Schizophrenia - General Discussion

crimsonviper48 said:Why is it that I end up back in the hospital twice a year... I take my meds regularly, though honestly, I rarely actually swallow them... Not that alcohol has ever made me feel physically sick or sent me into a depressive spiral, either, but I know I can overdo it sometimes, and god, I’m only 22... It just doesn't make sense. I can't tell if it's my borderline personality disorder tearing me apart, or if it's schizophrenia, or maybe they're just teaming up against me... Therapy helps, specifically small group sessions, but still... ending up in the ER twice a year is just way too much...

Sandra Lee2 said:Maybe try finding a new psychiatrist? And stop drinking.

Harold Anderson3 said:It’s really not as simple as just deciding to quit drinking.
Dealing with that kind of addiction is honestly one of the hardest battles anyone can face.

That said, if someone is living with schizophrenia and staying consistent with their prescribed medication, they really shouldn't be mixing those two things—mixing antipsychotics with alcohol is a dangerous game.

I'll be the first to admit, though, that I don't always follow that rule perfectly myself...🤦

fadedhound86 said:I’ve been dealing with these absolutely brutal mood swings lately... I honestly have no idea what’s causing them, but it’s like I’m flipping between being totally miserable and feeling great five different times in just two days... (and then it flips right back again)

Harold Anderson3 said:Are you saying you've lived with schizophrenia for 22 years, or that you're 22 years old, or that you're a "young" 22-year-old, or maybe that you've been hospitalized twice a year for 22 years?

I'm honestly a little lost here; I can't make heads or tails of what you're trying to tell me about being 22. 🤷

crimsonviper48 said:Well, I'm 22, and I've been in treatment since 2012... first for depression, and now it's schizophrenia and borderline personality disorder... yeah, that's it...

Carol Barrett2 said:I don't really have much of a sweet tooth, honestly—but I definitely go a bit overboard with the sugar when I'm making my coffee. 🕺

Jurica222 said:Is there any mental health stuff going on here?

Clozapine damages mitochondria and triggers inflammation in insulin-responsive cells, specifically those linked to obesity. These issues seem closely tied to the metabolic changes seen in studies regarding metabolic syndrome, obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes.

Haloperidol is a common antipsychotic that can increase neuronal oxidative stress, which might lead to side effects like tardive dyskinesia and neurite retraction. Autophagy acts as a defense mechanism against mitochondrial damage caused by the buildup of reactive oxygen species (ROS). While resveratrol is an antioxidant known for neuroprotective qualities, it wasn't clear if it could actually stimulate autophagy to mitigate the damage caused by haloperidol.

Ethan Clark3 said:Could schizophrenia actually stem from mitochondrial damage (our cells' energy source)?
It seems like more and more research is pointing toward this theory, and I guess the same might apply to bipolar disorder and depression too.
For example, check this out: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25446950/#:~:text=Mitochondrial%20deficit%2C%20altered%20re dox%20balance,to%20neuroprogressive%20changes%20in %20schizophrenia.
Mitochondria are pretty vital for regulating cell functions, like bioenergetics, calcium homeostasis, redox signaling, and programmed cell death. They also seem essential for various aspects of neurodevelopment and how neurons function.

That said, if mitochondria are damaged, it could mess with brain bioenergetics during development and alter critical neural processes, which might lead to neurodevelopmental issues. One widely accepted mechanism linked to the neurodevelopmental roots of schizophrenia is an immune inflammatory pathway. However, I suppose we still don't fully understand the exact source of that inflammation or the underlying neurobiological mechanisms behind schizophrenia.

Recent findings suggest that disruptions in mitochondrial network dynamics might lead to various nervous system disorders involving inflammatory pathologies. In schizophrenia, we see mitochondrial deficits, altered redox balance, and chronic low-grade inflammation. It’s possible that responses to oxidative or nitrosative stress caused by mitochondrial dysfunction could trigger those immune pathways, potentially leading to neuroprogressive changes. We're basically looking at how genomics, proteomics, and imaging studies all seem to support the idea that mitochondrial damage plays a role in the development of schizophrenia.

So, maybe mainstream medicine should consider ways to improve mitochondrial function for schizophrenia and similar conditions, rather than just focusing on lowering dopamine levels?

To quote Dietary Ketosis and Mitohormesis: Potential Implications for Mitochondrial Function and Human Health : At any rate, several studies have shown that ketogenic diets can increase mitochondrial content, and plenty of research suggests these diets boost the expression, amount, or activity of mitochondrial proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation and fat oxidation.

Plus, sugar isn't just bad for our waistlines and teeth; it's also tough on our mitochondria and contributes to various metabolic health issues. Consuming too much sugar puts stress on the mitochondria, causing them to release free radicals. I think that's what they call oxidative damage.

Antipsychotics, antidepressants, and certain mood stabilizers are probably the biggest culprits when it comes to weight changes. Most of the major antidepressants—like Prozac, Zoloft, or Lexapro—tend to make gaining weight a bit more likely.

cosmiclynx79 said:I don't get how antidepressants are supposed to cause weight gain. The logic goes that they increase appetite, right? But here's the thing: I eat normally, I don't binge, I actually track my calories, and yet, I'm still gaining weight. It makes zero sense.

Ethan Clark3 said:Taking antidepressants or steroids like prednisone can sometimes cause some extra weight gain.

Antipsychotics, antidepressants, and certain mood stabilizers are probably the biggest culprits when it comes to weight changes. Most of the major antidepressants—like Prozac, Zoloft, or Lexapro—tend to make gaining weight a bit more likely.