Thread: Dream Characters and schizophrenia

I don't really know anything about it, but I would imagine that'd be that kind of thing that's going on.

People have what I always think of as a "common sense filter" or a "reality filter" it is absent when we are sleeping, so it is likely it can be absent at other times, like if we develop a mental condition.

Interesting theory. Does your friend know the current thinking on halucinations and how they happen?

Originally posted by David Ames
After watching the movie \"A Beautiful Mind,\" I've wondered about the correlation between dream characters and schizophrenia. Although a friend of mine who treats patients with this disorder stated that the movie highly exaggerates the notion of imaginary characters, some of the concepts depicted are actually accurate.

Here's my question for anyone with knowledge on this subject: Are the imaginary characters encountered by schizophrenia patients similar to dream characters with only difference is one is able to be experienced during waking life while the other during the dream state?

It would seem logical since in both cases since the mind cannot tell the difference between real and self-created people (with the exception of LD). It may be the case where the mechanism in the brain responsible for simulating a reality or acheiving a \"dream state\" is being activated during the waking state for people experiencing schizophrenia.

On a side note, this same friend who treats schizophrenia is probaly the only person outside of this message board I could have deep conversations with. Other people are either highly disinterested or even irritated (like my wife) in these \"weird\" topics. He even discussed with me the far-fetched possibility that the characters experienced by schizophrenia patients are NOT created, but instead a gift or ability to see outside of the physical world. While both of us weren't completely serious with this theory, it was interesting talking about the possibility of DC's and \"imaginary\" characters being actual people.

Hey Davis Ames. On your side note. I know exactly what you mean. I love to engage in conversation that actually takes you out of your comfort zone. Our little box. Away from.. how are you, how about the weather, same old BS! *So i know what you mean.

I would think as you do about the logical aspect of the illusiory of the image. If the mind believes it to be true to the mind it is. So I guess to some degree you could compare hypnopompic hallucinations with paranoid delusions.
Interesting thought

Originally posted by MarthaM
Interesting theory. Does your friend know the current thinking on halucinations and how they happen?

I'm sure he does...or has some psychology view on it.

Just don't ask Tom Cruise about mental disorders.

Howetzer - I always like having these deep conversations -- unfortunately, its not often enough that we encounter people who aren't too caught up in their daily lives -- almost to a point where they possess tunnel vision.

I always like to view the world from a Matrix-type of perspective -- from outside looking in.

Originally posted by David Ames
Howetzer - I always like having these deep conversations -- unfortunately, its not often enough that we encounter people who aren't too caught up in their daily lives -- almost to a point where they possess tunnel vision.

I always like to view the world from a Matrix-type of perspective -- from outside looking in.

Tunnel vision, very well put. Life is to short to not open your mind to new and intriguing ideas
Hopefully you and I can engage in some of these discussions. Aside from Scientology.