Schizophrenia - General Discussion

Timothy Wood38 said:Well, maybe talk to your psychiatrist about an antidepressant? Just be totally honest with them about how you're feeling, and I'm sure you'll figure something out together. Personally, I spent two years on 10mg of Zyprexa, always paired with various antidepressants. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds to me like you're struggling more with a lack of drive than actual depression—though, let's face it, those two often go hand in hand. There are so many options on the market these days. In my opinion, Wellbutrin might be a great fit for you. It's frequently prescribed for that loss of motivation, and from what I hear, it can even help with libido. Plus, unlike most psych meds, it doesn't typically cause weight gain. Of course, everyone reacts differently. Definitely run everything by your doctor first. Good luck.

You have a point; "lack of willpower" is a fair description. I've tried Zoloft and Effexor in the past, but the side effects often outweighed the benefits. That’s why I’m skeptical and eager to get off psychiatric meds entirely—even though some of them really helped me. Over the last 16 years, I've cycled through about 20 different types.

driftinggull21 said:A 1 mg dose of Risperdal is truly a baby dose.
If you genuinely want to stop taking AP, you need to discuss that directly with your psychiatrist.
However, keep in mind that if you discontinue your treatment and suffer a decompensation, 1 mg of Risperdal will not be enough to manage the symptoms.

I'm aware of that risk because I've already been there. That's why I prefer the 1 mg; I'd rather stay on a low dose than have to restart the whole process with heavy doses if I hit another psychotic episode.

Since Risperdal works by blocking dopamine, maybe I could avoid things that spike dopamine levels—like coffee or cigarettes—to see if I can manage without that small dose? Or maybe there's some other trick.

I’ve recently crossed paths with someone who, in my estimation, is dealing with schizophrenia (and let's just assume for the sake of argument that I'm right, okay?)—but here's the kicker: they haven't been diagnosed, and they aren't seeking any kind of treatment whatsoever.
My question is this: how much of the person I think I know is actually "them"? To what extent does this illness warp their core character? And if they finally decide to get professional help and start treatment, how much will they actually change? Most importantly, when it comes to how they feel about me, how much of that emotion is genuinely theirs, and how much of it is just a byproduct of the disorder?

Thanks in advance for any insight you can offer.

Sandra King4 said:I’ve recently crossed paths with someone who, in my estimation, is dealing with schizophrenia (and let's just assume for the sake of argument that I'm right, okay?)—but here's the kicker: they haven't been diagnosed, and they aren't seeking any kind of treatment whatsoever.
My question is this: how much of the person I think I know is actually "them"? To what extent does this illness warp their core character? And if they finally decide to get professional help and start treatment, how much will they actually change? Most importantly, when it comes to how they feel about me, how much of that emotion is genuinely theirs, and how much of it is just a byproduct of the disorder?

Thanks in advance for any insight you can offer.

That is a heavy, incredibly difficult question to parse—really quite profound—and if I can offer anything from my own weary experience, it's simply this: the illness changes them. It's an undeniable factor.

Larry Lewis said:That is a heavy, incredibly difficult question to parse—really quite profound—and if I can offer anything from my own weary experience, it's simply this: the illness changes them. It's an undeniable factor.

Do you really think his emotions aren't grounded in reality at all? How much of his "paranoia" do you think is actually just a byproduct of the condition? (He’s constantly spiraling—accusing me of cheating, claiming I lied about things like whether I've ever even been pregnant. He just has this fundamental issue where he can't distinguish between when I'm being honest and when I'm lying, etc.)

Don't go thinking I'm asking this for some selfish reason, because I promise you, that isn't the case here.

Sandra King4 said:Do you really think his emotions aren't grounded in reality at all? How much of his "paranoia" do you think is actually just a byproduct of the condition? (He’s constantly spiraling—accusing me of cheating, claiming I lied about things like whether I've ever even been pregnant. He just has this fundamental issue where he can't distinguish between when I'm being honest and when I'm lying, etc.)

Don't go thinking I'm asking this for some selfish reason, because I promise you, that isn't the case here.

Look, regardless of why you’re asking—and frankly, I don't think that matters much at this stage—you haven't actually laid out the full picture. You haven't really delved into the specifics of what happened or provided any real context regarding his behavior—though, then again, maybe that's for the best. It’s all a bit of a muddle, isn't it? Anyway, it doesn't matter.
There is one fundamental truth you simply have to grasp—one that seems to escape most people wandering through this life—and that is that every single individual is fundamentally different, regardless of whether they carry an official diagnosis or not. Honestly, the idea of being "perfectly healthy" is a complete myth—a bit of a fairy tale we tell ourselves to feel secure—because, let’s be real, nobody is truly, entirely "healthy." We are all walking around with our own unique set of glitches, baggage, and quirks. I remember talking to a colleague back in Chicago years ago—a brilliant man, really, though he had his share of struggles—who used to say that "health" is just a sliding scale of how much chaos you can manage on any given Tuesday. And he was right. Whether you have a label attached to your psyche or you're just dealing with the general wear and tear of existing in this chaotic world, we're all essentially navigating our own version of brokenness. It's just the way it is.
I honestly have no idea how you managed to arrive at that particular diagnosis—whatever your process might be—but you really ought to understand one fundamental thing: doctors issue medical diagnoses, not amateurs playing pretend. It’s a distinction that seems to escape some people, yet it remains quite vital. I remember once dealing with a specialist back in Chicago who spent twenty minutes explaining why my "self-diagnosis" was nothing more than wishful thinking—and he was right, of course. Professionals undergo years of grueling training for a reason; they aren't just guessing based on a few symptoms and a hunch. One shouldn't simply bypass the experts with amateur intuition.

If you’re asking for my two cents regarding your love life—and believe me, I’ve seen enough heartbreak in this weary world to fill a dozen lifetimes—I would tell you to proceed with extreme caution. Just... be careful. You might even consider nudging him toward seeing a professional—a therapist or some specialist who can actually untangle that mess in his head—but let’s be honest, he’ll likely recoil at the suggestion. He’ll probably take offense, turn it around on you, and act like you're the one being unreasonable—which, in these times, feels all too familiar. So, my advice? Take a long, hard look at everything. Don't just listen to what he says—words are cheap, after all—but watch what he actually does. Study the patterns. Analyze the actions. Once you've weighed the reality against the rhetoric, then, and only then, should you decide how to move forward.

Larry Lewis said:Look, regardless of why you’re asking—and frankly, I don't think that matters much at this stage—you haven't actually laid out the full picture. You haven't really delved into the specifics of what happened or provided any real context regarding his behavior—though, then again, maybe that's for the best. It’s all a bit of a muddle, isn't it? Anyway, it doesn't matter.
There is one fundamental truth you simply have to grasp—one that seems to escape most people wandering through this life—and that is that every single individual is fundamentally different, regardless of whether they carry an official diagnosis or not. Honestly, the idea of being "perfectly healthy" is a complete myth—a bit of a fairy tale we tell ourselves to feel secure—because, let’s be real, nobody is truly, entirely "healthy." We are all walking around with our own unique set of glitches, baggage, and quirks. I remember talking to a colleague back in Chicago years ago—a brilliant man, really, though he had his share of struggles—who used to say that "health" is just a sliding scale of how much chaos you can manage on any given Tuesday. And he was right. Whether you have a label attached to your psyche or you're just dealing with the general wear and tear of existing in this chaotic world, we're all essentially navigating our own version of brokenness. It's just the way it is.
I honestly have no idea how you managed to arrive at that particular diagnosis—whatever your process might be—but you really ought to understand one fundamental thing: doctors issue medical diagnoses, not amateurs playing pretend. It’s a distinction that seems to escape some people, yet it remains quite vital. I remember once dealing with a specialist back in Chicago who spent twenty minutes explaining why my "self-diagnosis" was nothing more than wishful thinking—and he was right, of course. Professionals undergo years of grueling training for a reason; they aren't just guessing based on a few symptoms and a hunch. One shouldn't simply bypass the experts with amateur intuition.

If you’re asking for my two cents regarding your love life—and believe me, I’ve seen enough heartbreak in this weary world to fill a dozen lifetimes—I would tell you to proceed with extreme caution. Just... be careful. You might even consider nudging him toward seeing a professional—a therapist or some specialist who can actually untangle that mess in his head—but let’s be honest, he’ll likely recoil at the suggestion. He’ll probably take offense, turn it around on you, and act like you're the one being unreasonable—which, in these times, feels all too familiar. So, my advice? Take a long, hard look at everything. Don't just listen to what he says—words are cheap, after all—but watch what he actually does. Study the patterns. Analyze the actions. Once you've weighed the reality against the rhetoric, then, and only then, should you decide how to move forward.

If you've got the stomach for it and want to keep talking, we can take this to private messages.

I suppose I am also struggling with depression following a psychotic episode; perhaps we should all just suggest to our doctors that they prescribe antidepressants. Honestly, I attempted to manage my own depression by smoking weed, though that may not have been the most prudent decision given my predisposition toward psychosis.

I honestly feel like if I could just invite some of you folks who are on these medications out for coffee in the morning, a long lunch in the afternoon, and some gaming sessions in the evening, those prescriptions might just become unnecessary 😬
🤷

Jason Nelson3 said:I honestly feel like if I could just invite some of you folks who are on these medications out for coffee in the morning, a long lunch in the afternoon, and some gaming sessions in the evening, those prescriptions might just become unnecessary 😬
🤷

And there you have it—this guy just discovered the cure for psychosis.🙂

Bro, patent that thing and go get rich. hehe

Jason Nelson3 said:I honestly feel like if I could just invite some of you folks who are on these medications out for coffee in the morning, a long lunch in the afternoon, and some gaming sessions in the evening, those prescriptions might just become unnecessary 😬
🤷

Haha, yeah, he could probably invite people with broken legs out for a soccer match too. Sure, if that's how medicine actually worked...

I was wondering if anyone here, or perhaps someone you might know, has ever experienced symptoms involving hearing voices...

Robert Gomez26 said:I was wondering if anyone here, or perhaps someone you might know, has ever experienced symptoms involving hearing voices...

Well, come on then—what's actually on your mind?

We’re dealing with a schizophrenia diagnosis in our family right now. The main struggle is that she’s experiencing constant auditory hallucinations—hearing people whispering about her or talking behind her back all day and night, even when we’re sitting right there with her... It’s incredibly distressing for everyone involved. We actually saw a psychiatrist a few days ago, and she was prescribed some medication intended to help ease those fears and quiet the voices. I was wondering if anyone here has gone through something similar, or if you might know how long this process typically takes and whether recovery is truly possible...

Robert Gomez26 said:We’re dealing with a schizophrenia diagnosis in our family right now. The main struggle is that she’s experiencing constant auditory hallucinations—hearing people whispering about her or talking behind her back all day and night, even when we’re sitting right there with her... It’s incredibly distressing for everyone involved. We actually saw a psychiatrist a few days ago, and she was prescribed some medication intended to help ease those fears and quiet the voices. I was wondering if anyone here has gone through something similar, or if you might know how long this process typically takes and whether recovery is truly possible...

Schizophrenia isn't something you "cure" in the traditional sense, but it is highly manageable with the right combination of medication and psychotherapy.

If I can offer a bit of advice—try to spend as much time as possible with your family member. You really don't want to let them slip into total isolation; solitude can be a dangerous thing in these circumstances.

The auditory hallucinations—the voices—can sometimes subside quite quickly, though other times they linger for a long while. From what I've gathered from listening to others living with schizophrenia, it varies wildly from person to person.

Yes, I'm aware of that... but I was really wondering if anyone here has some firsthand experience with it...

Robert Gomez26 said:Yes, I'm aware of that... but I was really wondering if anyone here has some firsthand experience with it...

What's the catch?

Well, it’s mostly because I have someone close to me dealing with an illness right now...

Robert Gomez26 said:We’re dealing with a schizophrenia diagnosis in our family right now. The main struggle is that she’s experiencing constant auditory hallucinations—hearing people whispering about her or talking behind her back all day and night, even when we’re sitting right there with her... It’s incredibly distressing for everyone involved. We actually saw a psychiatrist a few days ago, and she was prescribed some medication intended to help ease those fears and quiet the voices. I was wondering if anyone here has gone through something similar, or if you might know how long this process typically takes and whether recovery is truly possible...

With the right medication regimen, those specific symptoms should subside.
Schizophrenia itself is a chronic condition, meaning medication typically needs to be taken indefinitely to prevent a relapse.

Thank you for getting back to me. The individual is 75 years old and has been taking Vera for about a week now. They are struggling quite a bit with intense psychological distress and restlessness... I was wondering how long it typically takes for these kinds of symptoms to subside...

Robert Gomez26 said:Thank you for getting back to me. The individual is 75 years old and has been taking Vera for about a week now. They are struggling quite a bit with intense psychological distress and restlessness... I was wondering how long it typically takes for these kinds of symptoms to subside...

There aren't any set rules, really—some people bounce back almost instantly while others... well, others find themselves in a permanent state of misery for the rest of their lives. As for me? I suppose I fall somewhere in that messy middle ground.