Anderson Cooper tries a schizophrenia simulator

[gzsandiego]

"Cooper, we haven't turned on the simulation yet..."

[fbiagent]

It's all fun and games until you take off the headphones and still hear them

[jadaxleigh]

My father was severely schizophrenic and took his life around 3 weeks ago because it was too much for him. I know he is finally at peace and no longer suffering but damn I miss him so much. He always told me to watch this video but I haven't gotten the chance to until now. To have a small insight of what was going on in his mind made me emotional. God, I wish I could have done something to help him.

[raquelborsos]

As someone who has to deal with hallucinations, I just want to thank everyone who tries to understand the struggle we go through on a daily basis. I would never expect someone to fully understand what it's like, but the fact you're trying actually helps us to not feel ashamed about what we go through, and helps with our healing process. Just my take on it, thank you ❤️

[JulianPotts]

The generic phrases are bad enough. Imagine what the voices would say if "they" actually knew stuff about "you".

[desertpair]

And just think: Anderson KNOWS that the voices are not real. Big difference.

[indigowulf]

At the point he said "I can't do this" I just wanted to hug him.

[raindrops_]

Good Lord. That part where he said "they're saying you can't do it" and then he couldn't complete the exercise...that's my mum's voice in my head all the time. I'm not schizophrenic, but it highlights how important the messages are, we receive as children. Fascinating and so sad for those who suffer with this condition.

[burtvhulberthyhbn]

Horrifying.
And these are only auditory not visual.

[an.dr.]

dayum this shit must be mentally exhausting fuckkk i feel sad for the people Who expierience this

[taneamurphey]

My best friend of 18 year just took her own life due to this awful illness. Im sorry Kagney. I pray you are at peace. I pray that the voices are gone and your having beautiful after life in heaven. You deserve it. I love u 🙏♥

[pamyuhnke]

I did that at work in the emergency department. It was horrible and gave me some insight into what our patients go through. Everyone should try it.

[sydandtaytum]

glad they did this segment. people need to be more informed about mental illness so they can have some sympathy instead of writing people off as crazy.

[m.miller]

I used to hear a voice, telling me I was stupid and everyone thought I was an asshole, then I got divorced

[josephhage]

It’s like a group of people having a conversation in the back of your mind

And the whole time they are judging the shit out of you and exploiting your weaknesses and insecurities, while one of them tries to stick up for you, and tell the others in the group to stop being so mean.

They go back and forth judging, supporting, and arguing amongst each other.

It’s like you exist for their entertainment

[Shmacklol]

my mom just got diagnosed with schizophrenia and wow i didn't understand how it could effect her but watching this makes me feel even worse for her

[Jms]

I love that he did this bc our society, as a whole, is lacking in empathy and patience when it comes to people dealing with a mental illness.

[noodle]

Several months back I was in a psych ward of the hospital for an eval because I was suicidal. There was someone else there in a separate room who was schizophrenic. I could hear his shouts and screams the entire night, and I felt so terrible for him. All I could think about was how exhausting it must be to have to live with a mind like that.

[steven-]

As someone who suffers with schizo-affective disorder, seeing Anderson try this makes me feel connected in some way... Thank you for the empathy.

[stacybrownlee]

As a diagnosed schizoaffective person, i was quite impressed with mr cooper's "exercise in empathy." The hallucinations in this video are referred to as a "running commentary" in the mental health vernacular. "Creepy" is certainly one apt descriptor! "Delusional" is the textbook name for the symptom...
Thank you for helping battle the stigma of this worldwide health problem! 😃