Schizophrenia - General Discussion

I have a brother living with Schizophrenia. He’s been struggling for about 10 years now—he’s 28. His current medication regimen includes Lorazepam 1mg and Risperdal 4mg; he’s also taking Effetil 500mg and receives a Haldol Depo injection every three weeks. His diagnosis is F-22 Raptor. The hardest part? He won't socialize with anyone—he hardly speaks, mostly just existing in a world entirely of his own. He spends most of his days just sitting around, drinking coffee and smoking. My parents are getting older, and honestly, we are at our wits' end—we simply don't know how to help him. I should mention that my parents are devout; they go to church regularly, they fast during all the religious holidays, and my mother is constantly reciting prayers. Before they found their faith, they were constantly being swindled by charlatans claiming to offer "help," which led to them stopping my brother's medication—a decision that turned out to be catastrophic. If you could please read this and if there is any way you can assist us, I am begging you to reach out. Thank you in advance.

Timothy Castillo7 said:I have a brother living with Schizophrenia. He’s been struggling for about 10 years now—he’s 28. His current medication regimen includes Lorazepam 1mg and Risperdal 4mg; he’s also taking Effetil 500mg and receives a Haldol Depo injection every three weeks. His diagnosis is F-22 Raptor. The hardest part? He won't socialize with anyone—he hardly speaks, mostly just existing in a world entirely of his own. He spends most of his days just sitting around, drinking coffee and smoking. My parents are getting older, and honestly, we are at our wits' end—we simply don't know how to help him. I should mention that my parents are devout; they go to church regularly, they fast during all the religious holidays, and my mother is constantly reciting prayers. Before they found their faith, they were constantly being swindled by charlatans claiming to offer "help," which led to them stopping my brother's medication—a decision that turned out to be catastrophic. If you could please read this and if there is any way you can assist us, I am begging you to reach out. Thank you in advance.

And tell me, do you ever actually hold a conversation with him, even though he has Schizophrenia? Does it make a difference?

Kenneth Price74 said:Fine, you want an example?
I just didn't have the energy to leave the house anymore. 🙄
Now I remember sitting in a chair for two weeks straight, just staring at notebooks. My entire existence was reduced to eating, sleeping, and fighting.
Just watching them. 😂

Man, this is ridiculous!
And that counts as Schizophrenia?
I’ve had phases that don't even have a diagnosis yet, and they were probably way worse than schizoaffective.

Two weeks...

Shit... ☕

Kenneth Price74 said:It’s all relative; you always end up right back where you started.
Relativity. ☕

Phases or no phases,
diagnosis or no diagnosis, whatever. ☕

Alright. What exactly did I mean when I asked if you could explain the state you were in before therapy a bit better?
Specifically, you mentioned the movie F-22 Raptor, where that character literally sees things that aren't there—like that little girl and her roommate, and so on.

Was it like that for you too? Did you have a whole group of people around, only to realize later they weren't actually there... < ugh, wow, that sounds intense >

Following the guidance of my physicians, I decided to write a few honest words after my struggle for recognition of lunatics as equals to all other people. I suppose any response is preferable to silence, though believing I could truly shift someone's attitude might be nothing more than naive optimism.
Nevertheless, I harbor no regrets. Perhaps I ought to clarify the distinction between manic-depressive disorder
and schizophrenia.
First doesn't influence thinking as much and affects more emotions, whereas schizophrenia affects practically the entire personality.
My own experience falls somewhere in between.
It is irrational to expect those struggling with mental illness to simply "snap out of it," given that a primary symptom is a profound lack of will.
Furthermore, I personally distance myself from anyone who lacks the stomach to deal with my struggles.
As the years pass and the stigma fades, things have become more manageable. It is quite telling when an eighteen-year-old approaches me—someone I perhaps only see twice a year—and remarks: "I can see you are handling it well." Such moments provide necessary perspective on how I should conduct my life, what deserves my concern, and what my future holds.

Famous People with Schizophrenia source:Schizophrenia through history

Schizophrenia through history The First famous person is Buddha. Born as the son of a king, it is my understanding that he was married solely to produce an heir, an event that coincided with his expulsion from the kingdom. Buddhism serves as a philosophy offering psychological guidance on achieving happiness. Today we call the psychology used by Buddha for cognitive. Developing such a philosophy in that era must surely constitute the greatest intellectual achievement in the history of mankind. Obvious signs of Buddha's schizophrenia lie in his morality and his indifference toward social standing; he addresses a thief with the same grace he affords a priest.

Next we have Socrates. His entire existence served as a tribute to morality. He lived and breathed morality, ultimately dying for it. Signs of his schizophrenia are found in this unwavering morality and the internal voice he claimed guided him.

Then comes Jesus. He is perhaps the most obvious schizophrenic. Jesus possessed a profound morality, demonstrated by the utmost respect he showed to a prostitute. His teachings are unique, centered entirely on love. I refuse to offer interpretations or predictions regarding why Jesus brought this gospel to humanity. Regarding Jesus' signs as a schizophrenic, it is sufficient to note that making such a claim in the current climate would result in being institutionalized.

In modern times we have Henri Charriere, the author of the autobiography Papillon. Henri's nature was unmistakable in his non-judgmental demeanor and his constant effort to maintain dignity despite being falsely convicted of murder. At the end of his life, he also forgives those responsible for his wrongful conviction. His schizophrenia is evident in a sense of morality that prevented him from descending into the animalistic state society attempted to force upon him.

Another person I suspect of being schizophrenic is Janis Joplin, who poured immense love into her singing. I harbor the feeling that Janis Joplin's death was no mere accident. Perhaps the most schizophrenic aspect of Janis Joplin was her profound loneliness—a condition she shares with so many schizophrenics in today's society.

Two famous Jewish people that I strongly feel are schizophrenic are Albert Einstein and Erich Fromm. Both individuals endured difficult early adulthoods characterized by a lack of recognition and failed marriages. Today, both are revered as giants in their respective fields. Fromm’s most significant contribution is undoubtedly his interpretation of history in psychological terms in Escape from Freedom.

Finally, I claim that the Dalai Lama has a schizophrenic nature to honor the memory of Buddha.

* Tom Harrell, Jazz Musician
* Meera Popkin, Broadway Star
* John Nash, Nobel Prize Winner
* Eduard Einstein, son of Albert Einstein
* Dr. James Watson's son (Dr. Watson is co-discoverer of DNA and a Nobel Prize winner)
* Alan Aldo's Mother (Alan Aldo is the famous TV actor from the series M*A*S*H)
* Andy Goram, Scottish Soccer Player / Goalkeeper
* Lionel Aldridge, Super Bowl-winning football player
* Peter Green, Guitarist for the band Fleetwood Mac
* Syd Barrett of the band Pink Floyd
* Alexander 'Skip' Spence and Bob Mosley, both members of the 1960’s rock group Moby Grape (and Jefferson Airplane for Skip Spence)
* Roger Kynard 'Roky' Erickson, of the Austin-based 1960’s group The 13th Floor Elevators
* Joe Meek, 1960’s British record producer
* James Gordon (Jim Gordon) — James Gordon had been, quite simply, one of the greatest drummers of his time
* Charles 'Buddy' Bolden, Jazz Musician
* Antonin Artaud, Artist, Dramatist
* Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of Abraham Lincoln (past-President of the United States)
* Vaslav Nijinsky, Famous Russian Dancer
* Jack Kerouac, Author, was diagnosed with Schizophrenia
* Tennessee Williams' sister Rose Williams had Schizophrenia
(source: Tennessee Williams Notebooks, Edited by Margaret Bradham Thornton, Yale University Press, 2007)

The term schizoaffective disorder was first coined by Dr. Jacob Kasanin back in 1933. It remains a deeply perplexing mental illness, characterized by a complex intersection of symptoms: you have the thought disorder or psychotic elements—such as hallucinations or delusions—which constitute the schizophrenia component, paired with the symptoms of a mood disorder, whether that be depressive or manic. This coupling of symptoms from two entirely different spectrums is precisely what makes treating schizoaffective patients so incredibly difficult.

Schizoaffective disorder is defined using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria or by International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) coding. This disorder presents a combination of features: it includes elements of Schizophrenia—such as hallucinations, delusions, and distorted thinking—alongside a distinct mood component, like depression or mania. Is it not a complex intersection of two different worlds?

A diagnosis is reached only when a patient exhibits characteristics of both conditions without strictly meeting the full diagnostic criteria for either schizophrenia or a mood disorder on its own. Unfortunately, it is incredibly difficult to discern whether a patient is battling two distinct illnesses—schizophrenia and a mood disorder—a complex combination of the two, or perhaps an entirely separate condition that exists independently of both. Making a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder presents a significant challenge, primarily because it encompasses two other diagnostic entities: schizophrenia and mood disorders. To achieve an accurate diagnosis, the patient must satisfy the criteria for major depressive disorder or mania while simultaneously meeting the criteria for schizophrenia. Furthermore, there is a critical requirement: the patient must experience psychosis for at least two weeks in the absence of a mood disorder.

Men diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder frequently demonstrate antisocial personality traits. The age of onset is later for women than for men, and the exact etiology and epidemiology is unclear because of limited research in this area. It is generally believed that patients with schizoaffective disorder have a better prognosis than those suffering from schizophrenia. Effective treatment typically requires a combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy.

Pathophysiology: Although the exact etiology of schizoaffective disorder is unknown.

Pathophysiology: Although the exact etiology of schizoaffective disorder is unknown, it may involve the balance of dopamine and serotonin in the brain. Others believe that it may be due to in utero exposure to viruses, malnutrition, or even birth complications.
Frequency in the United States The...
United States

The lifetime prevalence of schizoaffective disorder is estimated to be around 0.32%, though some suggest a range between 0.5% and 0.8%. It is important to note that these figures are merely estimates; no definitive studies have actually been conducted to confirm them.
International

International prevalence rates remain incredibly difficult to pinpoint, primarily because the diagnostic criteria have undergone several shifts over the recent years.
Mortality / Morbidity

The prognosis for individuals diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder is generally considered to fall somewhere in the middle—sandwiched between the clinical outlook for patients with schizophrenia and those suffering from a pure mood disorder. To put it plainly: the prognosis for schizoaffective disorder is typically more favorable than it is for schizophrenia, yet significantly less optimistic than for a standalone mood disorder.

It is generally believed that individuals presenting with the bipolar subtype face a prognosis comparable to those diagnosed with bipolar type I. Conversely, the prognosis for those exhibiting the depressive subtype is thought to mirror that of people living with Schizophrenia. Ultimately, determining an accurate prognosis remains a complex and difficult task.
*

The estimated suicide rate stands at 10% (Williams, 1998). One must also account for the disparities in suicide attempts across various ethnic demographics. Within the United States, Caucasian individuals exhibit a higher suicide rate compared to African Americans. Furthermore, immigrants tend to face higher suicide rates than those born in the country. When examining gender, women attempt suicide more frequently than men, yet men complete suicide more often.
*

Schizoaffective disorder appears to affect women more frequently than men. However, this trend seems heavily influenced by the fact that women are more often diagnosed within the depressive subtype rather than the bipolar subtype.
*

* Generally speaking, a poor prognosis in patients diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder is linked to several factors: a poor premorbid history, an insidious onset, an absence of precipitating factors, a predominance of psychosis, the presence of negative symptoms, an early onset, an unremitting course, or the existence of a family member with schizophrenia.

Race

There are no observable differences in diagnosis based on race.

Sex
Schizoaffective disorder is more prevalent in women than in men. While women are affected, men with schizoaffective disorder often demonstrate antisocial traits and behaviors, distinguishing them from other personality profiles. Furthermore, the age of onset is later for women than for men, and the exact etiology and epidemiology is unclear because of limited research in this area.

Age
In younger populations, schizoaffective disorder tends to manifest as the bipolar subtype, whereas older individuals are more likely to be diagnosed with the depressive subtype.

Background Information

* history * Diagnostic criteria for schizoaffective disorder are as follows: 4

o An uninterrupted period of illness occurs during which a major depressive episode, a manic episode, or a mixed episode occurs with symptoms that meet criterion A for schizophrenia. The major depressive episode must include criterion A1, ie, depressed mood.
o

o During the same period of illness, delusions or hallucinations occur for at least 2 weeks, in the absence of prominent mood symptoms.
o

o Symptoms that meet the criteria for mood episodes are present for a substantial portion of the total active and residual periods of illness.
o

o The disturbance is not due to the direct physiologic effects of a substance (eg, illicit drugs, medications) or a general medical condition.
o

o The bipolar type is diagnosed if the disturbance includes a manic or a mixed episode (or a manic or a mixed episode and major depressive episodes).
o

o The depressive type is diagnosed if the disturbance includes only major depressive episodes.

Physical Assessment

Physical: Obtain a complete medical history and perform a complete mental status examination, physical examination, and neurologic examination to assist with the evaluation and rule out other disease processes.

Although the mental status examination varies for each patient, examples of items to assess are listed below. Because of the variability of the presentation of the disorder, any or all symptoms of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder may manifest depending on the presenting subtype.

* Appearance - Ranges from well-groomed to disheveled
*

* Eye contact - Appropriate, increased, or decreased
*

* Facial expression - Neutral, angry, euphoric, sad
*

* Motor - Possible psychomotor agitation or retardation
*

* Cooperativeness - May cooperate or may be uncooperative
*

* Mood - Euthymic, depressed, or manic
*

* Affect - Ranges from appropriate to flat
*

* Speech - Ranges from poverty to flight of ideas or pressured
*

* Suicidal ideation - May or may not be present. Remember that individuals with this disorder have a lifetime risk for suicide, which is significant. Inquiring about suicidal ideation at each visit is always important. In addition, the interviewer should inquire about past acts of self-harm or violence. Ask the following types of questions when determining suicidal ideation or intent. "Do you have any thoughts of wanting to harm or kill yourself?" "Do you have any thoughts that you would be better off dead?" If the reply is positive for these thoughts, inquire about specific plans, suicide notes, family history (anniversary reaction), and impulse control. Also, ask how the patient views suicide to determine if a suicidal gesture or act is ego-syntonic or ego-dystonic. Next, determine if the patient will contract for safety.
*

* Homicidal ideation - May or may not be present. Inquiring about homicidal ideation or intent during each patient interview is also important. Ask the following types of questions to help determine homicidal ideation or intent. "Do you have any thoughts of wanting to hurt anyone?" "Do you have any feelings or thoughts that you wish someone were dead?" If the reply to one of these questions is positive, ask the patient if he or she has any specific plans to injure someone and how he or she plans to control these feelings if they occur again.
*

* Orientation - To elicit responses concerning orientation (ie, person, place, time, situation), ask the patient questions, as follows. "What is your full name?" "Do you know where you are?" "What is the month, date, year, day of the week, and time?" "Do you know why you are here?"
*

* Consciousness - The interviewer determines the levels of consciousness, rating them as: (1) coma, marked by a lack of responsiveness; (2) stuporous, where the subject responds only to pain; (3) lethargic, noted by persistent drowsiness; and (4) alert, indicating full awareness.
*

* Concentration and attention - Instruct the patient to perform serial 7s by subtracting 7 from 100, repeating the process from each subsequent result. Additionally, request that the patient spell the word "world" both forwards and backwards.
*

* Reading and writing - Have the patient compose a basic sentence containing a noun and a verb. Subsequently, ask them to read a specific sentence, such as "Close your eyes." This component of the MMSE measures the patient's capacity for sequencing.
*

* Memory - To assess memory, utilize the following prompts. For remote memory: "What was the name of your first grade teacher?" For recent memory: "What did you eat for dinner last night?" For immediate memory: "Repeat these three words: pen, chair, flag." Instruct the patient to retain these words, then require them to repeat the list after five minutes have passed.
*

* Delusions - These can manifest in various forms, including paranoid, grandiose, bizarre, or instances of thought insertion or withdrawal.
*

* Hallucinations - Various types exist; auditory hallucinations are most prevalent, while gustatory hallucinations are the least common.
*

* Insight - The range varies among patients.
*

* Judgment - The range varies among patients.

Causes

While the precise cause of schizoaffective disorder remains unknown, it may involve factors similar to Schizophrenia, specifically the interplay of nature versus nurture. Currently, no specific genetic markers have been established. Environmental factors—such as malnutrition, viral infections, or complications during childbirth—may contribute. Furthermore, imbalances in neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine are suspected to play a role. Further research is required to fully clarify the etiology of schizoaffective disorder.

Hey, translate that into American English regarding schizoaffective. From what I gather, there’s actually a pretty big distinction between schizoaffectivity and Schizophrenia. It feels like it confuses people on this thread quite a bit. If I recall correctly, you even admitted in your last post that you're dealing with schizoaffective—though if you ask me, it doesn't seem like you fit either category perfectly. Maybe it's a third thing entirely, like a milder form of psychosis? It could lean toward schizoaffective, but I doubt it's Schizophrenia. As for those famous faces, I'm certain Socrates ended up on that list by mistake. He was one of the most rational people in history, a man with incredible objectivity and skepticism, especially when it came to testing the reach of his own mind and then the minds of everyone else around him.
Regarding Buddha, it might be true, but he was probably just schizogenic in nature. Honestly, you could probably throw a whole heap of people into that category... maybe even 40 percent of the population of this little earth!🙄 😉

I honestly don't know who this guy is, just casually throwing diagnoses around like they're candy... Erich Fromm, seriously? Come on!!!!!!!!! He's the one philosopher who actually wrote a book about love. If he had put Nietzsche in there, maybe I'd buy what he's selling. But this guy? He's just wildly speculating and taking shots in the dark!

Richard Murphy6 said:I honestly don't know who this guy is, just casually throwing diagnoses around like they're candy... Erich Fromm, seriously? Come on!!!!!!!!! He's the one philosopher who actually wrote a book about love. If he had put Nietzsche in there, maybe I'd buy what he's selling. But this guy? He's just wildly speculating and taking shots in the dark!

He's clearly just a provocateur. Fine, let me translate "schizoaffective disorder" for the older crowd, since everyone else seems to know English.😁>

Part 1
The term schizoaffective disorder was coined by Dr. Jacob Kasanin back in 1933. What exactly is it? It is a complex mental health condition defined by a specific overlap: symptoms of thought disorders or other psychotic features—such as hallucinations or delusions (the schizophrenia component)—intermingled with mood disorders, specifically depressive or manic episodes. This convergence of distinct symptom clusters makes treating patients with schizoaffective disorder exceptionally difficult.

Schizoaffective disorder is categorized using the criteria found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR), aligned with the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition. Essentially, it mirrors the characteristics of schizophrenia, including delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking, while simultaneously incorporating mood components like mania or depression.

A diagnosis is issued when a patient exhibits traits of both conditions but fails to meet the strict, isolated criteria for either schizophrenia alone or a pure mood disorder. Is it possible to definitively distinguish whether a patient suffers from two separate illnesses, a hybrid condition, or an entirely different disorder with slight overlaps? It is often difficult. Establishing a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder is a challenge because it demands meeting two sets of diagnostic criteria: the psychotic elements and the mood elements. A precise diagnosis requires the patient to satisfy the criteria for a depressive or manic episode while also meeting the requirements for schizophrenia. Furthermore, the patient must experience psychosis for at least two weeks in the absence of mood symptoms.

Individuals diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder frequently exhibit antisocial behavior. On average, onset occurs later in women than in men, though the exact etiology and epidemiology remain obscure due to insufficient research in the field.

Generally speaking, the prognosis for patients with schizoaffective disorder is considered more favorable than for those living with schizophrenia.

Treatment typically involves a combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy.

Psychopathology

While the precise etiology of schizoaffective disorder remains unknown, it is highly probable that it involves an imbalance of dopamine and serotonin within the brain.
Others argue that it may result from prenatal viral exposure, malnutrition, or complications during childbirth.

Prevalence in the USA

SKIPPED

Mortality/Morbidity
The prognosis for patients with this disorder is generally viewed as sitting somewhere between patients with schizophrenia and those with bipolar disorder.
It is better than schizophrenia, yet worse than bipolar disorder itself.
Those presenting with the bipolar subtype are thought to have a prognosis similar to those with Bipolar I disorder, whereas those with the depressive subtype face a prognosis more comparable to schizophrenia.
Nevertheless, determining an individual prognosis is difficult.

The suicide rate stands at 10%. I am finished writing.

There’s no point in me translating further; is there enough here for the USA? The fact remains that prevalence is higher among women. Race isn't a factor. If there is a history of mental illness in the family, recovery is more difficult—unless the onset occurred earlier in life, in which case it's easier.
It is interesting to note that while women attempt suicide more frequently, men are more often successful.

And even though this condition has "existed" since 1933, it still hasn't been sufficiently researched.

My comet: presumably, they aren't seeking profit, but rather relationships—and those consist of people, not money.😁

Could the consumption of certain psychoactive drugs trigger symptoms that mimic schizoaffective disorder?

Here is the link, just so I don't have to deal with the hassle of copying and pasting like someone who thinks they're being clever.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychoactive_drug

I just had a thought.
There are so many successful and famous people living with some form of schizophrenia or manic depression, yet they hide it away like they're serial killers with AIDS using yellow and white pills.
It’s just like when a husband cheats on his wife; the whole town knows, but officially, nobody knows a thing.

Bipolar disorder is essentially a modern synonym for what used to be called "manic depression." While the old term led many to mistakenly associate the condition solely with mania, the phrase "bipolar disorder" often fails to convey much to the average person—though it refers specifically to a disorder where mood swings violently between two extremes: euphoria and depression.

Roughly 1% of the general population will develop bipolar disorder at some point in their lives. Genetics play a significant role; if you have blood relatives suffering from the condition, your risk increases. For instance, there is approximately a 12% chance that individuals with a sibling suffering from bipolar disorder will develop the same illness.

Definition of Mania [edit]

Mania is an endogenous psychosis. It rarely occurs in isolation; more often, it is paired with depression in a continuous cycle, termed manic-depressive psychosis, or bipolar psychosis. Mania typically manifests during youth and is characterized by disturbances in thought, affect, and motor skills. Thoughts rush in a sudden torrent, and moods are elevated without cause, leaving the patient radiating cheerfulness, happiness, or intense self-confidence. Eventually, however, the patient becomes exhausted.

Definition of Manic-Depressive Psychosis (Bipolar Disorder) [edit]

Manic-depressive psychosis (bipolar psychosis) is an endogenous mental illness defined by alternating periods of mania and depression. It is categorized among severe endogenous psychoses. The alternation between these phases is unpredictable; one might experience brief manic episodes followed by long depressive stretches, or vice versa. Crucially, it does not damage the patient's core personality, and between episodes, the individual appears perfectly healthy. It is slightly more prevalent in individuals with higher body mass. The clinical presentation depends entirely on the current phase—whether manic or depressive.

Symptoms [edit]

* Depressive symptoms
* Manic symptoms
* Cycles between these two distinct moods.

I suppose I should offer a nod to that guy over at Yahoo News.
His prose style couldn't be further from my own.
But more importantly, he proves that there is virtually no common thread between one mental patient and the next—just as there is with any other illness in the world.
A person's character is simply who they are; it comes down to personality.

I’ve noticed a recurring theme on this forum and in society at large: people seem to believe that those dealing with psychosis could simply snap out of their delusions if they just applied enough willpower.
I can state with absolute certainty that my own refusal to take medication cost me approximately two years of my life—literally, not metaphorically.
Then there is the psychological reality of when someone close to you falls ill; accepting that truth is incredibly difficult.
In my case, I struggled immensely to accept it, and I suspect those who have yet to come to terms with it haven't done so because their emotions simply won't permit them to.