Schizophrenia - General Discussion

briskgull27 · 2006-12-22T16:41:08+00:00

This condition is honestly so overwhelming that even doctors hesitate to officially write down an F20 diagnosis on your medical records. I personally can't wra…

briskgull27 RegularOP

712 messages
joined Jan 2007

#1101 · Feb 1, 2007

Gerald Rivera60 said:That isn't fear born from logic... that's an automatic response.
Try to remember how often you feel fear as a reaction to thinking about a guy like that, versus how often the emotional reaction hits first, followed by the attempt to rationalize it.
I suspect it's the latter far more often.
The fear hits first. The reasoning comes later.

I totally get that. For instance, I feel that sudden flash of fear when some guy starts hitting on me, but you have to realize it still stings. I haven't built up an immunity to those reactions yet, and my goal is to become desensitized to them—just for my own peace of mind, if you know what I mean.

briskgull27 RegularOP

712 messages
joined Jan 2007

#1102 · Feb 1, 2007

mistybison said:What do you mean by "worse"?

In the sense that she's being selfish.😛 😎

Gerald Rivera60 Active Member

129 messages
joined Feb 2007

#1103 · Feb 3, 2007

I might need to set up a little poetry nook just to house these songs... 🙂
Anyway, there was some debate going on here regarding ECT treatments—what people call electroshock therapy—and whether it’s still actually used today.
I recently picked up the Psychiatry (textbook), written by Jerald Kay and Christopher Columbus, published in 2006.
It states the following:
Quoting a report from the American Psychiatric Association:
"clinical evidence" (American Psychiatric Association, 2001).
Then it says:
"ECT has evolved from a treatment of first choice to often a treatment of last resort for DSM-IV schizophrenia"
"The American Psychiatric Association Task Force on ECT (American Psychiatric Association, 2001) and the American Psychiatric Association (Enns and Reiss, 1992) identified a role for ECT as a second-line treatment for selected patients with schizophrenia, particularly when associated with a brief duration of illness and/or affective symptoms.
It has been consistently found that the schizophrenic patients most likely to respond to ECT are those with good prognosis signs: mood disturbances, short duration of illness, predominance of positive rather than negative symptoms, and overexcitement (Fink and Sackeim, 1996)."

Naturally, ECT cannot be administered without written consent from the patient or their legal guardian.
"clinical characteristics of ECT compared with other standard psychiatric treatments is the requirement for written informed consent by the patient or legal guardian or other substitute."

Jerry Green59 Member

34 messages
joined Dec 2007

#1104 · Feb 3, 2007

I wouldn't even call it an illness.
If psychiatry had been established earlier in history, humanity would have missed out on a wealth of discoveries we rely on today, not to mention a massive amount of artistic masterpieces.

Or look at it this way: take the autobiography of Tesla, and just transcribe the parts where he talks about his visions and "attacks." Take those pages to a psychiatrist and claim you wrote them yourself.
You’ll walk away with both a diagnosis and a prescription handed to you as a package deal.

There you go.
It hasn't been proven that schizophrenia is hereditary.
What *has* been suggested is the concept of a "schizophrogenic mother"—a specific type of maternal relationship with a child that correlates with the later onset of schizophrenia.

I know a few people with schizophrenia (two who were officially "diagnosed"). One of them isn't even on medication. There are certain things you can say to him that carry the same, if not a stronger, effect than any drug.

God is the ultimate schizophrenic.
That’s probably why some "primitive" cultures actually revered schizophrenics as holy figures.
There it is.

Anyway, cheers.

briskgull27 RegularOP

712 messages
joined Jan 2007

#1105 · Feb 3, 2007

Gerald Rivera60 said:I might need to set up a little poetry nook just to house these songs... 🙂
Anyway, there was some debate going on here regarding ECT treatments—what people call electroshock therapy—and whether it’s still actually used today.
I recently picked up the Psychiatry (textbook), written by Jerald Kay and Christopher Columbus, published in 2006.
It states the following:
Quoting a report from the American Psychiatric Association:
"clinical evidence" (American Psychiatric Association, 2001).
Then it says:
"ECT has evolved from a treatment of first choice to often a treatment of last resort for DSM-IV schizophrenia"
"The American Psychiatric Association Task Force on ECT (American Psychiatric Association, 2001) and the American Psychiatric Association (Enns and Reiss, 1992) identified a role for ECT as a second-line treatment for selected patients with schizophrenia, particularly when associated with a brief duration of illness and/or affective symptoms.
It has been consistently found that the schizophrenic patients most likely to respond to ECT are those with good prognosis signs: mood disturbances, short duration of illness, predominance of positive rather than negative symptoms, and overexcitement (Fink and Sackeim, 1996)."

Naturally, ECT cannot be administered without written consent from the patient or their legal guardian.
"clinical characteristics of ECT compared with other standard psychiatric treatments is the requirement for written informed consent by the patient or legal guardian or other substitute."

You can find similar info in Dr. Hotujac's online brochure about schizophrenia.
It isn't referred to as convulsive anymore, but rather as stimulative.
The brochure is printable, but I couldn't quite manage a copy-paste.

Terry Wilson2 Member

11 messages
joined Feb 2007

#1106 · Feb 3, 2007

Please answer—I’m actually terrified of psychiatrists. My uncle struggled with schizophrenia, and my mother... well, she's "eccentric" at best. There are days when she doesn't say a single word in the house—I assume she manages to communicate with her coworkers at the office, though I doubt it—but honestly, we prefer the silence. It’s easier when she isn't talking; everything she says, even just stating a fact like "it's raining," is deeply unsettling. Her voice alone can freeze you in your tracks. She has this frustrating way of being able to depress anyone with just one sentence.
Now, it's not like I don't have my own issues. I'm wondering if any of this stems from a chemical imbalance. I took a psychological test once where the woman told me I was psychotic—my trainer had to step in (since I needed permission)—so I retook it, but this time I filled it out exactly how he told me to. Besides, there are times when I won't leave my room for days, and other times when I won't bother coming home at all. I constantly find myself in life-threatening situations; I love hitchhiking and chatting up strangers. To me, these people seem perfectly fine until someone else warns me that I'm talking to someone who is clearly disturbed.
Sometimes, out of pure aggression, I'll go looking for a fight—I'm a 22-year-old woman, and I tend to provoke older men. You might call it childhood trauma, but I don't buy that.
I also struggle with concentration. Back in school, my teachers were used to me getting up and pacing around the classroom at any given moment. It felt normal to me until a high school teacher finally called me out on it. What else? Well, I talk to lightbulbs, gadgets, and animals. I know they aren't talking back, but in the heat of the moment, I completely forget that. I don't sleep much; to tire myself out enough to drift off, I'll spend hours reading or watching TV, sometimes right up until dawn. I often feel like I'm being watched. I've had several hallucinations. I frequently get paranoid that people don't actually want me around and are just faking their friendliness—even my friends. And I often feel like I can read people's minds. I worry they're doing the same to me but are just too polite to admit it. Not in some wild conspiracy theory sort of way, but just the sensation that they can hear my thoughts. Has anything like this ever happened to you?

Noah Booth84 Newcomer

3 messages
joined Jan 2007

#1107 · Feb 3, 2007

Little Blue, you should really head over to the psychiatric hospital in Washington, D.C. to see a specialist, because that’s exactly what those facilities are there for; everyone here seems to have an opinion on schizophrenia anyway.

briskgull27 RegularOP

712 messages
joined Jan 2007

#1108 · Feb 4, 2007

I finally got the final word on my ECT treatment from my dad.
I spent about a month at the Mayo Clinic, but I wasn't feeling any better. According to my dad, the medications they were giving me were strong enough to calm a horse, yet they didn't do a thing for me.
Then, Dr. Medved and Dr. Jakovljević sat down with my dad to discuss things. They explained that taking that many different drugs could be harmful and suggested that ECT might be a safer alternative that wouldn't cause me harm.
He agreed with them. He didn't even need to sign anything formal.
So, I went through with the ECT sessions, and a month later, I was heading home.
ECT stands for electroconvulsive therapy, also known as electrostimulatory therapy.

briskgull27 RegularOP

712 messages
joined Jan 2007

#1109 · Feb 4, 2007

It’s only 12:10 AM and this depression is already pulling at me.
It starts at my chest and spreads all the way down to my elbows.
When I sit back and think about it, I realize I spend way too much time dwelling on the wrong things compared to how "normal" people process life; my biggest obsession is just the fear that this illness is permanent.
That’s what haunts me the most.
And as time ticks by, it feels increasingly impossible to play any kind of role in society.
I used to be terrified of ending up in hell if I took my own life, but now, I’m not even afraid of dying—especially after reading a post from someone on this forum describing how you can choke on your own vomit.
People just fundamentally misunderstand this illness. Honestly, I’ve just stepped out of everyone's way entirely.
I avoid people because they’re all busy living their lives while I—do nothing.
Another thing is that nothing new interests me anymore; part of me wishes time would just stop, probably because all I see on the horizon is things getting worse.
I’d give anything to turn the clock back to the early 90s.
Clearly, it was just one long, failed attempt at growing up.
Or, as my psychiatrist puts it: a parent's intelligence isn't some guarantee that they'll actually be good parents.
Why did you even make me??????????? Idiots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anthony Kim18 Active Member

238 messages
joined Apr 2006

#1110 · Feb 4, 2007

Check out these poll results: How are you supporting a family member struggling with mental illness?
I’ll move heaven and earth to fix them; they can't live like this. 10 24.39%
Financial support. 1 2.44%
Praying to God they find a spouse. 3 7.32%
Whatever it takes. 7 17.07%
Treating them just like everyone else in the family. 21 51.22%
They don't need help; they're independent. 4 9.76%
Multiple choice poll Voters: 41.

Anthony Kim18 Active Member

238 messages
joined Apr 2006

#1111 · Feb 4, 2007

Options? Not even close.
And I don't have any sick family members!

Anthony Kim18 Active Member

238 messages
joined Apr 2006

#1112 · Feb 4, 2007

Is schizophrenia definitely just a different way of perceiving the world compared to everyone else?
Is it "normal," though? Definitely not, if you define normal as being average!

Frank Smith8 Newcomer

7 messages
joined Jan 2007

#1113 · Feb 5, 2007

briskgull27... I was wondering, do you get any disability payments on your account for schizophrenia?
What other symptoms are there besides hallucinations?

briskgull27 RegularOP

712 messages
joined Jan 2007

#1114 · Feb 5, 2007

Frank Smith8 said:briskgull27... I was wondering, do you get any disability payments on your account for schizophrenia?
What other symptoms are there besides hallucinations?

Not yet—I'm still working and building up my years of service.
As for the other symptoms: mania and depression.

briskgull27 RegularOP

712 messages
joined Jan 2007

#1115 · Feb 5, 2007

So, I was at this friend's wedding the other day, and my wife keeps nudging me, saying, "Come on, have a drink! Just one more!" I told her, "I really can't, I'm on medication." Then she goes, "Oh, like antibiotics?" and I had to clarify, "No, not for antibiotics—it's for my schizophrenia." She just gave me an "oh, okay, got it" look.
Now, that was a bit of an outlier. Later on, my friend and I were just browsing some adult content online when her husband happened to walk in. But hey, that’s just how those types of people are. Honestly, though, it was such a lovely time overall.

At the end of the day, I just need to get everything sorted out in my own head. You know? Just to finally be truly cooooooooool.

Taylor Campbell4 Regular

369 messages
joined Jul 2009

#1116 · Feb 5, 2007

briskgull27 said:So, I was at this friend's wedding the other day, and my wife keeps nudging me, saying, "Come on, have a drink! Just one more!" I told her, "I really can't, I'm on medication." Then she goes, "Oh, like antibiotics?" and I had to clarify, "No, not for antibiotics—it's for my schizophrenia." She just gave me an "oh, okay, got it" look.
Now, that was a bit of an outlier. Later on, my friend and I were just browsing some adult content online when her husband happened to walk in. But hey, that’s just how those types of people are. Honestly, though, it was such a lovely time overall.

At the end of the day, I just need to get everything sorted out in my own head. You know? Just to finally be truly cooooooooool.

Honestly, I’ve been thinking about that lately too. If I were in that spot, I’d definitely tell people I’m on meds, but I wouldn't feel the need to drop the "schizophrenia" bomb on everyone immediately. There's really no reason to take that kind of stance.
I wouldn't lie about it, either. I’d just say I'm taking something for, you know, specific reasons. There are tons of medications where mixing them with alcohol is a bad idea.
(For what it's worth, I don't drink much these days; usually, if I tell someone no, they get the hint. Only a real idiot would keep pushing after I've been polite but firm. I don't find myself in those social situations all that often, though.)

I had been reflecting quite a bit on schizophrenia and winter illnesses—though I've forgotten some of those specific thoughts now 😁), but I know I'd just handle it that way if it came up. If you aren't talking to someone you know intimately, you can just say you're on medication without specifying it's for schizophrenia or whatever. That's your business. Most people don't go around broadcasting their medical history to everyone they meet.

briskgull27 RegularOP

712 messages
joined Jan 2007

#1117 · Feb 5, 2007

She’s a close friend, so that's why.
Anyway, I'm bringing this up because people in Washington, D.C. can be just like that. Have you ever heard of briskgull27?
They have schizophrenia, seriously!

So, I feel silly pretending to be okay when I'm clearly not!!!!!!!!

briskgull27 RegularOP

712 messages
joined Jan 2007

#1118 · Feb 5, 2007

Taylor Campbell4 said:Why bother pretending?

It feels silly to pretend, you know? Like if I’m hanging out with an old acquaintance at the beach and they already knew about my diagnosis two years ago. We only catch up once a year during summer vacation, so why play games?

I actually tried being upfront with one of my best friends once. I told her, "Look, you know I deal with schizophrenia..."
And she just goes, "Yeah, I know. It's fine."

Taylor Campbell4 Regular

369 messages
joined Jul 2009

#1119 · Feb 5, 2007

briskgull27 said:It feels silly to pretend, you know? Like if I’m hanging out with an old acquaintance at the beach and they already knew about my diagnosis two years ago. We only catch up once a year during summer vacation, so why play games?

I actually tried being upfront with one of my best friends once. I told her, "Look, you know I deal with schizophrenia..."
And she just goes, "Yeah, I know. It's fine."

I get where you're coming from.

But look at it this way—and I mean this sincerely, because it’s a vital distinction to make—
If you didn't view your entire identity through the lens of your diagnosis, you wouldn't even bother with the performance. If it were just a normal part of life to mention, or if there were a genuine need to bring it up, you would. But if there isn't a reason, you wouldn't say anything.
And you certainly wouldn't feel the need to act.

It’s a struggle—everyone puts on a mask of some kind, myself included—but my goal is to stop performing and just be who I actually am.

briskgull27 RegularOP

712 messages
joined Jan 2007

#1120 · Feb 5, 2007

Taylor Campbell4 said:I get where you're coming from.

But look at it this way—and I mean this sincerely, because it’s a vital distinction to make—
If you didn't view your entire identity through the lens of your diagnosis, you wouldn't even bother with the performance. If it were just a normal part of life to mention, or if there were a genuine need to bring it up, you would. But if there isn't a reason, you wouldn't say anything.
And you certainly wouldn't feel the need to act.

It’s a struggle—everyone puts on a mask of some kind, myself included—but my goal is to stop performing and just be who I actually am.

Think about it: if you knew someone was battling cancer, how much more careful and mindful would you be when talking to them?😁
Because of that constant feeling of "performing," I actually avoid certain social interactions altogether.
After all, I can't just forget about schizophrenia when I'm taking four different medications twice a day.

Schizophrenia - General Discussion

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