schizofeynic - Tumblr blog

[schizofeynic]

it’s okay to do things that make your symptoms worse (as long as you’ll stay safe)

every once in a while you need to eat something yummy. or go on a walk. or a trip to the zoo. take a hot shower. cry your eyes out. dance. listen to music. draw for way to long. write. laugh. sit in a cafe with a friend. paint your nails. dye your hair. go on a run. pet a cat

sometimes you need to do things that are cathartic or make yourself feel alive. sometimes you need the reminder of why you’re fighting so hard to stay alive

this is your reminder that just because it makes your symptoms worse, it isn’t always the wrong thing to do. there can be value in these actions

[schizofeynic]

Looking for Psychosis Peer Support?

Hey! Do you experience psychosis and need a place to share your experiences and find community? Come join our Discord server! Fun for all ages! In operation since 2018!

here’s some cool stuff we got

a lovely and friendly community

plans for music and movie watch parties

cool bots

a channel for the memes

a channel for gaming

voice channels

occasional med reminder check-ins!

some other cool things we have

we offer as much help and resource redirection as we can

we try to foster good coping skills

we uplift and support marginalized identities

we’re active

we’ve got channels for people of color and LGBTQ+ people and actively work to prioritize the marginalized people of our community

community channels for people with all sorts of mental health experiences

zero tolerance of oppressive behavior or violent language

[schizofeynic]

My Psychosis Survival Guide

Things from my coping box that might benefit you too. Like any other skill, many of these things can be used to help any other mental health problem. This is just my own list of things I use in addition to seeing my pdoc and taking my meds:

Art

Grounding is my first and most effective coping skill. Among the skills in the grounding category, coloring and doodling are my favorites (bonus if you can color-in doodles you've made yourself) but any art will do, like painting or making collages.

This can distract you from hallucinations and keep your mind occupied to stop dwelling on paranoid or delusional thoughts. Art therapy is known to reduce anxiety and depression too, which is common with psychotic disorders.

Instrumental music

LoFi is my favorite. Something calming can reduce anxiety and help you rest or sleep, which is good for a brain bombarded with the psychotic experience. Lyrics can sometimes trigger unwanted thoughts and some people even find that the lyrics change and suddenly have special meaning, so this is avoided with instrumental music.

Some LoFi music has other sound effects which can help auditory hallucinations to blend in and be less intrusive. Cafe vlogs are excellent for this, as they have a background of people talking and kitchen appliances being used which disguise mild and pesky hallucinations.

Putty

It can be Silly Putty, Thinking Putty, or whatever you can find. Some of them change colors, some of them are even scented. This is excellent grounding. It involves your senses and you can completely turn off your brain and just play with it in your hands. It's also great as a fidget tool.

Letters to yourself

Writing letters to yourself while you're in a good and healthy mindset can be valuable to look back on while in a psychotic episode. Give yourself a pep talk. Remind yourself that this is real life, remind yourself of why these thoughts are irrational and why you really can trust your friends and family, etc.

I find it useful to write about past delusions, so that when similar ones happen, I have "proof" that this is unreasonable and I'm less likely to fall for it (nothing is perfect. sometimes I'll still believe the delusion despite everything, but it helps)

A list of people who can help

Keep a list of friends or family who are aware of your diagnosis and who are ready to help you if you're struggling. Keep the numbers to these people in case you chuck your phone. Also include the numbers to your doctor, therapist, social worker, or anyone else you may need to reach when you're unable to use your own phone. (It's also good to have these listed in case you get hospitalized and are unable to have your phone)

Also if you're dealing with paranoia around your phone, some people find it comforting to use WhatsApp because it's encrypted unlike text messages.

I hope these are helpful

[schizofeynic]

New term just dropped

Ghostmate

A plural term for a headmate that only fronts when little to no people are around, typically at night.

Coined by: Felix

Requested by: (many headmates)

[schizofeynic]

Therian amino is so embarrasing lol I’ve never seen a more out of touch group of people. 

If you genuinely believe you are a fictional character “in another reality” or something it’s not spirituality it’s mental illness get yourself checked

[schizofeynic]

psychotic besties. I mean this dead seriously: do not share the nature of your psychosis online. do not tell internet strangers what triggers you. the internet is already cruel enough to those of us who experience psychosis, and there are people out there who will think it’s funny or interesting to use your psychosis against you. please be safe out there!

and anyone who likes to trigger peoples’ psychosis on purpose? fucking stop doing that

[schizofeynic]

"you're so delulu" "#schizoposting" "narc abuse" "the intrusive thoughts won" "microdosing on delusion" "when the voices tell me to" "she's definitely dissociating" oh my god please shut up please shut the fuck up

[schizofeynic]

actually i think its horrendous how the word delusional has been co-opted & watered down (especially to the term "delulu") by ableminded & sane people to mean "thinking your crush likes you back!!!!!!" when actual delusional psychotic & schizophrenic people are treated like absolute shit and are constantly being thrown under the bus even in mental health communities and people act like we just killed their entire family in front of them when we even mention our mental state.

[schizofeynic]

hey, it’s almost like what delusional / psychotic people have been saying about what helps us cope is widely accepted by the medical community, to the point where it’s taught to new healthcare professionals

(taken from my nursing assistant textbook)

[schizofeynic]

[schizofeynic]

list of reasons our system of canines are all nonhuman and the list excludes "symbolic of being treated as subhuman"

CW: some vague statements about trauma. list is not written in a specific order and statements were given by all system members, not only trauma holders.

if everyone loves (animal) and i am (animal) then everyone will love me

i am a (working animal) and my role in our system heavily focuses on labour in some way

(animal) is more loving and caring than humans have ever been to me, and i am not unloving or uncaring so i must be (animal) because i cannot be them

this would never happen to (animal,) and i am (animal,) so it isnt happening to me

(animal) is more powerful than a human and i need this animalistic power to protect and defend myself

(animal) is free. and i need freedom

(animal's) body is built to cope with this, so if i am (an animal,) my body is built for it too and i will survive

everyone gets along with (animal) so if i am (animal) i will fit in

i am equally as helpless to human (abuse) as ([domestic] animal) so i must be (animal)

if (animal) doesnt have this responsibility and i am (animal) that means i dont have that responsibility either

its fun and exciting to be (animal)

[schizofeynic]

Reminder that schizo-spec and psychotic people who need full time care are an important part of this community. People living in psychiatric hospitals, people in prisons, people in care homes, people living with a care giver/family member, anyone who needs lifelong care is an important part of our community. Just because we can't always see them, or can't always hear their stories, doesn't mean we shouldn't stick up for them, support them, include them, and respect them.

[schizofeynic]

neuroscience and disability infodump

what is a paracosm?

🧠 OK TO SELF DX!

a paracosm is a detailed and elaborately constructed imaginary world or fantasy realm that is created in the mind of an individual. it is a rich and complex imaginary universe that can include characters, landscapes, cultures, and even its own set of rules or laws. paracosms are often created as a form of imaginative play or as a means of escape or self-expression.

the concept of a paracosm is most commonly associated with children and adolescents, as they often engage in elaborate make-believe scenarios and create fictional worlds as part of their imaginative play. however, some individuals continue to develop and expand their paracosms into adulthood as a form of creative expression or as a means of exploring their inner thoughts and emotions.

paracosms can vary widely in their complexity and level of detail. some individuals may spend countless hours developing their paracosms, while others may have simpler, more loosely constructed imaginative worlds. ultimately, paracosms are deeply personal and unique creations that reflect the imagination and creative spirit of the individual who constructs them.

paracosms are not specifically associated with schizotypal personality disorder (STPD). STPD is a distinct personality disorder characterized by a pattern of eccentric behavior, unusual beliefs or magical thinking, social and interpersonal difficulties, and perceptual distortions. paracosms, on the other hand, are imaginative and elaborate fictional worlds created in the minds of individuals, often for purposes of play, creativity, or escape.

while individuals with STPD may exhibit unconventional thinking and have a rich inner fantasy life, it is important to note that the presence of a paracosm alone does not indicate or define STPD. STPD involves a broader set of symptoms and behaviors beyond the creation of imaginary worlds.

paracosms are also usually not associated with schizoid personality disorder (SZPD). SZPD is a personality disorder characterized by a pattern of detachment from social relationships, emotional coldness, and a limited range of emotional expression. pwSZPD tend to prefer solitude and have little interest in or desire for close interpersonal connections.

paracosms, on the other hand, involve the creation of elaborate imaginary worlds, often as a form of imaginative play or self-expression. they are more commonly associated with childhood development and can serve as a means of exploring creativity, fostering imagination, or providing an escape from reality.

while both SZPD and paracosms involve a certain level of internal focus and detachment, they differ in their nature and purpose. paracosms are generally seen as imaginative and creative outlets, while SZPD reflects a persistent pattern of social and emotional detachment.

paracosms can sometimes be associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). many individuals with ASD engage in intense and immersive interests or activities that involve creating detailed and elaborate worlds or scenarios in their imagination. these imaginative pursuits can include the development of paracosms.

creating a paracosm can serve several purposes for individuals with ASD. it can provide them with a structured and predictable environment that they can control, allowing them to explore their interests and express their creativity. paracosms can also serve as a source of comfort and a means of escaping from the complexities of the real world.

it's important to note that not all individuals with ASD develop paracosms, and the presence or absence of a paracosm does not determine a diagnosis of ASD. autism spectrum disorder is characterized by a range of symptoms, including social and communication challenges, restricted and repetitive behaviors or interests, sensory sensitivities, and difficulties with change or transitions.

the development of a paracosm in an individual with ASD should be understood within the broader context of their overall support needs and symptom profile. each individual with ASD is unique, and the presence of a paracosm can vary in its nature, intensity, and impact.

paracosms are more commonly associated with childhood development and imaginative play, but they can also be present in individuals without any specific mental health condition.

[schizofeynic]

shoutout to everyone with forget disorders (adhd, DID/osdd, ptsd/c-ptsd, asd, dementia/alzeheimers, schizophrenia, other psychotic disorders, major depressive, chronically ill/phys disabled people with brain fog, people with long-Covid, natural memory degradation, and etc.)

[schizofeynic]

prefacing this by saying that swapping "my therapist from hell" stories amongst other psychiatrised and formerly psychiatrised people is cathartic, solidarity-building, and sometimes a great starting point for a politics of mad liberation & i don't resent it at all. however the fact that any criticism of therapy will be met by its defenders with responses that boil down to "find a different therapist :)" is deeply infuriating and missing the point. i am familiar with how wrong-headed and openly prejudiced individual therapists can be, but the bigger & more fundamental issue is that a 'well-trained' therapist, practicing according to best & most current professional norms, is explicitly a person whose job is to convert distressed people into 'functioning', 'productive' (read: profit-generating) members of 'society' (read: hegemonic cultural norms & forms) & to shunt any 'patients' who fail at this task of 'getting better' into traumatising institutions where more authoritarian and coercive measures can be implemented. it does not actually matter if you, personally, had a super nice therapist who did not do this or believe these things. like, i'm happy for you but this is a structural critique of a profession & its relationship to state power.

[schizofeynic]

people with adhd, psychosis, brain fog, schizophrenia or anything that affects memory, recall and perception of reality are so at risk of gaslighting. even when you’re pretty sure you did/didn’t do a thing, if someone suggests that it didn’t actually happen that way or you’re skewing the facts or you’re just misremembering of whatever, you start to question yourself and your own memories and that is very easy to take advantage of. and it’s so incredibly difficult to get anyone to believe you or take you seriously because not even you are 100% sure you’re recalling things correctly. it sucks so bad not being able to rely on your own memory and to have to worry about people using it against you (because they can and will)

[schizofeynic]

can't believe im willingly bringing this discourse back to my blog but like. after reading the accounts of people who have BIID and their thoughts on themselves, and also reading what very little research has been done on people who actually have gotten limbs removed that suggests it genuinely does help their dysphoria. it's annoying to hear someone defend trans people's desire to get perfectly healthy genitalia cut off, and then when it comes to a person with BIID seeking surgery, go "clearly this guy needed Psychiatric Help to get his Wrong Urges Fixed." ik it's taboo to ever act like people w BIID could EVER be even SLIGHTLY similar to trans people because god forbid people associate us good moral trannies with FREAKS, but like. you can't say that one person wanting a healthy organ removed for no other reason that "it feels wrong" deserves to have their autonomy respected, but another person with similar feelings doesn't