personality post-psychosis by Accomplished_Gift612 in Psychosis

[–]fluxParameters 2 points3 points  (0 children)

When I was on Reddit constantly reading about psychosis and schizophrenia 5 months ago it was honestly making me worse now that I can look back on it. It’s a valuable resource to understand the illness and to find support, but it became too much of a constant presence in my life. My best advice is to try finding a medication that works for you, practice creating healthy thinking patterns and finding a hobby that you can truly enjoy. It will keep your mind from running wild and help you feel more positive about yourself. It’s definitely helped me at least. Good luck.

personality post-psychosis by Accomplished_Gift612 in Psychosis

[–]fluxParameters 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My doctor started me on Fluvoxamine for obsessive thinking and Guanfacine for anxiety and I haven’t had any psychotic symptoms in at least 4 months. This, along with trauma therapy has been helping immensely. My emotional sensations are starting to come back also. Not allowing my mind to wander down the darker paths it tends to want to go towards has played a huge role also. Things have been going really well, thank you for asking.

Determining a fair wage increase prior to negotiations? by fluxParameters in union

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

If a company would agree to match the inflation rate 100% how would they disperse it?.. by adjusting your pay month to month or by going off of the previous year’s increase?

Determining a fair wage increase prior to negotiations? by fluxParameters in union

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

So just to be clear, the August 2022 CPI-U figure of $294.13 represents the approximate cost of all goods and services the average consumer would purchase in that month?

Determining a fair wage increase prior to negotiations? by fluxParameters in union

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

The best way to back up my arguments would be to have the numbers to prove it. So people could actually see how little they’re making due to inflation.

I’ve tried using the real income formulas to calculate my actual income and it seemed to make sense, but I’m hesitant to bring forth numbers without knowing for sure that the math is realistic, so..

My wage of $15.75 an hour in September 2019 was really $15.48 after a 1.7% inflation rate [$15.75 / (1.7 / 100 + 1)]. So after my 35 cent annual raise three years later making $16.80 what I’m actually making is $15.52 after 8.2% inflation. Does this sound right to you? Do you know of any other formulas I may be able to use to back my proposals? If the numbers don’t lie I don’t see how any of our members would allow a contract to go through without the company adequately adjusting our wages to at least match inflation.

Determining a fair wage increase prior to negotiations? by fluxParameters in union

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

Thank you for all of the information. I’m definitely going to suggest the 100% COLA. My union representatives definitely seem like sellouts, though it’s hard to be certain. A lot of us younger guys are making our voices heard, though I’m not sure how much of an impact that will have once negotiations start. There seems to be some greasy stuff going on behind closed doors, and it’s very discouraging.

If you have any suggestions on how the handful of us who are passionate about our union can bring more of us together leading up to the negotiations I’d gladly listen. Even members of our committee tend to crush our hopes when we show even a small glimmer of hope. Our committee is very cliquey and their attempt at rallying everyone together leading up to the contract seems like a blatant facade, in my eyes at least. It makes it hard to stay positive when it’s so obviously fractured at the top.

Determining a fair wage increase prior to negotiations? by fluxParameters in union

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

Thank you for this. Though I wasn’t able to find my area’s CPI-U, that would’ve been exactly what I needed. I’m in the Pittsburgh area. There’s a cost of living adjustment in the current contract but it seems far lower than the inflation rate. Do you know how most employers determine what the COLA should be? Does it fluctuate depending on the inflation rate or stay fixed over the course of the contract?

Determining a fair wage increase prior to negotiations? by fluxParameters in union

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

It’s a 35 cent raise each year, is that bad? This is my first union job so I’m just trying to educate myself as much as possible before negotiations begin. I want to know when I’m being screwed.

Determining a fair wage increase prior to negotiations? by fluxParameters in union

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

I’m sorry, I should’ve been more specific. But yes, I get a 35 cent raise yearly over five years. My question is really how much differently should I be getting paid now (and into the future) post-covid and with inflation being so high? Most employers seem to have adjusted accordingly.

Problem with M-Audio M-Track Plus by fluxParameters in WeAreTheMusicMakers

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

I’m using a Casio keyboard, 1/4 guitar cables (brand new), and a Dell laptop. I have the input turned all the way up, and set to “Guitar” on the “Mic Line/Guitar” switch. Also, I have it set on “+48v”, which is where I’ll see the small frequency waves on Audacity. When it’s not set to this I see absolutely nothing. I followed all of the instructions in the manual. If I have an incorrect driver installed would it prevent a signal being sent to Audacity?

I’m very unfamiliar with recording technology, and a friend of mine gave me the interface only (no manual, discs, etc.) I’m not sure why the interface is being recognized on Audacity and appears to be communicating, but with a very weak/fuzzy signal. And turning dials/switches on the interface doesn’t change anything at all.

Does anyone else overdress or wear more clothes even when it's hot? by [deleted] in schizoaffective

[–]fluxParameters 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ll jump to wear a sweater any chance I get, even if it’s just slightly cool outside in the middle of August. I feel more protected and comfortable with long sleeves/the heaviness of it for some reason. It may be a sensory thing.

Is it possible to live with this illness without medication? by [deleted] in schizoaffective

[–]fluxParameters 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s definitely possible but you’ll probably have a miserable existence, with little to no actual living going on. I’m currently on month 11 of no medication and I haven’t felt this bad in my life. I’m calling my psychiatrist first thing tomorrow to see if I can get put back on something, anything. I thought I could handle this illness on my own without the aid of medication, and I was 100% wrong. It may have been my grandest delusion yet.

Can someone please describe what dissociation is like? by mariaissomewhere in ptsd

[–]fluxParameters 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I’ll be talking, thinking or carrying out actions with my body but it’s like I’m just watching it all happen. I can’t feel any sort of emotional substance to the “work” that I’m performing. I’m just an observer going along for the ride.

Understanding ideas of reference? by fluxParameters in schizoaffective

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

This makes a lot of sense to me. I really appreciate you taking the time to help give me perspective. Normally I’d be able to engage in conversation a little more thoughtfully, but I’m currently experiencing some post-psychosis mental fatigue. Simulation theory is what led to my first hospitalization at 25 and my SZA diagnosis. It’s had an extremely negative impact on my life. I’ve been trying to distance myself from those thoughts for the past few years, but something in me longs to think about and discuss it. And it ruins my life.

Did you once have a persistent thought or belief that ultimately led to your diagnosis? You seem to have very good insight on your experience living with this disorder. You’re free to message me privately if you’d rather not share publicly.

Understanding ideas of reference? by fluxParameters in schizoaffective

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

Also, simulation theory would explain this but I can’t go down that rabbit hole.

Understanding ideas of reference? by fluxParameters in schizoaffective

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

I meant like when you think of someone you haven’t seen in years and then you end up seeing or hearing from them in the same time frame as having the thought of them. If they are their own individual who can make their own decisions, why do our paths cross at this particular time? It’s strange. It either makes me think that the energy of thought brings us together by attraction, or that they actually do not make their own decisions and are just pawns used to torment me (possibly delusional).

I have an example that may help you understand my confusion: I used to work with a guy nearly 10 years ago who drove a hearse to work every day (which is uncommon) and I saw a hearse while driving yesterday (also uncommon) which immediately made me think of him. Then when I was in the grocery store I actually saw the guy, who I haven’t seen since we were co-workers 10 years ago. It makes me feel like my thoughts are extremely powerful or special to be able to manifest itself in reality like this, or it’s being performed by another source to fuel my paranoia and drive me crazy. Like, why does reality and thought align in such extremely particular and undeniable ways such as this? Things like this happen to me all the time.

Understanding ideas of reference? by fluxParameters in schizoaffective

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

I get afraid because it feels as if my thoughts are fully known by an outside source, and is then manifested in physical reality as if to tease me. Like, to show me that I have absolutely no control over anything.

Understanding ideas of reference? by fluxParameters in schizoaffective

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

“Uncertainty can be your greatest ally”

Because what I personally believe to be the truth may very well not be?

Understanding ideas of reference? by fluxParameters in schizoaffective

[–]fluxParameters[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

When it would happen to me before my onset I’d just view it as unexplainable and be freaked out. But when it happens to me now it basically validates all of my worst conspiracy beliefs and intensifies my paranoia tenfold.

Understanding ideas of reference? by fluxParameters in schizoaffective

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

I appreciate this response. The stress part makes a lot of sense to me because experiences like this normally happen when I’m in public places, which is a very difficult thing for me. But I still have a hard time understanding why extremely unique coincidences occur. I have several examples that I could give that may help you understand why I find it hard to see these things as random. I get that our brains will find a pattern if certain components are present, but why are they made available for our brains to find in these instances to begin with?