Schizophrenia - General Discussion

Economic freedom is the foundation upon which all other liberties are built. If we work ourselves to death only to face problems that feel akin to schizophrenia, yet we visit a psychiatrist once a week paying $250-$167per session, isn't it absurd how easily a doctor might just slap a diagnosis of schizophrenia on you?

Admittedly, even the practitioner might exaggerate our struggles simply to ensure we return more frequently, securing their own steady income. That is the inherent downside when dealing with any private physician.

By my third session, a psychiatrist in Washington, D.C. actually labeled me mentally deficient in her notes, yet she never had the decency to tell me the diagnosis to my face; instead, those three times, she merely wrote my name in the files. Once she realized during the fourth session that I was far from being deficient, and when I questioned her about her notes, she began addressing the records with "Sir" followed by my full name.

In the USA, or perhaps in other developed nations in Europe, such conduct would likely earn her a formal reprimand or even force her to offer an apology without me having to demand one.

Fortunately, she recognized her error quickly. Honestly, I am not even concerned with the diagnosis itself; diagnoses come and go. What truly matters is that she didn't confront me directly, leaving me to grapple with that label and the shock of seeing it written down while standing at a crowded bus station, surrounded by commuters, making my way through the city to a general practitioner who prescribed Tegretol because that was what the psychiatrist had ordered; he looked at me and asked, "So, Nicole Barrett76, why are you doing this to yourself?"

I was just doing some digging on Google earlier, and apparently, that stuff they prescribed you is actually pretty heavy-duty. I know exactly what you’re talking about—you mentioned this before, actually. My brain just slipped on it for a second. Honestly, though? It doesn't feel right to handle things that way. They move so fast sometimes, it ends up feeling a bit sloppy, if you know what I mean.

How are you holding up, @Piskavac? As for me... I'm alright. Things were better before, I guess. But I've got this lingering anxiety now—just a fear that things might take a turn for the worse. I've been getting these little... I don't even know how to put it... these repetitive songs stuck in my head daily. It’s not constant, but then there are these voices, like little flashbacks of my own. Maybe it's because I haven't been sleeping much lately? Either way, things are mostly better, fingers crossed.

I'm honestly a little worried I might need something to take in the afternoon, just to take the edge off. I seem to be way more hyperactive than usual lately. But hey, I'll probably adjust. The brain is plastic, right? I'll get used to the new normal eventually.

Carol Barrett2 said:I was just doing some digging on Google earlier, and apparently, that stuff they prescribed you is actually pretty heavy-duty. I know exactly what you’re talking about—you mentioned this before, actually. My brain just slipped on it for a second. Honestly, though? It doesn't feel right to handle things that way. They move so fast sometimes, it ends up feeling a bit sloppy, if you know what I mean.

How are you holding up, @Piskavac? As for me... I'm alright. Things were better before, I guess. But I've got this lingering anxiety now—just a fear that things might take a turn for the worse. I've been getting these little... I don't even know how to put it... these repetitive songs stuck in my head daily. It’s not constant, but then there are these voices, like little flashbacks of my own. Maybe it's because I haven't been sleeping much lately? Either way, things are mostly better, fingers crossed.

I'm honestly a little worried I might need something to take in the afternoon, just to take the edge off. I seem to be way more hyperactive than usual lately. But hey, I'll probably adjust. The brain is plastic, right? I'll get used to the new normal eventually.

Thank you for looking up information regarding Tegretol. If I have been tiresome by constantly writing about my diagnosis, please forgive me. My head is ringing incessantly, and I suspect it is due to the benzodiazepines; I truly wish I could wean myself off them, but I simply cannot find a way to quit. My memory is failing me because of them. I struggle to remember what I did yesterday, whereas my memories from years ago remain vivid. Before bed, I take 10mg of Apaurin, which is quite a high dose, though sometimes I opt for Sanval instead of Apaurin.

While I was taking Ashwagandha, I shouldn't have been using benzos, but I used them for a short period because money was tight, and the ringing in my ears didn't subside. I suppose one would need to take it continuously for about a year to see results. However, I feel I need other herbal supplements as well. Aside from researching them, the only true way to determine which herbs might help is to trial the ones you believe could be beneficial. Even when I have the funds to buy a specific supplement, I often find myself choosing something else instead.

Carol Barrett2 said:I was just doing some digging on Google earlier, and apparently, that stuff they prescribed you is actually pretty heavy-duty. I know exactly what you’re talking about—you mentioned this before, actually. My brain just slipped on it for a second. Honestly, though? It doesn't feel right to handle things that way. They move so fast sometimes, it ends up feeling a bit sloppy, if you know what I mean.

How are you holding up, @Piskavac? As for me... I'm alright. Things were better before, I guess. But I've got this lingering anxiety now—just a fear that things might take a turn for the worse. I've been getting these little... I don't even know how to put it... these repetitive songs stuck in my head daily. It’s not constant, but then there are these voices, like little flashbacks of my own. Maybe it's because I haven't been sleeping much lately? Either way, things are mostly better, fingers crossed.

I'm honestly a little worried I might need something to take in the afternoon, just to take the edge off. I seem to be way more hyperactive than usual lately. But hey, I'll probably adjust. The brain is plastic, right? I'll get used to the new normal eventually.

I am not quite sure why you feel the need for something to slow you down in the afternoon if you spend most of your day sleeping. When you are in that heightened state—perhaps due to the agitation or the rapid speech—couldn't you use that energy to finally tackle those tasks you've been putting off for ages? Or perhaps engage in activities you actually enjoy?

Even if you accomplish nothing else, "simply" sweeping the house or washing the dishes would be a tremendous help to your mother, whom you mentioned is getting older.

Do you experience any other sensations when you are feeling sped up? Do you feel euphoric, or perhaps "excessively" cheerful? Are there any other symptoms besides the ones you feel when you are lethargic or sleeping?

I truly empathize with all of you. I once faced a terminal diagnosis that was life-altering, yet it wasn't even officially shared with me. I ended up walking outside, searching it on Google, and counting down my remaining months just to figure out if I was still alive or how much time I actually had left... I don't even know what to say.
I know exactly how that feels.

I personally stick to CBD. If anyone can try it, please do. It really helps and doesn't come with the side effects you get from prescription pills.

You used to forget things because of the Benzos, right? See, I’d argue that they definitely cause memory loss, but if you told a doctor that, they'd probably try to convince you otherwise.

Take care of yourselves, everyone...

Regarding medications, Quetiapine works well... and Wellbutrin XR is also a solid option.
That’s definitely the way to go.

Naturally, I always recommend CBD resin—it's just a cannabis extract without any THC, so there's no risk of addiction or messing with your mental state.
It's honestly a miracle from nature, though it is quite expensive.

Nicole Barrett76 said:Thank you for looking up information regarding Tegretol. If I have been tiresome by constantly writing about my diagnosis, please forgive me. My head is ringing incessantly, and I suspect it is due to the benzodiazepines; I truly wish I could wean myself off them, but I simply cannot find a way to quit. My memory is failing me because of them. I struggle to remember what I did yesterday, whereas my memories from years ago remain vivid. Before bed, I take 10mg of Apaurin, which is quite a high dose, though sometimes I opt for Sanval instead of Apaurin.

While I was taking Ashwagandha, I shouldn't have been using benzos, but I used them for a short period because money was tight, and the ringing in my ears didn't subside. I suppose one would need to take it continuously for about a year to see results. However, I feel I need other herbal supplements as well. Aside from researching them, the only true way to determine which herbs might help is to trial the ones you believe could be beneficial. Even when I have the funds to buy a specific supplement, I often find myself choosing something else instead.

I am not quite sure why you feel the need for something to slow you down in the afternoon if you spend most of your day sleeping. When you are in that heightened state—perhaps due to the agitation or the rapid speech—couldn't you use that energy to finally tackle those tasks you've been putting off for ages? Or perhaps engage in activities you actually enjoy?

Even if you accomplish nothing else, "simply" sweeping the house or washing the dishes would be a tremendous help to your mother, whom you mentioned is getting older.

Do you experience any other sensations when you are feeling sped up? Do you feel euphoric, or perhaps "excessively" cheerful? Are there any other symptoms besides the ones you feel when you are lethargic or sleeping?

They’re giving you way too much Apaurin. Way more than they give me. I used to be on 15mg a day, maybe even more, but my psychiatrist at the CDC helped me scale it back.

And yeah, I know that whole forgetting thing. It sucks. Total side effect.

I think I know what I need to slow me down, though—it's because of these songs and voices in my head. These songs loop in my brain for a long time, and sometimes those voices just pop in out of nowhere. But you're right, I should try to manage without the meds. Maybe I'll just get used to it.

You're right about the rest of it, too. Now that I'm sleeping this much, I'm actually being a bit more useful. But it's minimal. I do the dishes, which helps me stay calm, but that's about it. Like I said, I'm mostly living in my own little world lately.

Unfortunately, my sleep was messed up again last night. Hopefully, it doesn't get totally ruined. I was wide awake most of the night and didn't crawl out of bed until noon. Slept for almost 12 hours again.

Has anyone actually figured out what this ringing is? Is it tinnitus, or blood pressure, or something else entirely? If it's a side effect of the medication, I don't get why they aren't switching it up for you.

If I remember correctly, you have thyroid issues too, right? Could it be coming from that?

Honestly, over where @Rebecca Rivera3 hangs out, any kind of medical cannabis is ridiculously overpriced—mostly because it’s still technically illegal here. Since it's off the books, people end up paying a massive premium just to get their hands on it compared to what you guys deal with. They're only just now having the big debates about whether to actually legalize it for medical use.

Carol Barrett2 said:They’re giving you way too much Apaurin. Way more than they give me. I used to be on 15mg a day, maybe even more, but my psychiatrist at the CDC helped me scale it back.

And yeah, I know that whole forgetting thing. It sucks. Total side effect.

I think I know what I need to slow me down, though—it's because of these songs and voices in my head. These songs loop in my brain for a long time, and sometimes those voices just pop in out of nowhere. But you're right, I should try to manage without the meds. Maybe I'll just get used to it.

You're right about the rest of it, too. Now that I'm sleeping this much, I'm actually being a bit more useful. But it's minimal. I do the dishes, which helps me stay calm, but that's about it. Like I said, I'm mostly living in my own little world lately.

Unfortunately, my sleep was messed up again last night. Hopefully, it doesn't get totally ruined. I was wide awake most of the night and didn't crawl out of bed until noon. Slept for almost 12 hours again.

Has anyone actually figured out what this ringing is? Is it tinnitus, or blood pressure, or something else entirely? If it's a side effect of the medication, I don't get why they aren't switching it up for you.

If I remember correctly, you have thyroid issues too, right? Could it be coming from that?

Supposedly, the thyroid isn't the root cause because my hormone levels are balanced like a Swiss watch thanks to Letrox. According to Chinese Medicine, the thyroid isn't the main culprit; rather, the liver is malfunctioning, and the thyroid is simply a victim caught in a domino effect triggered by poor liver function.

After reading on Wikipedia about how much thyroid hormone is processed in the liver and just how complicated those biochemical conversions are, it really seems like those ancient herbalists and medical practitioners were onto something.

Even Ayurvedic medicine, which I am currently experimenting with, indirectly blames poor liver function for thyroid issues, though they operate under an entirely different system. I'm trying it out because I'm not particularly fond of the way Chinese Medicine utilizes fungi; according to Ayurveda, consuming mushrooms leads to even greater ignorance, inertia, and lack of knowledge than eating meat does.

The issue with Ayurvedic medicine is their use of certain natural minerals—uric acid, if I'm not mistaken—but I personally believe there is no need for us to ingest trace elements through artificial means. We don't need calcium, potassium, or magnesium in pill form when the entire landscape is built from them! If we are to take trace elements, they should be bonded with an amino acid, citric acid, or some other organic compound.

I have no idea why my ears are ringing; I suspect it's the benzos, as I mentioned before. When I went to see a neurologist and an audiologist over a decade ago (I'm 45 now) regarding this exact problem, he told me: "Sir, you're too old for this." For heaven's sake, I was only in my early thirties!

So, what now? Should I just start walking slowly toward the cemetery, perhaps drop dead somewhere along the way, just so they don't have to transport my corpse from my house to the graveyard?

I am speechless; I truly have no words left.

Carol Barrett2 said:Honestly, over where @Rebecca Rivera3 hangs out, any kind of medical cannabis is ridiculously overpriced—mostly because it’s still technically illegal here. Since it's off the books, people end up paying a massive premium just to get their hands on it compared to what you guys deal with. They're only just now having the big debates about whether to actually legalize it for medical use.

Actually, it isn't even that much cheaper in the States. @Rebecca Rivera3, I think I'll head over to Google and search for "CBD resin" to see what the deal is.

Give it a rest, man. 😵 Age doesn't have anything to do with this—you should've known better than to go looking for your own medical fixes. 🤦 As for the rest of what you wrote, I honestly didn't catch half of it since I’m totally clueless about this stuff.

I went through something similar where my liver was acting up, but somehow it managed to bounce back. Maybe that’s why I’m dealing with vision issues and other random health headaches now, just like you. Could be some lingering fallout from all that.

I guess I just got lucky that things cleared up eventually.

A quick heads-up regarding CBD—don't just go buying random stuff online, especially if you're just chasing the lowest price. Just like anything else, quality varies wildly, and you run the risk of getting straight-up counterfeits.
It’s also crucial to get your dosage right. Don't just wing it by picking a product and guessing the amount. Since we're talking about your health and a product that isn't cheap, you need to stick to reputable vendors and, more importantly, consult a professional first to figure out what actually works for your specific situation.

I personally use it for mental health issues—depression, anxiety, that sort of thing. I've been working on several things simultaneously, so honestly, I can't pin down exactly which one triggered my improvement. But even if I don't credit CBD exclusively... the fact remains that I feel better, and the timeline aligns perfectly with when I started using it. I've been off my prescription meds for about five months now, which used to be impossible. Every previous attempt to quit resulted in a rapid relapse... but this time is different. I'm doing the heavy lifting through self-work, but I truly believe CBD provided the stability I needed to finally drop the meds.

Carol Barrett2 said:Honestly, over where @Rebecca Rivera3 hangs out, any kind of medical cannabis is ridiculously overpriced—mostly because it’s still technically illegal here. Since it's off the books, people end up paying a massive premium just to get their hands on it compared to what you guys deal with. They're only just now having the big debates about whether to actually legalize it for medical use.

Just so we're clear, CBD is a cannabis extract that doesn't have any psychoactive effects. You can even buy it for dogs. Just walk into a local pharmacy and pick some up, or search online for "CBD pharmacies" and you'll see plenty of retailers.
It's honestly surprising how few people actually know about this, especially considering how incredibly effective it is... truly life-changing.

CBD has been a total game-changer for all my health issues. Honestly, I was a huge skeptic at first and used to get annoyed whenever people kept bugging me to try it.

I started out with some well-known, tried-and-true Kanaway oil. It was decent. I noticed a subtle shift—more energy, less anxiety, things like that.

Then, a relative of mine gave me some flower that had a much higher CBD concentration. Apparently, the more CBD you have in it, the steeper the price tag. He sourced it privately from a guy named Slovenac.
I was still pretty resistant to the idea, but I didn't really have a choice once the muscle spasms in my legs started kicking in and getting worse after I stopped using the oil.
So, I decided to give the flower a shot... and for the first few days, I was still grumbling about why on earth I even needed this stuff.
Fast forward a month and a half, and I feel completely better. I know it’s actually working because I was such a skeptic that I couldn't even write it off as a placebo effect.

It’s just a shame that it's so expensive and that so many people can't afford to use it.
Everything online says that there aren't any side effects regardless of the dosage, and from what I've experienced, that is absolutely true.

Carol Barrett2 said:Give it a rest, man. 😵 Age doesn't have anything to do with this—you should've known better than to go looking for your own medical fixes. 🤦 As for the rest of what you wrote, I honestly didn't catch half of it since I’m totally clueless about this stuff.

I went through something similar where my liver was acting up, but somehow it managed to bounce back. Maybe that’s why I’m dealing with vision issues and other random health headaches now, just like you. Could be some lingering fallout from all that.

I guess I just got lucky that things cleared up eventually.

I also consider myself a novice in these matters.

My vision problems stem from being born prematurely at seven months. That alone compromised my sight. I spent two months in a neonatal intensive care unit, and given the medical technology available back then, infants were required to keep their eyes open for twenty-four hours a day, which only exacerbated the damage to my vision.

If my liver function is indeed impaired—which suggests so based on a diagnostic test I found in a book regarding traditional Chinese herbal medicine—improving my liver wouldn't fix my eyesight due to those early complications. However, if I could just regain some energy, stop this constant ringing in my ears, and finally move away from relying on benzodiazepines, would I not be absolutely overjoyed?

I have been doing some digging into "CBD resin." Honestly, the prices are absolutely astronomical—we're talking on par with high-end organic milk. To make matters even more questionable, much of it is being extracted from industrial hemp, which is technically legal to grow. It seems they utilize these incredibly complex extraction processes, supposedly involving cold CO2. Should we really be paying such a premium for wellness? Is it not true that one must choose between owning a flashy sports car, a massive 4K TV, and the latest flagship smartphone, or simply investing in one's own health? Isn't it inevitable that chasing those superficial trifles will eventually come back to haunt you? Only then does one truly realize the profound importance of physical well-being.

But the truth is, I am at a complete loss; what sort of sorcery or impossible feat would it take for me to actually acquire this resin? I am currently between jobs and certainly don't waste my money on those aforementioned luxuries, yet even so, it remains completely out of reach.

Nicole Barrett76 said:I have been doing some digging into "CBD resin." Honestly, the prices are absolutely astronomical—we're talking on par with high-end organic milk. To make matters even more questionable, much of it is being extracted from industrial hemp, which is technically legal to grow. It seems they utilize these incredibly complex extraction processes, supposedly involving cold CO2. Should we really be paying such a premium for wellness? Is it not true that one must choose between owning a flashy sports car, a massive 4K TV, and the latest flagship smartphone, or simply investing in one's own health? Isn't it inevitable that chasing those superficial trifles will eventually come back to haunt you? Only then does one truly realize the profound importance of physical well-being.

But the truth is, I am at a complete loss; what sort of sorcery or impossible feat would it take for me to actually acquire this resin? I am currently between jobs and certainly don't waste my money on those aforementioned luxuries, yet even so, it remains completely out of reach.

You don't start with the resin. That's too concentrated. You start with the oil—drops—at a lower concentration and work your way up. Otherwise, you run into side effects. For example, it can mess with your blood pressure; if the dose is too high, your pressure could drop suddenly, which is dangerous (like feeling dizzy while driving...).

When I first started, this was the advice I got:
- Start with the drops, ideally at 5% CBD concentration. Just 1 or 2 drops twice a day (for the very first time, maybe just 1 drop in the morning and 1 at night). Then gradually increase until you're at 1 drop a day, then maybe 2. Keep going until you hit 15 drops daily. After that initial phase, you can switch to higher concentrations (10%, 15%), but the rule stays the same—start small and scale up to a maximum of 15 drops.
Depending on the specific issue or how severe it is, most people won't even need more than that.
Resin is extremely potent (they didn't recommend it to me for mental health issues, even though I asked). It's usually reserved for things like pain management in advanced cancer cases or other severe conditions.

Results vary wildly from person to person. Best bet is to monitor how you feel and figure out your own optimal dosage through trial and error.
I'm currently on the 15% stuff, taking 4 drops a day and slowly increasing. Eventually, I plan to try the resin too.

Proper administration matters:
- Take it sublingually (under the tongue) for best absorption. Hold it there as long as possible. It's best taken on an empty stomach, and you shouldn't eat or drink anything for at least 20 minutes after.

Good luck! 🙂

Oh, and they also told me this: even if you see results quickly (depending on the issue and how your body reacts), you really need to take it consistently for months—even up to a year—to see the full effect. If it hasn't helped your specific problem within that timeframe, it's not going to.

It honestly breaks my heart how expensive CBD has become. It is incredibly effective at managing so many physical and mental health challenges.

It works wonders at reducing and stabilizing symptoms. It won’t make them vanish entirely, but it brings everything back to a manageable baseline that standard pills just can't reach. It feels like it never truly wears off. Apparently, it works by signaling cells within the body to repair themselves, essentially facilitating healing from within.

In my opinion, this should be available by prescription.
That said, while the price tag is high, it actually lasts a long time because you only take it by the drop. Depending on your dosage, a single bottle can last anywhere from a few months to a full year.

I started out using the oil too, but only taking five drops in the morning and evening. I felt better after that, so I switched to just taking it once a day in the morning. Eventually, I stopped altogether because I couldn't afford it anymore, and right around then, my condition worsened. I'm not sure if they are directly linked, but the timing was suspicious.

As my illness progressed and began affecting my motor neurons, my vision, and my mental state even more severely, I realized that maybe the standard oil wasn't enough for me anymore—it was like water. I needed something stronger. So, I switched to the heavy resin... and I take it every night without fail. It helps me sleep soundly, keeps the pain at bay, and provides a sense of peace and stability.

Sometimes I'll take it during the day sublingually as well. It really does help diminish or even eliminate most of my symptoms.

It isn't a "cure," but when you aren't dealing with symptoms and you don't have any side effects, isn't that incredible? As for whether long-term use can actually cure diseases, I don't know for sure, though it seems possible.

I prefer to be fully convinced before I commit to anything; I don't just jump on trends. I need to experience and research things for myself first.

In my case, I am dealing with a tumor and a specific brain disease, so there is a lot happening with my body, but with this, everything feels okay. It has helped me navigate even the worst moments quite well.

So, if I’m reading this right—and I hope I am—this stuff basically recharges your batteries and helps with cellular repair? Interesting. I can't help but wonder how it might play into other health issues, too... there's one specific thing on my mind.

👍

It helps with just about everything, both physical ailments and mental health.
The only thing it can't fix is a broken heart.....