1. < Mental Health

Schizophrenia and/or paranoid schizophrenia

Posted by Zach @zach, May 9, 2012

Hello,

My name is Zach and I've been living with Paranoid Schizophrenia for a while now. What I'm looking for here is someone who has learned coping skills for my illness. The major symptom I'm looking to learn a coping skill for is this: When I make eye contact with someone I'm not that close with, symptoms come about; the best way I can describe it is that I get extremely tense and my voices kick in usually as an intense scream or growl. It's completely inappropiate to express it so I have to bottle it up which is very draining and it makes it difficult to carry on a conversation. Can anyone relate to this? If so, do you have coping skills you've learned for it?

Thanks,
Zach

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Roxie43 | @roxie43 | May 10, 2012

Hi Zach,
Do you also have anxiety or do you think that your reactions are related to being paranoid or a combination? If, it's anxiety I would speak to your doctor for treatment. Having stated this, we humans all get anxious but if it's due to the illness and your medications are helping you, perhaps exposure therapy can be helpful.
Some times we just have to face our fears and the more we expose ourselves to that fear and realize that we survived the experience the more confident we become. It may take a little time but living with schizophrenia does not mean that you have to withdraw from socialization. Perhaps, even a supportive socialization group, a small one, will help you as well because you will meet others like yourself, perhaps struggling with the same issue and learn that you are not alone.
I suffer from anxiety and some times I just force myself because if we do nothing then we become imprisoned by our illnesses. You deserve to continue living your life despite a diagnosis.
I'm here if you need to chat. Take care and be kind to yourself.
Roxie

REPLY
3 replies
Roxie43 | @roxie43 | May 21, 2012

Hi,
Just checking in to see how you're doing.
Hugs
Rox

REPLY
3 replies
Zach | @zach | May 21, 2012
In reply to @roxie43 "Hi, Just checking in to see how you're doing. Hugs Rox" + (show)
@roxie43

Hi,
Just checking in to see how you're doing.
Hugs
Rox

Jump to this post

Hey Roxie,
I appreciate your posts, I actually just noticed both of them today. Turns out it's not much of an anxiety problem. It was the case when I was younger and the schizophrenia backed me into a corner full of anxiety, but fortunately I found an in home program that really trained me to deal with my anxiety. The program is called Attacking Anxiety and Depression, ever heard of it? If your still battling anxiety that is harsh I would recommend that program to you.

My current problem is that when I make eye contact with most people I get symptoms of the schizophrenia, such as a violent and inappropriate emotion that can come through my eyes and make people feel unconfortable. Ofcourse this isn't how I'm actually feeling, I like people and generally want to just have fun, their very much symptoms of the paranoid schizophrenia. I've yet to learn some coping skills but I see one of my doctors tomorrow so hopefully I'll learn something. Fortunately I've found that wearing sunglasses helps a lot when making eye contact, but ofcourse I'd like to get beyond that.

I appreciate your concern and advice, stay in touch.

Zach

REPLY
Roxie43 | @roxie43 | May 22, 2012
In reply to @roxie43 "Hi, Just checking in to see how you're doing. Hugs Rox" + (show)
@roxie43

Hi,
Just checking in to see how you're doing.
Hugs
Rox

Jump to this post

Hi Zach,
Wearing shades is fine and actually not uncommon. You sound like a very nice young man and I'm impressed with your insight and coping strategies. We have to do whatever works for us. Besides, shades are cool. Continue taking care of yourself and of course we will remain friends.
Hugs,
Rox

REPLY
piglit | @piglit | May 22, 2012
In reply to @roxie43 "Hi, Just checking in to see how you're doing. Hugs Rox" + (show)
@roxie43

Hi,
Just checking in to see how you're doing.
Hugs
Rox

Jump to this post

Hi zach i too would like to welcome you. We have a good support group here. Take care Piglit x0

REPLY
thy*Rin55 | @thyrin55 | May 30, 2012
In reply to @roxie43 "Hi Zach, Do you also have anxiety or do you think that your reactions are related..." + (show)
@roxie43

Hi Zach,
Do you also have anxiety or do you think that your reactions are related to being paranoid or a combination? If, it's anxiety I would speak to your doctor for treatment. Having stated this, we humans all get anxious but if it's due to the illness and your medications are helping you, perhaps exposure therapy can be helpful.
Some times we just have to face our fears and the more we expose ourselves to that fear and realize that we survived the experience the more confident we become. It may take a little time but living with schizophrenia does not mean that you have to withdraw from socialization. Perhaps, even a supportive socialization group, a small one, will help you as well because you will meet others like yourself, perhaps struggling with the same issue and learn that you are not alone.
I suffer from anxiety and some times I just force myself because if we do nothing then we become imprisoned by our illnesses. You deserve to continue living your life despite a diagnosis.
I'm here if you need to chat. Take care and be kind to yourself.
Roxie

Jump to this post

Roxie43,
I didnt know that anxiety was a symptom of schizophrenia. so happy to know that there are socialization groups. So TY for that too. Great passage ! Yes totally agree we can become prisoners of our illinesses. Actually, I dont have a diagnosis as of yet.
I have been struggling with since I was a teen. I knew something was wrong. many many yrs. ltr. a therapist tells me that its a coping skill I use to deal with my issues ... what ever they maybe sad, angry, or even happy ones. It sounds confusing??? Im to a point that I dont want to deal with the SYMPTOMS anymore period. I wish i could be normal.
Maybe, a socialization group would help. am going to look into it. ty for that Rozie.

REPLY
LizKat | @lizkat | Jun 1, 2012

Hi Zach
I've been MIA for a bit and just found your post. Are you still reading here? If so I will post a longer post.
LizKat

REPLY
bfontaine | @bfontaine | Jun 8, 2012
In reply to @roxie43 "Hi Zach, Do you also have anxiety or do you think that your reactions are related..." + (show)
@roxie43

Hi Zach,
Do you also have anxiety or do you think that your reactions are related to being paranoid or a combination? If, it's anxiety I would speak to your doctor for treatment. Having stated this, we humans all get anxious but if it's due to the illness and your medications are helping you, perhaps exposure therapy can be helpful.
Some times we just have to face our fears and the more we expose ourselves to that fear and realize that we survived the experience the more confident we become. It may take a little time but living with schizophrenia does not mean that you have to withdraw from socialization. Perhaps, even a supportive socialization group, a small one, will help you as well because you will meet others like yourself, perhaps struggling with the same issue and learn that you are not alone.
I suffer from anxiety and some times I just force myself because if we do nothing then we become imprisoned by our illnesses. You deserve to continue living your life despite a diagnosis.
I'm here if you need to chat. Take care and be kind to yourself.
Roxie

Jump to this post

wow ,i need help too my girlfriend does this to me ,,,she just ended up at a psyc unit with terrible delusions and voices,,,god tells her things and ahe was fine for almost 8mths then this all started ,,,she wont believe anything i tell her,i took a polygraph test and it was 100 percent correct that i was telling the truth she said the guy that took it was lying,,,she hit me like she didnt even care about me at all, her mom pointed at me and right away she thought i slept with her pLEASE HELP I NEED TO know if this is what goes on with this ,she also said she was pregnant with gods kid

REPLY
thy*Rin55 | @thyrin55 | Jun 9, 2012
In reply to @roxie43 "Hi Zach, Do you also have anxiety or do you think that your reactions are related..." + (show)
@roxie43

Hi Zach,
Do you also have anxiety or do you think that your reactions are related to being paranoid or a combination? If, it's anxiety I would speak to your doctor for treatment. Having stated this, we humans all get anxious but if it's due to the illness and your medications are helping you, perhaps exposure therapy can be helpful.
Some times we just have to face our fears and the more we expose ourselves to that fear and realize that we survived the experience the more confident we become. It may take a little time but living with schizophrenia does not mean that you have to withdraw from socialization. Perhaps, even a supportive socialization group, a small one, will help you as well because you will meet others like yourself, perhaps struggling with the same issue and learn that you are not alone.
I suffer from anxiety and some times I just force myself because if we do nothing then we become imprisoned by our illnesses. You deserve to continue living your life despite a diagnosis.
I'm here if you need to chat. Take care and be kind to yourself.
Roxie

Jump to this post

ROSIE AND B BFONTAINE

thats believable , because I took a abnornal psychology class some time back. I do know however that I dont have schizophrenia. I dont wish to self diagnois myself but iSt not that.
I HAD symptoms of derealization and such. and this is for your Roxie. .
I recently was given some meds FOR DEPRESSION. I had a bad reaction too. , which didnt work very well. Have been on depression medication for about 15 yrs. anyways, my derealization was more intense, and I came to realize that I didnt like derealizing and havine deorganization thoughts, ( fantasy like-dream state) for those who know what im talking about. And, in the process of dealing with my medical reaction to the new depression i was prescribed , My anxiety level reached a pinnacle!!! AND I SUFFERED EXTREME ANXIETY THAT I FELT THOUGHTS IN MY HEAD THAT WANTED TO COME ABOUT MAYBE TWO- PERSONALITES IN MY HEAD AND I FOUGHT IT. AND DECIDED i DIDNT WANT THAT. MY FEAR WAS ON ALERT MODE!! SO I JUST STOPPED TALKING TO MYSELF- COMING OUT BODY EXPERIENCE, AND FANTASY STATE ON MY OWN. BUT IM AFRAID IF I HAVE A RELAPSE,, I WILL DETiEORIOATE TO A WORSE CASE SCENERIO! SO IM DEFNITELY FINDING A PSYCHIATRIST TO HELP ME WITH THIS ISSUE..

I CANT TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE TAKEN DEEP DEEP BREATHS AS A SIGN OF RELIEF FROM THESE SYMPTOMS. I HAD BEEN DOING THIS FOR SINCE I WAS 15. AT THAT TIME, I WAS ALMOST A THIRD PARENT, IN CHARGE OF MY 4 SIBLINGS WHILE PARENTS WORKED. ALOT OF REPONSIBLITY FOR A 15 YR. OLD. AND ALOT OF ANXIETY. ALOT MORE WA GOING ON. BUT U GET THE MAIN PICTURE.

IT FEELS WONDERFUL!! IM ENGAGED, CLEANING BEING FOCUSE, EVEN MY DEPRESSION IS MUCH BETTER SINCE I HAVE STOPPED HAVING THESE SYMPTOMS.:). ALTHOUGH, I HAVE TO FIGHT THE THOUGHTS AT TIMES. I STILL HELP TO DEAL WITH THIS. ANY COMMENTS?????????

I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY REBUTTALS. WOULD MUCH APRECIATE IT.:) HAVE A GREAT DAY!!

REPLY
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