Schizophrenia - General Discussion

What’s a doctor supposed to think when everyone I know is already aware of my schizophrenia, especially since I actually have it?

Brenda Cook4 said:🙂 😘

🙂 🙂 This is starting to get a little......😁

Just one more little thought while I'm sitting here thinking about you.

Basically, it seems to me that when someone is as true to themselves as you are—because it doesn't matter who refills your prescriptions or drives you to the hospital and checks you in—they are simply following their nature. Your nature, who you truly are, defines how you relate to everything you're going through.
Your strength lies in being energetic, lively, and spirited by nature. So, no matter how this illness tries to play games with you, you find ways to push back during those moments when you aren't feeling completely broken or defeated...
A third advantage is your intellect. That’s the key player in systematic problem-solving, where you should really pour all your energy to break out of this cycle.
I don't mean you can change your fundamental nature. Or that you can just reason your way out of mental imbalances. Reason is for control... in the sense that... it can help manage the behavioral patterns that contribute to the illness and its impact on your life and personality over time.
There are psychotherapies designed for exactly that kind of deep, systematic self-work that lasts for years.
I honestly don't know who does what or where in America, since I've only lived here for a year and a half.
I'm not sure if I missed something you already wrote about this somewhere.
I don't know what kind of therapy they offer in the hospitals here. Whether they educate you on the mechanics of the disease, how the medications work, or train you to observe how and when you react to your surroundings and your meds... and then gradually learn to control all of that.
I assume they do, and I apologize if I'm repeating myself.
But even if they don't, I know you likely understand quite a bit about all of this already...
I just wanted to say that if you focus on those things and head in that direction... I believe you can help yourself.

briskgull27 said:What’s a doctor supposed to think when everyone I know is already aware of my schizophrenia, especially since I actually have it?

That’s just the other side of things.
Dealing with a diagnosis affects you and everyone around you.
Just like any diagnosis.
I mean, regardless of what they call it, your struggle is still yours.

I think focusing on what it actually is for you—on your own experience—rather than all those shifting clinical definitions, might help.

Forget the numbers, the letters, and what people say (that's an old story, been saying that for 10 years...)😉

But the doctor's opinion matters, because they are responsible for you and your health.😉

Maybe my only hope is sheer intellect—or if I’m being honest, just pure stubbornness.
In the hospital, it’s nothing but medication.
It’s honestly a mystery to me how my brain would even function without these drugs.
I mean, if I had lived in any other century, I probably would have been a goner!!!!!!!

I’ve actually spent time studying under three different Reiki masters,
two bioenergy practitioners,
and three holistic healers, so I’ve picked up a few things along the way.

Dana Brooks3 said:That’s just the other side of things.
Dealing with a diagnosis affects you and everyone around you.
Just like any diagnosis.
I mean, regardless of what they call it, your struggle is still yours.

I think focusing on what it actually is for you—on your own experience—rather than all those shifting clinical definitions, might help.

Forget the numbers, the letters, and what people say (that's an old story, been saying that for 10 years...)😉

But the doctor's opinion matters, because they are responsible for you and your health.😉

If everyone around me would just accept that I am "normal" in my own way, I might actually find the motivation to try.
Fitting in with this crowd...

My husband is looking after my grandmother; maybe there really is some divine intervention at play here.

briskgull27 said:Maybe my only hope is sheer intellect—or if I’m being honest, just pure stubbornness.
In the hospital, it’s nothing but medication.
It’s honestly a mystery to me how my brain would even function without these drugs.
I mean, if I had lived in any other century, I probably would have been a goner!!!!!!!

I’ve actually spent time studying under three different Reiki masters,
two bioenergy practitioners,
and three holistic healers, so I’ve picked up a few things along the way.

To be honest, I don't think any of those methods would actually help you. In fact, they might do the opposite.
For someone like you—intense in every sense and incredibly sensitive—you create this whole complex, unknown world. Most people, even those practitioners, don't truly grasp how that energy works. That kind of treatment isn't right for you, especially not jumping from one person to another...

You aren't like most people who can just absorb any suggestion or type of energy passed their way.

I imagine you've taken bits and pieces from everyone, trying to fit them together like puzzle pieces.

What you really need is stability, structure, and continuity in how you handle everything...

Sure, it’s a bit sad, but I’ve actually learned something valuable from them: love yourself first.
Do what makes you happy (your career),
and remember that you come before anyone else.
If you feel that way and others don't, well, goodness gracious!
And hey, if you want to believe in aliens, go right ahead.
They taught me that being overly attached isn't healthy, which is something I can definitely confirm.

I’ve also met many people struggling with serious physical illnesses, some who were passing away or facing massive health battles,
which made me realize that I really don't have to feel like the most unwell person in the room.

I certainly respect modern medicine because it keeps me going, but I think Western medicine is only about a few hundred years old—I don't know the exact number—whereas Indian medicine goes back 5,000 years, and humans have apparently been practicing healing for about 35,000 years.

Tell me, Dana Brooks3, based on how you write—I get the feeling you might even work in this field professionally—what do you think are the actual triggers for schizophrenia?

Specifically, do you believe (as much as modern medicine suggests) that this condition is strictly a brain disorder? Like, just a simple chemical imbalance that's treated almost entirely with medication?

It’s definitely a chemical imbalance. I was actually watching a documentary on mental health disorders just the other day. The current medical consensus is moving toward the idea that all mental health issues are essentially just different degrees of chemical imbalances.
Schizophrenia, for instance, would be considered one of the most severe levels. Before that, you have things like bipolar disorder—though there are a thousand different ways to categorize them now. But that's the general idea.

By the way, I'm not sure if anyone caught that show hosted by Mirjana Rakić. They were discussing the link between THC (marijuana use) and schizophrenia, specifically psychosis. They mentioned that for people with a certain predisposition—especially teenagers—it can cause permanent changes in the brain because THC affects serotonin and those neural pathways.

Dana Brooks3 said:Just one more little thought while I'm sitting here thinking about you.

Basically, it seems to me that when someone is as true to themselves as you are—because it doesn't matter who refills your prescriptions or drives you to the hospital and checks you in—they are simply following their nature. Your nature, who you truly are, defines how you relate to everything you're going through.
Your strength lies in being energetic, lively, and spirited by nature. So, no matter how this illness tries to play games with you, you find ways to push back during those moments when you aren't feeling completely broken or defeated...
A third advantage is your intellect. That’s the key player in systematic problem-solving, where you should really pour all your energy to break out of this cycle.
I don't mean you can change your fundamental nature. Or that you can just reason your way out of mental imbalances. Reason is for control... in the sense that... it can help manage the behavioral patterns that contribute to the illness and its impact on your life and personality over time.
There are psychotherapies designed for exactly that kind of deep, systematic self-work that lasts for years.
I honestly don't know who does what or where in America, since I've only lived here for a year and a half.
I'm not sure if I missed something you already wrote about this somewhere.
I don't know what kind of therapy they offer in the hospitals here. Whether they educate you on the mechanics of the disease, how the medications work, or train you to observe how and when you react to your surroundings and your meds... and then gradually learn to control all of that.
I assume they do, and I apologize if I'm repeating myself.
But even if they don't, I know you likely understand quite a bit about all of this already...
I just wanted to say that if you focus on those things and head in that direction... I believe you can help yourself.

👍
It sounds like you're making some very valid points. However, I worry that psychiatric care in the US can be just as lackluster as other medical fields, often failing to provide the kind of holistic treatment (like the link I shared a few pages ago) that is so necessary.
People often claim that our healthcare system is decent because we have cutting-edge surgical technology, which is true in a sense. But when it comes to actual therapy and long-term treatment, I feel like we are lagging far behind—especially outside of major hubs like New York City, which I've observed, though thank God I haven't had to experience it personally.

And private psychologists, whether they are actually experts or not, charge an absolute fortune for a 45-minute session, making them totally inaccessible to most people who actually need them. 🙄 It's pathetic. That's the reality right now—it's grim—but I try to remain an optimist...

@briskgull27

Regarding what you said about feeling like people are mocking you when they try to praise you—honestly, I have that exact same trait. It was even more pronounced back when I was in high school. It's clearly just a lack of self-confidence, plain and simple.

Do they educate you on the mechanisms of the illness, on understanding how medications work, or equip you to independently observe how and when you react to your surroundings and your meds?

Honestly, this is the worst part—doctors, by definition, rarely say anything at all, barring a few rare exceptions, regardless of their specialty. Nothing. Zero. Whether they don't actually understand the underlying mechanisms of the disease, haven't been trained to explain them, or simply lack the time, I can't say. Or perhaps a small minority just play deaf when you ask—I’ve certainly dealt with that myself. I once had color blindness discovered during a routine checkup, and I didn't even have to prompt the doctor; she just started writing things down. When I politely asked for clarification—as I always do—she just stared back in silence. It was incredibly dismissive. 🙄 🤣
Doctors here seem to offer next to nothing, even when they have the time. It feels like most aren't used to communicating, and frankly, many have a terrible bedside manner when it comes to explaining things to patients.

Brenda Cook4 said:Tell me, Dana Brooks3, based on how you write—I get the feeling you might even work in this field professionally—what do you think are the actual triggers for schizophrenia?

Specifically, do you believe (as much as modern medicine suggests) that this condition is strictly a brain disorder? Like, just a simple chemical imbalance that's treated almost entirely with medication?

Yeah, I'm curious about that too.

And I agree—when it comes to severe mental illness, 99.99% of those alternative types (think healers, especially those bioenergy folks and Reiki practitioners) don't have much to offer. Though, I can't say I'm entirely certain about that—I'm not 100% sure Reiki doesn't help at all, even if I don't hold a particularly high opinion of it (especially regarding the masses of Reiki teachers out there).

But there are other alternative techniques; you can certainly find information online about treating schizophrenia that way. (Those same alternative methods were mentioned in the link I shared earlier.)

Dana Brooks3 said:The third advantage is intellect and reason. That is the key player in systemic problem-solving—one should invest all their capacity there to break out of the cycle.

👍

Gregory Young3 said:It’s definitely a chemical imbalance. I was actually watching a documentary on mental health disorders just the other day. The current medical consensus is moving toward the idea that all mental health issues are essentially just different degrees of chemical imbalances.
Schizophrenia, for instance, would be considered one of the most severe levels. Before that, you have things like bipolar disorder—though there are a thousand different ways to categorize them now. But that's the general idea.

By the way, I'm not sure if anyone caught that show hosted by Mirjana Rakić. They were discussing the link between THC (marijuana use) and schizophrenia, specifically psychosis. They mentioned that for people with a certain predisposition—especially teenagers—it can cause permanent changes in the brain because THC affects serotonin and those neural pathways.

I don't think there's anything "obvious" here—as in, it isn't just a given that one thing causes another.

Even if we accept that a chemical imbalance is part of a broader treatment plan, they aren't really providing much in terms of actual solutions. I mean, what's the root cause of that imbalance? Is it just random chance?

Right now, we're seeing two different scientific paradigms clashing, and because of that, treatment methods haven't fully evolved to match the newer school of thought.
However, a small group of pioneers in this field are far more informed about these nuances than the average person—and even more so than the average professional.

Brenda Cook4 said:Tell me, Dana Brooks3, based on how you write—I get the feeling you might even work in this field professionally—what do you think are the actual triggers for schizophrenia?

Specifically, do you believe (as much as modern medicine suggests) that this condition is strictly a brain disorder? Like, just a simple chemical imbalance that's treated almost entirely with medication?

What actually causes schizophrenia... to me, it feels like asking what makes a person human in the first place...

Even for older patients around age 50, it's really just a chemical imbalance. It’s a progressive disease that can't be cured... depending on the type, it permanently erodes someone's personality.
I'm no expert, but I don't think there's a simple answer to this... A chemical imbalance could be both the cause and the result.
Medication is definitely necessary during acute phases when there’s simply no other way to stabilize a patient... I used to believe that all mental health issues were just chemical imbalances that needed to be treated like any other physical ailment. That doctor's perspective—that diabetics have to live with insulin forever—really shapes how we view these things...
It’s not that simple. Even with medication, results vary so much from one person to the next. What I really want to figure out is how to preserve someone's actual personality... before we just focus on keeping their body functioning like everything is normal...
I believe in healing too. A combined approach... medication paired with psychotherapy. Any quality, proven system that allows for continuous self-work to master the underlying mechanisms of the mind...
I really think we need to focus more on studying the brain—not just how it functions biologically, but how it shapes the psyche...
The soul and body are inextricably linked. No medication on earth can fix what an emotional breakdown does to you... There isn't a formula out there that could ever explain it...

I've been working on this post for ages, but I just deleted it because I started rambling with too many examples... it was getting out of hand...
It’s worth noting that in certain spiritual traditions, like those found in old monastic orders, there are accounts of people having truly terrifying experiences. We’re talking hallucinations, visual and auditory disturbances, intrusive thoughts—all the classic symptoms we’d categorize today as schizophrenia or similar conditions. But back then, they had specific methods to find calm and clarity... and those individuals went on to live peaceful, healthy lives. I mention this because I know a young man who didn't head to a doctor when he hit his worst psychotic break. Instead, he worked through it using a different, more systematic approach. He shared his experience with me while I was convinced he’d end up in a psychiatric ward—especially seeing him struggling on the floor, making these haunting sounds that didn't even seem to come from his own throat. He wasn't afraid, though. He just told me that if he ever lost control completely, there were specific places he needed to be taken. He viewed it as a common part of the journey for some people. It took a long time, but he managed to pull through without taking any medication. To be clear, I am not suggesting anyone stop their prescriptions or blindly dive into a "struggle" thinking they can handle it all alone. Most patients shouldn't try that. I just want to say that there might be something more out there...

I'm not saying that every struggle with mental health is some profound spiritual journey leading toward enlightenment... or someone else's Calvary...

We should view every illness, whether physical or mental, as a trial designed to test our strength and resilience. These struggles aren't just random things that happen to us from the outside; they are rooted within us, often passed down through our families. To truly heal, we have to face them head-on... because it's only through this process that we actually get to know ourselves. Only we have the power to untangle these issues, master them, or learn how to live alongside them...

I went off track again.
So, medication? Sure. As a tool...
But the real key is understanding how the mind actually works—its underlying mechanics. Once you get that, you can apply techniques to actually solve these issues for good.
Also, maybe one day we’ll design a pill that shifts our intelligence exactly how we want (just like drugs mess with consciousness), but you can essentially boil our entire lived experience down to chemistry. Theoretically, you could design a pill for every single thing that messes with our mental state or emotions. But you still have to live life.

Anyway, I'm all over the place. I rambled through a million introductions because I didn't want anyone to misunderstand my point, but we could go on forever about psychology and personal anecdotes... it would be way too long. I just tried to pull out the main points and shift the focus to certain things.

Here blue bird, it isn't as scientific as I’d like it to be or as much as you probably expected😉 but that's my take on it in broad strokes.

We can keep filling them up😉

Gregory Young3 said:It’s definitely a chemical imbalance. I was actually watching a documentary on mental health disorders just the other day. The current medical consensus is moving toward the idea that all mental health issues are essentially just different degrees of chemical imbalances.
Schizophrenia, for instance, would be considered one of the most severe levels. Before that, you have things like bipolar disorder—though there are a thousand different ways to categorize them now. But that's the general idea.

By the way, I'm not sure if anyone caught that show hosted by Mirjana Rakić. They were discussing the link between THC (marijuana use) and schizophrenia, specifically psychosis. They mentioned that for people with a certain predisposition—especially teenagers—it can cause permanent changes in the brain because THC affects serotonin and those neural pathways.

Exactly. Nowadays, everything from bipolar disorder to depression is increasingly being labeled as a "brain disease." But—unless we're talking about an actual physical lesion, a tumor, or some other organic issue—what is it that actually triggers that chemical shift in the first place?

There’s such a massive surge in neurosis and psychosis globally right now, and it feels like it's happening hand-in-hand with how isolated and stressed everyone has become...😕

This is honestly so exhausting. I feel like I could just stop taking my mood stabilizers tomorrow—and let’s be real, they mess with your head quite a bit—so
tomorrow, I might just quit them altogether, just to prove to myself that I can conquer this schizophrenia and bipolar disorder within five years.
But what if I end up needing them for twenty or thirty years instead?!!!!
I'm just not really sure.

@ gornabo
What actually causes some people or kids to develop diabetes, or why some struggle with stuttering, chronic sore throats, or sinus issues?
It comes down to organic disorders or a genetic predisposition. Of course, that isn't the whole story. You need the right circumstances and environmental factors to align as well. It’s that classic mix of genetics, surroundings, and just life in general.

@briskgull27
I personally think realizing that it's an organic issue—a real, tangible medical thing—actually helps you feel better. It means it isn't your fault, and it has nothing to do with your character or personality. For instance, schizophrenia isn't "you." It's something that happens to you; it doesn't mean you're less worthy or weak or any of that nonsense.
I can only imagine how overwhelming and unbearable it all feels sometimes. Someone close to me deals with bipolar disorder, depression, severe anxiety, and even a few psychotic episodes. It took about five years to find the right medication through doctors here in the States. Now that they're on a regular regimen, they function normally. I think the struggle is always there, but you eventually learn how to manage it.

I don't want to lecture you or act like I have all the answers. I just want you to be okay. 😘

So, my brother was telling me that since I went from being a perfectly healthy girl to dealing with all this illness from my very first hospital stay until now, he finds it hard to even compare the two stages. He says it’s tough to wrap his head around because my recovery isn't just a straight line; it's more like several overlapping layers happening at once. Because it's such a massive, complex topic, he'd rather not dive too deep into it.🙂 🎉 🙂 🙂 😵 🙂 😂

Gregory Young3 said:@ gornabo
What actually causes some people or kids to develop diabetes, or why some struggle with stuttering, chronic sore throats, or sinus issues?
It comes down to organic disorders or a genetic predisposition. Of course, that isn't the whole story. You need the right circumstances and environmental factors to align as well. It’s that classic mix of genetics, surroundings, and just life in general.

@briskgull27
I personally think realizing that it's an organic issue—a real, tangible medical thing—actually helps you feel better. It means it isn't your fault, and it has nothing to do with your character or personality. For instance, schizophrenia isn't "you." It's something that happens to you; it doesn't mean you're less worthy or weak or any of that nonsense.
I can only imagine how overwhelming and unbearable it all feels sometimes. Someone close to me deals with bipolar disorder, depression, severe anxiety, and even a few psychotic episodes. It took about five years to find the right medication through doctors here in the States. Now that they're on a regular regimen, they function normally. I think the struggle is always there, but you eventually learn how to manage it.

I don't want to lecture you or act like I have all the answers. I just want you to be okay. 😘

That’s the truth. 😘