Schizophrenia - General Discussion

Harold Anderson3 said:If we were actually living under a fascist regime, we would have been wiped out in a heartbeat. Those old fairytales about communism never truly took root anyway, but under this brand of cutthroat capitalism we're dealing with now, we're just being phased out slowly. Unless you happen to be lucky enough to rely on some kind of family pension—ideally something like a veteran's benefit, which a colleague was mentioning a few posts up earlier—you're basically on your own.

Karl Brandt.

And yet, how dare these various Nazi keyboard warriors attempt to wage war over the idea that the Nazis maintained a humane approach to eugenics? How can they suggest that they merely practiced sterilization rather than the systematic murder of the mentally ill and the disabled?

Jason Kim6 said:I’ve been diagnosed with residual schizophrenia at a state hospital in Chicago—though I’m convinced the diagnosis is wrong, which is honestly just frustrating. The psychologist who tested me made this whole distinction between positive and negative symptoms; she claims I have the negative ones. But so what if I’m withdrawn? I’m certainly not the only one. Does being introverted automatically make me some kind of severe psychiatric case? I mean, I have definitely dealt with my fair share of struggles in life—but I don't think they have anything to do with schizophrenia.

Based on how you're describing things, it doesn't sound like you're dealing with schizo, though then again, I can't quite wrap my head around why being a bit withdrawn would land you in a New York City ward in the first place.

It might not be about the schizophrenia specifically, but rather about the potential for mistakes in the system; I’ve been following a thread about insomnia for a while, particularly regarding one user whose psychiatrist handed down a diagnosis that, in my estimation, seemed highly questionable—I really wouldn't say there's much logic to it. Then, on a discussion about bipolar disorder, several other folks mentioned they were slapped with depression diagnoses and subsequently prescribed antidepressants, which naturally ended up making their manic episodes even worse. So, you absolutely have every right to be skeptical and go looking for a second opinion.

In my view, if you are functioning as well as you claim to be and feel like you shouldn't seek professional help, then what I'm about to say isn't exactly "ideal" advice, but please, keep this in mind: once they give you a diagnosis—even an incorrect one—it goes straight onto your permanent medical record. And once that's on your file, who is going to want to hire you? Not to mention the whole inevitable issue of social stigma, which might just be the thing that finally pushes someone over the edge into a complete breakdown.👎

Nicole Barrett76 said:Karl Brandt.

And yet, how dare these various Nazi keyboard warriors attempt to wage war over the idea that the Nazis maintained a humane approach to eugenics? How can they suggest that they merely practiced sterilization rather than the systematic murder of the mentally ill and the disabled?

Nicole Barrett76, are you actually losing your mind here?

When it comes to the Nazis, honestly, they should have just committed mass suicide because they were clearly suffering from severe mental illness; they conjured up a completely imaginary conspiracy theory—one they genuinely believed in—and based on that delusion, they engineered a very real, very tangible conspiracy that resulted in the slaughter of millions of civilians. They were likely just paranoid schizophrenics.🍿

darksurfer4 said:Nicole Barrett76, are you actually losing your mind here?

When it comes to the Nazis, honestly, they should have just committed mass suicide because they were clearly suffering from severe mental illness; they conjured up a completely imaginary conspiracy theory—one they genuinely believed in—and based on that delusion, they engineered a very real, very tangible conspiracy that resulted in the slaughter of millions of civilians. They were likely just paranoid schizophrenics.🍿

As someone living with profound visual impairment alongside ongoing endocrine issues, I find myself constantly navigating a world that feels increasingly out of reach. How can one truly engage with life when vision is reduced to a mere ten percent in the right eye and a staggering two and a half percent in the left?

darksurfer4 said:Nicole Barrett76, are you actually losing your mind here?

When it comes to the Nazis, honestly, they should have just committed mass suicide because they were clearly suffering from severe mental illness; they conjured up a completely imaginary conspiracy theory—one they genuinely believed in—and based on that delusion, they engineered a very real, very tangible conspiracy that resulted in the slaughter of millions of civilians. They were likely just paranoid schizophrenics.🍿

Of course.

Even today, one can still witness a pale, diminished shadow of that madness lingering within North Korea.

Nicole Barrett76 said:As someone living with profound visual impairment alongside ongoing endocrine issues, I find myself constantly navigating a world that feels increasingly out of reach. How can one truly engage with life when vision is reduced to a mere ten percent in the right eye and a staggering two and a half percent in the left?

Of course.

Even today, one can still witness a pale, diminished shadow of that madness lingering within North Korea.

Look, I’m glad to hear you aren't dealing with schizophrenia, and while I certainly sympathize with your vision struggles—and I truly hope you stick around this forum despite them—I think you went a bit overboard with that comparison between the Nazis and North Korea. Sure, it's a non-democratic regime, but equating them directly to Nazism feels like a massive reach. Honestly, if you ask me, they probably take better care of people with disabilities in North Korea than we do here in the States...

I’ve been spending far too much time lately digging through Google, specifically looking into residual schizophrenia, and honestly, it isn't some "milder" version of the disorder—in fact, I don't think a "milder" version even exists in the way people imagine. What we’re actually looking at is a specific state characterized by profound isolation, a total withdrawal from the world, and this heavy, dragging motor retardation that just slows everything down. It’s a complete lack of willpower or any drive to engage with life, leading to things like neglecting basic hygiene and just... fading away.

darksurfer4 said:Based on how you're describing things, it doesn't sound like you're dealing with schizo, though then again, I can't quite wrap my head around why being a bit withdrawn would land you in a New York City ward in the first place.

It might not be about the schizophrenia specifically, but rather about the potential for mistakes in the system; I’ve been following a thread about insomnia for a while, particularly regarding one user whose psychiatrist handed down a diagnosis that, in my estimation, seemed highly questionable—I really wouldn't say there's much logic to it. Then, on a discussion about bipolar disorder, several other folks mentioned they were slapped with depression diagnoses and subsequently prescribed antidepressants, which naturally ended up making their manic episodes even worse. So, you absolutely have every right to be skeptical and go looking for a second opinion.

In my view, if you are functioning as well as you claim to be and feel like you shouldn't seek professional help, then what I'm about to say isn't exactly "ideal" advice, but please, keep this in mind: once they give you a diagnosis—even an incorrect one—it goes straight onto your permanent medical record. And once that's on your file, who is going to want to hire you? Not to mention the whole inevitable issue of social stigma, which might just be the thing that finally pushes someone over the edge into a complete breakdown.👎

Look—it wasn't being withdrawn that landed me in New York City. It was because I took too many pills—meds I've been on since 2012—after I severely cut my arm due to my existential situation back then. My primary care doctor sent me to a hospital for an exam, where those pills were prescribed, and that's how I ended up in New York City; since then, I've had to take olanzapine and lorazepam. I don't think they're even that strong? As for the doctor who diagnosed me with schizophrenia—I suspect she's incompetent. Simply put—I've had struggles and issues throughout my life, but what does that have to do with schizophrenia? Lately, I've realized just how traumatic my life has been. And I can't really complain about the stigma, because most people just tell me—"you aren't crazy."

By the way—my medical records say I don't have any Unknown psychosis. What does that even mean? Someone told me my doctor couldn't decide on a diagnosis, so she just settled on schizophrenia, I guess. Finding work is impossible regardless of whether I'm healthy or not—there are just no jobs out there. I'm angry about being diagnosed this way—but what can I really do? These psychiatrists act like they hold the power of life and death. Interestingly, a psychiatrist in New York City once wrote that I was mentally sound and didn't need treatment. But I've lost that paperwork somewhere. I tend to be withdrawn—though I'm open to communicating—but I'd prefer if people reached out to me rather than me having to approach them.

darksurfer4 said:I’ve been spending far too much time lately digging through Google, specifically looking into residual schizophrenia, and honestly, it isn't some "milder" version of the disorder—in fact, I don't think a "milder" version even exists in the way people imagine. What we’re actually looking at is a specific state characterized by profound isolation, a total withdrawal from the world, and this heavy, dragging motor retardation that just slows everything down. It’s a complete lack of willpower or any drive to engage with life, leading to things like neglecting basic hygiene and just... fading away.

Exactly. And then doctors just hand out these terrifying diagnoses based on nothing more than their own subjective impressions.—I guess.

darksurfer4, you’ve really gone and lumped the Nazis in with those paranoid conspiracy theorists! Personally, I just don't see any connection there at all.

darksurfer4 said:I’ve been spending far too much time lately digging through Google, specifically looking into residual schizophrenia, and honestly, it isn't some "milder" version of the disorder—in fact, I don't think a "milder" version even exists in the way people imagine. What we’re actually looking at is a specific state characterized by profound isolation, a total withdrawal from the world, and this heavy, dragging motor retardation that just slows everything down. It’s a complete lack of willpower or any drive to engage with life, leading to things like neglecting basic hygiene and just... fading away.

It’s almost like you wrote my biography. Except, I don't deal with hallucinations or voices, even though my brain loves to trick me into thinking I hear them. To be honest, I talk to myself in my head all the time—it's like there's this constant movie playing behind my eyes, you know? Just running through ideas or whatever.

Is there anything more devastating than a psychiatrist delivering a crushing diagnosis through paperwork rather than looking a patient in the eye? It feels profoundly cruel when someone discovers their fate while traveling home, suddenly struck by the weight of it all—it’s enough to cause a heart attack or leave one utterly broken by grief.

I once had a doctor from Johns Hopkins write down a diagnosis of mental retardation without ever having the courage to tell me to my face. Naturally, this lack of directness did nothing to soften the blow; if anything, it made the confrontation with reality even more jarring.

I suppose I should be grateful that she finally had the decency to strike it from my record during my next appointment.

Jason Kim6 said:By the way—my medical records say I don't have any Unknown psychosis. What does that even mean? Someone told me my doctor couldn't decide on a diagnosis, so she just settled on schizophrenia, I guess. Finding work is impossible regardless of whether I'm healthy or not—there are just no jobs out there. I'm angry about being diagnosed this way—but what can I really do? These psychiatrists act like they hold the power of life and death. Interestingly, a psychiatrist in New York City once wrote that I was mentally sound and didn't need treatment. But I've lost that paperwork somewhere. I tend to be withdrawn—though I'm open to communicating—but I'd prefer if people reached out to me rather than me having to approach them.

Unknown psychosis likely means you aren't showing overt symptoms of schizophrenia, like hearing voices or having visual hallucinations. AT LEAST THAT'S MY GUESS, SINCE "MANIFEST" SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING BEING SHOWN OR DISPLAYED PUBLICLY.

Angela Stewart6 said:darksurfer4, you’ve really gone and lumped the Nazis in with those paranoid conspiracy theorists! Personally, I just don't see any connection there at all.

Perhaps I am mistaken; history has always been a stronger suit of mine than psychology. All things considered, the Nazis truly believed various conspiracies were being plotted against Germany, even if there is zero historical evidence to support those claims—they launched attacks and committed genocide largely because they were convinced by their own delusions. So, I ask you, what kind of diagnosis would you even assign to the Nazis?🤔

Nicole Barrett76 said:Is there anything more devastating than a psychiatrist delivering a crushing diagnosis through paperwork rather than looking a patient in the eye? It feels profoundly cruel when someone discovers their fate while traveling home, suddenly struck by the weight of it all—it’s enough to cause a heart attack or leave one utterly broken by grief.

I once had a doctor from Johns Hopkins write down a diagnosis of mental retardation without ever having the courage to tell me to my face. Naturally, this lack of directness did nothing to soften the blow; if anything, it made the confrontation with reality even more jarring.

I suppose I should be grateful that she finally had the decency to strike it from my record during my next appointment.

I honestly cannot fathom how she could have written that; I don't know what kind of impression you give off in person, but based on your posts, it's blindingly obvious that you aren't anywhere near being intellectually disabled...

darksurfer4 said:Unknown psychosis likely means you aren't showing overt symptoms of schizophrenia, like hearing voices or having visual hallucinations. AT LEAST THAT'S MY GUESS, SINCE "MANIFEST" SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING BEING SHOWN OR DISPLAYED PUBLICLY.

Perhaps I am mistaken; history has always been a stronger suit of mine than psychology. All things considered, the Nazis truly believed various conspiracies were being plotted against Germany, even if there is zero historical evidence to support those claims—they launched attacks and committed genocide largely because they were convinced by their own delusions. So, I ask you, what kind of diagnosis would you even assign to the Nazis?🤔

I honestly cannot fathom how she could have written that; I don't know what kind of impression you give off in person, but based on your posts, it's blindingly obvious that you aren't anywhere near being intellectually disabled...

So why did she diagnose me with schizophrenia then? I mean, what gives her the right—especially since she explicitly admitted there is no manifest psychosis present. Is she just diagnosing me this way to humiliate me?

Nicole Barrett76 said:Is there anything more devastating than a psychiatrist delivering a crushing diagnosis through paperwork rather than looking a patient in the eye? It feels profoundly cruel when someone discovers their fate while traveling home, suddenly struck by the weight of it all—it’s enough to cause a heart attack or leave one utterly broken by grief.

I once had a doctor from Johns Hopkins write down a diagnosis of mental retardation without ever having the courage to tell me to my face. Naturally, this lack of directness did nothing to soften the blow; if anything, it made the confrontation with reality even more jarring.

I suppose I should be grateful that she finally had the decency to strike it from my record during my next appointment.

Well, look at that, my dear piskavac—who exactly are these criminals and charlatans? Honestly, maybe it isn't even worth seeing a psychiatrist. You should probably just handle everything yourself—with friends and acquaintances, I guess.

@Jason Kim6
You’re actually the second person on this forum lately who’s been diagnosed with schizophrenia without showing any of the typical symptoms. Honestly, when I first got my diagnosis, I felt a sense of relief because I finally understood what I was up against and which medications I needed to take. I don't really view schizophrenia as some massive tragedy; the only thing that truly weighs me down is the heavy depression that often comes along with it. For me, those negative symptoms are the real struggle.
But then again, schizophrenia is generally regarded as one of the most complex and challenging mental health disorders out there, so I don't quite get why people try to downplay the diagnosis whenever someone deals with intense psychological issues. At my local hospital, like Mass General, they don't jump straight to that diagnosis no matter how severe a psychotic episode might be—they usually start with an acute psychosis diagnosis instead. It's only if the psychosis recurs a second time that they typically settle on a schizophrenia diagnosis, and once it's there, it tends to stick.

Jason Kim6 said:So why did she diagnose me with schizophrenia then? I mean, what gives her the right—especially since she explicitly admitted there is no manifest psychosis present. Is she just diagnosing me this way to humiliate me?

Look, you clearly aren't grasping the situation because you don't understand the fundamental distinction between positive and negative symptoms. First off, let me clarify that when we use the term "positive symptoms," it doesn't mean anything good; it refers to things like mania, where a patient might be in an extremely elevated mood, acting aggressively, claiming to talk to God, thinking they could start fires with their eyes, or coming up with a mountain of delusions—none of which are actually real. Those are the so-called positive signs. On the other hand, negative symptoms involve states of depression, general apathy, complete social withdrawal, cognitive dullness, sluggishness, suicidal ideation or attempts, and neglecting basic hygiene.

The diagnosis assigned to you involves those negative symptoms, a specific type of schizophrenia that isn't quite as widely discussed in the mainstream. You claim you don't have schizophrenia, and honestly, that’s my impression too, but that is strictly just my personal take; you really ought to seek a second opinion. However, if you do go looking for another doctor, please, for heaven's sake, do not mention this idea that the woman who diagnosed you has some personal vendetta against you or is trying to belittle you. That would sound a bit freaky, to put it mildly. Instead, simply state that you have doubts regarding her expertise and mention that you've seen another psychiatrist in the past who didn't give you such a diagnosis. Assuming you don't have the official paperwork handy, you probably know which doctor it was, right?

I know which doctor told me I’m perfectly healthy—but honestly, I think I’m just neurotic.

Jason Kim6 said:I know which doctor told me I’m perfectly healthy—but honestly, I think I’m just neurotic.

Highly questionable, isn't it? Even if we take your claim of being a "neurotic" at face value—which, let's be honest, is a stretch...

Neuroses can actually leave you with consequences that are arguably much worse than psychosis; I consider myself a former neurotic (well, I think so, anyway), and believe me when I say that state of mind is nothing to be trifled with. In my view, managing neurosis is the true litmus test for psychologists and psychiatrists alike because, frankly, the chemistry plays such a minor role in the grand scheme of things; you might throw some temporary antidepressants at the problem and call it a day regarding the biology, but everything else? That’s all about the actual work with the patient...

Does darksurfer4 know that Hitler actually wanted to be a painter? He went through some incredibly tough times, but even though he had genuine talent, the art schools just wouldn't have him. Honestly, who can truly say what was going on in his head—but at the end of the day, evil is evil. However, schizophrenia presents itself through a whole different set of symptoms—things like hallucinations or delusions where people become convinced someone is trying to poison them and such. But it isn't about acting in a group or a duo; it’s a solitary struggle within one's own mind. I used to experience those kinds of intrusive thoughts quite often myself—I would just try to talk myself through it or rationalize that I was simply "tripping." That's how I deal with it; I might lean toward those impulses sometimes, but I much more heavily favor staying grounded in reality. Perhaps those individuals were just operating under false beliefs. Could it be a matter of misplaced faith? 🤔