How to gain insight into your illness | Am I actually sick?

[@LivingWellAfterSchizophrenia]

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[@Invisibility397]

Delusional? Then the majority of women would be able to have mental illnesses

[@xAydenChrisx]

I have also been diagnosed with Schizoaffective disorder, and your channel is the thing that pulls me through on the rough days. Thank you for helping this community in such a beautiful way ❤️

[@80islandia]

I have a psychotic disorder. One point I’d like to add to this discussion is that people with schizophrenia spectrum illnesses have symptoms that can be related to other conditions, such as complex trauma. What tends to happen in clinical settings (and sometimes with friends and family) is that ALL symptoms are pinned to the schizophrenia-spectrum illness, thus pathologizing the person with the illness and silencing important discussions about the impacts of trauma, harm, and abuse that they may be experiencing (or have experienced). If you are a believer in “what we resist, persists,” as I am, it seems natural that someone may deny the more prominent diagnosis to allow the suppressed one to have a voice. I am not anti-psychiatry, I do believe there is a very real biological component to schizophrenia-spectrum illnesses, and I think Lauren makes some good points here. What I would love to see enriching these discussions is a deeper dive into the ways that trauma comorbidities can contribute to illness denial, due to the fact that it is difficult to have trauma heard and acknowledged by health care providers when you are deemed an unreliable narrator of your own experience.

[@wheelchairgeek]

I think this issue is becoming old. Well, certainly In the UK I am seeing a turn around.

[@80islandia]

@@wheelchairgeek I’m glad you’re seeing some progress in the UK on this issue. I find that in Canada the medical system is embarrassingly behind when it comes to the nuances of trauma and abuse.

[@marraine7299]

@@80islandia I've found the same here in the Netherlands

[@pineapplebanana11]

@@80islandia I am experiencing this now..I think the real taboo is trauma..no one is ballsy enough to talk about the root of the dis-ease dis-alignment coz they don’t want to be seen as “blaming the parents” maybe its too much of a western masculine disconnected thinking…I donno

[@juliawainstein8622]

Yes!!!

[@naomiC4362]

My son has schizophrenia and it's been 4 years and he still don't want to accept it. I like watching your channel so I can learn from others on how to deal with this mental illness and try to help him.

[@turbo95912]

Lauren, I just got out of the hospital yesterday (11/1/22). While anosognosia wasn’t the reason for my hospitalization, I can say I have struggled with this in the past. It always happens when I first accidentally forget my meds. And because I feel fine, I stop them for 2-3 days and then I go back on because I feel ratty. Thank you so much for the videos you do, they have helped me a lot with my schizoaffective disorder (bipolar type)

[@scmontgomery]

I can't explain how much I needed this. After almost 7 years I'm just now really trying to come to terms with what I go through from schizoaffective disorder. It's been a very confusing time and when I was directed to you, it was like a light in the dark. Thank you for everything you have done and are doing.

[@randomrecords1391]

I am a filipino suffering from paranoid schizophrenia some of your videos help me a lot from managing and help me understand better of my illness thanks a lot

[@matthewcrome5835]

This also happens with eating disorders with almost everyone with an ED. We often think we are "not sick enough" or "don't really have an eating disorder" because we eat or do or don't do XYZ.

[@dauntlessdev9n499]

Nofap gods

[@visionvixxen]

And so many people always think we’re not sick. You’re asthmatic?!? No- you run! Or you have ADD, Depressionrhafs just life?

[@DorianBrightMusic]

As a recovered (or as recovered as you can get, given the nature of the illness) anorexic, this hits hard. Never feeling sick enough to have a problem while experiencing distress from symptoms is such an awful paradox, especially when it pushes others away. It’s unconditional love that gets people through - while you can’t always convince someone they’re ill, you can always hold them close through the worst times and offer them the hope of recovery in whatever form it may assume should they choose to take it. So thank you so much for the video, Lauren - the kindness, empathy, and information you share is incredible.

[@fayt022]

Hi Lauren, I prolonged watching this video even though I know I needed to. I have a sibling who was diagnosed with Schizophrenia at young age and although I did not know what was going on (as I young and my family did not inform me formally of his condition), I eventually figured out what it was. For 10+ years, he was very good on taking his own medication. The downfall started when he started working at a mental facility and he started to believe the government was somehow causing mental illnesses on individuals, including himself. He stopped taking his medication (without our awareness), his symptoms got worse along with his behavior. Fast forward, although he has been hospitalized and been on medication due to court orders, he continues to show symptoms of anosognosia, wants to discontinue treatment, and refuses therapy. Although we've tried many times to get him to trust us, it seems his anosognosia is quite severe because he does not believe what is out there from studies and research. As you've said, his anosognosia has caused my arguments, which lead to him pushing people away in his life. Although you've made some great suggestions, unfortunately i don't think my sibling is willing to take any steps towards educating and accepting his condition. I myself don't know how to help him towards this acceptance, which has led me to pushing him away/distancing myself. I would appreciate any tips from the community or yourself would help and I very much appreciate you for making this video. At this point, I'm just hoping that one day he comes to terms with his condition.

[@jennyferguson5583]

NAMI has Family to Family, Peer groups that has helped up. Also she offers Groups

[@kittyco0n]

I can relate so much to what you're going through! My partner has schizophrenia and anosognosia is pretty much destroying his life because he's "not sick and doesn't need help" and keeps pushing everyone away who's trying to help him. He refuses treatment, abandoned his entire circle of friends, broke up with his family and keeps losing his jobs. No chance of imsight without treatment and no treatment without insight. It's heartbreaking. 😢

[@ChristinaHemlock]

Look up Dr. Amador and Leap talk. Leap is a strategy created for families and healthcare professionals to effectively talk to people with this denial. It’s effectively listening, empathizing, accepting and partnering with the family member. Finding a way to partner is so important. Finding common ground, for example she talked about her symptoms. Make it about that. How to partner on what their behavior is like when they are experiencing symptoms and how meds can effectively help. Building trust over time, because with denial they will never take the meds for themselves…but they may take them for you or someone else they trust. It’s not a quick fix but over time can help.

[@nerdkartoffl9019]

I don't know if i have schizophrenia, but the more i watch your videos, the more i can relate. I'm diagnosed with Bi-Polar Typ 2, but mood/personality switches every few days. Accepting that i'm sick is so hard for me, especially on "good" days. I'm thankful for your videos, because it helps me accept, that i'm sick and i need to seek treadment. I'm 32 (m) years old and most of my life i did not take meds. But i will start later this month and will stick to it. Thank you for your videos and your self-confidence to put yourself out there!

[@monasmith5889]

This is a brilliant video. I have bipolar one and I have dealt with this especially when more symptomatic but also when I’m well. It is so hard to discuss with loved ones. I am lucky to have a psychiatrist and therapist who are completely open to my explorations and also know that when I become more attached to this idea, it’s a sign I’m getting more ill. I am a psychiatrist myself and I do have tons of information about this. It does help but obviously it’s not always enough. I teach person centered care and what I believe about myself and my patients is I focus on goals and strengths first and foremost, along with symptoms. I agree it’s not always helpful to focus on the illness concept. It helps to focus on what are your goals, what’s important to you. For me, my daughter is important to me as is my job. When I start questioning for all these reasons I have trained myself to think about what I want to keep achieving and the people I take care of. My doctors know this about me too and know to discuss the things I value. Ultimately it always comes back to what has happened when I’ve given up on treatment - being separated from work and not being able to care for my child the way I want to. I have written about those times so that’s my evidence! Those are my photos, those depressed, manic, and psychotic writing. Thank you SO much for your video. I wish I had peer support but that’s hard in my psychiatrist life. I do teach on this topic and I learn from patients every day.

[@BipolarCourage]

It's in my medical records how much opposed my bipolar 1 diagnosis. It took getting very unwell multiple times before I finally accepted it

[@juliawainstein8622]

Mona this is incredibly insightful, thank you for sharing!

[@rememberingaldo]

I have BPD and I struggle with this a lot. I think this is a common thread across many mental illnesses. Thank you for all your helpful content Lauren ❤️

[@massagetherapyforinjuriesf8197]

That is exactly what my son said to me… and I keep him taking with me for a walk every single day to smell fresh air…I will keep helping him…. And I love your videos my friend

[@layotheleprechaun]

That’s nice of you, continue the walks 🙏🏻

[@tylerhandsome7344]

Hi Lauren 👋🏾

[@LivingWellAfterSchizophrenia]

Thanks for your support Tyler!

[@alih7048]

Hi Lauren, I've lived with SA bi polar type for over 20 years. Anasognosia is tricky symptom to deal with. I have found total acceptance of all your symptoms is key to keeping anasognosia at bay. Your advice on researching the condition and how it applies to you is a game changer and keeps your symptoms within your awareness whether you're symptomatic or not. Thank you for keeping people informed on your channel. It's a terrific resource for people with Schizo affective disorder. All the best.

[@XxCheckereDxKitteNxX]

Are you Muslim?

[@angeladudley1211]

I ask myself that same thing. It can be confusing when you can't trust your own perception of reality. I have people in my family and in my friendship circle who don't believe that I have this disorder because it developed later in life than most people. It's exhausting just going through it and I don't want to have to defend myself. If I'm having a good day, I feel like people are judging me and saying how I'm not really sick, but they don't see me on the bad days. It's misery and I wouldn't wish it on anybody. It totally wrecked almost every aspect of my life. Thank you Lauren. You're very helpful to me. I appreciate you. 😊

[@visionvixxen]

I almost thought I was reading my own writing. The bane of being sick is dealing with others who don’t believe you.

[@taraschmidheini4674]

Dearest Lauren your latest video came up pn my phone this afternoon, & ive since watched 11 mire! I just have to tell you how amazing uou are! Im sorry youre in the hospital right now,& praying all will be super well with you asap. You are Gods goft to many, Hes using you in ways you dont realise. God bless you keep strong! Youre super amazing & I admire you greatly.

[@Punna2393]

I have experienced this issue. I did not think I was ill until after my 3rd episode. Once I realised I was having altered states of mind, I could see I needed treatment, which accelerated my recovery because I actively participated in my recovery after that! Thanks for the nice video!

[@breec3346]

Yes!! I have that delusion all the time about how I’m “cured” or “I’m all better” or “I’m healed” and then I spiral downward into my illness and I feel much worse and hallucinate more and it all comes back!

[@mrsfineanddandy]

"Anosognosia." My God, there's a name for it. I'm supporting my ex through what I pray will be a diagnostic time and the beginning of him finally getting treatment. But nine years of my life with him... so much is making perfect sense now that I've found your videos. Thank you, thank you, thank you. 💖

[@sshii]

This has definitely been my life with EDs. I’ve been in recovery with medication and therapy for over a year now, but I constantly straddle that line of disbelieving that I am/was sick. Thank you for making these videos - they help so many people.

[@cerezacereza8478]

You said you wanted to go to school and to learn to be a researcher - you are actually doing it already - doing amazing brilliant job Lauren ❤

[@tcort]

Thanks!

[@heatherbatchellor2666]

Thank you so much for this video on anosognosia and all your other videos. I was diagnosed schizophrenic 30 years ago. Over the years, I have realised that my negative voices (always in the "You" form) are me talking to myself. The more anxious or angry I'm feeling, the more fearful or nasty these voices become. I have started changing up the "You"... to "I", thereby owning my thoughts. When I do this, I feel more in control. Looking back on my own childhood/teenage years, my family, all three of them, were incredibly hectoring at me, a lot of finger-wagging, shouting, trying to control me. I think that, since I became schizophrenic, this memory of my hectoring family balloons up in me. Keeping up with my meds really does help though. When I get het up with my mind/voice "at me", I do deep belly breathing, and, either journal about why I'm feeling anxious/angry/agitated, or divert my attention to calming or fun activities.... or do both: journalling and then fun activities. Being indoors alone for too long doesn't help either. I start to get moody. Getting out amongst people, even if it's going shopping or going to a popular park with lots of dogs (I love dogs!) is a great mood enhancer for me. I hope this helps.

[@lisareges8369]

Thank you so much I have also been diagnosed with schizophrenia and your channel gets me through the rough times

[@Mattieboi1201]

Recently diagnosed with schizophrenia 24m and finding this channel has been a lifeline thank you for everything

[@wabechmann]

I feel like I get a sudden feeling of insight into illness whenever the derealization goes away for a moment. It shows me how I'm supposed to feel/how it's normal to feel/how healthy people experience the world. It also shows you how it is possible to feel, so the experience leaves me with more hope. Anosognisia may be a bit tricky when you don't have a lot of hallucinations/delusion, but mostly the more subtle symptoms.

[@satielsie]

Hey,this is such a timely video. Thank you for sharing. I am diagnosed with bipolar disorder type 2. For the most part of this year, I have lived in denial and hence did not take my medication. However, from August, I have been on medication and consequently my symptoms have greatly reduced. Recently though, I have been carrying around a lot of doubt of my diagnosis and the severity of my disease and how debilitating it has been for me. I also carry around a lot of shame of not knowing how to deal with my disorder prior to consistent use of medication. This video is so reassuring. Lots of love from Kenya 🇰🇪 ❤️

[@jodystephenson6306]

I love your channel, and this topic, in particular, hits home for me. My partner is a chiropractor and has been diagnoaed bipolar/schizophrenia at least 4 times. Bc she sees herself as a holistic light worker/healer, she refuses to acknowledge that anything is wrong with her. She is recently out of another hospital stay(5), this one being 24 days, the shortest. She immediately discontinues meds, and her symptoms return. Her level of trust of anyone, including me, is gone. I feel like this is a dead end, and after 2 years and her hiding all of this from me, along with her actions, my trust is gone. She says her symptoms are her "new" personality. Complete denial, with unbelievable recent consequences, has me at a loss. Can anyone offer any insight or advice? Otherwise the relationship is long over.

[@NoeHernandezPe767]

I’m myself diagnosed with bipolar disorder and your channel has helped me a lot to understand my illness, I’ve struggled with this problem quite a few times, sometimes I feel I just don’t need medication, that maybe I’m just faking it, but then depression hits me like a ton of bricks after feeling extremely happy and functional. I completely understand why bipolar is considered the bridge between depression and schizophrenia, the delusions are less noticeable but their impact is very strong

[@karenmasters6296]

I too have been diagnosed with Schizoaffective Disorder. Your videos have gotten me through so much and I have gained such an understanding of my diagnosis ❤

[@tidespath2240]

So adequate too put into words a thousand things

[@GuineaPigStuff]

Rob - your note at the end is so true and is the most painful part I feel on this journey. When you love someone so much and they effectively don't feel the same or worse, is very difficult.

[@PaigeLovesPumpkins]

Another way to help with this might be to write oneself a letter when one is not experiencing anosognosia and put that letter in the journal. The letter would be a compassionate and safe expression of encouragement to recall evidence of one's illness and to continue the treatment plan.

[@samapattiyoga]

Such a heartfelt, positive solution to navigate challenging times :)

[@genevagarnett3288]

I’m a caregiver to my spouse with this. I’ve read “I’m Not Sick, I don’t Need Help” by Xavier Amador on this topic. I still find myself angry and frustrated with my partner for not accepting there is something wrong and the inconsistency in his follow through. This is certainly a wedge in our relationship. I articulate my anger with him not addressing his symptoms and I’m met with silence. It’s infuriating. How can I expect him to meet my emotional needs when he’s lost in his own? I need help dealing with this.

[@DannyD-lr5yg]

Please know your basic needs also matter! I don’t know how long you and him have been coping with this, but if he continues to be extremely treatment resistant, you would be perfectly justified in separating, or even divorcing. It’s no different than when a loved one is dealing with the disease of addiction _and is refusing to get help._

[@genevagarnett3288]

@@DannyD-lr5yg I hear you. It’s tough because I want him to see it. It’s essentially an ultimatum. We go to therapy and I’m part of NAMI.

[@elee6606]

Bottom line is that you can't reason with the mentally ill. Reasoning won't help. He needs to hit rock bottom first for things to smooth out. Don't entertaining them helps too. Divorce is a fair option too.

[@caterinas6863]

@@genevagarnett3288 Please look after yourself. You matter. Your life matters. You can still help your husband but do not have to stay married to him if you are unhappy and he doesn't cooperate.

[@genevagarnett3288]

@@caterinas6863 we’ve been going for therapy and things have improved.

[@terriprice7657]

Thank you so much for this. My daughter struggles with anasognosia for 8 years now. Your shows have helped me come along ways and I thank you. This symptom has made me not allow her to come home and I feel awful. Learning about anasognosia and it is hard to figure out. The whole mental health system & issues are a lot to try to keep straight. I'm trying!! Thank you so much.

[@robertstone8056]

Good video Lauren.....hope your doing well! 👍

[@susanne4028]

Thank you so much for everything....just going through a lot with my son and your channel helps so much. You should get an award for it. 💚💚💚

[@dianetaylor4256]

I agree❤

[@ruthscerri736]

Thanks for the videos. And well done 👍💐🌺

[@davidcool756]

Thanks for this video Lauren, when would you have a live session to ask questions? I support my brother who is dealing with the illness. The most difficult/stressful part of the support is the financial. Will be great if in the future you can talk about it. As far as tips from a family support?? I would say the family needs to save a lot of money to be able to provide support to someone with this illness and of course developing an honest supporting relationship ..

[@mdowns36]

You might also want to check out a podcast/KZbin video series called “Schizophrenia: Three Moms in the Trenches.”

[@genesis631]

It's hard to suddenly see what's sort of become normal for you as a symptom.

[@evercuriousmichelle]

This!! I think this is why my mom doesn't realize that she has out of proportion reactions to life--she has always had intense reacted to stress or things not going to plan, that is her normal. Thank you for putting words to that! Well said!

[@EmmaJohnsonShenanigans]

i’m epileptic and when i was younger, i would describe the sun flashing through the trees in a car ride as if i was “seeing cartoons” and i thought everybody saw that then the cartoons were accompanied with losing all sense of time, in less than a second it could feel like the next day but in the exact same position and no fatigue from sitting in the same place. that’s how i knew it wasn’t an accurate timeline, that and when people would talk to me and then tell me to “stop pretending to have a seizure” or “stop breathing like that/jerking your head” and i would just reply saying “but i’m not doing anything, it’s the sun making me see cartoons” boy was i right and how gladly and angrily did i say *”TOLD YOU SO”* to all 3 family members that said those things to me they didn’t even remember apparently “after like ten years” but excuses excuses

[@ArinyaXoriGMVs]

I have psychosis brought on by severe depression/past drug use and I can relate to a lot of this. Thanks! Great video.

[@visionvixxen]

Patient centered care- so necessary

[@rz9305]

I can’t thank you enough for your videos being a friend to someone that I very much care about and love and honor is going through this lack of insight into his mental illness. It has been extremely challenging and frustrating and scary things came to ahead recently where he put his life in other peoples in jeopardy, and I lost it and said you are so unwell that you don’t even realize how unwell you are, having no understanding of what this lack of insight is was overwhelming for me I know there is nothing I can do to get my friend to go to treatment, but the fact that I have an understanding now of what this lack of insight is has given me a lot of peace and serenity into this situation. I care about my friend, and I’m going to approach him in a much different healthier way I just want to thank you again, and I have a lot of gratitude for your time and effort into these videos

[@Thanks-Gratitude-Appreciation]

Thank You Lauren. 💐🎉🌟💐🎉🌟💐🎉🌟💐🎉 Your Experiences, Insights, Openess and Honesty is Much Appreciated.🌟😊🌟 💖🌟💚🌟😊🌟💖🌟💜🌟💖 Deep Respect for your choice to Bringing Awareness to the complexities and realities of these experiences and for the Sincere, Authentic and Compassionate way you do that. 🌟😊🌟 Thanks also to Rob for your Insights and Contribution. 💐🎉🌟💐🎉🌟💐🎉🌟💐🎉

[@breezyncj]

Thank you for talking about this.

[@erikharman3036]

Hi. Thanks for the videos. U helped me so much

[@jackiedawes2481]

Excellent video.Thank you.

[@nickynisbet6247]

Thanks Lauren. Another really helpful talk. Acceptance is definitely a process and not a final destination xx

[@Funkelbun]

This helps me so much. I struggle with this anasignosia a lot. Also beacouse my family tells me often that I’m not schizophrenic even though I’m on injections with an antipsychotic every month…… it’s hard to tackle. I almost feel bad that I’m not symptomatic all the time. They have high standards for what I should accomplish in form of work and studies…. I was supposed to study but I quit before the education started…. They don’t get why I’m more tired than the average person (that can hold a full time job) I want to have the energy and I want to earn money so that I can live my life. But it’s not that easy. In Sweden we have money we can get if we are sick, it’s not much. Just so that you can buy food and pay bills. It’s minimum income…… my doctor said he can insure I’m sick and can’t work. He told me I can absolutely try. But I feel it’s very hard to find the right type of work…… that I can manage…… I feel like a total failure. I have both schizophrenia and adhd

[@Funkelbun]

And don’t get me wrong I HAVE tried…. I started working at my dondlads when I was 16. And I’ve been on 7 different jobs and I have tried to study but i did not finish. My self esteem is so low. They told everyone in class that it is almost impossible to fail the studies. But I failed, I went on the classes and did my best but it wasn’t good enough 😞

[@mab790]

Please look up “gaslighting “. It describes what your family is doing.

[@Funkelbun]

@@mab790 thanks for the answer, i don’t believe they do it to be mean. They do it beacouse they believe i have recovered from psycosis they cant understand that i have an illness which i have to get treated for my whole life….. my doctor knows best i think. They are also mad at me beacouse before i got schizopheria i tried a few illicit drugs. So they say it’s beacouse of the drugs. May be so but that does not change the fact that I have this illness and have been totally drug free for 8years (since I got help) and will continue to be of course

[@soyboymcgee8529]

You’re not a failure; antipsychotics are notorious for causing sedation. It makes sense that you would feel more tired than the average person - being medicated doesn’t come without problems!

[@mushroommellow]

Surviving is enough! I tortured myself for years thinking I could get a high degree and great job but managing your health is so so hard and something you’ll never get credit for. Only you know your struggles and never compare to others.

[@Mindofaschizophrenic]

I always find your videos helpful it keeps me in line that I have the sickness for life

[@mookie34545]

I tried tracking all of my symptoms for a long time but I eventually had the same problem where I'd question if I really had a reality problem to begin with. I'm especially less likely to believe I'm ill when I'm being confronted about it

[@dennisinTurkey]

Your videos are very helpful. I understand better what my loved one might feel like when I try to talk them into seeing their extremely fearful and highly improbable ideas as “not real”.

[@lovesrunning8296]

I do not have schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, but I definitely identify with this. I have a hard time accepting my illness and am quite in denial about it. I don’t know whether it’s shame? (I have anxiety and depression)

[@mcricks1980]

I’ve been searching through your videos for one that talks about this! Thank you.

[@robinkahle-solymos777]

I like your art on your wall. I'm also schizoaffective. You speak so well for yourself and others. You are appreciated.💞

[@jacobfredericks896]

I feel like I live with this everyday and always end up reminding myself I have my illness I have skitzofrenia and have been dealing with this for a long time

[@keridienes6839]

Lauren, Thank you so much for your videos. I can't tell you how much you have helped my family and I. I have a family member diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. Your videos have given me reassurance that we are not alone in this struggle. 🙂

[@lovemanifestednow]

thanks for the vids ❤️

[@plainpawesome]

This is exactly where I'm at... Too much doubt going on makes me question everything so I live with bad faith trying to outrun the bad actors

[@RosalindCosta-vj1zq]

I have been hit with a series of diagnoses over the years (most notably, bipolar, BPD, PTSD and culminating in Schizoaffective disorder - bipolar type). I Have struggled initially with all of these diagnoses, and fought them every step of the way, (especially when armed with the fact that my family DO NOT want to accept that I suffer from something that (to them) is SO TABOO, and so socially unacceptable). That has been the hardest part for me. The fact that my family refuse to accept or acknowledge what I am (and have been, for the past thirty years) going through, thanks only to their judgemental and prejudiced outlook. I feel it would help me a lot if they would only acknowledge my suffering, and offer support and care, instead of distancing themselves behind their judgements. A number of my so called friends have a similar outlook, and as I reflect on this, it is little wonder why I feel so alone and isolated as I navigate my mental health journey. Thank you Lauren, for all that you do. Your informative and inclusive channel has done a lot to improve my self esteem, and to inform those around me better with their stigmatised views. I should add that historically, I have quite quickly come to accept my various diagnoses, and comply with my medication schedules, only to come unstuck when friends/family assure me that I do not need to fill myself up with medications i DON'T need - and to add insult to injury, they further comment that I am "just feeling sorry for myself", and "running away from life".

[@kiainfpe9]

This video is really well timed for me. I'm currently doing a paper on the effects of anosognosia for someone with schizophrenia. My 28yo son was diagnosed with Aspergers back in 2019 and then he sustained a TBI that damaged the right frontal cortex which interestingly has been associated with insight levels. He started having hallucinations about a few years after the TBI (wish I knew then what I know now) but he now uses alcohol to cope with the intensity of it all. So a two pronged issue now. He doesn't believe he is "ill" and talks about these different "entities" (goddesses, male and female voices and other things) ...as if they're normal and doesn't understand why the rest of us don't hear them. I've learnt (through painful experience) to be a listening ear.. non judgemental...non opinionated..i try to use reflective listening and apologise that I don't hear them like he can and could he tell me more about it. Over time we have built up enough of a trusting relationship that he will sometimes come to me for advice about things these entities say to him. Thank you for your work

[@1Gibson]

I feel that a person is more apt to accecpt their illness as they age. Seems the younger the person, the more they fight the reality that they deal with this illness. I say this from two perspectives. My uncle has dealt with this since age 8. A time i which state hospitals where still open and ran. He is now in his late 60s and is on less meds than he was over the 1st 40 yrs of his life. My spouse has dealt with same thing since teen years he is now 2yrs from 50. Early in his life, he knew he had this was also hospitalized, had various procedures including shock therapy back in the 90s.. did more harm then good. As they both have aged, they are much more calmer about things they experience. Ty 4 ur work.

[@Fear_Therapy]

Thank you for sharing this very informative video.

[@Stephishappy]

7:06 sorry but you can only talk to others and about experience if you know, believe, understand, accept that you actually have the illness. My brother is in complete denial. He was diagnosed at 16 he is 43 now. He stopped meds 4 years ago… has completely deteriorated and is now homeless. Court orders don’t help. He gets into the hospital for an evaluation and is dismissed in less than 8 hours. It’s really sad. He sees nothing wrong with himself, yet my family and I are sick over it everyday and night.

[@squeeerle]

Thank you, this helps me gain a little insight with my loved ones.

[@kyokisaru]

I wish I could get my sweetheart to join the peer support groups because he's really isolated and lacking even a desire for social interaction despite confessing loneliness and often talking about people who have ghosted him. But he's worried about hearing about other people's symptoms and picking them up himself because he can be a bit of a mimic and a hypochondriac. I would love for him to have more support than just me and what little his sister can spare from raising her son etc. In part because it's exhausting to be the only/main support for all his struggles but also because I really want the best for him.

[@wheelchairgeek]

I'm not diagnosed with any mental illness but your videos are excellent!

[@Funkelbun]

Thank you so much for this channel! I wish I could help on patreon but I can’t

[@wackyroad]

This is so good! I find this information so helpful You are such an inspiration. Thank you!

[@chaitea7891]

When I had my first break, I was in denial about having schizoaffective disorder. But after my second on I'm on better meds and I'm learning to accept myself. I'm lucky I don't need a lot of meds to go into remission.

[@hedgiegal3340]

I have bipolar and the good times when I'm stable make me think I'm okay. Then I look at the many hospitalizations, the 40 years of psychiatrists and antipsychotics, mood stabilizers and effects it has had on my family. That usually brings me back.

[@goodtoGoNow1956]

I'm not afflicted with this problem but I thought it was a very fascinating question. This video confirmed what I think would happen and the thinking. I believe it would be really hard if you were very well for a while -- and you are subject to believing things too quickly. I don't want to say more because I don't want to be the cause of anyone having issues.

[@amypearsall]

anosognosia also happens to those with Alzheimer's Disease.

[@noreensirianni3135]

Good advice, however one has to be their own advocate or someone who actually has your own personal best interest. Any illness, regardless of whether its a compound fracture in the emergency room or mental illness in the ER basically make sure you have the right HCA, heath care advocate show up with you because you never want a Terri Schiavo situation. Always understand what's behind a person's motivation which requires trust. Keep up the good work and stay safe.

[@timothywilliams2887]

I lost my life to anasignosia. I had a wonderful wife and a beautiful new baby. I started living in my own world and it was more powerful than reality.

[@TheUrbanAdventurer]

Something that I find useful is to do regular reality checks on myself. What did I believe earlier and what do I believe now. Is there a change, how strongly do I hold that new belief. If for example I start believing that my voices are entities from other realities and not hallucinations, then this is a red flag for me that maybe I'm not doing so well.

[@hayleyprice8345]

Well explained

[@florence.5088]

Interesting, I do explore this "maybe I'm not mentally ill" idea quite often, but it's not in the sense that I'm in denial of my symptoms and think I'm totally fine. I know I'm experiencing lots of symptoms of depression and anxiety, but It's more about not labeling myself as mentally ill so this diagnosis won't lead or limit my life too much. I've tried to get diagnosed and treated through therapy and medication in the past, but focusing so much on my mental health only made me feel more ill and incapacitated. My whole life had become centered around treating my depression, and since the medication and therapy weren't working for me, I felt even more hopeless. I find that I feel better when I try (to the best of my abilities) to live like a somewhat normal, functioning adult. I often think "stop blaming depression, it's just who you are as a person and you gotta live with it" and that helps me get my shit together more than medication or therapy ever will.

[@80islandia]

You make an excellent point that actively removing the label of illness is a way to avoid placing limits on our lives. For me, this has been a coping strategy for meeting other demands in life (such as work), and has succeeded in some instances and not others. I also relate to the de-centering of mental illness as a way of evolving out of treatment strategies that aren't working.

[@pjewellful2012]

Also narcissistic personality disorder combined with schizophrenia. Individuals who were already very narcissistic prior to having a psychotic break are a pain in the you know what to convince thru have an illness!

[@renevinet5770]

Hi Lauren and LWS Community! I was diagnosed 4 years ago with schizoaffective with bipolar disorder. I am also diagnosed BPD, paranoia and severe depression. I feel like a kid still trying to figure out how to live like this. I'm actually in my local respite center right now messaging you this. It was one of my case workers that asked me to look up this video tonight. She actually wants me to watch three of them so we can talk about it tomorrow. I'm 43 years old with three sons and a wife and I'm still trying to figure this out

[@jennyferguson5583]

You are on your way❤️. You are Not Alone.

[@mackfam9798]

thanks for sharing this

[@kimfauth9542]

"what not" drives me crazy!!!!! It is similar to the word "like".

[@mahmood1love]

This is so me, I keep thinking because my family took me to a psychiatrist..then I am not really schizophrenic!

[@Schizonoise]

I have stopped taking my medication, but I have a mild form of schizophrenia. With a severe course of the disease, the refusal of medicines is dangerous. I know a man who found out about his schizophrenia only at the age of 35, also an easy form.

[@Funkelbun]

I quit my medication once. It went well for about 6months. I was so so happy and energetic and I lost weight and felt like a feather in the wind. But then it crashed. I started having delusions, hearing a lot of voices. I could not sleep. I woke up screaming the few hours I slept

[@Funkelbun]

And also….. my feelings were much more intense so I cried like a mad man. I was devistated. And I banged my head in things, in the floor and screamed beacouse I was so so mad at the people in my head trying to control me. They forced me to NOT do yoga for example they said I was not allowed to do yoga, beacouse I was a evil person and they felt hate against me….. I was pathetic. And I could not think straight. My mental capacity decreased a lot. I heard voices talking directly to me though tv and headphones. To be honest I think I lost a whole lot of working memory to that relapse

[@Funkelbun]

A common delusion is that the voices wants me to be super fat and die in a heart attack. I know it sounds strange. But they tell me to eat more and excise less. They tell me I am NOT allowed to have anorexia in any way

[@reducetheatoms]

Thank you :3

[@WWS322]

I started to say I was sick in the hospital so I could be discharged, lol. I have improved in my over 50 years of life but I'm burned out. I know I'm still sick but I get by on very little medication. I never got Tardive D. so I can say it's not inevitable. I feel today I am still sick but I also feel I'm taking the medication simply for sleep because otherwise my insomnia would cause psychosis.

[@BipolarCourage]

I am diagnosed with bipolar disorder which can be chronic & can be episodic. I don't see myself as "sick" or "unwell" all the time. I see it as a disorder & a disability that needs constant management to try stay as stable as I can.

[@SarahDale111]

Dr. Chris Palmer has had success treating schizophrenia (and other mental illnesses) with a ketogenic diet. I switched to a zero carb diet five years ago, hearing that it helped with bipolar disorder, and the results have been remarkable.

[@FyhanAi]

Much appreciated.

[@OffbrandEric1515]

I would like to learn more about how he copes during those times when your meds are not working well or you've stopped them .

[@lisareges8369]

The hardest part is the reality

[@jennifermcclurkan9274]

I sometimes feel I don't need my meds but then I think about my illness and I take it anyway.

[@Miscelanou]

Whether I'm ill or not no one but me can tell and I can't tell either because I'm always sick. I'm so dissociated from myself the only ways I can feel anything is essentially preparing to off myself. I have no connection to anyone and never really have. I have no desire for anything besides my own death. It's like an intense numbness. Extreme boredom. I think it's because I spent most my life after maybe 7 or 8, maybe younger, just trying to do what I was supposed to. I'm kind of a monster. I haven't done anything but I just am. But I'm also the opposite, despite what happens in my head I've never done anything. I don't know why I type this stuff out. I do it because it lasses time. I can't be bothered with journaling because i just get stuck in a loop. I do better when i have something to reflect on.

[@BarbarianBard]

Hi sorry I’m wondering, I think I might have Schizoaffective disorder but I can’t feel any emotions anymore. Before I was on anti depression meds I would be depressed for months but for a few weeks at a time I would be overly happy, really to literally take on the world. I would hear and see things that were never there. They would scare me cause me to lose sleep, but because I was always perceived as a “happy” kid no one ever believed me when I told them (Therapist, family or doctors). I hate that nobody was able to look past my child self. I honestly think I was put on these drugs to just shut me up, no one is willing to look deeper into this and my home town isn’t set up to deal with the mentally ill.

[@michan8093]

Are you an adult now? Maybe you can try to find someone to talk to, whether that's a therapist (there is also the option of online therapy if you don´t like the ones in your area) a psychiatrist or someone else. There is also the option of calling mental health lines and ask them to help you out regarding your options. I really wish you the best, please seek help it can be difficult but there are also people out there who are willing to listen and help. Often a good idea is also to confide in a close friend or family member so they can come along and advocate for you in some cases! All the best!

[@myleneberkowitz9418]

I believe I fit into the category of what's called schizoaffective disorder, but I don't believe it's a pathology. I have the symptoms but they don't make me sick. I have anosognosia but I'm glad. I don't appreciate being categorized as sick.

[@noreenquinn3844]

How good are psychiatrist at titrating doses up and down? Often people get hospitalised, get put on a high dose of medicine to stabilise them, then get left on that dose and the huge side effects that go with it. It may have been a first and only event. When and how should doses be titrated after a crisis state / first crisis? What if psychiatrist are afraid to titrate down not appreciating the enormity of side effects? Do psychiatrist share experiences and produce protocols?

[@anacristinaloaizariker1219]

Thank you for this video. My son is just beginning the journey. Do you have any recommendations for him to begin the research?

[@charleskingsley2305]

What about hearing voice. I hear voices in my mind i feel they are my thoughts. I hear them 24/7 apart from when i sleep.we can be having a conversation and sometimes i hear my response to you as the voice. Most times they are repetitive. Sometimes i hear random music i know. Is that auditory hallucination