Thread: Schizophrenia

Unfortunately there has been a big shift over the decades from actual psychiatry using methods like psychotherapy, to biopsychiatry where they rely more heavily on medications to fix problems. Now I am a big believer in the success of medications but I also understand that the best outcome with mental health issues is a combination of drug therapy as well as psychotherapy. And I agree with Ex Nine about refusing drugs to an extent. A lot of Schizophrenic patients become so deluded from the illness that they don't know the difference between what is real and what is not real and in those cases they need the medication There are various negatiuve side effects associated with neuroleptics (anti psychotics) when it is used for long periods of time like tardive dyskinesia and tardive akathesia. I say you should take medication if it is offered only if you NEED it to lead a somewhat normal life. I don't know if you have the illness or not but in most cases it manifests itself between 19 and 25 years of age in males. This of course isn't written in stone but its usually the case. The only way you will ever know is if you are interviewed by a psychiatrist or psychologist and take some tests. It could be something else completely. So basically you have 2 options. See someone about it or don't. So go ahead and make a decision on it.

Refraining from self diagnosis is a very good tip. How can you see yourself clearly from your rosy-glasses? (figure of speech)

I often used to think that I had schizo, because I thought people were always out to get me, and I was paranoid all the time. I had many excuses to think why they were after me, and it made me crazy. (not in a clinical term, though)

I advise staying away from anti-depressants. Listen to Tom Cruise speak about it, take away the obnoxious tonality and unwillingness to let the other party speak, and you have some wisdom.

Ok guys I've been to see the psychiatrist and they wanna put me on some tranquilisers or maybe something stronger and I gotta keep goin back for check ups and things. thanks for your words.

Yes, they'll try to make you keep going back for a long ass time... but you probably don't need it. When you feel better, don't wait for them to tell you that you are better. They'll make all kinds of excuses.. "these things don't cure over night" or "we want you to keep coming back just to make sure" .. they think they're watching out for you, but they're not. I am.

For the love of God... do everything you can to stay off those meds. And start doing everything NOW. Walk in there and just say, "you know what? I don't think I need meds... so I'm not going to take them." And if they tell you that they would help or that you need to take them, say, "isn't there anything else you can do for me?" and if they say no, tell them they're not a very good psychiatrist... because they're not... and find another who won't shove meds down your throat.

Whatever you do, stand up for yourself NOW.

But not too long, or else somebody will take your seat.

I myself have had immense pressure to get on the drugs. It's totally a situation where you may feel nobody understands you. Like, if money weren't an issue, people would be saying different things.

Read up all you can on anti-drug campaigns, or at least develop some knowledge and 2nd hand experience under your belt.

Check out www.drugawareness.org for basic info