Other than a sense of inadequacy, during the prodome phase, I have thought to be much enlightened by a broadening mind. My head was battling with philosophical conception and endless introspections, and it all thought to be so insightful to me at the time.
I remembered the time we watch “Batman- Dark Knight”, while everyone’s enjoying heath ledger’s acting skill, I was on the other hand way too preoccupied with cynicism like ” anything does not kill you make you stranger”. I started questioning why serial killer anticipates in vicious killing games and basically how a normal civilian turns into an evil psychopath? Having aware that I had became odd, I have and will never ever do harm to others but myself.
Getting back on the track, I questioned matter which a normal being could never bothered to think about. I became a spineless cynic who always whined about how an intellectual thinker and writer is much under-appreciated in the current society.
I scorned civilian who enjoys ordinary entertainment were unintelligent, simplistic “mono cell creatures”. Overall, I enjoy an ever heightened self-perceived sense of mental superiority. But as a matter of fact, I lost insight that is to realize that I was unwell. I insulted my psychiatrist when he told me I was suffering psychotic symptoms. It really did hit me in the head, “What do you mean my speech doesn’t make sense?”
My health conditions also started to worry me , sore muscles and blurred visions decaying each day. Although I never forgot to joke about my symptoms were very Alzheimer’s Disease alike. It felt like degenerative memory and frequent thought blocking, I had a thought, and be talking about it, and then suddenly stop and not remember what they were saying or thinking. Memories and thoughts are shuffled, bizarre dreams of people that I don’t even know of, and yet I found them rather intriguing.
I compelled to frequently write down my thoughts, as I may either forget it, or I may be transformed into any other mood that no longer feels the same. It’s depressing in the sense that it almost felt like a dying cancer patient who is counting days to go, occasionally got onto a flashback ride back to the past and woke up without knowing where I was. For some other times, I got back to the present tearfully. Guessing it was not a fun part of the past, but we forget some past with good reason, so I will let it stay at the past.
For the sake of adding extra seasoning to enhance my fascinating experience, I was endeavouring enough to repeatedly watch “The Butterfly Effect” when stoned. Even so, my hallucination had not gone that far and never had been as vivid.
My psychiatrist told me I felt out of touch with reality but I still don’t think I quite did. I realized that I had become quite odd in thinking, and yet one of the most precious bizarre trip to la la land. Nevertheless, it is an experience that still preferably to be stayed back in the past.



I went through a prodromal phase in the early 90's where my senses were giving me the wrong information about motion, color, time, etc., and it really wore me out. My job at the time was a very demanding one and it became more and more difficult to separate the truth from psychosis. I would have "visions" of demons and wolves and had quite an active other-worldly scene going on around me as I tried to work and to maintain a homelife with my husband. In 1995 I was diagnosed with schizophrenia. For a couple of years I continued to have all sorts of problems with suicidal depression and psychotic thinking. Much of what appeared around me was really just in my mind and I would see visions of murder and mayhem. I switched jobs several times while trying to get adjusted to antipsychotic medications. I wrote some really strange poetry at the time, because there were many odd word-associations and analogies.
Once I "adapted" to this kind of psychotic inner life and thought life, I was actually afraid the medications would work and I would find myself in a very sterile world. And not to say it wasn't difficult, but when my psychiatrist found an antipsychotic that worked (Zyprexa) and I began to trust my therapist, I found that I really could adjust. And the "real" world began to come into focus and I rejoined that world that most other people were living in. My therapist assured me I could make the adjustment, and I did.
It is worthwhile, friend, to get a good psychiatrist, get on the right medication, and perhaps lessen the stresses of life for a while till you can recover enough to deal with them. Do you want to be successful in your studies, carry a full load, have a normal appetite and not be distracted by music or other sensory interruptions that are due to schizophrenia? Take it from me, it is worthwhile to do whatever needs to be done to get on the path to recovery.
Best wishes.
Carolyn
Hi carolyn,
Thank you for the comment.I almost burst into tears when I read your reply.
It's such a warm feeling to know there's someone understands the situation and even
be bothered to wish me well.
My psychaitrist has not yet comfirm with the diagoise of schizophrenia, I think it could be the fact that I have shown no overt delusions or halluciations. I have experience with ridicolous jealousy obsesstion, but I never thought my bf was cheating on me.
I am currently prescribed with Risperdal. I didn't quite like it as it because it make me very drownsy all the time and the side effect of weight gain but I must admit that it cerntainly enhances the effect of citalopram(anti-depressant).
At the present, I am very stressed out with possibility of schizophrenia and a hard life seems to be just began. Before my next psychaitry consultation, I can only convince myself there could be a lot other diagnoise such as schizoaffective disorder, psychosis, psychneurosis etc.
Once again, much appreciated for your warmful comment. How are you coping with it?
The right medication are very effective at controling positive symtoms, how about your social life? Are you active and motivated?
Wish you well
Grace
Grace, I must admit there were several murky years when I couldn't take care of myself very well. I had to live with my parents because I couldn't hold down a job and that wouldn't have been my first choice of living arrangements, if you know what I mean. I am still living here with my mother. Sometimes when feeling a little better, I thought maybe I didn't need the medication anymore, or was hit broadside by the side effects of sleepiness and weight gain and decided to try it "on my own." Over and over again this lead to hospitalizations and even ECT treatments. Now I realize that Z yprexa not only helps with the sz but with the major depression I had suffered for years. Since 2002 I have not been in the hospital, and since 2004 I have had almost no depression. I call that a significant recovery. I am back to where I take my clothes off at night before I go to bed, I brush my teeth almost every day, creative output (painting) has resumed, and I can even enjoy a good book. If that sounds bleak, it really isn't. I am feeling better than I ever have in my whole life and I believe the meds compliment my recovery. Now I am just careful to limit going-and-doing to 2-3 days per week. Taking care of myself is something I have learned over time.
You asked how my social life is going. For most of my life I have been rather paranoid and had a very poor social life, careful to stay away from any place or function where there were lots of people. I even avoided family get-togethers. (I still do avoid family sometimes, but it is not due to sz!) Now I do a little volunteer work with some other women where we can sit and talk as we work, and I enjoy it. I am going to Sunday School and it is a warm fellowship. No longer do I cringe and move to a back corner at showers and other parties. I can walk across the room at a restaurant and not believe everyone is watching and talking about me. These seem like relatively little things, but they are worth so much.
I tried Risperdal, but had bad side effects of vomiting frequently. I also tried Tegretol, Lithium, Seroquel, Abilify, Haldol, Geodon, Depakote, Wellbutrin, Eskalith, Lexapro, Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, etc., before I found the right drug cocktail. It can take a while for some people to find what works best for them. If you are worried about weight gain, you might ask to try Geodon or Abilify. They made me too agitated and unable to sleep but I wish I had been able to stay on them.
I guess I am rambling now. You have a road to recovery before you and you will have to do everything you can and be as courageous as possible to travel it every day. As for me, I feel like just over the past year or two I have finally reached almost full recovery. But it started with admitting I had to take the medications every day. And weeding out the most stressful things in life. Which included working.
Best wishes to you again.
Carolyn