Schizophrenia - General Discussion

It’s the same story for anyone who sets the bar way too high for themselves.

Anyway—I have a friend dealing with delusions, intrusive thoughts, and constant auditory hallucinations, yet he refuses to take any medication at all.

When we first met, I didn't even realize he was struggling with anything specific; I just thought he was a bit "off"—I knew he'd been hospitalized once, but I figured it was probably just some drug-related issue or something along those lines. But since I've started hanging out with him more lately, it seems like things might actually be getting worse, though I can't say for sure.
Sometimes he mumbles to himself as if he's talking to these voices—he's convinced they're sending him thoughts via satellite or using mind control. When I try to joke about it to lighten the mood, he refers to that specific voice as a "bitch." 😁 He kind of plays along with the humor, but not entirely.
I don't know him deeply enough to understand why he won't take his meds, and it looks like he isn't even seeing a psychiatrist anymore. I tried explaining to him that there's no satellite involved—just his own thoughts, which, honestly, we all have to some degree. 😳
The thing is—Stoss—he functions somewhat normally (well, "normally" is a stretch, but he gets by), but he says it becomes overwhelming when he's doing mundane things, like waiting in line at Chase Bank or something. Which, understandably, makes sense.
Being a bit of a paranoid person myself, I'm mostly just worried that things will spiral for him. Who knows what his "satellite" might send my way next? 😁

Ultimately, if he could just pay attention to those voices less—if he could ignore that one voice simply by tuning it out—I know it would diminish, but I suppose that's easier said than done.

This friend lives with his mother, and from what I gather, he hasn't had any major outbursts in quite a while.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

As for me, I feel like I've touched upon almost every diagnosis I can think of, just in passing. 😁 The only time it really hit me hard was about two years ago, when depression pinned me to my bed for a good month or two—maybe longer, I can't quite recall—after I lost a significant amount of money and felt like I'd lost all hope for moving forward... 😳 That was the only time it felt truly intense. Everything else I read about people experiencing, I feel like I've dealt with too, just much more mildly. Those shifts in mood—one day feeling totally high on life, then a few days later sliding into a mild depression and total lethargy—it doesn't bother me too much. The hardest part is just finding the motivation to do anything. A doctor would probably have prescribed me something back then (especially during that depressive episode), but I'm no expert. I personally believe you have to live through and experience depression to get past it—not that I'm saying medication isn't necessary for everyone, because I get that many people need it... but then again, some people just struggle regardless. I have a neighbor who gets incredibly agitated whenever his supply of Xanax starts running low 😳—honestly, I can be just as high-strung sometimes, but I'm not going to start popping pills for my nerves. I know things would improve if I just made some lifestyle changes—drinking less coffee, spending more time outdoors, maybe getting better sleep, and handling some other private matters.

copperhound99 said:So I’m doing a little deep dive online and stumbled onto this wild theory.

Some psychoanalyst was talking about "ideas of reference"—basically when someone feels like everything they hear or see is somehow tied back to them personally, like there's this hidden meaning meant just for them...😁

But honestly, it makes me wonder—is there anyone out there who *doesn't* connect what they read or see on the news back to their own life? If I'm not comparing information to my own experiences or the people around me, what am I even supposed to do with it?😁

Like, I'll be watching the weather report, see that rain is coming, and naturally, I start thinking about how it’s gonna mess up my plans or what I'll end up doing if I can't get out...

Is that actually what they mean, or am I totally misreading this? Are we all just a little bit schizoid at heart?😁

My grandmother used to occasionally think that the person speaking on the radio or the news was talking directly to her—specifically her.😁

Larry Lewis said:Well, I deal with more obsessive thoughts than anything else—they aren't even "thoughts" per se, they're just these intense, repetitive fixations on things I can't even quite name. It makes life incredibly difficult, to the point where holding a simple conversation feels like an uphill battle.
I've learned how to function around them somehow, but man, I would give anything to just be rid of them. They haven't gone away, and honestly, they make me miserable most days. I try so hard to focus on anything else just to drown them out—and sometimes it works—but then I eventually hit a breaking point from all that mental strain, and they come crashing back even harder.
By the way, there’s a history of intrusive thoughts in my family tree.

At this point, I'm just fighting to stay afloat because no therapy seems to have actually cured me. I was wondering if anyone here has dealt with this and managed to find relief through medication or some other way.

I suspect what you're experiencing might not be directly tied to the diagnosis itself, but let's face it—illness has a way of magnifying our existing traits, usually the ones we'd rather hide, so anything is technically possible.

As far as I know, have you tried simply ignoring them, or at least paying them less attention?

The more you fight them, the more energy and attention you end up giving them... It's the same thing with emotions. There is a very blurry line between a thought and a feeling—for example, you feel fear, and simultaneously, certain thoughts arise because of that fear, or vice versa. I know that's not strictly what defines "intrusive thoughts," but I'm just pointing out how thin that line is.

Taylor Campbell4 said:It’s the same story for anyone who sets the bar way too high for themselves.

Anyway—I have a friend dealing with delusions, intrusive thoughts, and constant auditory hallucinations, yet he refuses to take any medication at all.

When we first met, I didn't even realize he was struggling with anything specific; I just thought he was a bit "off"—I knew he'd been hospitalized once, but I figured it was probably just some drug-related issue or something along those lines. But since I've started hanging out with him more lately, it seems like things might actually be getting worse, though I can't say for sure.
Sometimes he mumbles to himself as if he's talking to these voices—he's convinced they're sending him thoughts via satellite or using mind control. When I try to joke about it to lighten the mood, he refers to that specific voice as a "bitch." 😁 He kind of plays along with the humor, but not entirely.
I don't know him deeply enough to understand why he won't take his meds, and it looks like he isn't even seeing a psychiatrist anymore. I tried explaining to him that there's no satellite involved—just his own thoughts, which, honestly, we all have to some degree. 😳
The thing is—Stoss—he functions somewhat normally (well, "normally" is a stretch, but he gets by), but he says it becomes overwhelming when he's doing mundane things, like waiting in line at Chase Bank or something. Which, understandably, makes sense.
Being a bit of a paranoid person myself, I'm mostly just worried that things will spiral for him. Who knows what his "satellite" might send my way next? 😁

Ultimately, if he could just pay attention to those voices less—if he could ignore that one voice simply by tuning it out—I know it would diminish, but I suppose that's easier said than done.

This friend lives with his mother, and from what I gather, he hasn't had any major outbursts in quite a while.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

As for me, I feel like I've touched upon almost every diagnosis I can think of, just in passing. 😁 The only time it really hit me hard was about two years ago, when depression pinned me to my bed for a good month or two—maybe longer, I can't quite recall—after I lost a significant amount of money and felt like I'd lost all hope for moving forward... 😳 That was the only time it felt truly intense. Everything else I read about people experiencing, I feel like I've dealt with too, just much more mildly. Those shifts in mood—one day feeling totally high on life, then a few days later sliding into a mild depression and total lethargy—it doesn't bother me too much. The hardest part is just finding the motivation to do anything. A doctor would probably have prescribed me something back then (especially during that depressive episode), but I'm no expert. I personally believe you have to live through and experience depression to get past it—not that I'm saying medication isn't necessary for everyone, because I get that many people need it... but then again, some people just struggle regardless. I have a neighbor who gets incredibly agitated whenever his supply of Xanax starts running low 😳—honestly, I can be just as high-strung sometimes, but I'm not going to start popping pills for my nerves. I know things would improve if I just made some lifestyle changes—drinking less coffee, spending more time outdoors, maybe getting better sleep, and handling some other private matters.

I’ve had conversations too, though only internally, with my own intrusive thoughts. I ignored the voiced thoughts and the auditory hallucinations, but they kept coming regardless. You can't really explain it to him; those intrusive thoughts truly feel like they originate outside of yourself—as if some other entity or machine is broadcasting them. I would suggest Zyprexa; it helped me immensely. And he should check for negative symptoms, because hearing voices and having intrusive thoughts doesn't necessarily mean he has schizophrenia.

William Evans10 said:She absolutely cannot stand the Zyprexa. It’s just not working for her at all. Honestly, she’s like a walking ghost lately. I’m basically forcing her to take it just to get her to swallow the pills. Could you tell me how long you’ve been dealing with your diagnosis? How long have you been undergoing treatment, and how much time did it actually take before they finally found a therapy that worked for you? Thanks.🙂

You really ought to start with much smaller doses—I'm talking 2.5mg at most. When I first started, they threw 5mg at me right out of the gate, which basically just turned me into a zombie... so my psychiatrist eventually had to scale me back down to 2.5mg for a while just to get things under control. It took me about two and a half years of searching for the right fit, but once I finally landed with my current doctor—which actually took about six months of seeing him before I even felt a glimmer of improvement—things finally started looking up. He’s honestly given me the best treatment plan I've ever had; he slowly titrated my Zyprexa up to 20mg (which is the maximum dose, by the way) and then, once I was actually feeling stable and better, he began tapering it back down...

Look, let’s be real—until she actually decides to pull herself out of this mess, everything else is just noise... it's all completely pointless.
If she’s actually mentally impaired like you’re suggesting—which is a pretty heavy claim to make, by the way—then the first logical step should be getting her in front of a licensed psychologist. They’re the ones who can actually assess the situation and provide a proper referral if things are as bad as you say... It’s entirely possible she’s just terrified of the whole treatment process. Fear can make people act irrational, after all.

P.S. I’ve been living with this diagnosis for nine years now—though, to be honest, the first eight were basically just a massive, exhausting waste of time because nobody could figure out what was actually wrong with me...

Hey everyone. So, I’ve been diagnosed with schizophrenia, specifically F20, and they put me on 6mg of Risperdal daily. I actually end up taking 8mg, mostly just because I have enough to make it last a full month, and the fine print on the box says you get the best results somewhere between 6 and 8mg. I haven't actually seen my psychiatrist in a few years, even though I’m supposed to check in every six months or so. To be honest, I live in a tiny town where everybody knows everybody's business, and I was terrified that if word got out, I'd lose my job. I'm pretty consistent with my meds, though, and I know deep down that my mental state—and honestly, nobody else on this planet—can fix things for me. But, using my own analytical brain, I've realized I act pretty weird, especially here on this forum, so I did some digging into what that might mean. Turns out, it looks like I might have histrionic personality disorder too. And man, it doesn't stop there; I notice I act strange in certain situations, like when I have to go to the dentist or catch a movie. I get hit with this intense nervousness, like I just downed ten espressos at once, and I feel like I have to run away from the stress. This whole habit of avoiding stress has basically turned me into a hermit; I hardly go anywhere anymore, thinking maybe if I just rest, my brain will somehow reset itself. Instead, it's just led to me becoming totally antisocial and ending up with terrible teeth. So, first off, I really need a diagnosis for this specific issue, and secondly, any advice on which meds are worth taking and which ones I should stay far away from? My psychiatrist is always swamped, and honestly, she feels more like an incompetent little drug dealer than anything else since she doesn't really provide any actual help beyond just handing out prescriptions. Also, given how things are right now—since I'm currently unemployed and let's face it, nobody wants to hire someone struggling with mental health (not that anyone can find work these days anyway, as we all know)—I was wondering if I'm eligible for any kind of government assistance, like disability or something similar. Is that even how mental illnesses are classified in the US? Anyway, that's the deal. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Even if you do have that, it’s likely some low-tier assistance—the kind that keeps you from being able to hold down a real job while you're receiving it. Honestly, I'd suggest focusing on getting yourself squared away first and then jumping back into the job hunt.

Taylor Campbell4 said:Even if you do have that, it’s likely some low-tier assistance—the kind that keeps you from being able to hold down a real job while you're receiving it. Honestly, I'd suggest focusing on getting yourself squared away first and then jumping back into the job hunt.

I mean, I'm not really sure I could actually pull off any decent work when I'm dealing with these random hallucinations, panic attacks, and all that other stuff. As far as what I'm actually trained and educated for goes, I can't do anything at all, and trying to head back to school for retraining is its own whole mess—partly because of the panic, partly because my concentration is shot, and then there's the money side of things, too. Plus, let's be real, nobody wants to hire an old crazy guy, even if I did have the credentials. There's a massive pool of young people out there looking for work who are just way better than me in every single way.

I’m certainly no expert here—far from it—but if you've seen five different psychiatrists only to have them shuffle your meds around without much luck, maybe it's worth seeking out a sixth opinion just to see if things can improve. You mentioned earlier that you were avoiding the doctor because you were worried about losing your job, but since you're already out of work now... 🙂

Taylor Campbell4 said:I’m certainly no expert here—far from it—but if you've seen five different psychiatrists only to have them shuffle your meds around without much luck, maybe it's worth seeking out a sixth opinion just to see if things can improve. You mentioned earlier that you were avoiding the doctor because you were worried about losing your job, but since you're already out of work now... 🙂

I’m actually planning on heading in there in the next few days, specifically because of all this. It just feels kind of pathetic, though, you know? Like, Risperdal doesn't make you gain weight or turn into a total zombie like these other drugs do. And honestly, I have no clue what they're even going to prescribe me for the histrionics and these panic attacks. I’ll probably end up popping a handful of pills every single day. I really don't want to be a burden on my parents, so I need to look into getting disability benefits, and $167 having that monthly check coming in would mean everything to me—if they even pay out enough to cover the basics. I worked my ass off while I was younger, doing everything I could. Now, I guess I'm just looking at spending the rest of my life being a complete loser.

You might be able to qualify for $167-style social security benefits. That’s what I rely on. I suppose if your psychiatrist signs off on certain paperwork, you could also look into disability—though I don't personally receive that, so I couldn't tell you the exact amount.

I currently receive $200 some social security benefits, though it isn’t strictly because of my medical condition—there are a few other factors involved, especially since my grandmother pulls in about $2,500 from her assistance. While disability status is $417, if you happen to have enough work history under your belt, you're usually much better off applying for disability retirement instead.

I was out playing some hoops with the guys today—and look, I’m definitely feeling a bit rusty, but I can still hold my own on the court—but then everything just... hits. We all headed out for a drink afterward, the guys were just joking around, being normal, and there I am, completely paralyzed by these intrusive thoughts hitting me at 100 miles per hour. I couldn't even catch my breath. Seriously, what happens when this strikes while I'm actually at work, surrounded by people? It's terrifying. This damn schizophrenia is a total nightmare, honestly.

driftingraven122 said:You might be able to qualify for $167-style social security benefits. That’s what I rely on. I suppose if your psychiatrist signs off on certain paperwork, you could also look into disability—though I don't personally receive that, so I couldn't tell you the exact amount.

I mean, I guess if you're talking about Dr. Harold Anderson3, he's alright, I suppose... just feels like he might be overcomplicating things sometimes, you know? Not that I'm an expert or anything, but I don't know, maybe his approach is just a bit much for what we actually need right now. Just my two cents, though. kaže:
I guess I'm taking this one on. $200 I mean, I’m getting social security and all that, but honestly, it’s not even just because of my health issues—there's a bunch of other stuff going on too. My grandma is pulling about $2,500 a month from her benefits, so I guess it's just how things work. It's all based on the disability status and everything. $417I mean, look, if you’ve actually put in enough years at your job to qualify, I guess it might be smarter to just go after disability benefits instead.

I mean, I’ve probably got maybe six years of seniority under my belt, which honestly doesn't feel like enough to even think about qualifying for retirement or anything like that. And then there's that whole thing about those 500 bucks...$200 I mean, I wouldn't even give a scrap to a pig, let alone some young guy. It’s honestly just shameful.

electricharbor30 said:I’m actually planning on heading in there in the next few days, specifically because of all this. It just feels kind of pathetic, though, you know? Like, Risperdal doesn't make you gain weight or turn into a total zombie like these other drugs do. And honestly, I have no clue what they're even going to prescribe me for the histrionics and these panic attacks. I’ll probably end up popping a handful of pills every single day. I really don't want to be a burden on my parents, so I need to look into getting disability benefits, and $167 having that monthly check coming in would mean everything to me—if they even pay out enough to cover the basics. I worked my ass off while I was younger, doing everything I could. Now, I guess I'm just looking at spending the rest of my life being a complete loser.

Maybe you could try finding some freelance work or something where you're your own boss—even if it's just under the table.

Taylor Campbell4 said:Maybe you could try finding some freelance work or something where you're your own boss—even if it's just under the table.

Yeah, maybe I'll just stick to fixing computers at people's houses like I always have... though honestly, it feels like every kid out there knows how to do it now, so they aren't calling anyone for help like they used to...

Kimberly Cook5 said:You really ought to start with much smaller doses—I'm talking 2.5mg at most. When I first started, they threw 5mg at me right out of the gate, which basically just turned me into a zombie... so my psychiatrist eventually had to scale me back down to 2.5mg for a while just to get things under control. It took me about two and a half years of searching for the right fit, but once I finally landed with my current doctor—which actually took about six months of seeing him before I even felt a glimmer of improvement—things finally started looking up. He’s honestly given me the best treatment plan I've ever had; he slowly titrated my Zyprexa up to 20mg (which is the maximum dose, by the way) and then, once I was actually feeling stable and better, he began tapering it back down...

Look, let’s be real—until she actually decides to pull herself out of this mess, everything else is just noise... it's all completely pointless.
If she’s actually mentally impaired like you’re suggesting—which is a pretty heavy claim to make, by the way—then the first logical step should be getting her in front of a licensed psychologist. They’re the ones who can actually assess the situation and provide a proper referral if things are as bad as you say... It’s entirely possible she’s just terrified of the whole treatment process. Fear can make people act irrational, after all.

P.S. I’ve been living with this diagnosis for nine years now—though, to be honest, the first eight were basically just a massive, exhausting waste of time because nobody could figure out what was actually wrong with me...

Thanks...👍 🙂

I suspect that schizophrenia isn't being treated adequately here in the States. I was doing some digging online yesterday and stumbled upon some rather compelling material suggesting that schizophrenia shouldn't be viewed as a lifelong sentence, but rather as an extreme state of being that can actually stabilize, allowing for full recovery. There seems to be a pervasive assumption that schizophrenia is a permanent condition, but I suspect that might not be entirely accurate. Our brain and mind constitute a highly complex system—perhaps one of the most intricate systems in existence. A psychotic state, I would argue, is an extreme mental state where the subconscious surges to the surface, overwhelming the conscious mind's ability to maintain control. Carl Jung might suggest that a person no longer suffers from schizophrenia once they feel truly understood by another individual. Those labeled with schizophrenia are often just people who have been misunderstood or dismissed as "crazy," and I suppose anyone who hasn't experienced psychosis cannot truly grasp what it feels like when others treat you with such brutality or fail to comprehend your struggle. In Finland, they have implemented a novel approach to treating psychosis known as "Open Dial." They have developed a method to help individuals in psychosis return to functional living without relying solely on medication, and studies have indicated that 75% of people achieve complete recovery. You can find more details regarding this http://www.mindfreedom.org/kb/mental...-open-dialogue
There is also a brief film segment about Open Dial in Finland available on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBjIv...=ULaBjIvnRFja4
Furthermore, Will Hall is an individual who recovered from schizophrenia and now assists others facing similar challenges. He recently gave a lecture that you might find useful; you can listen to it at http://beyondmeds.com/2012/10/07/wil...speaks-to-apa/

Ultimately, I am inclined to believe that people can recover from schizophrenia instead of being perpetually tethered to heavy medications for their entire lives. The issue, I think, is that these individuals are viewed strictly as "ill," whereas schizophrenia may not be a true disease, but rather an extreme mental state in which a person becomes vulnerable due to severe life experiences or trauma. Psychosis could be seen as a way for a person to defend themselves against the world; perhaps a person experiencing it simply cannot accept the reality or the rules imposed upon them, so they construct a new reality, which is then interpreted as a pathology. I wonder why we haven't developed new treatment methodologies for psychotic disorders similar to those established in Finland? Personally, I find the American healthcare system's approach to psychotic disorders and schizophrenia to be deeply disappointing. Having undergone two hospitalizations myself, I know firsthand how grueling it is. My last hospitalization was an exceptionally traumatic experience. I feel a drive to help others with these diagnoses because I believe it is possible to provide aid without total reliance on drugs. To me, using medication for a lifetime is akin to treating a toothache with nothing but painkillers. When someone claims they have been "in treatment for years," taking antipsychotics isn't actual healing; it is merely masking the symptoms. It seems no one is addressing the root cause... and I find that quite unsettling. I want to help myself, and I want to help others.

Look, life’s gonna be a hell of a lot easier once you stop fighting the fact that this actually IS an illness and realize the meds help rather than just turning you into a zombie.

I’m not buying into those fairy tales about people "recovering" totally on their own without any help. I know exactly where I’d be stuck right now if I hadn't sought treatment—rotting in some long-term psych ward halfway across the country.

Trust me, this isn't some mystical, spiritual journey. It’s just a bunch of illogical nonsense and things that aren't even grounded in reality because your brain is misfiring and processing info all wrong.

You keep stumbling onto this stuff because, deep down, that’s what you’re looking for. Do yourself a favor and actually read what the science says about it. 😉

I am currently on Zyprexa, and I know firsthand just how much this medication numbs you. My brain feels completely dulled, and honestly, dealing with this drug is nothing short of misery for me. Maybe your experience is different, but for me, it’s a struggle. I suppose science still doesn't have all the answers when it comes to this.