#schizophrenia issues

[mehavethoughts]

CW; ableism. no offense but i want the same energy we have for rick riordan's treatment of adhd and dyslexia, if not more, for his treatment of PTSD, DID/OSDD and schizophrenia

Here's an excerpt from the Titan's Curse of Rioardan depicting "madness", found towards the end of chapter 15 (page 238 on my copy);

"One guard put his pistol between his teeth like it was a bone and ran around on all fours." (Talk about taking 'dehumanizing' literally). "Two others dropped their guns and started waltzing with each other. The fourth began doing what looked like an Irish clogging dance. It would have been funny if it hadn't been so terrifying." (I don't even know what to start with there; the idea that someone experiencing a mental health episode that's causing them to act irrationally is 'funny', or the fearmongering of people who just need proper, informed help).

Meanwhile, the entire Heroes of Olympus series doesn't seem to know the difference between DID/OSDD type disorders and schizophrenia. Pretty big fucking differences, and I have another post (one of my only posts, you can find it easily on my profile) going in depth about that issue and the many ways, from the perspective of a DID system, that's harmful to people with both disorders. But the gods having "multiple personalities" (NEVER refer to DID/OSDD this way) is pretty much either played for laughs or to make a conflict. DID/OSDD is not schizophrenia, and likewise, schizophrenia is not DID/OSDD. They are different disorders, and need to be treated as such. Neither is a shameful thing to have or a moral failing.

But every time a god's DID is brought up in the plot, it's either a scary thing (Minerva being totally out of touch and treating Annabeth terribly), or a funny thing (Nike being restrained and gagged by the heroes while in mental distress.).

In the Trials of Apollo, which does admittedly show significant improvement in showing us how Meg responds to abuse, this is never brought up. It is as if Apollo has been a singlet (the term for a person without DID/OSDD) all along, despite that not being true. Even if a DID or OSDD system manages a complete 'integration' of all parts, which is possible, the disorder is still present. The mind still retains the ability to split into more alters if it feels the need to do so.

The PTSD all these characters should have is just flat-out ignored. No long term issues, because "demigods don't get PTSD", I guess.

I never see this talked about in the fandom. The issues of people with more severe mental disorders and psychiatric disabilities are often ignored, because of shit like the excerpt above, where at best we're treated like we can't possibly understand reality/our own minds, and at worst, we're treated like monsters to be scared of.

[madpunks]

we are so ableist about memory. people with good memory take for granted the fact that they can recall as much as they can, and use that to taunt, guilt and threaten people with memory issues. many neurotypes and mental illnesses cause memory lapses. traumatic brain injuries can cause memory lapses. brain cancer can cause memory lapses.

even if your memory is good, it's not right to guilt someone because they can't remember something. trust me, people with memory problems are desperately trying to remember: it's just that we literally can't. it is a very literal "i can't remember".

[schizopositivity]

Here's a reminder to fight the internalized sanism/ableism in your head.

If you have executive dysfunction, don't compare your productivity to people who don't.

If you have anhedonia, don't compare your struggling to keep up with hobbies to someone who doesn't.

If you have paranoia, don't think of your fears as any less valid than the fears of someone who doesn't.

If your meds make you tired constantly, don't compare your energy levels to someone who doesn't take those meds.

If you have issues with concentration, then you won't be able to pay attention as well as someone who doesn't.

If you're in the deep end of a pool, then you can't compare how well you keep your head above water to someone who is standing in a kiddie pool.

Please try to think of these things when you feel "lazy" or "childish" or "a failure" compared to other people that don't struggle with the same symptoms as you. If you have a mental illness that will affect how you act in everyday situations, then it will in fact affect you in everyday situations. It's not an excuse, it's just a reality. We need to try to be kinder to ourselves.

[crippledpunks]

actually- my chronic & mental illness does define me- it's a very huge part of my life. it can't be ignored. it can't be placed on the back burner. it cannot be "powered through". it is there 24/7 whether or not i want it to be. i have to constantly explain to people why i do things is because of my schizophrenic and autistic neurotypes, or that im in severe pain from one of my various problems that cause pain

trying to mock certain disabled people who have to talk about and seek care for their disabilities on a daily basis is unnecessary and violent. it's oppressive. my disorders literally define me, my schizophrenia and autism dictate most of my behaviors. my body is constantly in pain, my guts are constantly affected by my IBS. i am constantly anxious from my PTSD and constantly dissociating from my DID.

if you personally feel as though your illnesses don't define you, that is great for you. i'm not saying chronically ill folks can't feel that way, but what i am saying is stop punching down on those of us who have a lot of their lived experience rooted in their disorders, diseases and neurotypes.

things go into remission or make progress with healing, but most chronic illnesses never fully go away and it's just bullshit to make chronically ill people feel like they can never complain about their issues. it's not an inconvenience to you, it's us expressing what we're going through. stop acting like us talking about our lived experience is an attack on your person. i'm sorry hearing that someone else is in pain sucks to hear but it sucks FAR more to BE IN PAIN

[secondarysefikura]

Modern sefikura idea. Cloud and Sephiroth meet in a psych ward. Cloud recovers and gets out eventually. But Sephiroth misses him.

Cloud’s biggest issue is when he’s off his meds or symptomatic he tends to get delusional. So if he tells someone he’s being stalked or another patient escaped and broke into his apartment. The first question people tend to ask is “are you taking your medication?” Not “do you want to call the cops?”

Oooo, I really like this. Especially since you can imagine that in most cases, whoever is asking Cloud if he has taken his medicine is probably trying to be genuinely helpful. Zack or Tifa or whoever is being told about this "stalker" who "broke into" Cloud's apartment genuinely want the best for Cloud. They just don't realize until it's too late that they're making things worse by making Cloud feel isolated as no one believes him.

Now to develop the sefikura of this a bit:

Sephiroth believes himself to be a god and starts trying to start small cults to himself, which is what causes him to be institutionalized. He takes a liking to Cloud, who he is easily able to sway by feeding into and manipulating Cloud's delusions.

Although the two became close in their short time together, staff realized they needed to seperate them if they wanted either Cloud or Sephiroth to get better. It becomes even more clear the two need to be kept apart when Cloud starts getting better and Sephiroth starts attempting to (intentionally or not) sabotage Cloud's progress.

After finding the proper medication, seeking therapy, and getting connected with a service animal trained to help him recognize when he is hallucinating (that's a real thing by the way!), Cloud is released from the ward.

Sephiroth, meanwhile, is fuming. How DARE these people take Cloud away from him? How DARE they correct him anytime he refers to Cloud as his puppet, his doll, or his cherished one? And most importantly, how DARE they talk about Cloud leaving this place and forgetting to worship Sephiroth as Cloud "getting better." He ought to destroy these humans and take Cloud back by force this instant!

As much as he wants to, however, he bides his time. Rather than letting on how much he hates the people who "took" Cloud away from him, he plays nice and gains their trust. Then, when he's trusted enough that he isn't considered flight risk number one, he makes a break for the streets.

Of course he doesn't leave without taking a few things with him: mainly a variety of different sedative pills.

At first he doesn't plan to use them on Cloud since he assumes that Cloud will run back into his arms the moment they are reunited. But when Cloud gets frightened by "being stalked" and starts asking his "friends" for help, Sephiroth realizes he has no choice but to switch Cloud's medication with identical looking but very different in function pills.

[titsliker]

i would love 2 hear an elaboration of bitb as a schizophrenic metaphor :0000

before i get into it i wanna explain that this just based on my experience with a substance induced psychotic episode. im not an expert and i might mention things that are normal. i am schizophrenic so my normal is very different. keep this in mind as you read.

so call of cthulhu itself has a theme of the descent into madness, so whatever happens throughout the course of the campaign is implied to be fully real, but its very easy to interpret it as purely the result of psychosis. blood in the bayou starts with everyone doing drugs associated with being the catalyst of a psychotic episode. people with a family history of psychosis are recommended to NEVER smoke weed or take shrooms because your chances of substance induced psychosis are EXTREMELY HIGH.

on the surface the story reflects a really good example of paranoid delusions. everyone is bugs and they want to turn you into bugs. rolan is a really good example, he feels the bugs under his skin, hes the first to see something he cant explain, the tv is somehow communicating something to him, and he realizes he died years ago and that the whole life he made for himself was never his.

these are all very common experiences for people experiencing psychosis. the delusion that youve died and are now something completely different is as common as it is difficult to explain, and with the context of the rest of the plot you can see plain as day how he would think that, but you seldom see the context when it comes to real people so it makes no sense from an outside perspective.

its not as simple as rolan thinking he died, it requires the context of a web of delusions that worm their way into every aspect of your perception. every piece of information he has gathered all points to the central truth that he is dead, thats his reality whether its the product of psychosis or not.

theres a few very good examples of this descent into psychosis throughout the campaign, but my favorite is rand's spiral the night before rolan's parents funeral.

idk if this is something anyone else has dealt with, but the portrayal of rand having an all nighter where he reframes his entire perception of reality to include aspects of fiction in a spiral of panic and paranoia is personally something i can relate very very heavily to. theres hints here and there that youre losing your touch on reality until a flip switches and youre completely detached. everything seems so tangible and connected, and the audience can see everything that led him to that conclusion!

its real beyond a doubt, until he tries to explain it to everyone. you understand why hes so frantic, but nothing hes saying makes a lick of sense to anyone else. no amount of explanation can make anyone see what he can see. hes talking about something thats so distant from reality that the only conclusion is that, according to everyone else in the story, hes crazy.

theres a lot more to this that i wont get into, such as kian and the acceptance and normalization of psychosis in his upbringing, donna and the prevalence of religion in psychosis, and rolan and how previous experiences with psychosis can impact your current experience, but i dont have the time or energy for all that mess.

long story short, this is the only good representation of a substance induced psychotic episode ive ever seen and it doesnt even stigmatize drug use <3

[ihavethegrimoire]

I respect the "satoru fell harder" headcanons, but I really think suguru fell so hard he smacked his head on the pavement and that's why he was such a fucked up mess by the end.

[pumpkin-the-girlie-girl-vixen]

Understanding Schizophrenic Hallucinations: Beyond Sight and Sound

When most people think of hallucinations, they often envision vivid visual experiences or unsettling auditory sensations. However, hallucinations associated with schizophrenia encompass a much broader range of experiences that can involve all five senses. It's essential to unpack this complexity to foster a more profound understanding of what individuals living with schizophrenia may face.

The Nature of Hallucinations

Hallucinations can be defined as perceptions that occur without any external stimulus. They can manifest in various forms:

1. **Auditory Hallucinations**: This is perhaps the most well-known type. Many individuals hear voices that may comment on their actions, converse with one another, or even issue commands. These voices can feel incredibly real and can lead to feelings of confusion, distress, or fear. The tone of these voices can vary significantly; they might be familiar or completely alien, nurturing or abusive.

2. **Visual Hallucinations**: Some individuals report seeing things that aren't there—shadows, figures, or even detailed scenes. These visual experiences can be disorienting and frightening, impacting one’s sense of reality. For example, someone may see a person standing in the corner of a room, only to realize that there is no one there.

3. **Olfactory Hallucinations**: While less talked about, smell can play a significant role in hallucinations. Some individuals might perceive foul odors that others do not notice, sometimes associated with memories or feelings of disgust. Conversely, they may experience pleasant smells that provide a fleeting sense of comfort.

4. **Gustatory Hallucinations**: Taste, too, can be impacted. An individual with schizophrenia might experience tastes that are not present, such as bitterness or metallic flavors that can be unsettling and contribute to a general feeling of unease.

5. **Tactile Hallucinations**: These involve the sensation of physical touch or movement on the skin. Someone might feel as though insects are crawling on them, or they may experience phantom sensations that can provoke anxiety or distress. This can lead to confusion about what is real and what is not, often exacerbating feelings of fear and paranoia.

🧠Schizophrenia Sucks🧠

The Emotional and Psychological Impact

The presence of these hallucinations can lead to significant emotional turmoil. Individuals may feel isolated, fearing that no one can understand their experiences. The unpredictability of when these hallucinations will occur can cause anxiety and make daily life challenging. The reality of living with such experiences is not just about the sensations themselves but also about their implications for one’s mental state and social interactions.

Moreover, hallucinations can interfere with one’s ability to distinguish between reality and illusion, leading to potential misunderstandings in social situations. This misunderstanding can result in strained relationships with friends, family, and coworkers, as others may not comprehend the challenges involved.

Seeking Support and Understanding

Living with hallucinations requires a robust support system. Therapy, medication, and open lines of communication with loved ones are crucial in managing these symptoms. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help individuals develop coping strategies and tools to navigate their experiences, while medication may assist in reducing the frequency and intensity of hallucinations.

Raising awareness about the multifaceted nature of hallucinations in schizophrenia can foster a more compassionate approach from society. Understanding that these experiences can involve all five senses can encourage empathy and support for those affected.

Conclusion

In conclusion, hallucinations in schizophrenia are a complex and often misunderstood aspect of the disorder. They are not limited to just seeing and hearing; they can encompass smells, tastes, and tactile sensations as well. By sharing these experiences and advocating for greater understanding, we can help create a more supportive environment for individuals living with schizophrenia, paving the way for healing and connection.

[thefuturewithoutus]

it is kind of really funny that at some point silco must have realized jinx was very mentally unwell and was like hmm... the child should still get to have her machine guns and explosives..... would be fucked up otherwise....

[shouts-into-the-void]

No, actually, my pet peeve is when I am consistently very upfront and transparent about the fact that I'm not this super sweet angel of a person and I have Severe Mental Health Issues and instead of listening people decide that they somehow know better, only to turn around and get pissed off at me when I turn out not to be a super sweet angel of a person and show symptoms of severe mental health issues—

[iamf0rtis]

alright this one might get me in some online fights here on tumblr but i feel like *someones* gotta bring it up

aborting a fetus with a genetic or mental disorder because you cannot take care of them is not eugenics.

bringing a fetus into the world when you can not care for their disorders is cruel.

if you can not care for a kid, you shouldn't have it. yes, that includes kids with autism, kids with down syndrome, kids with cystic fibrosis, etc. its not eugenics, its wanting the best for yourself and any kid you bring into the world.

its not bad to abort a fetus you can not care for. its bad when you know you cant take care of that child but have it anyway.

genetic testing doesnt necessarily promote eugenics, it allows parents to make educated choices about their family and the children they are bringing into the world. frankly, i think it makes the lives of disabled people better.

if you could make sure your child doesnt suffer from a chronic disability, wouldnt you do it? i dont think thats a bad thing.

[buddhaearedgirl]

Nearing my limit with this shit.

[thelunarsystemwrites]

Hey MS, (hope you don't mind me calling you that) how do you feel with the constant voices? Schizophrenic I would assume. I mean, how do you know we actually exist? You could be imagining us due to your lack of interaction with the outside world for all you know.

Textbox: Hey, kiddo? NOT gonna unpack that right now.

He's getting a little tired of people messing with his mind lol

[schizopositivity]

could you share any more under-talked about symptoms of schizophrenia, like executive dysfunction?

I've actually been meaning to make a post like this but keep forgetting (lol that's a symptom). As a disclaimer, not everyone with schizophrenia has every one of these symptoms, and people can have a lot of these symptoms and not have schizophrenia (if they don't have the psychotic symptoms). Not all of these symptoms are seen as diagnostic criteria, some have just been observed to be very common in people with schizophrenia. (I'm excluding hallucinations and delusions because they are more well known)

• Paranoia: a pattern of behavior where a person feels distrustful and suspicious of other people and acts accordingly. This can go hand in hand with hallucinations and delusions.

• Disorganized thoughts: this can mean a lot of things. It can be not having a linear train of thought, having incoherent thoughts, thought blocking, general disorganized thoughts. (It can be hard to define because it is often hard to describe for the person experiencing it).

• Disorganized speech: this is often a result of the disorganized thoughts. This can include loose associations like rapidly shifting between topics with no connections between the topics. Perseveration, which is repeating the same things over and over again. Made up words that only have meaning to the speaker. Use of rhyming words without meaning. Word salad, which is when cognitive disorganization is severe, it can be nearly impossible to understand what the person is saying, but the person speaking doesn't know they aren't making sense.

• Trouble concentrating: lack of concentration, switching from topic to topic, not being able to focus on one thing. (This is pretty self explanatory).

• Movement disorders: catatonia can be repetitive non goal directed movements. It can also be complete or partial immobility, mutism, vacant staring, and rigidity. Although not a symptom, tardive dyskinesia can occur in schizophrenia as a result of antipsychotics medication.

• Anhedonia: a loss of pleasure in activities that the person once enjoyed. Or the inability to feel pleasure at all.

• Atypical or non-existent emotional expression: Flat or blunted affect is an inability to show emotions characterized by a lack of facial expression, a monotone voice, and no hand gestures. On the other hand people can also have inappropriate affect, where the emotional expression doesn't align with typical reactions or even the person's own feelings.

• Alogia: when someone speaks less, says fewer words or only speaks in response to others. This can be a result of disorganized thoughts.

• Social withdrawal: avoiding people and activities that someone once enjoyed. Not actively being present during social situations. Can progress to total isolation.

• Avolition: a severe lack of initiative to accomplish purposeful tasks. This is a big reason some people with schizophrenia can't work/go to school, can't do chores, and can't keep up with their basic hygiene. Even if the person wants to do these tasks, it may be extremely difficult or impossible for them to get themselves to start or complete the task due to the lack of motivation.

• Executive dysfunction: a behavioral symptom that disrupts a person's ability to manage their own thoughts, emotions and actions. This can include focussing too much on one thing, being easily distracted, spacing out, struggling to switch between tasks, problems with impulse control and trouble starting difficult or boring tasks. Several schizophrenia symptoms fit into the umbrella of executive dysfunction, so when researching you will either see the specific ones listed out, or just simply described as executive dysfunction.

• Alexithymia: significant challenges in recognizing, expressing, and describing one's own emotions.

• Poor memory: this can include working memory deficits like trouble planning, organizing, and carrying out daily chores such as running errands, because it requires mentally formulating a “to do” list organized by time and location. Many people with schizophrenia also report trouble with their episodic memory, which means they have trouble recollecting things in the context of their place and time. (A lot of sources say "trouble with memory" is a symptom but they don't specify).

• Trouble with decision making: people with schizophrenia have been shown to have trouble with decision making due to a decline in the understanding and reasoning aspects of it.

• Sensory processing deficits: this has been widely reported in schizophrenia, and include impairments in visual processing, auditory processing, olfactory and sensorimotor systems. This can lead to having strong positive or negative reactions to sensory information.

• Sleep troubles: though disturbed sleep isn't included in the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia, it is still a significant problem that up to 80% of people with the condition experience. People with schizophrenia may have various sleep problems, including insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, and trouble with consistent sleep routines.

• Anosognosia: also called "lack of insight," is a symptom that impairs a person's ability to understand and perceive their illness. This is a big reason people with schizophrenia may refuse to get, or stay with treatment.

[smuggsy]

i just watched all of us strangers and um, that shit hits hard

[pumpkinspice2016]

Am i dreaming?

Or are you?