First, to Christina, thank you for the comments and suggestions. I stumbled upon this site whilst researching Schizophrenia online. I've been to various forums dedicated to the exploration and examination of mental illness, although none were quite as well constructed and welcoming as this site. My experiences with Schizophrenia go back. My mother was diagnosed with Paranoid Schizophrenia at the age of 17. For a few years, she took her medication, but was eventually forced off of them by an abusive ex husband a few years later. In my recent past I've become the person that she chooses to talk to when she has a hard time coping with the disease, on some days hearing voices so clearly it scares her. She has the presence to know what's happening, but simply being aware of the problem doesn't make it easier. Likewise, I keep in touch and discuss with her anything in my life that I feel to be unusual. Up until recently, I don't believe that aspects of my life should be a matter of concern, however I've started to notice things. My general attitude about things has become more...hopeless. Part of me reasons that there's no reason for it, but attempts are generally fruitless. Increasingly spiteful/violent thoughts have also recently become more regular, and I've always been a peaceful person. I find that it's becoming easier to forget things and to 'space out' so to speak. I was recently approached about a conversation that I'd had with a friend. While I seem to recall being with him at the time, and I don't doubt speaking with him, I couldn't tell you what the conversation was about or how long it lasted. I don't know if everything I hear is real anymore after several instances of hearing sounds and voices that other didn't. Likewise with smells, although not as often. I should be getting help soon to figure out if what is going on is really Schizophrenia or another disease. Either way, I hope I get the chance to get better. Thank you for reading. My best wishes go out to all of you. -Rain