Need Some Help with Schizophrenia?

Question

I am a high school student diagnosed with schizophrenia. In some aspects im not like other schizophrenics. For example, i have good hygiene and I am able to go to public places. I do take medication called risperdal but it doesnt help at all with my auditory hallucinations. I can't stop thinking about things i dont want to think about and i keep thinking that other people can hear those things im thinking about (I think people have some kind of brain telepathy to read my mind). I do not want to go to a mental institute because i do know that it is not that serious. But can someone tell me a way to cope with these thoughts or at least get rid of them because they are ruining my grades because i cant concentrate at all with all these thoughts going on through my head....

Answer 1

If you know that your hallucinations aren't real, maybe you should try meditation. Perhaps you can train your mind to focus. I use to have a very overactive imagination when I was younger, and I always had a very difficult time falling asleep at night because I couldn't stop thinking about stuff. As I got older I learned to clear my mind and relax enough to fall right to sleep. It may help. Try imagining a thick cloud of fog in your head. Then try to imagine it rotating counter clockwise. This will help you to concentrate on the fog. Do this until you have completely emptied your thoughts.This is a trick I often use to clear my mind. Give it a try when those thoughts start taking over. Good luck.

Answer 2

It sounds like you have good insight and are still oriented to reality. The thing about thinking people can hear your thoughts is called "thought broadcasting". It's not uncommon in schizophrenia. Since you're questioning these thoughts it doesn't appear they've reached delusional proportions. Have you tried other medications or combinations of medications? Some people respond beautifully to one drug whereas another person won't respond at all. There are several different types of antipsychotic drugs and maybe your hallucinations can be reduced or eliminated with a different drug. Often times people with serious mental illness will have to experiment and try several medications before they find the one that works best for them. Your illness is very treatable. Hang in there and don't give up hope.

Answer 3

Even though that can be very serious I think all that can be done is being done . Just hold on for a while longer. Great stress will come as you learn more about life. Relax many have gone your way as a loner and being isolated from your social group. It will be a slow process so start living. The grades are like icing on the cake but you need to decide on the cake . Chose chocolate, white or ice cream or whatever but find the cake of life OK.

Answer 4

Although I'm not schizophrenic I have obsessive thoughts as well...and some of them are highly paranoid. What I would suggest is try to get in touch with a therapist to help you change your thought patterns. I know that sounds impossible but sometimes you can manage the thoughts even though you can't get rid of them. And of course mention that you're still having problems to your doctors. There might be some other drug they could prescribe in conjunction with what you're taking that might help out some more. Good luck and I hope you get the help you want!

Answer 5

I really wish that you would speak to someone that you could trust about this...an adult...a parent, a special teacher, or counselor. You really do need to speak to your therapist/psychiatrist/physicians assistant, and have your meds checked. There are other meds that could be taken in place or added to the one(s) that you are taking now, that could help you cope with the things that you have described above. I can only imagine what you go through on a day to day basis, but you really need to get these things under control so that you can concentrate on things like your school work. Another reason to seek help (and to talk to your medical professional again) is because I am concerned about depression. Please talk to your parent(s) or a trusted older friend, go seek professional help again....the chances of you being institutionalized is very slim if at all, especially with the right medications and therapy. Please take the steps to help yourself, so that others can help you to get better. It may not seem "that bad" but from what you've described, your quality of life has suffered tremendously; believe me it can get better with the proper care. Do not expect miracles overnight, have patience, and over time, things can work out.
good luck

Answer 6

You should tell the person who prescribed Risperdal for you that it isn't helping and maybe they can increase your dosage or try another medication.
I used to take Risperdal for Psychosis and I know it's not easy but things WILL get better.
You could also try distraction techniques, when you feel like things are getting out of control, try and focus on something that you really enjoy, or count to 100.

Answer 7

The way you speak about your mental condition here is heart-warming. I feel you are aware enough of your symptoms to be seeking help. Meds may alleviate some of the symptoms, continue with them. If you're already sounding genuine here, I believe you can take this issue to God in the same gut-level expression of prayer possible. Only you are experiencing the depth of pain from what you've described here. Only you are capable of describing the intensity of that pain to God. Miracles still happen even today, but, I'm not about to know why it happens to some, and not to others. God is so mysteriously powerful, He wants to personally reach into us with His healing hands than we are stumbling here and there seeking cliched answers to problems that are uniquely personal, not common across the board, almost as if we are automatons.

I can't explain what being 'human' is as clearly as you will need to come up with a definition yourself before God. In your own way, 'cry out' to Him. Don't edit your words, as if you need to speak 'properly' before even your Heavenly Father. If you find yourself 'stuck', perhaps you need to examine the reason behind it. You just might find out even more what you didn't 'know' about yourself....

may you be surrounded by an awareness of His Presence....

Answer 8

you need to discuss this with your doctor. usually the medications work to alleviate the problems you have discussed, but not always. it is very good that you can identify your symptoms, but still am able to cope with them, although it is very distressing for you. you could use a medication review, or change from your doctor who i hope is a psychiatrist not a GP. you should not have to go to hospital, because u usually have to be a danger to self or others to be admitted against your own will. you should not have to live like this and i congratulate you for trying to do your best hope this helps good luck

Answer 9

i'm bipolar. talk to me [e-mail] if u need help. call 1800 lifenet. if u want online therapy try asktheinternettherapist.com and metanoia.org. holisticonline.com, 1stholistic.om, beliefnet.com. also helps. good luck. go out with a discman or an ipod to help ease u. drink chamomile tea. try ayurvediccure.com 4 alternatives. God will help u.

Answer 10

there is a group called NAMI , look it up on the internet, and they will have the advice u need, maybe. it's National Association of Mental Illness, they have a discussion group and other things.