Schizophrenia - General Discussion

Gerald Lopez94 said:Greetings. I have a friend who underwent a total transformation back in 2015—suddenly diagnosed with schizophrenia. When I ask him if there was a specific trigger that set everything in motion, he says no. He’s been a lifelong stoner. His brother passed away in a horrific accident involving the local police department—a notorious case that hit the news a few years back. After that, his other brother also "cracked." Basically, he started using meth around the clock, driven by this desperate need to avenge his brother at any cost. But mind you, all of this—the death, the trauma—happened later. It wasn't the trigger. He claims he just woke up different. He walked outside near a crowded coffee shop, heard voices, and became convinced everyone was talking about him. He went home, and then three old ladies were gossiping about him right after he left. For that, too, he says, "Yeah, I was tripping." He grabbed an axe and headed back to the cafe to smash everything. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but he ended up in the psych ward. He was discharged with a diagnosis and a cocktail of meds: one yellow pill, two 5mg Diazepam in the morning and evening—which makes zero sense to me, though I'm no expert—plus Ryspolex. They had him on Haldol once, but they pulled it because things actually got worse. Now, he hasn't heard those voices since, but he isn't okay. I've known him since we were kids; we practically grew up on the streets. Our childhoods were messed up, just like his and my brother's, just in different ways. Nowadays, he rants constantly about extremists, historical figures, and God. He talks about it incessantly. He insists he doesn't want to be on medication anymore. He wants to get off the pills so he can be "normal" and hold down a job. That's his own words. But then, when he stops taking his meds, he starts obsessing over joining Special Forces and avenging his brother again. Then he admits, "Yeah, I'm tripping." He is self-aware enough to know when he's losing it. He doesn't have hallucinations anymore, but there is clearly a disorder present. You can see it. You remember him as a normal, decent guy, and now look at him. Regarding his desire to quit his meds—he keeps mentioning Remar—my question is: can someone actually get off these psychiatric drugs and live a normal life? I successfully got clean from heroin and Xanax, so I'm speaking from experience, even if I'm not a professional. But schizophrenia is a long-term illness. Can you really just "get clean" from it like you can from a substance? Or am I wrong? I read a lot about this, but I can't find any information about a hospital where you go in and suddenly, *poof*, the schizophrenia is gone. Does such a thing even exist? He values my opinion immensely, so I want to know if I should show him proof that it's impossible, or if there's actually hope. Thank you.

Schizophrenia tends to be a chronic condition—most often a lifelong one—and honestly, I can't imagine how anyone could navigate the complexities of modern life with that diagnosis without staying on top of their medication and keeping up with regular check-ins with a psychiatrist. Now, I’m certainly no doctor, and I’m really just speaking from my own personal experience, which I know isn't universal since every patient's journey is unique, but I know for a fact that I wouldn't be able to manage without my meds. It’s a huge relief that these treatments actually exist.

Harold Anderson3 said:I’ve noticed quite a few of my "colleagues" and friends dealing with various forms of psychosis have had episodes rooted in religious experiences. While thinking you actually are Jesus Christ is a pretty extreme example, some psychiatrists tend to view any kind of belief in God—whether it's through prayer or seeking help and finding fulfillment—as nothing more than an escape from reality.

In a book I read once, 'The Road Less Traveled' by Morgan Scott Peck, it mentions

The path to holiness is paved with maturity. There are no easy shortcuts. If we try to take those "shortcuts," we are much more likely to end up facing schizophrenia rather than reaching true sanctity.

That is exactly how it's phrased in the book.

I tend to agree that it can be an escape, but I feel the same way about substances, whether they're legal or illegal. It's like opium for the masses and all that. On the other hand, reality can be so incredibly harsh sometimes that creating a little distance from it actually feels necessary. Of course, forcing anything on someone in a therapeutic setting is out of the question. At least, it shouldn't be. Anyway.

Joseph Bailey41 said:I tend to agree that it can be an escape, but I feel the same way about substances, whether they're legal or illegal. It's like opium for the masses and all that. On the other hand, reality can be so incredibly harsh sometimes that creating a little distance from it actually feels necessary. Of course, forcing anything on someone in a therapeutic setting is out of the question. At least, it shouldn't be. Anyway.

Exactly this. That’s why I’ve always felt there’s some merit in being a believer, provided you stay within those 'normal' boundaries—you know, avoiding the whole fanaticism thing. But honestly, religion isn't the only way to escape the grind; there are plenty of other perfectly healthy ways to find that mental sanctuary.
For me, it’s getting lost in a good book, diving into music, or following sports.
My actual reality is just my job.

Harold Anderson3 said:Exactly this. That’s why I’ve always felt there’s some merit in being a believer, provided you stay within those 'normal' boundaries—you know, avoiding the whole fanaticism thing. But honestly, religion isn't the only way to escape the grind; there are plenty of other perfectly healthy ways to find that mental sanctuary.
For me, it’s getting lost in a good book, diving into music, or following sports.
My actual reality is just my job.

Just adding my two cents. 👍

Hi there!
After my second psychotic episode, I was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. For a long time, my entire world revolved around one goal: getting better. After enjoying fifteen years of steady remission, I started thinking—not out of nowhere, mind you—that maybe I didn't actually need medication. I had been diving deep into the world of anti-psychiatry and critical psychiatry, and I decided to go all in. Well, guess what happened? Predictably, I hit a third episode. Thankfully, I’m recovering well now—and honestly, it wasn't thanks to any medication. But enough about my personal history.

The psychiatrist Karl Menninger once said: "Attitudes matter more than facts."

Here is why:
You could say this over and over again until the truth truly sinks in. No matter how hopeless a situation might seem, no single fact is as significant as the attitude you bring to it. What you believe about a circumstance can defeat you before you even take a single step toward addressing it. You might let a hard truth overwhelm you before you even begin to tackle the problem. On the flip side, maintaining a reliable, optimistic mindset can actually shift your reality and allow you to overcome those very facts. 🤔

steelskipper9 said:Hi there!
After my second psychotic episode, I was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. For a long time, my entire world revolved around one goal: getting better. After enjoying fifteen years of steady remission, I started thinking—not out of nowhere, mind you—that maybe I didn't actually need medication. I had been diving deep into the world of anti-psychiatry and critical psychiatry, and I decided to go all in. Well, guess what happened? Predictably, I hit a third episode. Thankfully, I’m recovering well now—and honestly, it wasn't thanks to any medication. But enough about my personal history.

The psychiatrist Karl Menninger once said: "Attitudes matter more than facts."

Here is why:
You could say this over and over again until the truth truly sinks in. No matter how hopeless a situation might seem, no single fact is as significant as the attitude you bring to it. What you believe about a circumstance can defeat you before you even take a single step toward addressing it. You might let a hard truth overwhelm you before you even begin to tackle the problem. On the flip side, maintaining a reliable, optimistic mindset can actually shift your reality and allow you to overcome those very facts. 🤔

Three times in fifteen years? That’s a pretty decent average. Personally, I’ve hit seven times in nine years—including two stints being hospitalized for less than a year during this whole Corona mess. The first time was because the Corona stuff had me panicking about my sister and whether we were all going to starve, among other things. The second time, late last year, my old man passed away from a stroke. Honestly, he just collapsed right at the foot of my bed, convulsing and losing his mind from the shock.

Thankfully, neither my old man nor my sister lost their minds. They both ended up hospitalized, right across from each other—he was on one side of the wing, I was on the other, just connected by the same hallway.

It happened three times back when I was around 18 or 19—and it was always the exact same diagnosis. Honestly, if I had been a bit more level-headed, I probably would have stopped after the second episode. Some of us just can't function without medication!

It really hurts that some people view this as a character flaw—though, truthfully, I’m not sure which is worse: that judgment or the stigma that comes with being ill. 🙂

steelskipper9 said:It happened three times back when I was around 18 or 19—and it was always the exact same diagnosis. Honestly, if I had been a bit more level-headed, I probably would have stopped after the second episode. Some of us just can't function without medication!

It really hurts that some people view this as a character flaw—though, truthfully, I’m not sure which is worse: that judgment or the stigma that comes with being ill. 🙂

We can manage, but man, it’s a massive uphill battle. I don't give a damn what most people think, but let's be real—it still matters. They look at us differently, like we're somehow "bad" people instead of just people dealing with an illness.

Don't let them get to you. Hang in there—unfortunately, this is just the hand we were dealt. 🙂

Hang in there. 🙂

The idea that others might view us as the bad guys—well, it just didn't sit right with me—I’ve never really seen things from that angle before. Though, I did have one person—someone who joined my family through marriage—say something to me once that was so cutting, I won't even repeat it here.
What’s most disappointing from a professional standpoint is the social worker involved. Honestly, you have to be incredibly narrow-minded to think that way, let alone actually say it—especially when you're supposed to be an expert on the situation. It just goes to show, you really can encounter anyone. 👋

steelskipper9 said:Hang in there. 🙂

The idea that others might view us as the bad guys—well, it just didn't sit right with me—I’ve never really seen things from that angle before. Though, I did have one person—someone who joined my family through marriage—say something to me once that was so cutting, I won't even repeat it here.
What’s most disappointing from a professional standpoint is the social worker involved. Honestly, you have to be incredibly narrow-minded to think that way, let alone actually say it—especially when you're supposed to be an expert on the situation. It just goes to show, you really can encounter anyone. 👋

I don't mean we're literally evil, but more like... perceived as such. Like we're going to go out and commit some villainous act. Most people don't look at us that way, even if there are cases where someone with a diagnosis does something bad—but for the most part, we're the victims of crime, not the perpetrators.

And if we're talking about losing control during an episode and doing something reckless? Sure, sometimes that happens. But it isn't common. I personally caused a minor car accident like that once.

And I'm still dealing with the fallout from it today.

I once knew a girl—someone who was undergoing treatment at the same time I was—who actually ended up driving the wrong way down a highway. It was pure, unadulterated luck that nothing tragic happened.
Since I don't drive, I obviously couldn't pull a stunt like that myself, but the reality is that when any of us are in an emergency state, we can be prone to paranoia and some pretty wild ideas. We could easily
end up hurting ourselves or someone else—which is why I truly believe doctors and anyone working on the front lines should be better trained to handle psychiatric emergencies.

"Emergency psychiatry sits right at the intersection of psychiatry and emergency medicine; in that sense, you could view it as a specialized hybrid of those two fields.
While this book covers certain aspects of those areas less extensively, our hope is that it will foster a deeper understanding of how to manage acute psychiatric patients,
while also helping to promote the recognition of emergency psychiatry as a vital component of overall psychiatric care."

A brand new textbook titled "Emergency States in Psychiatry" has just been released by a major medical publisher—authored by Miroslav Herceg, Vlado Jukić, Zrnka Kovačić Petrović, and Aleksandar Savić from the Vrabac psychiatric clinic.

This manual is designed specifically for medical students and psychiatry residents—though it’s also an excellent resource for other specialists, family practitioners, and any healthcare providers who deal with patients facing acute psychiatric crises or simply want to master the fundamentals of emergency mental health care. The goal here is quite straightforward: to provide a concise, practical guide on how to manage patients exhibiting symptoms of acute psychiatric illness or those in crisis—situations where quick action is vital to prevent poor outcomes—whether that assessment happens in a psychiatric ER, a primary care office, or a general emergency department.

One could say that emergency psychiatry is a specialized niche—essentially the clinical application of psychiatry within high-stakes, urgent scenarios. The authors approach these complex issues from a standpoint of deep clinical expertise gained at the Vrabac psychiatric clinic, which serves as one of the largest psychiatric institutions in America. Because they handle such a massive volume of diverse emergencies every single day, the collective professional knowledge regarding emergency evaluation and treatment found in this book is truly immense. The textbook is organized into a general section, a specialized section, and several helpful appendices.

Since emergency psychiatry sits right at the intersection of psychiatry and emergency medicine, it really functions as a unique hybrid of the two fields. This book fills a bit of a gap in those specific areas—so we are optimistic that it will lead to better understanding and management of acute psychiatric patients, while also helping people recognize emergency psychiatry as a critical component of comprehensive patient care.

+1 @steelskipper9

Personally, I think this book is absolutely stellar. I’m planning on picking up a copy to read through—and then sharing it with my family members so they have a clear idea
of how to handle things if I ever hit a relapse. That said, I’m feeling quite optimistic about staying on track since I've been strictly following my prescribed treatment plan.

Hey there. My aunt has schizophrenia. She’s 65 and living alone. Her ex-husband usually helps her out, but he’s starting a new family and moving away, so he won't be able to look after her anymore. Things have gotten pretty intense—she actually attacked him with a knife a few months back, and she’s constantly getting into trouble. She’s already been declared legally incompetent. Honestly, social services aren't doing much to help; they're just hoping the ex-husband stays responsible, but he's leaving soon. She deserves a life, but my mom can't step in because she's elderly and struggles even to walk, so we really need an alternative. Does anyone know of any specialized care facilities for people in her situation? What’s the move here? It's just not safe for her to live alone or rely on one person, especially since she gets violent and loses touch with reality.
I'd love some advice. Please help.

Robert Torres2 said:Hey there. My aunt has schizophrenia. She’s 65 and living alone. Her ex-husband usually helps her out, but he’s starting a new family and moving away, so he won't be able to look after her anymore. Things have gotten pretty intense—she actually attacked him with a knife a few months back, and she’s constantly getting into trouble. She’s already been declared legally incompetent. Honestly, social services aren't doing much to help; they're just hoping the ex-husband stays responsible, but he's leaving soon. She deserves a life, but my mom can't step in because she's elderly and struggles even to walk, so we really need an alternative. Does anyone know of any specialized care facilities for people in her situation? What’s the move here? It's just not safe for her to live alone or rely on one person, especially since she gets violent and loses touch with reality.
I'd love some advice. Please help.

There are group homes designed specifically for individuals with schizophrenia who cannot function in a standard environment; these facilities typically have a small staff of six to eight people who manage their daily needs and organize their lives.

However, it sounds as though this cousin might ultimately need to enter a formal institution to remain medicated, or perhaps transition into one of those specialized group homes I mentioned earlier, but if the behavioral issues persist, unfortunately the only viable option left would be long-term placement at a psychiatric hospital.

Robert Torres2 said:Hey there. My aunt has schizophrenia. She’s 65 and living alone. Her ex-husband usually helps her out, but he’s starting a new family and moving away, so he won't be able to look after her anymore. Things have gotten pretty intense—she actually attacked him with a knife a few months back, and she’s constantly getting into trouble. She’s already been declared legally incompetent. Honestly, social services aren't doing much to help; they're just hoping the ex-husband stays responsible, but he's leaving soon. She deserves a life, but my mom can't step in because she's elderly and struggles even to walk, so we really need an alternative. Does anyone know of any specialized care facilities for people in her situation? What’s the move here? It's just not safe for her to live alone or rely on one person, especially since she gets violent and loses touch with reality.
I'd love some advice. Please help.

One such facility could be...
https://www.mayoest.org/

Perhaps Saint Raphael would be a good option. Their website mentions they have a long-term care wing, though it’s limited to just 15 beds.
I suspect other psychiatric facilities likely have similar specialized units with their own capacity limits—but honestly, everything feels a bit small when you consider how much actual need there is out there.
If anyone happens to know more about what the admission process looks like for that kind of residential care, please feel free to share. I'm sure plenty of people would find that information incredibly helpful.

Hey everyone, I was wondering if anyone here has been using Salesforce or any other depot-style medication for a while now? I’d love to hear your thoughts and see what you might recommend. In your experience, is it better to stick with the injections, or do you find that switching over to oral tablets is actually the way to go? PayPal.

bluescout3 said:Hey everyone, I was wondering if anyone here has been using Salesforce or any other depot-style medication for a while now? I’d love to hear your thoughts and see what you might recommend. In your experience, is it better to stick with the injections, or do you find that switching over to oral tablets is actually the way to go? PayPal.

I’ve actually been using Abilify Maintena (aripiprazole) for five years now, and before that, I spent seven years on Risperdal Consta (risperidone). Even though you hear people arguing about whether there's a functional difference between the injection version and the pill version of the same medication, I personally haven't noticed any real distinction. For me, it really just comes down to convenience. If you have the ability to visit your primary care doctor once a month or every couple of months without much trouble, and if you aren't particularly afraid of needles, I’d say go with the injection; it provides such a steady level in your system, and you don't have to worry about the whole "did I remember to take my pill today?" stress. That said, there is one downside: the shot can be pretty painful, especially if the nurse isn't particularly skilled at administering it (and we all know those types exist). I actually went in for my injection this past Monday, and the spot is still feeling quite sore because the nurse pushed the dose into my muscle a little too quickly. I haven't really had an experience like that before, so I'm not sure if she was just in a rush or what.🤷 Next time, I'll make sure to ask her to be a bit more gentle.