Schizophrenia - General Discussion

I am definitely going in to get that recorded tomorrow.
I haven't had anything like this done since 1996.
The only thing I do regularly is blood work to check my lithium levels.
My doctor can be pretty tough on me. (don't be so hard on her, grandpa🤣 )
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She explained it to me this way: in people living with schizophrenia, there's an imbalance of chemicals in the brain known as neurotransmitters. In other words, that's what's happening with me.

I'm definitely planning to handle the MRI and CT scans privately.
Any idea what the damage might be? Maybe around $333?

Anyway, I'm heading out to catch Mel Gibson's Apocalypto today.
The guy's a legend, isn't he?
I'll let everyone know if the movie is any good!

Are people living with schizophrenia facing the same kind of social discrimination today that Black Americans historically endured?

🙂 ☕

Douglas Ramos2 said:Look... sorry... but this is just straight-up insane.
Schizophrenia is. Sickness. It hits hard. No warning. Just there. One minute you're fine, the next everything shifts. It’s heavy. Unavoidable. You just have to face it head-on.You can't just claim that everyone without schizophrenia is some kind of primitive zombie. Not now.
Maybe your post proves this:
Schizophrenia makes it incredibly difficult—sometimes impossible—for an individual to distinguish reality from delusion. Because their perception of what’s real is fundamentally broken, logical reasoning loses its usual bearings. It drifts off into patterns that simply don't make sense to the rest of us..

That’s not what I meant at all. To suggest that anyone without one is anything other than a primitive zombie? That would be incredibly stupid and completely irrational.
I was talking about people who demand almost nothing from life. They never ask questions. They don't even strive for happiness; they just settle for crumbs. It’s robotic behavior. And for those struggling with schizophrenia, that drive for something better is even more intense—it burns them up inside.

Since I live with someone who is schizophrenic, I’ve done my own homework on the medical facts. Thanks for the lecture.
It's an illness. A chemical imbalance. That part is indisputable.

When you see the sheer amount of suffering—how incredibly hard it is to carry everything that comes with a diagnosis like being schizophrenic—you have to find some kind of solace. You have to find a way for them to not feel cursed. They need to realize that there are actually positive sides to this, too.
She possesses an incredible amount of energy and creativity. She carries it with her everywhere.
It’s not just about the misery, the despair, or the suicides.

Look, I just wanted to offer her some comfort. It couldn't possibly be easy for her right now.

Just dusting off this old handle of mine... I've been dying to find the right moment to jump back in and reply to this thread..
schizophrenia is such a brutal illness—they call it the "queen" of mental health struggles for a reason..😕 I guess it’s because it shares traits with almost every other disorder..
My mom deals with it... and strangely enough, it hit her when she was just 18 🤣
Her life is pretty much a mess—and I mean that literally.. She lives with her own mother, who isn't exactly stable herself, on a disability check of about $400.. and, of course, she relies heavily on her colorful little pills 😍
The hardest part is knowing that she (like anyone living with schizophrenia) isn't to blame for her condition at all; it's just one of those things life throws at you.. :sad:
But honestly, forget fate—she was let down by the people responsible for raising her, who either didn't know better or were just too indifferent to step up..
I love her deeply.. even if her wild ideas and constant daydreaming get under my skin sometimes—more than they used to, actually. Even after she's kicked me out of the house a few times, or when people tell me to just let her be because I'll lose my mind if I try to help... I still love her 😘
Then there's the stigma—not just for the person suffering, but for their whole family
Some people know nothing and don't even bother trying to talk to someone in that situation.. frankly, I have no interest in them; they're pitiable. Then there are those who know a little bit
They'll be polite and say hi in passing, sure, but there's rarely any real connection there. Most people fall into that category, which is the real issue. There are a few who maintain genuine relationships despite everything—sometimes out of pity, sometimes because people with schizophrenia can actually be quite fascinating. But those folks are rare. At the end of the day, there isn't a magic fix; it's just up to every individual to decide how they want to act..
That part about smoking.. specifically weed.. really stuck with me 🤣
But I'll save that thought for another time..
I wanted to ask the OP: how did you feel when everything first started? Can you remember those initial symptoms, that moment you realized you weren't like everyone else? Seriously, kudos to you for being so open 😘 It's rare to see that kind of honesty 👍

outoftheblue said:Of course I'm paying out of pocket for everything: the MRI and the CT scan.
How much would that run me? Maybe around $333?

Anyway, heading to see Mel Gibson's Apocalypto today.
Mel Gibson is the man.
I'll let everyone know if the movie is any good.

MR-oko 1500$500, depends on the type, and a CT-$167, you could get a referral, but the wait times will be brutal.

lina aja said:MR-scan $500, well it depends on what you need, and as for a CT $167, you can get a referral, but be prepared to wait a really long time

Pete, I'm definitely going to have to drink twice as much as I originally planned just to get through this, but it's necessary.😍
I think Apocalypto is a great film; I just hope more people realized that the world hasn't changed all that much since then.

Regarding your debate, I honestly look at my condition from a purely chemical perspective.

And why wouldn't I? It feels like almost every single and every other medication
is specifically designed to make me act a certain way. Literally.😍

John Nash said:I have a question for the OP: how did you feel when you first started dealing with this illness? What were those initial symptoms that made you realize things weren't quite right? Can you recall that moment? Honestly, kudos to you for being so open😘—people like you are rare enough👍

It’s clear you really grasp the complexities of schizophrenia. If I may say so, your mom is probably incredibly lucky to have someone who loves her with such depth and sincerity.
I’m sure you’ll understand why I’m so grateful for lithium; it isn't like those other meds that leave you feeling like you're stuck in low gear.

Okay, here’s the deal: my self-esteem took a massive hit, which turned me into a bit of a recluse. One specific thing sticks in my mind. Back in 1996, we used to go out every Friday, but I found myself staying home every single damn Friday instead. My grandma eventually asked, "What's going on? Why aren't you heading out?" And I just thought, I don't know, I'm changing—I'd rather just stay in. So I told her, "I just don't feel like it." That was enough until one spring day when I came home from school, sat down in the kitchen, my grandma walked in, and I just said, "I can't do this anymore."
And then it was all psychology and psychiatry...

My goal used to be traveling to the Rockies if I ever needed to find some healing, but now, my main goal is simply staying out of the hospital.
Regarding what you said about fake social circles and friendships—I’m glad you mentioned that as someone who is healthy, because it is the absolute TRUTH. And truth is a great thing; you just have to embrace it.

🙂 🙂 🙂 ☕

Norman said:You’re actually doing okay right now, since you’re AWARE that you can IMAGINE things, AWARE that you might HALLUCINATE 🙂

Usually, "crazy" people don't have that kind of self-awareness, do they? 😎

Norman? Your old psychiatrist?? Old lady?? It doesn't matter.
Do those doctors actually have any clue when we'll finally find a CURE for patients who are more elusive than birds in a backyard? For schizophrenics?

Will it be in 40 years?
50?
60?
Does anyone truly have an idea?😠 😁 🙂 🙂

Catatonic Schizophrenia:
This specific presentation is characterized by at least two of the following primary features:
(1) Physical immobility, shown through states like stupor or catalepsy (which can include waxy flexibility)
(2) Intense, seemingly aimless physical activity that doesn't respond to outside triggers
(3) Extreme negativity, such as resisting all directions without clear reason, maintaining rigid positions when being moved, or remaining mute
(4) Unusual voluntary movements, including strange posturing, repetitive motions, distinct mannerisms, or noticeable facial grimacing
(5) Mimicking others through echolalia or echopraxia
Disorganized Schizophrenia:
This version is defined by meeting these specific requirements:
A. The following three elements are particularly striking:
(1) Disorganized speech patterns
(2) Disorganized behavioral patterns
(3) An emotional state that feels flat or simply doesn't fit the situation
B. It does not meet the diagnostic requirements for Catatonic Type.
Paranoid Schizophrenia:
This type is identified by meeting these criteria:
A. a Type of Schizophrenia in which The following criteria ara met : A. Preoccupation with one or more delusions or experiencing frequent auditory hallucinations.
B. The patient does not primarily exhibit disorganized speech, catatonic or disorganized behavior, or a flat/inappropriate emotional response.
Residual Schizophrenia:
This classification applies when these conditions are satisfied:
A. a Type of Schizophrenia in which The following criteria ara met : A. Absence of prominent delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and significantly disorganized or catatonic behaviors.
B. There remains ongoing evidence of the condition, seen through negative symptoms or at least two symptoms from Criterion a for Schizophrenia appearing in a milder form (such as unusual perceptions or eccentric beliefs).
Undifferentiated Schizophrenia:
A Type of Schizophrenia in which symptoms that meet Criterion a ara present , but The criteria ara not met for The paranoid, Disorganized, or Catatonic Type.
Symptoms of Schizoaffective Disorder:
When in a depressive phase, someone might experience: Symptoms of Schizoaffective Disorder : During The depressed state The following symptoms May be present : poor appetite, weight loss, trouble sleeping, restlessness, physical slowing, losing interest in hobbies, feeling drained, intense guilt, worthlessness, difficulty focusing, or even suicidal ideation.
When in a manic phase, symptoms might involve: heightened social or professional drive, increased talkativeness, racing thoughts, feelings of grandiosity, reduced need for rest, agitation, high self-esteem, distractibility, or impulsive, risky behaviors.
Psychotic symptoms can encompass things like delusions, hallucinations, fragmented communication, disorganized thought or behavior, complete physical stillness, or a lack of facial expression and motivation.

🙂

I just scheduled an MRI appointment.
The lady at the front desk was telling me, "You really need to see a neurologist first, blah blah blah..."
I was just like, "No thanks! I’ve already been through the psychiatric ward, my doctor just didn't send me for this specific scan yet."

Then she goes, "Aha, let me check..." blah blah blah...$500.
Honestly, I can't wait to see if there are any gaps or anything else showing up on the results.😬

🙂 🙂

Isina is right—the social stigma is massive. It’s freaking brutal. And it’s not just about people with schizophrenia; it hits anyone dealing with mental health issues. I went to med school, so I expected a bit more empathy, but instead, I see so many people treating those with mental illnesses like they're just total lunatics. Like they aren't even human, or like they're somehow fundamentally broken because of their condition. Or you've got some idiot looking down on someone struggling with depression, treating them like they're the lowest form of life on earth just because they're going through it.

Taylor Parker10 said:The social stigma surrounding this is just massive. It really is. And it isn't just limited to those dealing with schizophrenia; it affects people facing all kinds of mental health challenges. As someone coming from a medical background, I honestly expected more empathy, but it feels like so many people still view those struggling with mental illness as "crazy"—as if they aren't human beings or as if there is something fundamentally wrong with them because of their diagnosis. Or when someone is battling depression, you see some idiot treating them with total contempt, acting like they are the most worthless person on the planet just because they are struggling with depression.

Dear Taylor Parker10, isn't it actually worse when it's an intellectual or someone considered part of the "smart crowd" acting that way rather than just some random fool?
That's the hard part, isn't it?
My grandmother is 88 years old.
She gets a bit lost sometimes, jumping from one thought to the next or simply forgetting things.
Half the family thinks she's just acting, even though she’s otherwise quite healthy.
😂 😵 😂

A few years back, shortly after I turned 18, I went through a massive mental health crisis... privately.
One day, I just started convinced I could time travel—seeing things before they actually happened (and they really did happen), all while dealing with this intense paranoia that the FBI was tailing me and all that nonsense... but that "trip" into the future was constant.
It was like living in a perpetual state of déjà vu, every single day. Non-stop. That is, until I ended up hospitalized for entirely different reasons and quit drinking coffee, which drastically dialed everything down. Now, it rarely happens.
Supposedly, aside from genetics, major shocks and life crises can trigger schizophrenia, which might stick around forever or vanish completely—assuming that’s even what it was in the first place.
Nowadays, it barely touches me, just occasionally... I can still predict certain situations. But, hey, not enough to win at the Vegas sportsbook 😉 though it does come in handy sometimes.

Hi David Stewart52, I feel the exact same way, mostly because I know just how people can be.😂 😂

So, my next big mission is to figure out if anyone has actually achieved full recovery.
I was watching this documentary about John Forbes Nash that shows some really intense moments.
It’s called Brilliant Madness.
The film mentions that he hasn't taken any medication from 1970 up until now.
But regarding the medical and pharmaceutical industry, the film quotes him saying:
Briliant mind : Now i taka som New drugs They ara much easier to cope.🤣 🤣

Ultimately, you get the sense that the real Nash was just naturally burnt out.😘

This might sound a little ridiculous, but I’ve actually been cutting back on my carbon footprint in my own little bubble—I’ve cut down on coffee and alcohol, basically just purging all the toxins from my daily routine. That's really it. Just more sleep, some vitamins, and stuff like that. Honestly, it's doing wonders.

David Stewart52 said:It might sound a bit silly, but I’ve actually reduced the amount of toxins in my environment. I cut back on coffee and alcohol... basically just flushing the junk out of my daily routine. That's really it. More sleep, vitamins, and things like that. Honestly!

Well, that sounds great! I don't smoke, I don't drink, and I make sure to get 10 hours of sleep—that's huge for me.
I'm not quite following the part about carbon, though. Could you explain what you mean by that?😍

I take vitamins and minerals. And I eat very little meat.

I have a few questions for anyone here who has experience dealing with schizophrenia:
1. Do you ever get the sense that certain people just negatively affect your vibe for no apparent reason? Like, just being in their presence feels off, even if they aren't saying anything stupid or doing anything out of the ordinary.
2. Do you ever feel like you can actually predict things? Whether it's happening in a dream or just out of nowhere while you're awake...
3. Have you ever felt like you could communicate with people who have passed away, or like you possess some kind of supernatural ability?
4. Do you struggle with sleep? Things like restlessness, insomnia, and stuff like that.
5. Do you find yourself talking a lot?
6. Does your concentration constantly jump from one thing to another?

Just to be clear, I’m asking about how things feel when you aren't on medication. If anyone knows someone living with schizophrenia and wants to share their experience, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.

Douglas Ramos2 said:I have a few questions for anyone who has experience dealing with schizophrenia:
1. Do you ever feel like certain people just negatively affect your energy for no apparent reason? I mean, just being near them feels off, even if they aren't saying or doing anything stupid.
2. Do you ever get the feeling that you can predict events? Like, either in your dreams or while you're awake?
3. Have you ever felt like you could communicate with those who have passed away? Or like you possess some kind of supernatural ability?
4. Do you struggle with sleep issues? Things like restlessness or insomnia?
5. Do you find yourself talking a lot?
6. Does your concentration jump rapidly from one thing to another?

Of course, I’m talking about how things feel when you aren't on medication. If anyone knows someone living with schizophrenia, please share your thoughts. Thanks!

Me, me, me! I'll go first!

1. Sometimes people definitely bring me down, but other times I just think, "Wow, they are being so silly."😁
2. Not really, but I did dream about the late Franja the night he passed—God bless him. I know not everyone will agree with me, but no big deal!
3. I've experienced second-degree sensations.
4. Yes, I have trouble sleeping. I work too much and my mind just won't stop racing.
5. I can stay quiet for two hours, but once I start talking, I'll dominate the conversation for thirty minutes straight!
6. That's an interesting question. My focus moves pretty fast, similar to how my friends and I act when we're messing around. Otherwise, my head feels completely empty.

Douglas Ramos2 said:I have a few questions for anyone who has experience dealing with schizophrenia:
1. Do you ever feel like certain people just drain your energy or affect you negatively for no clear reason? Like, just being near them feels off, even if they aren't saying anything stupid or doing anything out of the ordinary?
2. Do you get the sense that you can predict things before they happen? Whether it’s in a dream or while you're awake?
3. Have you ever felt like you could communicate with the deceased, or perhaps sensed you had some kind of supernatural ability?
4. Do you struggle with sleep issues, like restlessness or insomnia?
5. Do you find yourself talking excessively?
6. Does your focus constantly jump from one thing to another?

To be clear, I'm talking about how things feel when I'm not on medication. If anyone knows someone living with schizophrenia, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks!

For heaven's sake, I'm talking about when I'm OFF my meds!!!!!!!!!!
1. Yes
2. No
3. Yes—once
4. Yes
5. No
6. No, I'm actually pretty dull 😂 😂 ☕