#schizophrenia spectrum

[tortiefrancis]

hey fun fact did you know that if you're on the schizophrenia spectrum, have psychosis, have psychotic symptoms or traits, etc, that you're loved and your symptoms and traits should not be vilainized or seen as evil or ugly?

[herbal-scout]

People on the schizophrenia spectrum are 14 times more likely to be victims of crime, not the perpetrators.

There is the ableist assumption that "schizophrenics are all dangerous", and a lot of people don't know how false that is.

Please help stop the stigma.

[schizopositivity]

If you're talking about mental health issues in someone who just gave birth, don't just call it "postpartum" and only mean postpartum depression and assume everyone only understands that means postpartum depression, because postpartum psychosis exists too.

When you're talking about neurodiversity/mental illness, don't just say "the spectrum" and only mean the autism spectrum and assume everyone understands that only means the autism spectrum, because the schizophrenia spectrum exists too.

I understand that most people think that schizophrenia or psychosis isn't the norm. Most people don't include us in general conversations. But that doesn't mean we don't exist. Postpartum psychosis is very real and should be talked about more. Schizophrenia is a spectrum and more people should understand that.

Those of us with psychosis or schizophrenia are used to being excluded but it hurts a bit more when we're being completely excluded from conversations specifically about mental illness. By defaulting "postpartum" or "the spectrum" to not include us, it feels like you're saying postpartum psychosis doesn't exist, or schizophrenia isn't also a spectrum. When you treat postpartum or the spectrum as if they only mean one thing, it implies that there is no other postpartum mental health conditions, or no other mental illness spectrums. It's not that hard to add an extra word to be specific.

I know this isn't a huge deal, and I might just be nit picking. But I think these two examples show how those of us with psychosis or schizophrenia are always excluded, even from other mentally ill people. Many people don't know that postpartum psychosis even exists. Many people don't know that schizophrenia is also a spectrum. And the general understanding won't change, if the only people using inclusive language are those of us who have it.

[neuroticboyfriend]

i know us schizos can be relatively lax about the word schizo... but for people who aren't on the schizophrenia spectrum, please remember... it is a slur, or at the very least, a derogatory term. maybe don't say it (unless we're okay with you calling us it), especially not to separate yourselves from us.

context: i just saw someone say "i'm not a fucking schizo" when talking about their misdiagnosis and resulting trauma. this could have been done without using a slur, especially given how much we also face misdiagnosis and medical/psychiatric trauma. we're in this together, not apart.

[cluster-a-culture-is]

cluster a culture is never being taken seriously for fighting against and criticizing things like “if you don’t reblog this you’re part of the problem” “everybody has to reblog this” “_____ people will NEVER reblog this”. People act like it’s just some annoying thing, and not something that could be horribly debilitating to schizospec people

FOR REAL I hate reblog baits so much. people don't seem to get that it could trigger a psychotic episode in schizospecs, inducing delusions and derealisation is Not Cool.

[plural-affirmations]

Here's to systems who have trouble with relationships!

Contrary to what some may say, relationships of any kind are not a requirement, or a necessity for a happy, meaningful life. We love and support the systems out there who have trouble with them!

Shoutout to:

Asexual, aromantic, aplatonic, asensual, analterous, aqueerplatonic, and ansthetic spectrum systems or headmates

Those with personality disorders such as PPD, SPD, STPD, ASPD, AVPD, etc. that lead to an aversion to social situations

Autistic and other neurodivergent plurals who feel different from society

Multiples who have another condition that makes socialization hard

Chronically ill and disabled individuals who can't meet up with friends often or at all, even if they wanted to

Those with psychosis and/or beings on the schizophrenia spectrum that have delusions that make them paranoid or otherwise interfere with their interpersonal relationships

And anyone else I missed

You're so valid! Regardless of the reason these things are undesirable or difficult for you, please know it's ok to be like this. I love you.

Have a great day!

🖤💜💙💚💛

[psychotic-tbh]

Does anyone else get unusual sensations when their psychosis starts acting up again? Also, has anyone asked their psychiatrist about it?

Like, not even the usual psychosomatic stuff (e.g. stomachache and that fluttery feeling in one’s chest), but like a splitting sensation in the brain, or a water filled feeling in the skull? As if the brain water is sloshing about.

Someone else I know with a similar diagnosis experiences the same thing so I’m wondering if this is just a schizospec thing and if anyone has more information on it.

I’ve read that schizophrenia deals with some grey matter and white matter stuff in the brain and deals with over activity in certain parts? Could it just be that?

Any and all input is appreciated :)

[untruthsteller]

Hey for disability pride month, shout-out to people with "less than marked" diagnoses!

If you've got something with "unspecified" or "otherwise" in your diagnosis name, this one is for you! Your disorder is still real. You are still struggling with something and if that something causes you to need accommodations or causes you to struggle in your day to day life, you can still call yourself disabled. You still deserve the accommodations and care that someone who has a more concrete diagnosis. Your disability is real, your symptoms are real. As frustrating as it is, being classified with an "other" disorder is still disordered and your symptoms are enough. I love you!!!

[holyluvr]

There’s basically no understanding from non-schizo people about what schizo negative symptoms look and feel like, how they can be equally as challenging and damaging as positive symptoms, or how miserable it is from my experience.

When I’m caught up in it, I’m called various insults to mean heartless, rude, lazy, cold-hearted, shut off/shut in, and more. People give up on me after the first couple of attempts don’t have any results in me “coming back”. The message is spread that I can’t be trusted, and I’m incapable of holding any form of relationships without ending it in neglect and rejection— & I don’t deserve other’s kindness in their perspectives when negative symptoms are giving my life a hard time.

They pretend negative symptoms aren’t a part of the disorder, dismiss it as less severe, something to easily get over, expect me to get through it on some short schedule by myself; and so I realize, every damn time with every new person, that someone else didn’t understand what they were promising me when I was vulnerable enough to tell them that I’m Schizo, and they swore to me that my schizo-spec symptoms wouldn’t end our relationship.

[tortiefrancis]

I just saw a post that said "may all your delulu become trululu"- no!! Stop misusing the term delusion! Imagine saying this to someone who has persecutory delusions? If my delusions came true, life would be a nightmare!

Delusions aren't about "Oh this character is straight but I believe he's gay", no! That's not what it is about! It's a serious issue people have to deal with!

[herbal-scout]

Please be sure to include people on the schizophrenia spectrum in conversations around disability awareness.

Schizophrenics belong, and should not be "othered".

[schizopositivity]

So I was searching for a new psychiatrist online, and every website filter, every description they have, for individual providers and medical groups will include a whole bunch of different mental illnesses and life situations that they specialize in. Basically every mental illness and stressful life situation you could think of. But I didn't see schizophrenia or psychosis on any list. They had mental illnesses that can have psychotic symptoms (like bipolar disorder or PTSD) and mental illnesses that have overlapping symptoms with schizophrenia (like ASD and ADHD) but didn't have psychosis or schizophrenia anywhere.

And this is so frustrating, because I'm used to therapists not knowing how to treat schizophrenia/psychosis at all, that's been every therapist I've ever had and I've sadly learned to deal with that. But for psychiatrists, I'd really love to be able to be prescribed high doses of antipsychotics by someone who knows how that affects people. Someone who has enough experience to list that as a specialty. I live in a small city with a long list of psychiatrists, I even checked ones farther away that could do online sessions. Still after hours of combing through websites I found nothing. I was even told by my therapist that normal primary care providers regularly hesitate or refuse to prescribe antipsychotics because it's a "liability".

And it feels so unfair. Seeing psychiatrists say "mental health is so important! I can help you find your best self!" while ignoring all of us who rely on antipsychotics to function. For me my antipsychotics are the biggest reason I'm alive today, that I have a job, that I have a long term relationship, that I have friends, that I can even function. Going off of antipsychotics is not a safe option for me.

The pharmacy requires refill approval from a psychiatrist or Dr. so that I can have access to my meds. And I shouldn't have to keep settling for mental health care workers who don't understand my illness, don't want to prescribe my meds, and don't care to try.

I don't understand how there can be such a major gap in mental health care that's never even talked about. For a lot of us with schizophrenia, antipsychotics are extremely important, and going off of them can have major consequences. The fact that medication can dramatically improve our lives is incredible, but the fact that so many mental health care workers don't understand it, don't want to prescribe it, or just guess when prescribing it is horrendous, and has life-changing consequences for us.

It feels so isolating to not even be on a long list of mental health problems, and to speak to countless people who've dedicated their life to the mental health field, yet don't even consider you as an option. I just got rejected by a group of 6 psychiatrists working in an office together. In a quick email they said they wouldn't be able to provide care for me. Apparently all of them, who are available and licensed to care for people with mental illnesses, don't even think it's possible that any one of them could help me. All I need is medication refill approval, but apparently they can't do that. It feels so defeating but I'm going to keep trying because I have to.

I am not an anomaly, I am one small part of a large group of people with my same diagnosis. And we all need care at the bare minimum, but we deserve care that has us in mind for once. One day, I'd like to think, that a profession centered around helping people with various mental illnesses and struggles, would add us to the list. Because we are here regardless.

[neuroticboyfriend]

i often feel lonely irt being schizo-spec & psychotic because i have very early onset schizoaffective disorder. i began experiencing magical thinking at 9, clinical psychosis at 11, and cognitive decline began thereafter. i just kind of grew up depressed and schizophrenic. but i didn't know anyone else like me. i still don't, and it hurts.

so to any other childhood schizospecs & psychotics, i see you and you aren't alone. you deserve support, autonomy, and safety, just like everyone else. please remember to be a little kinder to yourself, alright? you've been through so much, so young. it's okay to take things slow, to take breaks, and to follow an unconventional path. you don't have to be "normal." you're wonderful just as you are.

[cluster-a-culture-is]

some comparisons between disorders and symptoms

we've been meaning to write this for a while now, because we often receive asks that are like "how do I know if I have a schizospec disorder or (another disorder)?"

so, here are breakdowns of symptoms that affect thoughts, some things we'll take from the EASE for more officiality and clarity

intrusive and impulsive thoughts

intrusive thoughts are by nature aggressive, horrid, macabre, and/or sexual.

they're different from impulsive thoughts. impulsive thoughts are silly, usually fun, are things that wouldn't bring too much harm on yourself or others if acted upon. things you would realistically do in the spur of the moment. they are purely caused by impulsivity.

examples of impulsive thoughts:

thoughts/imagery of breaking some object

thoughts/imagery of sneaking up on a person to give them a scare

thoughts/imagery of impulsive buying, spending, etc

examples of intrusive thoughts:

thoughts/imagery of blood, catastrophes, death, etc

thoughts/imagery of harming yourself/others

thoughts/imagery of sexual harassment, violence, etc

intrusive thoughts are unwanted, cause distress, are met with resistance, and often with attempts to push them away

impulsive thoughts aren't necessarily unwanted, cause minor distress or no distress at all, aren't met with much resistance

intrusive thoughts are a symptom of many, many, many mental health issues and illnesses. though, they also happen in healthy people, occasionally.

the keyword is: occasionally.

when intrusive thoughts become frequent and constant, they become obsessions.

obsessions

obsessions are, simply put, ongoing intrusive thoughts.

they are repetitive, they won't stop showing up no matter how much resistance or attempts to ignore them is shown, and are cause of great distress.

they are often met with attempts to push them away, which can too become frequent and become compulsions.

compulsions are often present with obsessions, but not always, and the reverse is also true. obsessions are often present with compulsions, but not always.

obsessions are the defining feature of OCspec disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (both obsessive and obsessive-compulsive types, but not compulsive type) and body dysmorphic disorder.

ruminations

thoughts/imagery of any past event.

ruminations are frequent and ongoing as obsessions, but they're a bit different depending on the subtype of ruminations.

subtype 1:

the person is unable to find any reason for their tendency to obsessive-like states; they simply rethink and relive what happened during the day/past days – not motivated by perplexity, paranoid attitude, or sense of vulnerability or inferiority.

subtype 2

the obsessive-like states appear as a consequence of a loss of natural evidence, disturbed basic sense of the self, or hyperreflectivity, or they appear to be caused by more primary paranoid phenomena (suspiciousness, self-reference, etc) or a depressive state.

subtype 3

ego-dystonic, as in obsessive-compulsive disorders, with ongoing internal resistance, but a content that is not aggressive, horrid, macabre, or sexual. they're also categorised as true obsessions, but can have a different content.

subtype 4

obsession-like phenomena, which appear more as ego-syntonic (not met with resistance, or only occasionally), and with a content that is directly aggressive, sexually perverse, or otherwise bizarre. they often feature an imaginative character doing the actions, instead of the person who's experiencing the ruminations.

to make it clearer:

intrusive thoughts are unwanted, cause distress, are met with resistance, and often with attempts to push them away. they do not happen regularly, and often aren't a cause of concern, though they are distressing. everyone can experience intrusive thoughts, regardless of if they have a disorder or not.

obsessions are unwanted, cause distress, are met with resistance, and often with attempts to push them away. they happen regularly, often on a daily basis, and often are cause of concern. since they cause distress regularly, they're often basis for a diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorders. again, if they don't cause distress, they're not obsessions, they might be ruminations or impulsive thoughts, or something else entirely. they are often, but not always, met with compulsions, rituals, or attempts to ignore them to neutralise the obsession.

ruminations are varied. they all have in common that they happen regularly, often on a daily basis, and they're thoughts/imagery of past events. they can just be (subtype 1); they can be in response to depression, hyperreflectivity such as anxiety, paranoia, suspiciousness, etc (subtype 2); they can be bizarre, met with resistance and distressing as obsessions, but of a different content (subtype 3); they can be of the same content as obsessions, but without the same resistance and without being distressing (subtype 4). though, they can also be met with compulsions, rituals, or attempts to ignore them. they can happen in any disorder, but especially subtype 1 can... just happen, even in healthy people. subtypes 2-4 are frequent in schizospec disorders. subtype 2 is also frequent in other non-schizospec disorders such as anxiety, depression, etc.

[rachymarie]

look idk who on Goddess' green Earth decided ableism towards the severely mentally ill was cute but it needs to stop

looking at u "delulu" girlies*

*also schizoposting/lobotomycore girlies and "I'm in your walls" bros and all u other sadistic creeps. (also the oldest and most ingrained in society which is still kind of a bad and lazy excuse for ableism: "that's psychotic" as negative) all of u just go straight to jail and don't pass go. and don't come out till you've thought about your actions and decided to treat disabled folks better

[schizoaffectively]

That schizospec feel when the demon following you won’t leave you alone, even IN THE BATHROOM!!! Like come on let me shit in peace.