Schizophrenia - General Discussion

Donna Sullivan7 said:...I just can't find the drive for anything. I can't seem to pull myself out of this total rut, and honestly, I don't see a future or any real goals anymore. I’m just existing, like a houseplant, except even they get photosynthesis... ever since the war, I haven't been the same person. There's just so much piled up on me, making everything feel heavy and pointless... I ended up with a pituitary injury—brain damage—so having kids is off the table, and on top of that, I contracted Hepatitis C during a blood transfusion when I was wounded. It just drains me, limits what I can physically do, and on top of the depression and all that other stuff, it just makes dealing with being sick feel even more overwhelming...

Look,☕ I don't exactly have a burning desire to get things done either, but I found a community—that's what keeps me going. We all carry our own crosses, you, me, everyone else.
Reading this, I used to feel the exact same way—like I had no future, no purpose, no joy, just drifting like a plant. But slowly, things are shifting for the better. I'm moving forward,🙏 leaning on prayer. My advice? Try finding a Catholic community to join. I've been part of a Neo-Catholic group for two years now, and it’s been wonderful. Prayer and the Word help me carry the weight of my psychosis and hallucinations through love; it makes things easier.
I bet you have plenty to say based on everything you've been through, which sounds incredibly heavy.👍 Let's catch up in a private message to swap stories... hang in there.

Amanda Ramirez69 said:Looking back at several of your posts, it seems like you're really preoccupied with how everyone around you perceives you, isn't that right?
Why does it weigh on you so much—whether they judge you, accept you, or reject you? You have to realize that even "normal" people deal with these exact same questions and dilemmas. I know plenty of people in my circle who aren't fully accepted by those around them, but why let it bother you? That's just how society functions. Then again, there's another group of people who don't give a damn; they accept their environment exactly as it is and refuse to be rattled. You mentioned once wondering what would happen if you moved to a new neighborhood—how people would point fingers and whisper, "Look at that crazy person..." But honestly, the same thing would happen if it weren't you. If some guy from a different background, or someone of a different race, or anyone else perceived as an "outsider" by the status quo moved in, the reaction would be identical.
In this day and age, making a real friend is hard. We don't need hundreds of acquaintances; we just need one true friend. You already have your brother, your husband, and a few good friends—you're practically wealthy in social capital!
What more could you possibly want?

I'm with her on this one...

I've been dealing with my own health issues for ten years now.

Amanda Ramirez69 said:Looking back at several of your posts, it seems like you're really preoccupied with how everyone around you perceives you, isn't that right?
Why does it weigh on you so much—whether they judge you, accept you, or reject you? You have to realize that even "normal" people deal with these exact same questions and dilemmas. I know plenty of people in my circle who aren't fully accepted by those around them, but why let it bother you? That's just how society functions. Then again, there's another group of people who don't give a damn; they accept their environment exactly as it is and refuse to be rattled. You mentioned once wondering what would happen if you moved to a new neighborhood—how people would point fingers and whisper, "Look at that crazy person..." But honestly, the same thing would happen if it weren't you. If some guy from a different background, or someone of a different race, or anyone else perceived as an "outsider" by the status quo moved in, the reaction would be identical.
In this day and age, making a real friend is hard. We don't need hundreds of acquaintances; we just need one true friend. You already have your brother, your husband, and a few good friends—you're practically wealthy in social capital!
What more could you possibly want?

I'd like to be treated like a healthy person, even if I am ill.
But then again, I was never truly "normal" to begin with.
Who cares? They aren't exactly sane themselves.

Eric Brown23 said:Look,☕ I don't exactly have a burning desire to get things done either, but I found a community—that's what keeps me going. We all carry our own crosses, you, me, everyone else.
Reading this, I used to feel the exact same way—like I had no future, no purpose, no joy, just drifting like a plant. But slowly, things are shifting for the better. I'm moving forward,🙏 leaning on prayer. My advice? Try finding a Catholic community to join. I've been part of a Neo-Catholic group for two years now, and it’s been wonderful. Prayer and the Word help me carry the weight of my psychosis and hallucinations through love; it makes things easier.
I bet you have plenty to say based on everything you've been through, which sounds incredibly heavy.👍 Let's catch up in a private message to swap stories... hang in there.

-thanks, man. I might actually try to make that happen if I put my mind to it🙏

I’m starting to suspect my boyfriend might be living with schizophrenia. We’ve been together for five years now. He’s always been... different. He tells stories that have absolutely no basis in reality, yet he is completely convinced they are true. For instance, he’s certain he is the reincarnation of Jim Morrison; he’ll spend hours dissecting his lyrics, claiming they are actually about his own life. Then there's the talk about communicating with extraterrestrials. He also frequently worries that the neighbors are eavesdropping on him. There are these long stretches, sometimes lasting months, where he won't even step foot outside the house. He just stays in bed all day, retreating into his own world of imagination. I recently started seeing a therapist for some of my own issues, and she suggested that, based on what I described, he fits the textbook definition of someone with schizophrenia. What are your thoughts on this?

Eric Brown23, man, I get where you're coming from... it's tough. But how are you actually helping yourself through this? Besides having faith in God—which I totally respect, and it’s great that you're fighting and staying afloat instead of just letting life sweep you away... there’s still hope out there... Honestly, from everything I see people saying online, I get this nagging feeling that everyone thinks they have it the hardest. It kind of shows how subjective we all are, you know?

Donna Sullivan7 said:Eric Brown23, man, I get where you're coming from... it's tough. But how are you actually helping yourself through this? Besides having faith in God—which I totally respect, and it’s great that you're fighting and staying afloat instead of just letting life sweep you away... there’s still hope out there... Honestly, from everything I see people saying online, I get this nagging feeling that everyone thinks they have it the hardest. It kind of shows how subjective we all are, you know?

Exactly, Donna Sullivan7. It's always someone else's crisis, someone else's drama... as if we don't all have our own heavy lifting to do.
Personally, I handle things by visualizing a filing cabinet in my head. I sort every single issue into its own specific drawer. One problem goes here, another goes there, and so on. There is a place for everything. The trick is being precise about where you put them; once you categorize someone's behavior, you stop dealing with the frustration of unmet expectations because you know exactly what they are capable of. If someone catches you off guard, that's on you for miscalculating their character, so you can only be mad at yourself😵 rather than wasting energy on them. It works perfectly every time.

quietscout16 said:I’m starting to suspect my boyfriend might be living with schizophrenia. We’ve been together for five years now. He’s always been... different. He tells stories that have absolutely no basis in reality, yet he is completely convinced they are true. For instance, he’s certain he is the reincarnation of Jim Morrison; he’ll spend hours dissecting his lyrics, claiming they are actually about his own life. Then there's the talk about communicating with extraterrestrials. He also frequently worries that the neighbors are eavesdropping on him. There are these long stretches, sometimes lasting months, where he won't even step foot outside the house. He just stays in bed all day, retreating into his own world of imagination. I recently started seeing a therapist for some of my own issues, and she suggested that, based on what I described, he fits the textbook definition of someone with schizophrenia. What are your thoughts on this?

Five years and you still aren't sure if he's ill? 🙂
Talking to aliens is just ESP.

Are the houses nearby actually close together?
Is his living situation okay? Does his mother clean up after him regularly?
Was he sleeping in bed or just daydreaming?
If the psychologist is licensed, then fine, but the absolute necessity is that he goes to see that same
psychologist herself.

Donna Sullivan7 said:Eric Brown23, man, I get where you're coming from... it's tough. But how are you actually helping yourself through this? Besides having faith in God—which I totally respect, and it’s great that you're fighting and staying afloat instead of just letting life sweep you away... there’s still hope out there... Honestly, from everything I see people saying online, I get this nagging feeling that everyone thinks they have it the hardest. It kind of shows how subjective we all are, you know?

Yeah, it's tough—hang in there. It’s basically impossible to stay grounded when a psychosis first hits... it's just not doable. You only start figuring out how to actually fight back against the delusions and that feeling of being torn apart after you've been in the trenches for a while. It sucks, but just keep pushing.

Eric Brown23 said:Yeah, it's tough—hang in there. It’s basically impossible to stay grounded when a psychosis first hits... it's just not doable. You only start figuring out how to actually fight back against the delusions and that feeling of being torn apart after you've been in the trenches for a while. It sucks, but just keep pushing.

I felt terrible on Risperidone, much like I did with Zyprexa. My sympathies lie with you.

Kenneth Price74 said:I felt terrible on Risperidone, much like I did with Zyprexa. My sympathies lie with you.

So, what atypical antipsychotic are you on now? I'm still using Risperidone—well, the generic version.

Lithium Carbonate, 100 tablets, 300 mg each
Cleveland Pharmaceutical Labs

Eric Brown23 said:Yeah, it's tough—hang in there. It’s basically impossible to stay grounded when a psychosis first hits... it's just not doable. You only start figuring out how to actually fight back against the delusions and that feeling of being torn apart after you've been in the trenches for a while. It sucks, but just keep pushing.

No offense, but I’m a little confused >> Who is fighting the delusions and the internal struggle... you, or the medication you're taking?

Look, here's my take: trying to figure out "who am I" and refusing to accept yourself until you are absolutely certain of your identity is one of the most difficult and treacherous paths you can walk, but it's also the most meaningful.

In my view, that journey eventually leads to a breaking point—to madness or delusions—but that isn't the end, and it isn't the goal. You aren't crazy! You just have to push through it to find the light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how long it takes. Anything less is pointless!

I can say for myself that I went through bouts of insanity in my desperate attempt to find a real, complete answer to the question of "who am I."
I even tried "prescribing" my own treatments by getting things from local street dealers.
I don't hold that against myself, because it was absolute hell.
Drugs, meds, alcohol—none of them provide healing; they just delay the inevitable. However, they can sometimes be used in a positive way by giving you enough breathing room to assess the situation and pull yourself together. But eventually, there has to come a moment where you slowly stop needing them.

Sorry if I sounded like I was lecturing you. 😁
best,

To be totally honest, after coming home from the war and dealing with all my injuries... I just couldn't see any point in living. Or maybe I was just too hooked on the combat itself? It was more addictive than any drug, honestly... I just missed it. After dragging myself through countless sessions with different psychiatrists, nothing really clicked. Nothing changed. Living felt unbearable, so I turned to drugs. Maybe it was just the path of least resistance, but whatever... at that moment, it was the only thing keeping me going. Of course, I look at things differently now, especially after staring death right in the face.

Donna Sullivan7 said:To be totally honest, after coming home from the war and dealing with all my injuries... I just couldn't see any point in living. Or maybe I was just too hooked on the combat itself? It was more addictive than any drug, honestly... I just missed it. After dragging myself through countless sessions with different psychiatrists, nothing really clicked. Nothing changed. Living felt unbearable, so I turned to drugs. Maybe it was just the path of least resistance, but whatever... at that moment, it was the only thing keeping me going. Of course, I look at things differently now, especially after staring death right in the face.

I don't think they're quite the same thing, though they're similar. The main difference is that your struggles stem from an objective reality, whereas the other case is purely subjective.
It’s not the same when someone drinks or uses drugs just because they enjoy it, versus when they do it because they feel they have no other choice.

Noah Sanchez7 said:No offense, but I’m a little confused >> Who is fighting the delusions and the internal struggle... you, or the medication you're taking?

Look, here's my take: trying to figure out "who am I" and refusing to accept yourself until you are absolutely certain of your identity is one of the most difficult and treacherous paths you can walk, but it's also the most meaningful.

In my view, that journey eventually leads to a breaking point—to madness or delusions—but that isn't the end, and it isn't the goal. You aren't crazy! You just have to push through it to find the light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how long it takes. Anything less is pointless!

I can say for myself that I went through bouts of insanity in my desperate attempt to find a real, complete answer to the question of "who am I."
I even tried "prescribing" my own treatments by getting things from local street dealers.
I don't hold that against myself, because it was absolute hell.
Drugs, meds, alcohol—none of them provide healing; they just delay the inevitable. However, they can sometimes be used in a positive way by giving you enough breathing room to assess the situation and pull yourself together. But eventually, there has to come a moment where you slowly stop needing them.

Sorry if I sounded like I was lecturing you. 😁
best,

Not sure what you're getting at—make sense, will you.🤷

Just a thought I've been chewing on—I’d love to start my own foundation one day. It’s been on my mind forever, but honestly, I’m still not even sure when that might actually happen... maybe someday, if I can figure out how to support people dealing with mental health struggles and psychotic episodes.

Donna Sullivan7 said:To be totally honest, after coming home from the war and dealing with all my injuries... I just couldn't see any point in living. Or maybe I was just too hooked on the combat itself? It was more addictive than any drug, honestly... I just missed it. After dragging myself through countless sessions with different psychiatrists, nothing really clicked. Nothing changed. Living felt unbearable, so I turned to drugs. Maybe it was just the path of least resistance, but whatever... at that moment, it was the only thing keeping me going. Of course, I look at things differently now, especially after staring death right in the face.

Look, brother in arms, I felt the exact same way—just lost in the middle of it all. But I've found my footing now, mostly through this community. Even though I still have to watch myself and avoid turning into some fanatic—since I tend to be pretty skeptical—the last two years have been okay. Things are still tough sometimes, but I keep moving forward with my faith. As for sleep... man, I can't catch a break. Between my sleep disorder and everything else, I either can't sleep or I crash for like 15 hours straight. Could be the depression, could be the meds lingering in my system... who knows.

Anyway, tell me—did you spend the whole day and night at the VA getting brain scans? I heard they do those there, specifically for people dealing with psychosis. Do you know anything about that, or maybe Kenneth Price74?🤷 ☕

Eric Brown23 said:Look, brother in arms, I felt the exact same way—just lost in the middle of it all. But I've found my footing now, mostly through this community. Even though I still have to watch myself and avoid turning into some fanatic—since I tend to be pretty skeptical—the last two years have been okay. Things are still tough sometimes, but I keep moving forward with my faith. As for sleep... man, I can't catch a break. Between my sleep disorder and everything else, I either can't sleep or I crash for like 15 hours straight. Could be the depression, could be the meds lingering in my system... who knows.

Anyway, tell me—did you spend the whole day and night at the VA getting brain scans? I heard they do those there, specifically for people dealing with psychosis. Do you know anything about that, or maybe Kenneth Price74?🤷 ☕

-I just hope you aren't one of those Jehovah's Witnesses, because those guys can be seriously intense and pushy...
-I've been through all the scans and all that nonsense, and the only thing they ever asked was if I'd been in a car wreck... they had no clue about the shrapnel left in my head from being wounded by an anti-aircraft machine gun...
-Sleep's been a struggle for me, so I ended up getting a dog just to make sure I stay active...
-Hey, Celsius, mind telling me what you do for a living?

edit: Eric Brown23, my bad... sorry for calling you out like that...