Schizophrenia - General Discussion

Dr. Diego, if I’m reading you right, you’re living with roommates rather than your parents. If that's the case, honestly, that's great. Having roommates is fine, though having your own place—your own studio apartment—would be even better. 🙂 You know, just having that space where you can do whatever you want. If you feel like walking around naked through your apartment, go for it. But have you ever thought about stopping this cycle of constantly catering to everyone else's needs? I mean, meeting other people's expectations? I knew these guys back in college who were basically forced by their parents to pursue certain degrees. One guy I knew... man, it was heavy. His dad pushed him first, then his mom, and he was so attached to her that he just went along with it. It wasn't until she passed away, maybe five or six years ago, that he finally realized he actually hated that career path. He couldn't stand it. Now he's looking for something entirely different. What I'm trying to say is, you don't have to wait until you're an adult and your parents pass away to find yourself. Most people only find true clarity after they lose them, and even then, it's bittersweet. You'll look back at those old memories—some good, some pretty ugly—and think, "My God, why did I put myself through that?" But regarding the whole college thing, you don't need to wait for tragedy to strike to realize what you want. It's better to finish your education on your own terms now. You see what I mean? You have to learn how to stop living for everyone else's habits and demands. The "you must do this" and "you have to do that" mentality is real. And I get it, it's tough because they're your parents. They genuinely believe they know what's best for you. But at the end of the day, you're the one who knows what's in your heart. You know what you truly want and how you want to live your life, regardless of whatever plans they might have mapped out for you.

Dr. Diego, look, this is exactly why I’m drawn to this whole thing. It calls to my soul. Because there, they tell you straight up: the one feeding you is the one guiding you. When you try these medicinal drink treatments—before you even swallow the Ayahuasca—the shaman basically tells you, "You’re about to get a thousand psychotherapy sessions packed into a single night." To me, that just makes sense. Going to a traditional therapist feels like such a slog; you have to go back and dig through ten years of trauma, and what if the therapist is incompetent and leads you down a dead end? I see people posting here saying things like, "Your mother didn't nurse you right." Sure, maybe she didn't. But why? What was wrong with her that she couldn't do it right? Why was she so dissatisfied? Honestly, I don't think my mom failed me like that. She was an angel; she used to sing to me constantly, and she kept singing right up until the end. We just got hit hard by sickness. She developed diabetes and fell into a coma; I was the one trying to wake her up, calling 911, all that. Everything went south after that. She almost died from tuberculosis because it spread so fast when she refused to see the doctor, and she ended up in the ICU at Mayo Clinic. That whole ordeal just wrecked us. No one knew how to handle it. And then, on top of that, we dealt with the war, being broke, the constant struggle for money... it's been everything. Now, my brother calls me up and says he wants to help me buy a washing machine. He means well, offering to let me pay him back in installments through him, but I told him, "No thanks." I don't want to be stuck owing money ten months from now. I just said no, and he was totally cool about it. He wasn't even mad! He just said, "Okay, man, whatever you want." Why were things always so difficult before? Now it's just, "If you don't want to, okay. No problem." And because of all that life stuff, I feel like I’d need ten years of psychiatry to process it all. But instead, you go to a jungle clinic where you get the full picture—past, present, and future—all at once. Everything connects. Sure, it probably takes ten months to fully recover, but at least you come out healed, or at least finally seeing the problems for what they are. Everyone has their own path, I guess.

Jose Ward4🤣🤣

I haven't read everything you wrote, but I have to say, you’re actually quite amusing in a certain way—it's almost endearing. You know, there are people living with schizophrenia who can be surprisingly witty and good company; I actually know someone like that myself.🍿

Now, Dr. Diego is a different story entirely. He’s much more serious and acutely aware of the reality of his situation. One could argue he’s fighting this illness quite effectively, which is why the moderator dubbed him a fighter—which is a nice sentiment, I suppose—but is it enough? Honestly, I suspect Diego has set some incredibly lofty standards for himself, standards that are often difficult to reach even for people without any health struggles at all, let alone for someone managing schizophrenia.

Dr. Diego and Azalea, thanks for the input! Yeah, the wait times to see Dr. Kocijan are brutal—it’s about a month and a half before you can actually get an appointment here in the States.

Dr. Diego, my mom has been fighting her own battle with depression for years... based on what I've seen, if I were in your shoes right now with enrollment season kicking off, I’d honestly suggest looking into switching schools entirely. Maybe even pivot to a vocational program or community college just to change your career path and open up some job prospects? Spending a whole year stuck in the grind of an incredibly grueling university program is just dragging out the misery, isn't it? Beyond that, why not shake up your entire environment? Find a hobby that actually gives you a spark—maybe joining a local choir if you’ve got the pipes, hitting the hiking trails with a solid group of people, or volunteering for a local nonprofit... anything that puts you around new faces and might lead to some genuine friendships. It’s essentially a total life reset. In my experience, having a sense of purpose every single day is the absolute best weapon against depression.

Good luck! 🙂

darksurfer4 said:Jose Ward4🤣🤣

I haven't read everything you wrote, but I have to say, you’re actually quite amusing in a certain way—it's almost endearing. You know, there are people living with schizophrenia who can be surprisingly witty and good company; I actually know someone like that myself.🍿

Now, Dr. Diego is a different story entirely. He’s much more serious and acutely aware of the reality of his situation. One could argue he’s fighting this illness quite effectively, which is why the moderator dubbed him a fighter—which is a nice sentiment, I suppose—but is it enough? Honestly, I suspect Diego has set some incredibly lofty standards for himself, standards that are often difficult to reach even for people without any health struggles at all, let alone for someone managing schizophrenia.

Alright then. Thanks 😁

Look, you don't exactly have to go to college if you don't want to! Dr. Diego

@Jose Ward4, darksurfer4, Larry Cooper89, thanks so much everyone.

Honestly, I’m feeling pretty regretful now that I didn't head down to the coast for the summer to work as a referee at some local restaurant; everything was already lined up, and I had people convincing me not to drop out of college, but now those same people have completely vanished without a trace. It looks like I won't be finishing my degree, and even if I could, I’ve really taken a massive hit to my pride regarding the whole situation.

Take my mechanics class, for instance. I just can't keep up with it; I sit there in the lecture hall like a total vegetable, scribbling down whatever scraps of information I can manage before the moment passes, and then what? How am I supposed to pass? My concentration and motivation just aren't there, and you really can't study effectively like this.
If I actually had the means to see a private psychiatrist twice a week, things might be looking a bit different, but relying on public healthcare feels like such a dismal level of medical care. My new doctor is swamped with incredibly severe cases—people who struggle to string two coherent sentences together—so she really doesn't have the bandwidth to give me academic advice. And honestly, she seems just as lost as I am because her entire specialization is handling the most extreme crises.
I don't know, Jose Ward4, were you ever hospitalized at a facility like the VA? Because they've placed me in the male chronic ward for the first time, which marks my seventh hospitalization. Some of the people here struggle with basic things like using the restroom or eating on their own; they are entirely dependent on others. On one hand, the system places me among people like this (and I truly don't mean to offend or belittle anyone, but some folks are really struggling deeply), yet on the other hand, this same system expects me to be independent, financially self-sufficient, and a "normal" person. But I can only achieve that if I finish school. Actually, my school isn't even a major university; it's more of a community college, so objectively it shouldn't be that difficult, but for someone in my position, it feels impossible.

I feel like I’ve said this a hundred times already: there are people on one side who want to encourage me, saying things like, "You can do this, you're so smart," (maybe back when I was in middle or high school). Then there's reality on the other side. I mean, does it really matter what my struggles with school are for me or anyone else? If you become an engineer, nobody is going to ask if you have schizophrenia, epilepsy, or whatever else you're dealing with. The system just grinds everything down without exception. That's capitalism for you—it might sound pessimistic, but the definition of this system is that only the best survive. It's just like evolution and natural selection. That's all I meant.

And as for trying to fight this illness through sheer willpower, that's basically Mission Impossible. Schizophrenia is a drastic biochemical imbalance of chemicals in the brain, specifically the neurotransmitters. That applies to almost any mental illness, but schizophrenia is the most extreme example. Being positive or surrounding yourself with happy people might help during bouts of sadness or mild depression, but when you're facing this kind of severe chemical imbalance, it simply doesn't work. Medications help to an extent, but they aren't a silver bullet, and currently, there just isn't an effective cure for this condition.

In what way does the madness manifest for you? My apologies if I missed that part of our discussion.

George Cook said:In what way does the madness manifest for you? My apologies if I missed that part of our discussion.

I find myself constantly cycling through depressive, manic, and psychotic states.
When I’m in a depressive slump, everything just looks bleak; I lose interest in everything, my motivation vanishes, and I feel like I'm just sinking under the weight of it all. It's just that heavy, listless sadness.
When I hit a manic phase, I suddenly care about everything again—I'm active, social, and full of energy. For me, though, the depression usually lingers much longer than the mania.
Then there's the psychotic state, which doesn't happen as often since I stay very consistent with my medication, but when it does, it feels like an intense, amplified version of mania. I get this sense of superiority over everyone else, start pitching these completely unrealistic ideas or grand plans, and occasionally deal with hallucinations.
It’s usually those psychotic episodes that land me in the hospital, though sometimes a particularly brutal bout of depression can do the same.

Ultimately, schizophrenia is such a complex mental health disorder—probably one of the most intricate ones out there, even if it isn't always categorized as the "hardest" to live with. Statistically speaking, people dealing with clinical depression actually have a higher suicide rate than those with schizophrenia (around 15% compared to 10%).

Man, it’s like you just wrote a biography of me—except, you know, without all the hallucinations. Everything hits home, even that bit about how I learn. No wonder school was such a disaster for me. 🍿

Look, I’m not saying you’re crazy, even if you have a "diagnosis" on paper. This is something else entirely. Honestly, I think people read way too much into this stuff. You listen to these experts talking about neurotransmitters and serotonin levels, and suddenly you think you're just a walking database of biological chemicals. That’s not how it works. I remember when my doctors were trying to convince me that my brain was just low on serotonin or whatever, even though I felt perfectly fine. Don't go reading all that junk online and acting like you've got the cure yourself, you know? There are plenty of herbal teas out there, but you have to be incredibly careful. You can't just drink anything if you're already on medication—especially psychotropic drugs. There's a whole world of options, really. Just check them out.

Take me, for example. I tried hibiscus once. Big mistake. That’s why I’m telling you to watch yourself. I’ve seen people drink up to twelve cups a day without a second thought. Well, I made mine a little too strong, and man, once it kicked in... my heart started racing, I could barely breathe, and I'm pretty sure my blood pressure tanked. But once the dust settled, it felt like I had taken ten of the pills I'm on now. It gave me this massive boost, like everything just suddenly felt bright again. My family keeps telling me there are natural ways to fix everything, but honestly, I’m too scared to try it again because you can't risk your life when you're on prescription meds. I picked it up at Whole Foods. But hey, using natural remedies for treatment is a whole different conversation.

Dr. Diego, I know I didn't exactly help you out much with my last post since I ended up writing stuff I probably shouldn't have. But hey, if you want to give your logic and confidence a little boost—and honestly, it’s great for your lungs because it helps clear out all that junk—then listen up. I smoke, so I speak from experience here. Try some ginger tea; it’s incredibly relaxing. Just a heads-up though: ginger is pretty potent, so don't go overboard. Stick to no more than two 7-ounce servings a day. Here’s how you do it: grab some fresh ginger, wash it well, and grate it after peeling off that brown skin. You want about a tablespoon of grated ginger. Boil some water—maybe a bit more than you'll actually need, say about a cup and a half. Once the water hits a boil, take it off the heat first, then stir in your grated ginger. Let it steep for anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how hot you like your tea. Whatever you do, don't let it sit for less than 10 minutes. You can drink it hot or cold, just don't exceed those two cups. It's a small thing, really. You could even toss the extra grated ginger into your food if you want.

I just wanted to let you know that I’m currently on some medication, so if I seem a bit off, please bear with me—it's probably better if we don't dive too deep into things until I'm feeling more like myself. 😛

I think I'll give the ginger a shot; thanks so much for the suggestion. Personally, I’ve always been a big fan of fennel, nettle, or peppermint tea too. I enjoy green tea as well, though the really high-quality stuff can get pretty pricey if you're picking it up at a specialty shop like Whole Foods
.
To be honest, though, nothing really hits the spot quite like a good cup of coffee. ☕

Hey everyone, I have a quick question... I was wondering how many of you, following an F23 diagnosis—you know, those acute and transient psychotic disorders—eventually received a diagnosis of schizophrenia or perhaps something even more severe? I guess it’s just on my mind. Thanks.

bluedrifter45 said:Hey everyone, I have a quick question... I was wondering how many of you, following an F23 diagnosis—you know, those acute and transient psychotic disorders—eventually received a diagnosis of schizophrenia or perhaps something even more severe? I guess it’s just on my mind. Thanks.

I’ve been sitting under the same diagnosis for five years now. Though, honestly, there's probably way more going on—what do they call it? Co-occurring stuff. I've likely got OCD, depression, maybe some personality disorder, who knows what else at this point. I don't even bother with psychiatrists anymore. My old lady just handles things and picks up my meds. There's zero point in them, anyway. At least, it hasn't worked for me.

bluedrifter45 said:Hey everyone, I have a quick question... I was wondering how many of you, following an F23 diagnosis—you know, those acute and transient psychotic disorders—eventually received a diagnosis of schizophrenia or perhaps something even more severe? I guess it’s just on my mind. Thanks.

For most people, yes. Generally speaking, a schizophrenia diagnosis isn't handed out right after the first psychotic episode; usually, it happens after a second one if things recur, even if the symptoms feel pretty much identical. So, if this is happening to you, please don't just stop your medication, because if the psychosis returns, that's when it becomes much easier for doctors to label it as schizophrenia. Aside from the actual diagnosis change, nothing fundamental shifts—you still need to stay on your meds. My only concern is that each subsequent episode tends to be more intense, which unfortunately means the recovery process gets longer and harder every time.😉

Carol Barrett2 said:I’ve been sitting under the same diagnosis for five years now. Though, honestly, there's probably way more going on—what do they call it? Co-occurring stuff. I've likely got OCD, depression, maybe some personality disorder, who knows what else at this point. I don't even bother with psychiatrists anymore. My old lady just handles things and picks up my meds. There's zero point in them, anyway. At least, it hasn't worked for me.

It always boiled down to the same script: "How are you feeling? Are you hearing voices?" or whatever. We'd talk for maybe a minute, tops. I can't tell you how many times I just sat there repeating that I don't hear voices and never have. I mean, if I had actually yelled it out loud—like, really lost it and raised my voice—they would've heard me, sure, but then they'd probably call the cops on me. For real. The truth is, nobody gives a damn about me. Honestly, the government, the elites... they couldn't care less about us. We're just cattle to them. And let's be real, those psychiatrists? They're part of that same elite circle, just another branch of the establishment.

Carol Barrett2 said:I’ve been sitting under the same diagnosis for five years now. Though, honestly, there's probably way more going on—what do they call it? Co-occurring stuff. I've likely got OCD, depression, maybe some personality disorder, who knows what else at this point. I don't even bother with psychiatrists anymore. My old lady just handles things and picks up my meds. There's zero point in them, anyway. At least, it hasn't worked for me.

Thanks for the response. I think I can agree with them regarding those adjustment disorders and various personality combinations... you know, the F60 stuff. Personally, I feel like the definition of psychosis could be interpreted differently, and that occasional, deliberate attention-seeking through inappropriate behavior—which is always under control, mind you—wouldn't necessarily be what I'd call psychosis, but fine. What really rubbed me the wrong way in the report was how they noted that while I deny sensory distortions, like hallucinations, they "cannot be ruled out with certainty." My blunt insistence that I have never heard or seen anything that isn't actually there clearly didn't satisfy them. God, this pseudoscience is exhausting...

bluedrifter45 said:Thanks for the response. I think I can agree with them regarding those adjustment disorders and various personality combinations... you know, the F60 stuff. Personally, I feel like the definition of psychosis could be interpreted differently, and that occasional, deliberate attention-seeking through inappropriate behavior—which is always under control, mind you—wouldn't necessarily be what I'd call psychosis, but fine. What really rubbed me the wrong way in the report was how they noted that while I deny sensory distortions, like hallucinations, they "cannot be ruled out with certainty." My blunt insistence that I have never heard or seen anything that isn't actually there clearly didn't satisfy them. God, this pseudoscience is exhausting...

Would you mind sharing which medications you're currently on?
I've always felt it’s a bit nonsensical to ask someone, "Are you hearing or seeing things that aren't there?" Because if they actually are experiencing hallucinations, then to them, those sensations are completely real, making it impossible to give a simple "no" answer. You can really only gauge the situation by observing how a person interacts with the world around them.

Harold Anderson3 said:Would you mind sharing which medications you're currently on?
I've always felt it’s a bit nonsensical to ask someone, "Are you hearing or seeing things that aren't there?" Because if they actually are experiencing hallucinations, then to them, those sensations are completely real, making it impossible to give a simple "no" answer. You can really only gauge the situation by observing how a person interacts with the world around them.

Furthermore, even if hallucinations occur, albeit rarely, should a patient not be placed under twenty-four-hour observation for a full month just to catch a single episode? Assessing a patient's state of consciousness, particularly during an initial psychiatric evaluation, is such a delicate, difficult, and sensitive endeavor, is it not?

I recall back in 2002 when a psychiatrist was attempting to determine if I suffered from any disturbances in consciousness; she feigned confusion while typing on her computer and actually asked me to correct her text! (She had skipped several lines in the following paragraph). I corrected it and returned to my seat. She then informed me that I showed no psychotic symptoms or disturbances in consciousness and that I was perfectly oriented.

But here is the catch: I am quite visually impaired, and I made sure to inform her of that immediately. It is also true that I find it somewhat more challenging to orient myself when entering an unfamiliar indoor space for the first time (though this isn't the case with outdoor environments). Had I not emphasized so clearly that my vision is poor and that I was due to my poor eyesight disoriented... or rather, temporarily incapacitated in my ability to use my sight for a few seconds, who knows what she might have written, or perhaps even suggested that I be held in the hospital?

At the time, I possessed a completely sound mind; I was merely facing immense stress at work and wished to consult a psychiatrist to prescribe some sedatives or sleep aids, since psychologists lack the authority to do so. And then, as part of my own personal growth, to pursue therapy with a psychologist.

Have you ever heard that individuals with epilepsy can experience a type of "object consciousness"? Is it not fascinating that they can function in such a narrowed state of awareness for days or even months before anyone notices something is wrong?

Of course, I only realized much later that my psychiatrist hadn't actually been confused while typing. Once I figured that out, I began digging through library books—this was long before the era of the Internet—to understand what kind of test that was, and how it was possible that she called me over to fix text when all she really needed to do was position the cursor in the blank lines and hit the delete key enough times to create spacing between paragraphs.

Ultimately... those who search, shall find. That is to say, those who seek answers will eventually uncover them. And especially now, in an age where information flows freely across the Internet, won't they find them even faster? It was while I was scouring medical encyclopedias in a library that I discovered that fact about epilepsy.