emotional distress caused by the brain lesions, and memory problems. On top of that, I have issues with my vision, and I recently had to use a cane (I was out of a wheelchair for three months using it). Plus, I'm on IV medications that make me constantly nauseous and vomit.

And yes, even though people tell me I'm beautiful, I have this "gift," though it feels useless right now.
Honestly, I don't have a job because I'm unable to work, I can't finish my second degree or my PhD, and I don't have a partner. I essentially have nothing. I spent Christmas just sleeping through the day.

Every single night, just like tonight as I'm heading to bed, I find myself wondering what tomorrow will bring. Will I be able to feel my legs? What's next? This disease truly has a thousand faces.

If you think Seroquel or Haldol are the absolute worst, trust me—I’ve been through them. I was on those every three weeks for about a year and a half, so I know.

Compared to what I’m taking now for my MS, those felt like a soothing balm.

And honestly, what good is being attractive if there isn't a man willing to actually be there for me? Being sick changes everything. People look at me and they only want one thing, but nobody seems to care about wanting to share a life, give me a hug, or help me when things get heavy. What is beauty even worth then? It feels like a curse; no one bothers to get to know who I really am as a person.

I’ve been seeing a therapist as part of my treatment, and even my psychiatrist—who didn't see me until five months in—told me that I’m such a complex and interesting person, but that nobody sees it because they're too distracted by my looks.

I'm going to try to get some sleep. Goodnight, everyone.

Rebecca Rivera3, the real question here is what’s actually worse. I mean, let’s be honest, we’d all kill to just be healthy for once. For years, everyone’s been stuck on some kind of medication for something or other. Before 2009, I didn't touch a single pill—maybe some vitamins here and there, but that was it. It was the same thing until recently, where everything turned out to be a physical issue rather than some psychological thing.

@Rebecca Rivera3, I truly feel for you; every struggle carries its own unique weight and difficulty. In my opinion, MS can be even more grueling than schizophrenia, especially when the symptoms are severe. That said, the intense cases of paranoid schizophrenia—which I’ve had the chance to observe firsthand while working at the hospital—are incredibly taxing both for the individual and everyone around them. I suppose what I'm trying to say is that every illness presents its own set of challenges. Hang in there and stay strong! We're all rooting for you! 🙂

Rebecca Rivera3 said:If you think Seroquel or Haldol are the absolute worst, trust me—I’ve been through them. I was on those every three weeks for about a year and a half, so I know.

Compared to what I’m taking now for my MS, those felt like a soothing balm.

And honestly, what good is being attractive if there isn't a man willing to actually be there for me? Being sick changes everything. People look at me and they only want one thing, but nobody seems to care about wanting to share a life, give me a hug, or help me when things get heavy. What is beauty even worth then? It feels like a curse; no one bothers to get to know who I really am as a person.

I’ve been seeing a therapist as part of my treatment, and even my psychiatrist—who didn't see me until five months in—told me that I’m such a complex and interesting person, but that nobody sees it because they're too distracted by my looks.

I'm going to try to get some sleep. Goodnight, everyone.

Honey, please forgive me for asking, and I hope this doesn't sound silly, but do you exercise regularly?
Staying active can seriously improve your quality of life and might even help slow down the progression of the disease. It makes you feel more vital.
I went through some rough patches myself, and swimming and yoga were total lifesavers for me.
There has to be some kind of activity out there that would feel right for you.
Sending you a huge hug from the bottom of my heart—I truly hope you can find relief from this illness as soon as possible!

By the way—let them stare at your beauty. Maybe you'll eventually find someone who appreciates all your other wonderful qualities too. Don't shut people out just because you think they're focused on the surface. For guys, looks are often the most direct path to their hearts. That's nothing new. Just accept it and try to enjoy your life.