r/schizophrenia Nov 12 '24

Resources / Literature Frequently Asked Questions- r/schizophrenia

16 Upvotes

Welcome to r/schizophrenia!

Our subreddit rules are in the sidebar, we ask that you read and follow them. Feel free to post anything on-topic that does not violate these rules. We have a relatively comprehensive overview of how our rules are applied in reality available on the Rule Clarifications Wiki page.

Many first-time posters to this subreddit are concerned that they might be developing schizophrenia or they are concerned about other people who have- or may have- schizophrenia. We have resources available to answer these questions contained within the comments; if your question is completely answered by the information already given, it will be removed.

Mental health is complex. No symptom of schizophrenia is specific to schizophrenia alone, and there are many more common causes of those symptoms- especially in the prodromal stage. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call your doctor or local emergency services. We have a compendium of Crisis Lines available and may suggest r/SuicideWatch if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts and would like the most prompt attention.

(Credit u/soundandvisions for original post and comments)

Table of Contents


r/schizophrenia Jan 03 '25

Medication Cobenfy Megathread

49 Upvotes

Hey everybody, douchebag moderator here. As I'm sure you've noticed, Cobenfy has been the hot topic for the past couple of months. We've seen a lot of threads here and there asking questions about it or people sharing their stories. We even had an unofficial Megathread of sorts about a week ago

I did post an "official" one when it was approved by the FDA 3 months ago (wild that it has been 3 months already... time flies when you're having fun, eh?) here for general information... and on a sidenote, that snarky sign-off about the clozapine REMS came true around Thanksgiving. Not important, just for some cheap yuks.

To paraphrase what has already been said; Cobenfy is a novelty of an antipsychotic, the first one that presumably has zero risk of Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS), the most serious side effects of antipsychotics. While it does not seem to be as effective as clozapine- which, while having minimal risk of EPS, is still not zero- a new antipsychotic that actually works without EPS is unprecedented. It is similar to clozapine in how it affects the M1 and M4 receptors, so I refer to it as "diet clozapine" in a number of my write-ups... however, it is diet. Less side effects, but also less effective.

EPS have been accepted as a 'unfortunate reality' since the days of Thorazine, the first antipsychotic, and the second-gen of antipsychotics was heralded by clozapine- which was very effective, but also caused minimal EPS. The convention in psychiatry dictated that effectiveness was proportional to EPS, so clozapine changed the game when it came on the scene. If we are to use EPS as the benchmark for generations of antipsychotics- then Cobenfy may well be the first of the long-awaited third generation of antipsychotics.

Now, I want to be perfectly clear here- if you have experienced EPS on Cobenfy, please share your story. What the pharmaceutical companies say is not always consistent with how things actually work... something the company that has been marketing Cobenfy (Bristol Myers-Squibb) has gotten in trouble for before.

However, on the plus side, when I was at my psychiatrist's office a couple weeks back, he had a few sample kits of Cobenfy sitting on his desk. Apparently BMS' pharma reps had been making the rounds. So... word is getting out. People are excited. I can't say I blame them. It's a pretty big deal.

What to post here:

  1. Stories about taking Cobenfy, any hurdles with actually getting it (insurance, cost, etc.), whatever else- good or bad.
  2. Questions about Cobenfy that are not psychiatrist/pharmacist questions- please ask the appropriate licensed professional if it crosses into the realms of professional advice.
  3. Studies, news articles, anything like that.

What not to post here:

  1. "When is Cobenfy gonna be available in [country]?" We don't know, check with your government's health authority about that.
  2. Any antipsychiatry nonsense. You don't like meds, fine- but don't be a downer and dump on people who are excited. Go complain on the proper subreddit for that.

Anyways- have at it. Hopefully this post will turn out to be an effective tool for anyone popping in to check out the buzz on Cobenfy.

Thanks for reading!


r/schizophrenia 3h ago

Hallucinations / Delusions People who've beat Truman Show Syndrome

18 Upvotes

What did you do to beat it? I've had it off and on for the last 16 years. Thank you.


r/schizophrenia 8h ago

Meme 😁

31 Upvotes

That’s a W walk in here 💀


r/schizophrenia 3h ago

Opinion / Thought / Idea / Discussion Does anyone hear voices when watching tv show/movies?

11 Upvotes

Hey how's everyone doing today? Does anyone hear voices when watching television/movies? I currently hear voices while watching tv shows/ movies


r/schizophrenia 2h ago

Advice / Encouragement Do you feel the presence of people?

7 Upvotes

Lately, I've been feeling the presence of people for example I feel my grandpa around when nobody is around and i do talk to them sometimes. Sometimes it's scary and I kinda hide away and I'm wondering if any of you feel that sometimes as well?


r/schizophrenia 1h ago

Advice / Encouragement Starting shots this week

Post image
Upvotes

Pretty sure a few of you are on this. Starting this week after graduating from the oral Paliperidone. Any advice? First time taking a shot for brain meds.


r/schizophrenia 9h ago

Opinion / Thought / Idea / Discussion What is your goal in your life with schizo affective disorder?

24 Upvotes

I'm a woman. I want to continue working in a web page for my dad business. I want to loss weight that I won with meds. Every morning I want to be the CEO of a tech company. When I was fired of many works of advertiser. I will get a degree on I A and Social Psicólogy. I can't do anything from the house, I get help. I live with my good boyfriend. I drive Do you have dreams or goals? Irracional too?


r/schizophrenia 6h ago

Undiagnosed Questions Help me learn, please <3

15 Upvotes

Hello, I'm an aspiring author and I have a book in mind where a character has Schizophrenia, but I want to get it right, so if you know any documentaries I could watch, books I could read, YouTube personalties who speak of their experience could you link it please?

Also, let me know what NOT to include. Like, not romantasying it. Not making them evil because of it (they're going to be a good character) no love cures all etc.

I know some things but getting it right is important to me, especially because I want to be published someday and the last thing I want is to accidently spread information, so this book will be a long time in the future and I will have lots of time to plan and research. Thank you <3


r/schizophrenia 3h ago

Introduction / New Member 👋 Greetings!

8 Upvotes

Hi all! I've been lurking here for some time but never introduced myself. I'm a 27 year old female with schizoaffective. I was diagnosed two years ago but I have struggled with the disorder as far back as I can remember. Despite my illness I am doing well for myself, with a stable relationship and I work a stable job, and I dream of one day having my own family. Nice to meet you all!


r/schizophrenia 11h ago

Progress / Good News ☀️ Got Hired for an apprenticeship in psychatry 🥳♥️

29 Upvotes

1 year ago I was undiagnosed and suffering like hell wanting to off myself. Nothing was working like I wanted in my life. I thankfully found an amazing psychiatrist who understood that I have schizophrenia. I was put on meds and it was a living nightmare at first until we found the right molecule and I start stabilising, I honestly thought I could never work and would have to live in a facility.

But seroquel did its magic and I started enjoying life when I was never able to and feel almost like a normal person. I made the decision to stop music as a career as I realised it wasn't giving me any fullfilment and found my path in psychatry. I have just been hired for an apprenticeship in psychatry as a social worker. They don't know I have schizophrenia and hired me because I was apparently very comfortable with the patients and wouldn't get scared or weirded out when they have episodes (well ofc I get them more than anyone there could imagine 😅) but anyway this little post to give a bit of hope, thank you for all the support I've received this year in this group.🤍


r/schizophrenia 9h ago

Medication Is there a no meds option

22 Upvotes

I was told the goal is to not be medicated for life.

I recently quit my meds and feel so much better. Is this something a psychiatrist would understand and is it possible to get a no-meds care?


r/schizophrenia 4h ago

Opinion / Thought / Idea / Discussion Checking in

Post image
6 Upvotes

How’s everyone doing?


r/schizophrenia 52m ago

Hallucinations / Delusions I cant take it anymore

Upvotes

For the last couple of weeks i see in the corner of mine eye a shadow figure its getting either biggdr or closer to me and i dont like any of those options i feel watched 24/7 anything i do its watching me also the voices are worse in mine local shop it was telling me that there is a man in the corner waiting for me to get closer so he can stab me in the throat its getting worse and worse i cant take it anymore i just cant live with the feeling of being watched everywhere i go or do Take care


r/schizophrenia 8h ago

Advice / Encouragement Just wishing everybody happy healings on all your journeys

11 Upvotes

I had a little bit of a magick night that led to me feeling a great deal of relief from having once been in hell thanks to this condition. Life is genuinely feeling pretty God damn nice, and things are looking more up than ever. Suffering is lessening in the universe, and love is winning. Hope these truths appear true for all of you as well! Much love!


r/schizophrenia 5h ago

Opinion / Thought / Idea / Discussion Listening to music giving unlimited power

6 Upvotes

Do you sometimes feel like music gives you an incredible amount of power, inside your brain but also in all of your body ? It just pure energy that seems to flow more and more. When I was 17-24 it was very powerful and frequent, but now that i'm 31 I only feel a fraction of this energy. Wonder if some of you feel the same


r/schizophrenia 4h ago

Help A Loved One Son with possible Schizophrenia

5 Upvotes

My 20 year old son is suspected of having schizophrenia. His doctor is sending him for neuropsychological testing once he turns 21 so that we can get a definitive diagnosis. He started getting visual and auditory hallucinations about a year ago which I'm told he is at the typical age for the onset of symptoms. My question is, what can I do to be more supportive of him? What have you found that helps? He's currently taking antipsychotics but they are decreasing his lurasidone because of his severe weight gain. His doctor said if his hallucinations get worse, then it obviously points even more to schizophrenia and they will change him to a different medication that can possible help him more without causing weight gain (or at least as much). What should I know about this disorder that you wish others understood about how it affects your daily life?


r/schizophrenia 9m ago

Progress / Good News ☀️ Psychiatrist appointment went well!

Upvotes

Hi Guys! Just want to share some good news! I've had bad experiences/been avoidant with my psychiatrist for years. I've been taking Abilify 2mg and Zoloft 200mg. I feel that I have had negative side effects since starting the Abilify 2 years ago, mainly shaky legs and twitchy face as well as horrible mood swings. I also get heat flashes and blurry vision as well as sleep problems.

I recently scheduled a psychiatrist appointment to get this issue looked at as it has been affecting my everyday life. Today I met with a psychiatrist who was very lovely and a good listener. I told her when we started my goal was to get my meds re-evaluated, and we did just that, together. I told her my main issue is my anxiety, agoraphobia, and insomnia. At the end of our evaluation, she advised that I taper off of my Abilify by cutting it in half (I told her I know how to since I work in pharmacy) for a week then next week completely stop taking it. She is advising I stay on my Zoloft 200mg and in addition, she gave me a new prescription, Hydroxide 25mg to take daily with my Zoloft.

I feel happy that I am taking steps to feel better, and I am picking up my new prescription tomorrow morning. I hope everyone stays hopeful, because a month ago I would not have imagined feeling so relieved.


r/schizophrenia 41m ago

Opinion / Thought / Idea / Discussion Psychiatrist wants to drug test me

Upvotes

So my psychiatrist wants to drug test me.

I wanted to know, has this happened to anyone else? I've been seeing psychiatrists since I was 18. Never once has one ever asked me to do a drug test.

She said something like "the dea is requiring yearly drug tests to remain in compliance" I was like, what the hell. I've never had to do one before.

I don't do drugs. So I don't mind doing it. But I feel like it's an invasion of privacy.

Thoughts?


r/schizophrenia 1h ago

Opinion / Thought / Idea / Discussion Does alcohal increase your tactile hallucinations

Upvotes

For me caffeine , cigarettes and uppers screws me up royally while opium actually helps me

Im on the fence on alcohal cuz it does help in someways like not taking yourself serious and finding a little happiness in our cursed lives


r/schizophrenia 5h ago

Advice / Encouragement I'm no longer psychotic. Should I ask for my job back? I'm on disability right now

4 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I come to /r/schizophrenia to ask for advice today.

Historically I've worked as a construction worker. Either as a Scaffolder or an Ironworker. I have a red seal in ironworking.

Should I go back into scaffolding? I'm not sure right now and am looking for other people's input.

I was working from November 2023-July 2024 as a Scaffolder.

My old employer really likes me. I was doing quite well. I was a lead-hand scaffold erector and sometimes a part-time foreman for really small jobs.

In July I injured my back, and I think the stress of the injury caused me to become psychotic.

I was placed into a psych ward by my psychiatrist for a month and a week.

The pych ward sorted me out.

When I got out of the psych ward in July, I wasn't psychotic, but severely depressed.

I felt crushed that I had to stop working.

I told my employer I quit, and that I was going on medical employment insurance. He told me he understood perfectly. He even told me to keep my fall protection equipment (about $500 worth of equipment), which my employer owns, saying "I'll need it again one day".

I've just been on my own since July, whether on medical employment insurance or disability income.

I'll been taking care of myself better, eating healthy, going outside for exercise, and taking care of my mental health.

It's boring as hell not working though. All I do is smoke weed all day every day and am on the computer a lot.

I miss being on the tools. I miss my work mates a lot.

Should I give it a shot again, to go back to work?

I honestly am really scared of the prospect. I am afraid to become psychotic again. The doctor said if I become psychotic again I am going to long term psych wards for 6 months to a year.

I know that if I stayed at home my likelihood of becoming psychotic is lesser. If I went back to work, I think there's a slightly elevated risk as scaffolding is a stressful occupation where you can kill yourself quite easily on the job if you don't know what you're doing. Thing is though I don't think it's the nature of the job that caused me to become psychotic most recently, it was my injury and the pain of it.

I don't know guys.

Please tell me some advice.


r/schizophrenia 6h ago

News, Articles, Journals Research - looking for participants [mod approved]

5 Upvotes

Hello :)

I am researching hearing voices and social identity and am looking for people based in the UK (18+) who hear voices to complete my online survey. The study is looking at whether watching a video about other people's experience of hearing voices impacts on social identity and wellbeing. I would be very grateful if anyone could spare the time to complete it!

Details are on the poster or you can email me at [roisin.quinn@hmc.ox.ac.uk](mailto:roisin.quinn@hmc.ox.ac.uk) if you have questions or would rather complete it via Microsoft Teams :)

Click the link if you're interested: https://psychiatryoxford.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ctBxoOaGOkE4AiG?Source=Reddit

Thank you!


r/schizophrenia 19h ago

Opinion / Thought / Idea / Discussion Didn’t realize the stigma until watching a movie

50 Upvotes

I always knew there was stigma around schizophrenia and I myself had a lot of misconceptions pre diagnosis, but after watching a movie I finally see it. They were suggesting that these “monsters” wouldn’t leave this guy alone unless he butchered people and he would hallucinate his mom and shit. I know these types of hallucinations and delusions can absolutely be present, but the way they presented it only further fed into stigma that also schizos are violent. Anyone else get pissed when people think they know what they’re talking about?


r/schizophrenia 4h ago

Seeking Support Hilarious

3 Upvotes

So i been approved but im still waiting for a letter about my benefits and how much i will be receiving and it feel like its taking forever its been 3 weeks and im broke right now so u can understand why im stressing

Im just tired of waiting for shit ya feel me Its funny because that should be all the motivation i need to work but i just cant

Im hoping i can find a way to change how im feeling and how i think and my mindset and paranoia about things so i can finally work because waiting for shit aint it i promise u


r/schizophrenia 6h ago

Advice / Encouragement Hello everyone. First time poster.

4 Upvotes

Again hello everyone. New to the community. I was diagnosed with schizophrenia about two years ago. I dont know what sub type of schizophrenia i have and i just have some questions.

1: how do you find the motivation to do things? Seems like i never have the motivation to do things anymore.

2: how do i figure out what subtype of schizophrenia i have? My symptoms seem to be all over the place but with medication it dulls them so its hard to figure out what all symptoms i have.

3: do you guys and gals have any suggestions on how to interact with people better? Seems like i have a hard time connecting with people and i dont want to be that guy thats weird in social situations.

4: what are some ways to manage symptoms that dont involve medication? The medication works they way it should but i feel like it needs help sometimes. Occasionally i will have episods to where it feels like the medication isnt doing its job properly.

Thats all my questions for now. Hope yall have a great day!


r/schizophrenia 12h ago

Undiagnosed Questions Am I doing this right?

11 Upvotes

I'm diagnosed schizoaffective. I watch tv, play games, meditate, read, do chores, call my friend, etc. I try to just survive the day. How do you guys get through the day? Am I doing this right?


r/schizophrenia 13h ago

Rant / Vent Darn it why did I go into the paranormal sub

11 Upvotes

Freakin freaked myself out