Schizophrenia - General Discussion

Jose Ward4 said:I was watching this woman on YouTube yesterday—I can't recall her name right now—talking about how chemotherapy actually worked for her. It was the first time I’d heard a story like that, and honestly, I'm just glad she had that luck. She was basically at death's door, with only a few days left, all because her family doctor kept insisting it was just bronchitis. It wasn't until she collapsed at Silver City that they realized how serious things really were. She was so young, too, and they told her straight up that they weren't sure she'd make it. But it worked. It’s a relief when the oncologists and specialists are actually competent people. It made me think back to my old man. When she described those side effects from the chemo, I just thought, "Thank God my dad never had to go through that." You need palliative care at home, especially given his stage and how much weight he’d lost. You can't just walk around looking for that kind of help. She sounded so fragile. The big question remains, though: what caused it in the first place? That's the eternal mystery. I’m starting to think that treatment has the strongest impact on younger patients. My dad wouldn't have been able to handle it; hearing her talk, I just know he couldn't have. And honestly, it’s better that he passed the way he did. He spent those last few days in pain, bleeding and drifting in and out of consciousness, but up until then, he was okay. As okay as anyone can be. The doctors over at Rabbit are truly wonderful; they genuinely care about their patients. They treat you like little babies. The only thing that feels brutal is when, right after the diagnosis and tests, they look you in the eye and say, "You're going to die." They tell you that you're dying from cancer with such cold, clinical detachment. But even so, you can tell they care. It’s fine once they explain everything and lay out your options. After that, it’s up to you and your family to decide. So, it's alright. They really do look after people there. And the nurses? Total saints. They pamper you like you're a newborn. I remember it vividly.

There's just too little empathy among people these days.

True, there isn't even definitive proof that chemotherapy actually works consistently. Sometimes it does, but even the doctors don't fully grasp why or how. The principle seems to be destroying infected cells—cells hijacked by cancer. The issue arises if the treatment is too aggressive; it can wreck your entire system, making it impossible for the body to function. Maybe those newer "smart" drugs will change things, but even then, we have questions about their mechanism.

It wasn't any psychiatric medication I took in the past that caused this; I haven't touched those in years. Plus, I recently went through a blood cleansing procedure. So, regarding my blood levels, those meds couldn't have caused these specific consequences.
I'm not sure; I need to contact my hematology clinic to figure out what's going on.

As for chemo... look, if it saves someone, fine. But the problem is if you view cancer like a virus. There’s a chance that even after chemo kills it, the spread continues relentlessly. It feels like fighting a losing battle. I lost a close family member to this exact thing.

I haven't mentioned this yet, but I had surgery to remove a tumor four months ago. I have the pathology report, and it doesn't look good. I honestly don't know if they got all of it. I'll know for sure in a few months. If it's a disaster, well, I'll just have to deal with it...
I could go to a private specialist right now to get checked, but I'm too scared, so I'm waiting for my scheduled follow-up at the hospital. Once that happens, I'll know the outcome. I'll know whether I'm finally free of the tumor or not, and what my next move has to be.

It’s all pretty subjective. I mean, how should I know? It helps some people and doesn't help others—it's not a one-size-fits-all thing. My mom has this benign tumor that might be pressing on something in her brain, so she gets these sudden bouts where she feels terrible, and when that hits, her vision starts going blurry.

She really ought to get checked out—maybe even go through with surgery—but she just hasn't. She’s doing everything we’ve thrown at her lately. And honestly, maybe she won't go for it because it doesn't happen *that* often. Or maybe this isn't even caused by the tumor. It could be her blood pressure. She struggles with that, too. Since she started taking her BP meds, those episodes haven't been happening nearly as much.

I can't even begin to imagine what you're going through, @Njusice. I think I have a vague idea, but man, it's hard to truly wrap my head around how tough it must be for you.

Anyway, fingers crossed that the test results and everything else come back okay.

Sometimes I look at myself and feel proud of how well I’m holding up. But then I stop, look around, and wonder where I would be if I weren't going through all of this right now.
That's when it hits me—I'm actually crying on the inside. Even though I try to cherish every single moment and make the most of every day.
I am just counting down the days until those lab results come back, so I can finally put all of this behind me.
They say life tests you to see how much you can carry... well, I don't know anymore. I'm just waiting to see what's next. If things don't improve, I honestly don't think I have any strength left to carry this burden.
I'm feeling pretty low today. A friend told me I'd be a perfect ten if I wasn't sick. It was so disheartening; it’s like he thinks my value is tied to being healthy, or like he can't even wrap his head around someone living with an illness. Thinking about it that way makes me realize I'll probably never find a boyfriend. Every time I actually like someone, I pull away immediately because I know they wouldn't want to be with me if they knew I likely had MS.

Rebecca Rivera3 said:Sometimes I look at myself and feel proud of how well I’m holding up. But then I stop, look around, and wonder where I would be if I weren't going through all of this right now.
That's when it hits me—I'm actually crying on the inside. Even though I try to cherish every single moment and make the most of every day.
I am just counting down the days until those lab results come back, so I can finally put all of this behind me.
They say life tests you to see how much you can carry... well, I don't know anymore. I'm just waiting to see what's next. If things don't improve, I honestly don't think I have any strength left to carry this burden.
I'm feeling pretty low today. A friend told me I'd be a perfect ten if I wasn't sick. It was so disheartening; it’s like he thinks my value is tied to being healthy, or like he can't even wrap his head around someone living with an illness. Thinking about it that way makes me realize I'll probably never find a boyfriend. Every time I actually like someone, I pull away immediately because I know they wouldn't want to be with me if they knew I likely had MS.

Look, plenty of people here have navigated life with MS—gotten married, even had kids. Everything you're feeling makes total sense, Rebecca Rivera3, given everything you're walking through. And seriously, believe me when I say I admire you. You're doing so well, and the way you handle all of this is nothing short of incredible.

Rebecca Rivera3 said:True, there isn't even definitive proof that chemotherapy actually works consistently. Sometimes it does, but even the doctors don't fully grasp why or how. The principle seems to be destroying infected cells—cells hijacked by cancer. The issue arises if the treatment is too aggressive; it can wreck your entire system, making it impossible for the body to function. Maybe those newer "smart" drugs will change things, but even then, we have questions about their mechanism.

It wasn't any psychiatric medication I took in the past that caused this; I haven't touched those in years. Plus, I recently went through a blood cleansing procedure. So, regarding my blood levels, those meds couldn't have caused these specific consequences.
I'm not sure; I need to contact my hematology clinic to figure out what's going on.

As for chemo... look, if it saves someone, fine. But the problem is if you view cancer like a virus. There’s a chance that even after chemo kills it, the spread continues relentlessly. It feels like fighting a losing battle. I lost a close family member to this exact thing.

I haven't mentioned this yet, but I had surgery to remove a tumor four months ago. I have the pathology report, and it doesn't look good. I honestly don't know if they got all of it. I'll know for sure in a few months. If it's a disaster, well, I'll just have to deal with it...
I could go to a private specialist right now to get checked, but I'm too scared, so I'm waiting for my scheduled follow-up at the hospital. Once that happens, I'll know the outcome. I'll know whether I'm finally free of the tumor or not, and what my next move has to be.

Some people swear it’s a fungus. They link the whole thing back to Autophagy. From what I’ve gathered, those folks who have been studying Autophagy since the 70s or 80s aren't just looking for a cure—they want to trigger a process where cancer basically dismantles itself. Then you have the other crowd claiming it’s some kind of fungal growth, or perhaps a cellular transformation where healthy cells mutate into cancer cells on a massive scale. Honestly, they might be onto something. The consensus among all these groups seems to be that it all boils down to diet and managing your body's pH levels. They say you need to ditch the cigarettes and stay far away from alcohol. Some even take it a step further, suggesting you should go fully vegan and cut out meat entirely. In my view, Autophagy acts as the ultimate preventative measure. That’s how I see it, anyway. But the real question is: how can anyone actually know for sure? The worst part is when a diagnosis actually hits you; then everything turns into this frantic, desperate scramble. I can't even wrap my head around that kind of panic. I remember seeing it at the hospital where my father was staying—older patients seem to handle the news with a bit more grace. It’s heartbreaking, really. You see situations where they have to distance themselves from their own flesh and blood—their children, their grandkids—just to cope. It’s heavy stuff.

Rebecca Rivera3 said:True, there isn't even definitive proof that chemotherapy actually works consistently. Sometimes it does, but even the doctors don't fully grasp why or how. The principle seems to be destroying infected cells—cells hijacked by cancer. The issue arises if the treatment is too aggressive; it can wreck your entire system, making it impossible for the body to function. Maybe those newer "smart" drugs will change things, but even then, we have questions about their mechanism.

It wasn't any psychiatric medication I took in the past that caused this; I haven't touched those in years. Plus, I recently went through a blood cleansing procedure. So, regarding my blood levels, those meds couldn't have caused these specific consequences.
I'm not sure; I need to contact my hematology clinic to figure out what's going on.

As for chemo... look, if it saves someone, fine. But the problem is if you view cancer like a virus. There’s a chance that even after chemo kills it, the spread continues relentlessly. It feels like fighting a losing battle. I lost a close family member to this exact thing.

I haven't mentioned this yet, but I had surgery to remove a tumor four months ago. I have the pathology report, and it doesn't look good. I honestly don't know if they got all of it. I'll know for sure in a few months. If it's a disaster, well, I'll just have to deal with it...
I could go to a private specialist right now to get checked, but I'm too scared, so I'm waiting for my scheduled follow-up at the hospital. Once that happens, I'll know the outcome. I'll know whether I'm finally free of the tumor or not, and what my next move has to be.

🙂

Rebecca Rivera3 said:True, there isn't even definitive proof that chemotherapy actually works consistently. Sometimes it does, but even the doctors don't fully grasp why or how. The principle seems to be destroying infected cells—cells hijacked by cancer. The issue arises if the treatment is too aggressive; it can wreck your entire system, making it impossible for the body to function. Maybe those newer "smart" drugs will change things, but even then, we have questions about their mechanism.

It wasn't any psychiatric medication I took in the past that caused this; I haven't touched those in years. Plus, I recently went through a blood cleansing procedure. So, regarding my blood levels, those meds couldn't have caused these specific consequences.
I'm not sure; I need to contact my hematology clinic to figure out what's going on.

As for chemo... look, if it saves someone, fine. But the problem is if you view cancer like a virus. There’s a chance that even after chemo kills it, the spread continues relentlessly. It feels like fighting a losing battle. I lost a close family member to this exact thing.

I haven't mentioned this yet, but I had surgery to remove a tumor four months ago. I have the pathology report, and it doesn't look good. I honestly don't know if they got all of it. I'll know for sure in a few months. If it's a disaster, well, I'll just have to deal with it...
I could go to a private specialist right now to get checked, but I'm too scared, so I'm waiting for my scheduled follow-up at the hospital. Once that happens, I'll know the outcome. I'll know whether I'm finally free of the tumor or not, and what my next move has to be.

I’ve got my fingers crossed. I really hope everything turns out okay.

Rebecca Rivera3 said:Sometimes I look at myself and feel proud of how well I’m holding up. But then I stop, look around, and wonder where I would be if I weren't going through all of this right now.
That's when it hits me—I'm actually crying on the inside. Even though I try to cherish every single moment and make the most of every day.
I am just counting down the days until those lab results come back, so I can finally put all of this behind me.
They say life tests you to see how much you can carry... well, I don't know anymore. I'm just waiting to see what's next. If things don't improve, I honestly don't think I have any strength left to carry this burden.
I'm feeling pretty low today. A friend told me I'd be a perfect ten if I wasn't sick. It was so disheartening; it’s like he thinks my value is tied to being healthy, or like he can't even wrap his head around someone living with an illness. Thinking about it that way makes me realize I'll probably never find a boyfriend. Every time I actually like someone, I pull away immediately because I know they wouldn't want to be with me if they knew I likely had MS.

Well, when life just hits you hard.

Rebecca Rivera3 said:Sometimes I look at myself and feel proud of how well I’m holding up. But then I stop, look around, and wonder where I would be if I weren't going through all of this right now.
That's when it hits me—I'm actually crying on the inside. Even though I try to cherish every single moment and make the most of every day.
I am just counting down the days until those lab results come back, so I can finally put all of this behind me.
They say life tests you to see how much you can carry... well, I don't know anymore. I'm just waiting to see what's next. If things don't improve, I honestly don't think I have any strength left to carry this burden.
I'm feeling pretty low today. A friend told me I'd be a perfect ten if I wasn't sick. It was so disheartening; it’s like he thinks my value is tied to being healthy, or like he can't even wrap his head around someone living with an illness. Thinking about it that way makes me realize I'll probably never find a boyfriend. Every time I actually like someone, I pull away immediately because I know they wouldn't want to be with me if they knew I likely had MS.

Don't do that. Seriously, try to find some optimism. I know it’s a massive struggle right now, but just look around at what other people are dealing with. Look at the stories online. It’s probably incredibly isolating feeling like you're fighting this whole battle on your own, but please, don't give up. I really think things will feel lighter once you get those test results back—especially if they come back positive for you. Honestly? You might just need a break from the constant mental loop. Maybe hold off on picking up the results for a day or two. Don't just force yourself into a state of pure agony. Sometimes, it's actually better to just leave the Band-Aid on for a little while longer.

Rebecca Rivera3 said:Sometimes I look at myself and feel proud of how well I’m holding up. But then I stop, look around, and wonder where I would be if I weren't going through all of this right now.
That's when it hits me—I'm actually crying on the inside. Even though I try to cherish every single moment and make the most of every day.
I am just counting down the days until those lab results come back, so I can finally put all of this behind me.
They say life tests you to see how much you can carry... well, I don't know anymore. I'm just waiting to see what's next. If things don't improve, I honestly don't think I have any strength left to carry this burden.
I'm feeling pretty low today. A friend told me I'd be a perfect ten if I wasn't sick. It was so disheartening; it’s like he thinks my value is tied to being healthy, or like he can't even wrap his head around someone living with an illness. Thinking about it that way makes me realize I'll probably never find a boyfriend. Every time I actually like someone, I pull away immediately because I know they wouldn't want to be with me if they knew I likely had MS.

Look, at the end of the day, it all boils down to one thing: what does he actually bring to the table? That’s the real question. So... yeah.

Look, I don't have schizophrenia myself, but I grew up in a family with two psychiatrists, so I definitely know my way around the subject. People talk about schizophrenia like it's some infectious disease—like leprosy or typhus—but it’s not bacterial or viral. It’s more like a deep trauma of the brain and the heart. One of the big signs is that your whole body just vibrates; it's like when you stretch out a spring and it keeps trembling until it finally settles down, even though it's supposed to be still.

With Rabbit, it feels like an electric current is surging through your entire body. My best advice? Just believe that this will pass. Whenever that intrusive thought pops up like, "Oh man, I have schizophrenia," try to push back against it. Also, make sure you get plenty of physical exercise to help distribute that energy (which everyone actually has inside them) evenly throughout your system. And hey, maybe cut back on the TV—maybe stick to those nature documentaries on the Discovery Channel—and spend more time outdoors. Vipassana meditation can be incredibly helpful, but honestly, if you try it without a proper guide, it might actually make things worse.
Basically, timing and physical activity are everything. If I had to narrow it down to the two most important things, try day by day to stay focused on nasal breathing. So many people mouth-breathe, which means they aren't getting enough oxygen to their brains. Also, pay attention to whether you sometimes completely stop breathing when you're feeling anxious, almost like you've slipped into a trance, and then you need to get right back to focusing on that nasal breathing. It’s tough at first, but if you really want to heal, give it a shot. You can get everything back—all those healthy feelings from your childhood. Second, alongside focused breathing, try to slowly, bit by bit—and anyone can do this these days—cultivate that sense of love and being in love,(think of that high school crush kind of feeling). If you can develop that, you'll literally feel filled with love all day long (I know, sounds cheesy, but it works!), and you'll feel healthy again.
Everything can be fixed, but it won't happen by doing nothing; health isn't just going to fall from the sky. I know people who claim to "suffer" from "schizophrenia" and adopt this mindset where they've already done their part, they'll just act "sick" because, well, usually a nice little disability check follows... you know how it goes.

Alright, let's be real here. Beyond the fact that schizophrenia is a physiological brain disorder—one that actually gets managed by using antipsychotics to dial down the symptoms—it’s pretty basic common sense that things like deep breathing, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, staying away from stress, and avoiding harmful substances are beneficial for everyone. 🙂

Eric Gray2 said:Alright, let's be real here. Beyond the fact that schizophrenia is a physiological brain disorder—one that actually gets managed by using antipsychotics to dial down the symptoms—it’s pretty basic common sense that things like deep breathing, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, staying away from stress, and avoiding harmful substances are beneficial for everyone. 🙂

And yeah, medication can definitely help! You just have to find the right fit. There are dozens of different types out there, and usually, it takes about two weeks for any single one to even start kicking in. It feels like such a massive waiting game while you're searching for the right therapy... honestly, it feels like you're playing the lottery!
Please, please let me hit the jackpot and find the right meds! 🙂

Steven Stewart3 said:And yeah, medication can definitely help! You just have to find the right fit. There are dozens of different types out there, and usually, it takes about two weeks for any single one to even start kicking in. It feels like such a massive waiting game while you're searching for the right therapy... honestly, it feels like you're playing the lottery!
Please, please let me hit the jackpot and find the right meds! 🙂

You have a much better shot at finding the right treatment through a partnership with a psychiatrist than you do at winning a week's worth of millions on a lottery ticket.

Nicole Barrett76 said:You have a much better shot at finding the right treatment through a partnership with a psychiatrist than you do at winning a week's worth of millions on a lottery ticket.

Man, I totally get where you're coming from. It feels like those meds actually stunt your growth—not just physically, but emotionally too. Like, they stop you from really leveling up and becoming a man because they're packed with all these toxins. It reminds me so much of how our parents used to lecture us when we were kids, telling us to stay away from cigarettes because we wouldn't grow tall. It's basically the exact same vibe.

Steven Stewart3 said:Look, I don't have schizophrenia myself, but I grew up in a family with two psychiatrists, so I definitely know my way around the subject. People talk about schizophrenia like it's some infectious disease—like leprosy or typhus—but it’s not bacterial or viral. It’s more like a deep trauma of the brain and the heart. One of the big signs is that your whole body just vibrates; it's like when you stretch out a spring and it keeps trembling until it finally settles down, even though it's supposed to be still.

With Rabbit, it feels like an electric current is surging through your entire body. My best advice? Just believe that this will pass. Whenever that intrusive thought pops up like, "Oh man, I have schizophrenia," try to push back against it. Also, make sure you get plenty of physical exercise to help distribute that energy (which everyone actually has inside them) evenly throughout your system. And hey, maybe cut back on the TV—maybe stick to those nature documentaries on the Discovery Channel—and spend more time outdoors. Vipassana meditation can be incredibly helpful, but honestly, if you try it without a proper guide, it might actually make things worse.
Basically, timing and physical activity are everything. If I had to narrow it down to the two most important things, try day by day to stay focused on nasal breathing. So many people mouth-breathe, which means they aren't getting enough oxygen to their brains. Also, pay attention to whether you sometimes completely stop breathing when you're feeling anxious, almost like you've slipped into a trance, and then you need to get right back to focusing on that nasal breathing. It’s tough at first, but if you really want to heal, give it a shot. You can get everything back—all those healthy feelings from your childhood. Second, alongside focused breathing, try to slowly, bit by bit—and anyone can do this these days—cultivate that sense of love and being in love,(think of that high school crush kind of feeling). If you can develop that, you'll literally feel filled with love all day long (I know, sounds cheesy, but it works!), and you'll feel healthy again.
Everything can be fixed, but it won't happen by doing nothing; health isn't just going to fall from the sky. I know people who claim to "suffer" from "schizophrenia" and adopt this mindset where they've already done their part, they'll just act "sick" because, well, usually a nice little disability check follows... you know how it goes.

My uncle plays guitar in a local band and sings, so I don't go around telling anyone about his playing because I honestly don't know anything about it. It's probably better for you to keep quiet about the schizophrenia too, because regardless of having two psychiatrists in the family, you don't really have a clue what you're talking about.

bluejackal2 said:My uncle plays guitar in a local band and sings, so I don't go around telling anyone about his playing because I honestly don't know anything about it. It's probably better for you to keep quiet about the schizophrenia too, because regardless of having two psychiatrists in the family, you don't really have a clue what you're talking about.

What I was getting at earlier was really just referring to those milder forms of schizophrenia.

Steven Stewart3 said:What I was getting at earlier was really just referring to those milder forms of schizophrenia.

But you basically said nothing, like, even if you're constantly doing deep breathing exercises or pulling off some other miracle, nothing is going to touch it unless you take antipsychotics (the pills)!

Yeah, exactly. The guy isn't just playing games when it comes to any of this.

bluejackal2 said:But you basically said nothing, like, even if you're constantly doing deep breathing exercises or pulling off some other miracle, nothing is going to touch it unless you take antipsychotics (the pills)!

Whoa, hold up—what "legendary pranayama"? I just said people should breathe through their noses consciously whenever they can! It’s simple science: nose breathing actually nourishes your brain. If you're mouth-breathing, you aren't getting nearly enough oxygen into your lungs (and let's be real, we all know where most of that air ends up when you breathe through your mouth instead!), so you end up totally drained. Your immunity tanks, and then everything just falls apart—your health, your goals, your relationships—and suddenly you're spiraling into depression or anxiety, and then people start labeling it as schizophrenia.

Just to be clear, I’m talking about the milder forms of the condition.
My brother was telling me the other day that a lot of people dealing with schizophrenia are actually super chill, clever, and genuinely kind-hearted. Honestly, if you have that kind of foundation, you've already got a massive head start on recovery.

Steven Stewart3 said:Whoa, hold up—what "legendary pranayama"? I just said people should breathe through their noses consciously whenever they can! It’s simple science: nose breathing actually nourishes your brain. If you're mouth-breathing, you aren't getting nearly enough oxygen into your lungs (and let's be real, we all know where most of that air ends up when you breathe through your mouth instead!), so you end up totally drained. Your immunity tanks, and then everything just falls apart—your health, your goals, your relationships—and suddenly you're spiraling into depression or anxiety, and then people start labeling it as schizophrenia.

Just to be clear, I’m talking about the milder forms of the condition.
My brother was telling me the other day that a lot of people dealing with schizophrenia are actually super chill, clever, and genuinely kind-hearted. Honestly, if you have that kind of foundation, you've already got a massive head start on recovery.

You're just talking nonsense! This has nothing to do with the topic at hand!

Jose Ward4 said:Yeah, exactly. The guy isn't just playing games when it comes to any of this.

It’s not about being dramatic! It’s more that I just feel bad seeing someone spend their entire life living such a miserable existence. Look, I’ve definitely been through my fair share of rough patches, but I’ve always stayed resilient, kept my head on straight, and made sure to stay classy through it all. That's how I moved past everything.

bluejackal2 said:You're just talking nonsense! This has nothing to do with the topic at hand!

Well, clearly we aren't on the same page, so I'm out. Peace!