What it's like to have schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is one of the most challenging diseases to understand for someone who has never experienced it. Because of this, misconceptions and misunderstandings about psychosis are widespread. Discover some of the mechanisms underlying schizophrenia in this video.

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[annebartells]

My mom had schizophrenia. She was treated in the early 1960 with medication and ECT. She continuously would talk to herself and laugh historically while pacing the halls in our home. She would do this nonstop for days on end untill the need for sleep made her pass out for a few days. During this time was the best we had. Our home was quiet. She also had a paranoid violent streak. During this time, she would chase me around the house with knives, or a baseball bat. Stating that the voices told her to kill us. Since she was treated in the early sixties, she got a lot of electric shock treatments. She was in and out of mental hospitals for as long as I can remember. My dad was a violent alcoholic to add to the fun of my child hood.

[journeytsoni]

I remember the first day I showed symptoms of schizophrenia and how scared I was. I was 15. I woke up and stared at my bedroom mirror and could see multiple images of myself all in a horizontal line. I hid in my closet and I could hear my step dad downstairs watching home improvement on TV. I also heard voices telling me my mom was trying to poison me so I ran downstairs and told my mom but she didn't believe me. My step dad believed me and upon my insistence, I went to a mental institution for 10 days. I felt like I was separated from the rest of time and space and slowly sinking in something like quicksand. Everything around me moved faster and slower than me at the same time. I'm 40 year old and still experiencing regular symptoms. Medicine helps, but nothing can cure schizophrenia. In my case, I just power through it everyday.

[BobJohnson-mqdr]

Really wish I had seen this 4 years back..my son had this and as result he didn't make it to his 21st birthday...miss him every day

[marchionessamoretto]

I have Schizophrenia and it scares me every day. Be happy of your health all of you.

[londonpack]

My heart and prayers go out to all those who are struggling with this. My brother has schizophrenia and I wish more than anything that I could take his pain away. Trying to learn all I can to help him as best as I can.

[zaidarivas]

My son who passed was schizophrenic. I had no idea what he was living through. Sadly. I did know he needed help, which he routinely refused. He finally started treatment but also had an opioid addiction. He died of an overdose.

How I wish I knew what this was 15, 16 years ago when he started to exhibit symptoms. I would have had him committed instead of taking him from one therapist to another. All of whom he refused to speak to.

This is probably the worst mental disease. He fought a good fight. My only consolation is that he is finally at peace.

[FrancesGarcia-lo]

I've had schizophrenia for 47 years. Initially, I was hospitalized and treated with medications and shock treatments. Now, I am on medication which I have taken for over 20 years. About a year ago, my paranoia and disorganized thinking and the delusions and hallucinations subsided. Gradually I have recovered my sanity. However, I do not want to stop the medications because I am afraid of breaking down again. Your video is very informative and accurate.

[sickomode]

Thank you for putting this video out. Needs more attention in this world

[LW-ejid]

I had drug-induced psychosis from amphetamine use, which went away as soon as I stopped using them so I definitely believe that excess dopamine is the reason for these symptoms. It was absolutely terrifying and I still cannot make sense of that time. I do not know what is real and what was a delusion. It also felt incredibly meaningful, as in possessing some sort of divinity, as was described in this video. My heart wholeheartedly goes out to anyone dealing with this disorder intrinsically.
I am a little mentally ill normally but only with an anxiety disorder so it's in the realm of relatibility for most people.
I still don't know why we're here but I'm glad we are. You all matter, even if you're a bit nonsensical.

[brandiminor]

I have schizo and this is by far the best explanation I’ve heard of it so far. Dopamine can’t be the whole story but it sounds close. PS, the voices aren’t just loud thoughts. They are actually voices. Someone else’s actual voice that sounds so close it’s as if it’s next to your ear. Loud and clear someone else’s voice next to your ear. That is a voice.

[charlesdrury]

I have a brother at 16 years old develop schizophrenia he was put in a mental hospital I spend some time with him I feel so sorry for him he was so disconnected from the world he was such a gentle soul tried to take his i Life one time he finally found the right medication and doing better but my heart really went out to him he really suffered

[kevindohn]

I knew only one person who had schizophrenia, I used to see him at the bar we used to hang out at, and he definitely seemed more normal than a lot of the people that went there, he was such a nice guy, and seemed to be doing ok. Then we didn't see him for a while, turns out he had just found out that his daughter also had schizophrenia, and I guess he blamed himself, and felt so bad about it that he killed himself, so obviously this is a rough disease to have, and that was pretty sad to all of us that knew him

[Leeisme]

Thank you for this; My late brother had schizophrenia, & of course, I never bothered to understand the basis of his condition, but in watching this, I now see that all the voices he’s heard were real to him….I’m so sorry that I never attempted to examine this more. R.I.P., Wallace Charles Brooks.

[oddshiba]

I was diagnosed with schizophrenia psychosis in 2020. Since my childhood, I would heard voices claiming to be my "allies" and "friends". This went untreated for almost 8 years. Wish I had said something about it sooner to my parents. I've come to live and accept that the voices and the violent trails they may leave behind are something i must live with forever. People, schizophrenia is no joke and shouldn't be treated like one. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.

[farinshore]

If you take the time to actively listen to a schizophrenic, pay attention to what is salient to them, you can discover a lot about both the person and the traumatic events that trigger their experience. I accept that we each have our personal perspective that determines what it is that is salient to us.

[dorothyann]

My mother was schizophrenic, in and out of mental institutions my entire life. She was extremely mean and abusive as a result. My childhood was a nightmare. She always believed there was nothing wrong with her, and that she was the bride of Christ. She also believed, on numerous occasions, that I was evil, and would beat me mercilessly. The abuse was also mental and emotional. I have struggled a lifetime with the wounds. Worst of all, unbeknownst to me, my husband andI I discovered, only too late, that, while it bypassed me, the illness has affected one of our daughters, and now one of our granddaughters, as it seems to strike only the females in our family. It is a great sorrow. But your video, while not relieving any of the heartache, was very informative and interesting. Thank you

[gwenking]

Wow 13 years as a psych nurse and it was never explained to me like this. Thank you

[bradworch]

This has made the most sense to me when it comes to Schizophrenia than any other video. It makes sense these “voices” they’re hearing are just heightened versions of their own thoughts. We all have weird or intrusive thoughts all day long but never pay them much attention. But with schizophrenia you have a heightened awareness of them and pay close attention to all of them.

[amirrehman]

I am a psychiatrist & found this video very simple way to understand at every level. It is a Good one to play to a patient & his loved ones to have an idea of illness before further evaluation and designing a treatment plan. It is a great share, explains the diffent aspects of the disease & life after achieving sweet spot. Most of patients do pretty well with medication/s which makes their & their families life easier & socioeconomic issues, selfcare also improves a lot. I have special soft corner for such patients.
Again, this clip is simple to understand for everybody as mental illnesses are not diagnosed with tests like blood work or any imaging, genetic testing scopy...etc
Amir Rahman, MD

[KalinaChiminello]

I sit here in tears. I finally understand what happened to me when I went into psychosis. This, word for word, was my experience. I feel validated. I cannot thank you enough for this video. I have not been diagnosed with this terrible illness but my heart bleeds for those who live with it, you are all warriors. Psychosis was pure hell and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Sending love to you all.