Schizophrenia - General Discussion

I’m not entirely sure if this is the right place to bring this up, but I’ve been wondering about something. Is it considered a specific type of mental illness when someone is genuinely convinced they're being followed or stalked by someone else, even when there isn't actually any truth to it?

Arthur Jackson8 said:I’m not entirely sure if this is the right place to bring this up, but I’ve been wondering about something. Is it considered a specific type of mental illness when someone is genuinely convinced they're being followed or stalked by someone else, even when there isn't actually any truth to it?

Indeed, some clinicians categorize it as its own distinct entity known as Paranoia—following certain traditional American psychiatric frameworks—while others prefer to classify it under the broader umbrella of Schizophrenia.

Nicole Barrett76 said:Indeed, some clinicians categorize it as its own distinct entity known as Paranoia—following certain traditional American psychiatric frameworks—while others prefer to classify it under the broader umbrella of Schizophrenia.

In that case, can the obsession actually fixate on a specific, living person? I'm talking about someone who is convinced another person is stalking them everywhere, simply because they happened to cross paths in the same spot. They hadn't even seen each other in over a year and a half... so there's zero sense of objective time passing or reality checking. On top of that, you've got these massive mood swings—going from totally fine to being combative in five minutes flat. Just straight-up outbursts of rage.

Arthur Jackson8 said:In that case, can the obsession actually fixate on a specific, living person? I'm talking about someone who is convinced another person is stalking them everywhere, simply because they happened to cross paths in the same spot. They hadn't even seen each other in over a year and a half... so there's zero sense of objective time passing or reality checking. On top of that, you've got these massive mood swings—going from totally fine to being combative in five minutes flat. Just straight-up outbursts of rage.

Yes, unfortunately, the focus can absolutely be centered on a specific person. In such an instance, if a psychiatrist suspects a patient might become aggressive toward that individual, they are legally obligated to report those concerns to the police.

The fact that there is no temporal distance, nor any objective reality regarding the delusion of being followed, is precisely why we call this paranoia. It stems from the Greek roots *para noia*, which essentially translates to being "beside reason."

Could anyone who has experienced hospitalization for mental health issues—not necessarily Schizophrenia—share their perspective on whether psychiatric wards are currently seeing many patients claiming they are being stalked online? Specifically, those who believe people are mass-discussing them or plotting to cause them harm through the internet?

Nicole Barrett76 said:Yes, unfortunately, the focus can absolutely be centered on a specific person. In such an instance, if a psychiatrist suspects a patient might become aggressive toward that individual, they are legally obligated to report those concerns to the police.

The fact that there is no temporal distance, nor any objective reality regarding the delusion of being followed, is precisely why we call this paranoia. It stems from the Greek roots *para noia*, which essentially translates to being "beside reason."

Thanks, you cleared things up for me. This person isn't actually seeing a psychiatrist, but they did have suicidal tendencies back when they were younger. I can't say how they interact with others, but generally, they're communicative and polite. However, over the last few years, something has shifted so drastically in how they treat me that I just can't find any logical explanation for it. That's why I started wondering if this was something deeper. It feels like they are specifically sensitive toward me, though I have no clue what pattern triggers it... I just don't know how to act anymore. I try to ignore it, but if I run into them, I honestly don't know what to expect—will they give me a friendly nod, or will they start screaming at me? At first, I just thought it was classic manipulation, but now I'm genuinely worried...

Arthur Jackson8 said:I’m not entirely sure if this is the right place to bring this up, but I’ve been wondering about something. Is it considered a specific type of mental illness when someone is genuinely convinced they're being followed or stalked by someone else, even when there isn't actually any truth to it?

Yeah, totally.
But look, it doesn't necessarily have to be Schizophrenia. It could just be an acute psychotic episode that passes, or some other kind of delusional disorder.

The thing is, if this stuff doesn't clear up on its own after a few weeks, you're looking at something serious. When it comes to Schizophrenia, getting ahead of it is everything—early detection and getting on medication right away is key, because otherwise, things just spiral and get way worse.

David Vaughn75 said:Yeah, totally.
But look, it doesn't necessarily have to be Schizophrenia. It could just be an acute psychotic episode that passes, or some other kind of delusional disorder.

The thing is, if this stuff doesn't clear up on its own after a few weeks, you're looking at something serious. When it comes to Schizophrenia, getting ahead of it is everything—early detection and getting on medication right away is key, because otherwise, things just spiral and get way worse.

I’m not sure if everyone caught what I was getting at, but I broke down the specifics in my previous post. What I’m looking at is a recurring pattern of behavior that pops up every once in a while. Look, I realize marijuana use can play a role in the mix, but from what I understand, it isn't a direct trigger for aggression.

Arthur Jackson8 said:I’m not sure if everyone caught what I was getting at, but I broke down the specifics in my previous post. What I’m looking at is a recurring pattern of behavior that pops up every once in a while. Look, I realize marijuana use can play a role in the mix, but from what I understand, it isn't a direct trigger for aggression.

Alright, so I just finished catching up on the rest of these threads.
Look, I’m no shrink, but honestly? This is sounding a lot like schizoaffective disorder to me.
And let's be real—smoking marijuana definitely plays a massive role in pushing someone toward psychotic breaks.

Is this someone in your family? Because if it is, what are you even waiting for?! You seriously need to report this to someone immediately.

David Vaughn75 said:Alright, so I just finished catching up on the rest of these threads.
Look, I’m no shrink, but honestly? This is sounding a lot like schizoaffective disorder to me.
And let's be real—smoking marijuana definitely plays a massive role in pushing someone toward psychotic breaks.

Is this someone in your family? Because if it is, what are you even waiting for?! You seriously need to report this to someone immediately.

Nah, they aren't family. Just an old friend I don't really talk to anymore... which is why his reaction is so bizarre. It’s like he's trying to make me the villain when he's actually the one popping out of nowhere to harass me. He's probably even convinced his own family of his side of things, so I've got nobody to turn to. Honestly, I'm just fed up with him dragging my name through the mud and pinning stuff on me that I had absolutely nothing to do with.

Arthur Jackson8 said:Nah, they aren't family. Just an old friend I don't really talk to anymore... which is why his reaction is so bizarre. It’s like he's trying to make me the villain when he's actually the one popping out of nowhere to harass me. He's probably even convinced his own family of his side of things, so I've got nobody to turn to. Honestly, I'm just fed up with him dragging my name through the mud and pinning stuff on me that I had absolutely nothing to do with.

But hey, look, that person isn't having an easy time either, and they didn't choose to get sick.

David Vaughn75 said:But hey, look, that person isn't having an easy time either, and they didn't choose to get sick.

But honestly? It's not easy on everyone else who has to deal with the fallout, especially if the person itself doesn't even realize something is wrong...

Arthur Jackson8 said:Thanks, you cleared things up for me. This person isn't actually seeing a psychiatrist, but they did have suicidal tendencies back when they were younger. I can't say how they interact with others, but generally, they're communicative and polite. However, over the last few years, something has shifted so drastically in how they treat me that I just can't find any logical explanation for it. That's why I started wondering if this was something deeper. It feels like they are specifically sensitive toward me, though I have no clue what pattern triggers it... I just don't know how to act anymore. I try to ignore it, but if I run into them, I honestly don't know what to expect—will they give me a friendly nod, or will they start screaming at me? At first, I just thought it was classic manipulation, but now I'm genuinely worried...

How should I handle myself when I run into someone like this, especially if they aren't in a friendly mood and are looking for a fight instead?

Honestly, these intrusive thoughts are driving me absolutely insane... 🙂

Arthur Jackson8 said:But honestly? It's not easy on everyone else who has to deal with the fallout, especially if the person itself doesn't even realize something is wrong...

I mean, seriously, just go up to him and be like, "Dude, why did you let yourself spiral into a psychotic break? What was the point? You'd probably feel a hell of a lot better if you actually got your head straight, wouldn't you?"

😵

Larry Lewis said:Honestly, these intrusive thoughts are driving me absolutely insane... 🙂

Where on earth have you been hiding, Larry Lewis?

I often find myself reflecting upon that particular post of yours where you jokingly lashed out at us, asking, "Where have you all gone, you crazy bunch? Are you back in the hospitals again, drooling over pills, packing on weight like hogs, and peeking under nurses' skirts?"

He strikes me as being so incredibly refreshing—it is truly akin to that wonderful feeling when you head out to a local pub with all your closest friends, only to have someone burst through the doors a little late with such a witty remark that the entire group erupts into fits of uncontrollable laughter.

Arthur Jackson8 said:How should I handle myself when I run into someone like this, especially if they aren't in a friendly mood and are looking for a fight instead?

Simply explain to them that we all hold vastly different perspectives on how the world operates; however, should they attempt to force their views through aggression, such actions will prove utterly futile. Is it not certain that they will inevitably face consequences if they choose to resort to violence?

So, I was thinking about this the other day—what’s actually the real deal when you look at the difference between acute psychosis (like a brief psychotic disorder) and schizophrenia? On paper, they seem almost identical since both involve losing touch with reality, dealing with delusions, and experiencing hallucinations. Even the medications used for schizophrenia are typically the ones prescribed for acute psychosis. If the treatment is basically the same, why do we bother making such a distinct split in the terminology and the diagnostic codes? It always felt a bit redundant to me.

Laura Castillo6 said:So, I was thinking about this the other day—what’s actually the real deal when you look at the difference between acute psychosis (like a brief psychotic disorder) and schizophrenia? On paper, they seem almost identical since both involve losing touch with reality, dealing with delusions, and experiencing hallucinations. Even the medications used for schizophrenia are typically the ones prescribed for acute psychosis. If the treatment is basically the same, why do we bother making such a distinct split in the terminology and the diagnostic codes? It always felt a bit redundant to me.

It would seem that the fundamental distinction lies solely in the duration of the symptoms. Brief psychotic disorder typically lasts less than a month, whereas schizophrenia persists far beyond that threshold.

Is it not remarkable that some patients can fully recover from brief psychotic disorder in as little as a week?

Even individuals who have attempted suicide—despite having no prior history of mental illness—can be stabilized through just three to seven days of inpatient care at a facility like Mayo Clinic. Of course, extended treatment remains an option should the patient choose to accept it.

So, does someone actually need to be on antipsychotics for the rest of their life, whether we're talking about schizophrenia or just a single episode of acute psychosis?