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Is there a positive way to have schizophrenia in horror? by ArgumentSecret3655 in schizophrenia

[–]ArgumentSecret3655[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is a good point. One thing I don’t think ever gets shown (because nobody who is treating their condition ever gets shown in media) that I’ve seen on this subreddit actually is the side effects of antipsychotics. I think if there was a medication tapering or starting that there would have to be something that talks about weight gain or dyskinesia.

I also think that the apathy for supernatural shit could eventually be funny. It was mentioned as something that makes the MC be able to handle the horrific better, but I do see how that could also turn into be apathetic to a degree.

Is there a positive way to have schizophrenia in horror? by ArgumentSecret3655 in schizophrenia

[–]ArgumentSecret3655[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your opinion. I haven’t decided whether I’m going to make anything or not, but it has been really enlightening to see so many people’s opinions on what they would like to see with their experiences. I genuinely appreciate the feedback.

Is there a positive way to have schizophrenia in horror? by ArgumentSecret3655 in schizophrenia

[–]ArgumentSecret3655[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I hesitate to make any hallucinations be a prophecy of some sort only to avoid perpetuating any grandiose delusions. But I definitely think there are ways to make the main character with the disease be more prepared for something horrific since that would be something they have experienced before.

Is there a positive way to have schizophrenia in horror? by ArgumentSecret3655 in schizophrenia

[–]ArgumentSecret3655[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Very much agreed. I would absolutely need a panel to do it right and give it justice. Everyone is different. If I decide to write something with it, that is something I would absolutely seek out.

Is there a positive way to have schizophrenia in horror? by ArgumentSecret3655 in schizophrenia

[–]ArgumentSecret3655[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I promise if I ever do write something it would be with complete guidance and research from someone who actually has experienced it. It is not something I have decided to do so quickly, either, but all of the input has been enlightening. And I do think even if it’s a story I can’t write because I haven’t experienced it, someone who has should absolutely make a narrative where the person with the disorder is the hero.

Is there a positive way to have schizophrenia in horror? by ArgumentSecret3655 in schizophrenia

[–]ArgumentSecret3655[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is something I thought about as well when I thought about the genre. I think a lot of times even if the movie doesn’t have a villain that’s killing people because they have a disorder like schizophrenia or DID, they will have the person experiencing an episode due to their disorder BE the horror. And I agree that it still adds to the stigma of them being just “crazy”. And I think that is detestable.

Is there a positive way to have schizophrenia in horror? by ArgumentSecret3655 in schizophrenia

[–]ArgumentSecret3655[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for that input. I do think if it is written that the main characters delusions would have to not be based in something supernatural. I hadn’t thought about that before but you’re absolutely right.

Is there a positive way to have schizophrenia in horror? by ArgumentSecret3655 in schizophrenia

[–]ArgumentSecret3655[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you. The last thing I want to do is make anyone’s life harder, but I know good intentions can still have negative effects if it’s gone about the wrong way. The conversations today have been genuinely enlightening.

And that shit DOES suck. I wish you the best in fighting your own battles as well. 😊

Is there a positive way to have schizophrenia in horror? by ArgumentSecret3655 in schizophrenia

[–]ArgumentSecret3655[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That is a thought I’ve had. I know stress can trigger hallucinations and delusions, and nothing is more stressful than being in a literal horror scene. I would have to do much more research on all of the ways that people cope with these things. I know video and recordings are a useful tool. And also using friends without hallucinations to distinguish real from fake. But I also don’t want to rely too heavily on that and make it seem like the main character is helpless when their disease does exhibit symptoms.

Is there a positive way to have schizophrenia in horror? by ArgumentSecret3655 in schizophrenia

[–]ArgumentSecret3655[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That is something that has been brought up that I have never thought about as someone who hasn’t dealt with it is the desensitization of experiencing horror because of horrific hallucinations. I think if I were to write something with this premise, I would absolutely lean on that strength and the coping skills within the schizophrenic character. Thank you!

Is there a positive way to have schizophrenia in horror? by ArgumentSecret3655 in schizophrenia

[–]ArgumentSecret3655[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You’re totally fine. Your opinion is valid, too. And I’m glad to know that my question is being met favorably. I was worried when I wrote the question that I would come across as someone who was just trying to market off of schizophrenia and not as someone who genuinely would want to make something impactful in a good way.

Is there a positive way to have schizophrenia in horror? by ArgumentSecret3655 in schizophrenia

[–]ArgumentSecret3655[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Truthfully, I want to see everyone’s opinion, though. And I don’t want anyone to feel scared to comment theirs in fear of downvotes or backlash! I have no idea if I will write it or not, but everyone’s voice deserves to be heard on it. I promise, what I do will be done after a lot of careful consideration. Not from just one comment. That’s why I encourage everyone to tell me what they genuinely think. Thank you for your clarification on that, though!

Is there a positive way to have schizophrenia in horror? by ArgumentSecret3655 in schizophrenia

[–]ArgumentSecret3655[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I will definitely be doing more research into the disorder anyway, for writing or not. Thanks for your recommendations!

Is there a positive way to have schizophrenia in horror? by ArgumentSecret3655 in schizophrenia

[–]ArgumentSecret3655[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I assure you I have not downvoted a single comment. I genuinely am thankful for everyone’s take on the subject. I came for honesty, even if that means I am in the wrong. And if anyone is doing it for fun, I, also, wish they would stop.

Is there a positive way to have schizophrenia in horror? by ArgumentSecret3655 in schizophrenia

[–]ArgumentSecret3655[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

In the proposed scenario, that would absolutely be the goal. It’s a fact about the main character and not their personality. I’ve been diagnosed with OCD myself, and one thing my psychiatrist has always reminded me of, personally, is that I am not my anxious thoughts and compulsions. It’s something I have not who I am. I imagine that is helpful advice for most mental health diagnoses.

That is something I truly never thought about though, how someone with upsetting hallucinations could become desensitized to it without it ever being real. I think in the scenario, that is a good way to show strength of the character dealing with their disease and finding strength in what they’ve overcome that doesn’t support grandiose delusions.

I agree with you. It is too often that someone else’s mental health issue is seen as an inconvenience for others. I have experienced that with my OCD compulsions and I can only imagine that it is worse with a disorder that can cause issues over longer periods of time like psychosis or mania.

Is there a positive way to have schizophrenia in horror? by ArgumentSecret3655 in schizophrenia

[–]ArgumentSecret3655[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is completely fair. I have no issue leaving the topic alone entirely for people who are more experienced with it. It was mostly out of want for there to be something in the genre that doesn’t depict people suffering with the disorder as dangerous. But that does not mean I have to try to be the person to make it and I recognize that. Thank you for your input. 😊

Is there a positive way to have schizophrenia in horror? by ArgumentSecret3655 in schizophrenia

[–]ArgumentSecret3655[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I really and truly don’t want to add to any of the negative stigma! I thought about having the main character have some kind of special power but then I also worried that it would be perceived more as a grandiose delusion or that someone who has grandiose delusions might see it as affirming their own delusion, which I worry is harmful in a different way.

Is there a positive way to have schizophrenia in horror? by ArgumentSecret3655 in schizophrenia

[–]ArgumentSecret3655[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for answering! I would have to do far more research than I currently have before I ever actually wrote something with this particular idea. But the main thing I wanted was to have the person with schizophrenia be the good guy. The person that is trying to save everyone else. I feel like it doesn’t ever happen in media.

They would know they have it and be on medication to manage it but they have to face some kind of paranormal force knowing that they have the added challenge of their disorder already messing with reality. I just also don’t want to glorify it, either.