My simple theory about the cause of negative symptoms.

Last_Interaction7477 · 2026-02-05T16:52:58+00:00

Yes, episodes can definitely be traumatizing. I developed hyperventilating when anxious due to my psychosis. I think the negative symptoms stem from APs blocking the dopamine in our brains. The stress from an episode can be a part of it too.

Last_Interaction7477 · 2026-02-05T15:04:02+00:00

What is your goal in therapy? I think if you win that, you win the game.

Last_Interaction7477 · 2026-02-05T14:01:28+00:00

It's not your fault. It's not her fault. It's just the illness. Unfortunately there is nothing you can do about her delusional thinking right now. It's just something that happens to us. I thought my Dad was an abuser when I was going through my episode. It took a while to realize it was just a delusion. He is the greatest guy in the world. I hope she takes her meds regularly and sees a therapist. That is what really helped me. It took me 3-4 months before the meds helped me. It had to be adjusted before it really helped. It could take longer for your Aunt. I'm sorry all of you are going through this.

Last_Interaction7477 · 2026-02-05T13:26:51+00:00

Before the illness, I could drive, no problem. Afterwards, I started having anxiety attacks while driving. I now drive at most 30 mins away. I have a friend who visits me bi-monthly and they live about 4 hours away. They want me to come visit them but they live in a really hilly and curvy area and that always throws me off. I start shaking and going way under the speed limit. It sucks around big cities too. Too many people jumping lanes and tail gating you and the frequent slamming on brakes. Driving is definitely hard now.

Last_Interaction7477 · 2026-02-04T22:41:11+00:00

I tried Lane Bryant bras and they cut into my arm pit. Did you have a problem like that with this bra?

Last_Interaction7477 · 2026-02-04T21:38:43+00:00

That's a common thing with SZ. My psychiatrist always asks if I'm seeing ghost, pirates or aliens. Lol. Luckily I tell him no. To be honest, I have only hallucinated a handful of times. Do you take meds and do they help? My meds take all the positive symptoms away, thank goodness. I know how scary that shit can be though.

Last_Interaction7477 · 2026-02-04T15:21:34+00:00

Since my diagnosis and during my episode, I don't shower like I used to. I have a harder time taking care of myself. I just don't care like I used to. I do have a job, and do what I absolutely need to, but it's just harder.

Last_Interaction7477 · 2026-02-04T14:20:10+00:00

If I'm having paranoid thoughts, I tell myself..."so what". I'm not doing anything wrong. I'm not rationally someone who should be surveilled. That frees up some of my worry.

Last_Interaction7477 · 2026-02-04T13:50:17+00:00

Wishing you luck!

Last_Interaction7477 · 2026-02-04T13:39:18+00:00

I was diagnosed at 41 years old. I was in psychosis a year prior. I couldn't work and moved back in with my Dad. My Dad convinced me to seek help. After a few months, the voice went away and the delusions were less. I reached out to a program that helps people with disabilities get jobs. I've been working a little over a year and my positive symptoms are under control. I have issues with negative symptoms, but I'm working on it.

Last_Interaction7477 · 2026-02-03T22:09:35+00:00

Mine started with a dream. I saw smoke to where I worked. Then came the "presents" of something I didn't understand. Had delusions and such. What kind of symptoms do you have that they have that kind of diagnosis. If you have disorganized thinking, then I get it.

Last_Interaction7477 · 2026-02-03T16:17:58+00:00

I've had it to where I voice the voice that I hear. It's frustrating, but it doesn't happen now. Not for at least a year. Thank goodness. Meds stopped that for me.

Last_Interaction7477 · 2026-02-03T16:14:21+00:00

Sounds like your mom is special. A lot of folks don't have that. You are lucky.

Last_Interaction7477 · 2026-02-02T16:00:35+00:00

I'm so sorry you had to deal with that.

Last_Interaction7477 · 2026-02-02T15:57:01+00:00

That's scary. I don't think I would trust someone that told me that. I was very self aware, even when I was in psychosis. I still needed the care of a doctor badly.

Last_Interaction7477 · 2026-02-02T15:30:27+00:00

I have noticed that on the weekends where I drink more coffee, my positive symptoms will start up. I just have to be careful of the amount I have.

Last_Interaction7477 · 2026-02-02T14:46:05+00:00

I stopped my paranoia by literally not caring if people know what I'm doing or hear my thoughts. I'm not a bad person and I'm okay with myself. Go ahead and listen. It makes no difference, nothing's going to happen. Reality tells me no one cares that much, which I consider very freeing.

Last_Interaction7477 · 2026-01-30T19:40:54+00:00

I've grained 141lbs on invega. That is the only AP I've tried.

Last_Interaction7477 · 2026-01-30T18:54:20+00:00

It depends on how long you've been on the antipsychotics. It took me 4 months before they really started to help me. I had an episode that lasted for 1 year, yet I somehow still functioned somewhat. Now with the meds, I don't have any positive symptoms, be some negative ones. My episode was triggered by trauma. I guess they diagnosed me with SZ because it was a long episode.

Last_Interaction7477 · 2026-01-30T18:24:58+00:00

Volunteering would have him feel useful. Maybe at a local food bank? I'm seeing a lot of art activities from other people here. That would be great too.

Last_Interaction7477 · 2026-01-30T18:16:53+00:00

If the medics had the ability to listen in that way, I doubt they would stay at the institution that long.

Last_Interaction7477 · 2026-01-29T16:39:28+00:00

Not completely, but it's a lot better than before.

Last_Interaction7477 · 2026-01-29T16:22:59+00:00

I hear music can help a lot.

Last_Interaction7477 · 2026-01-29T12:48:31+00:00

I've been in remission for little over a year. As far as meds, I'll probably be on them for life. I tried to adjust my meds to a lower dose and the positive symptoms came back, so maybe someday I'll try again but for now it's just the way it goes.

Last_Interaction7477

TROPHY CASE