My Experience with Hallucinations | Schizophrenia Symptoms

[@LivingWellAfterSchizophrenia]

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[@forgivenfree6]

Hi sober monkey & all reading I can definitely relate to the possession part as I was possessed they even done an excorsism on me many yrs ago. Eventually my family decided to take me to hospital when I attempted suicide & came and told them about the voices telling me I don't have the guts to tell people about what was happening. I was admitted & immediately sedated.woke up my clothes were changed & no1 around that I knew... Very scary for me... After treatment on meds that went completely wrong I think I might've had a reaction to it as my mouth went scew...the carted me to a mental institution where I was diagnosed with bipolar type 1 & spent 3 months recovering... I was torn between what the Dr said & what the pastor said because I was convinced that there was nothing wrong with me medically but that I was having a spiritual intervention. It was tough and still is upto this day experiencing unexplainable happenings & so forths but I am kinda coping & exploring the idea of a very deep connection with these beings. Sorry for long msg but I just wanted you to know that sometimes things happen to people because something or some higher being is trying to get you to learn the unknown & unseen truth about reality. Don't get me wrong I'm not saying don't seek help but if you listen to the positive side of the voices the magical part of it all you might find some very interesting & profound things out about yourself & what you are capable of as this higher being living experiencing life in this meat suit. I not delusional. I'm taking meds but yet...the unknown scary as it sounds is pretty fascinating... Be brave.take a leap of faith sometime & divulge into what is extraordinary about this seemingly boring thing called Life. I hope this helped you or someone better understand their reality. All of the best 💌

[@sobermonk3y865]

I thank you so much. I can't even begin to tell you how I thought I was possessed by a demon. I experience about 90% of what you explain. I have contacted my psychiatrist and he has changed my medication and I will be seeing him next week. I have been lying to all medical professionals, thinking all this would go away after I stopped using drugs and alcohol. Now being sober and still having hallucinations and delusions, watching all your videos. I realize. I have schizophrenia. Now it's time to work with my health providers to get the proper and correct diagnosis. Once again I thank you for your educational videos. If you don't think they work. Just know, you have changed my life in a matter of weeks. Grateful, I now know what's truly wrong with me.

[@jacquelineleitch7050]

Hey there, it takes quite a while for your body and brain to recreate a sort of normal chemical response to stress a change in medication will likely help but you need to focus on creating a healthy body chemistry through good nutrition and some fun and good exercise. The long haul is becoming healthy which any small amount of drugs or alcohol will rob from anyone prone to schizophrenia. This is also why vitamins work so well for the people with mental illness. You just keep eating the good food and pumping in the extra vitamins and the body/brain re-establishes chemical balance that makes you less likely to trip out when stressed. It is not perfect but nothing is perfect when dealing with psychosis and mental illnesses.

[@LozzaTx]

Best of Luck 🍀

[@PCMenten]

Get tested for mono, HSV1/2. You might need an antiviral.

[@alyssakania9699]

Prayers for you my friend 🙏

[@jennifersinclair5988]

I just think, wow! sobermonkey, good luck - it's so cool you got on this channel.

[@carolpeters7155]

My Loved one won’t talk about his schizophrenia with me so I watch as many of your videos as possible so that I know how to help and understand. I also tell everyone that has someone in their life who has these challenges about your videos. 💜

[@richbarrett6380]

@Carol Peters; This is wonderful to hear. A lot of families who have a member diagnosed with this condition intentionally avoid this topic, because of how society demonises schizophrenia, and their not taking about the issue or acknowledging it is an easy way to pretend it doesn’t exist. I can’t speak for your loved one, I’m sure he has his valid reason for not opening up to you, but as you’ve taken it upon yourself to watch videos like this, when/if he’s ready to divulge, you’ll be an empathetic ear, which you seem to be already. Hope things work out great for the both of you.

[@catherinemccarty2307]

Speaking from a patients' perspective, it is truly phenomenal to have someone who cares that much about you actually try to actually learn more about your illness. My family jumped in the lake feet first and learned a whole lot about schizophrenia. Sometimes they were so up to date on that they were able to make suggestions about situations that I had not yet even known about. I felt truly loved and a part of their worlds. Your care and attention to their altered world might very way be the greatest give you could give them.

[@reinliath1874]

So I actually do this with learning about Autism and Bipolar. My ex husband was diagnosed with Bipolar a few years ago, after our divorce. When he was, I felt incredibly bad because we've been friends for a decade, and I saw all the signs, but was so scared to deviate from what I was taught as a child (all psychiatrists are quacks, therapy is just a way to make you spend money and disclose things they can report to the police), I didn't see it until it was too late. His Bipolar is what ended our marriage, and neither of us had a clue. Now, I'm very well educated on it. He actually lives with me. I learned so much about Asperger's (what he has) too, that now I can be the support I should've been all those years ago. When you love someone truly, even when they shut down, you find a way to give their soul the light it needs to find hope. It's amazing that you've done this for your loved one. I can tell you, even if they struggle to show it, they do appreciate it.

[@yelenarotar2307]

My dad had Schizophrenia. But he’s now dead. He recently of Diabetes and chronic Atherosclerosis. But a stroke is what killed him.

[@scmontgomery]

Hey, I just wanted to reach out and give some, hopefully, information that may be relevant. I also mostly don't talk about my condition with my loved ones. A lot of it comes to me not understanding how to explain the symptoms that come with schizoaffective disorder. Many times my family will try to talk to me, often to learn and try and support, and I have intense emotional reactions and shut down. I can't speak for your loved one, but I do know that people showing that level of care an interest means the world, even if we can always reach all the way

[@Windflower-jq6vp]

i'm a Medical doctor and i find your videos really helpful. it's educating and accurate.i learned some new things that i didn't know at all! stay well and happy.

[@kristinaplays2924]

I just joined the Patreon, I don't have schizophrenia (or much money) but I am so impressed and grateful that you exist and help people the way you do, and I want to help you help the rest of the planet. You're brave as hell and a boon to humanity, thank you! (And I love the haircolor!)

[@AdriannaContreras]

You are amazing!

[@georgekatsireas4324]

She doesn't have what she claims she has

[@Clementine_D]

​@@georgekatsireas4324 why?

[@Clementine_D]

Why do you think that?

[@georgekatsireas4324]

@@Clementine_D the evidence explain everything.The evidence never lie,there is something more about the evidence but I can't add that information but anyway.The evidence point to follow what she says.So.... 1) what is the most significant information that points that she actually has schizoaffective disorder?She says that she has been evaluated by a professional psychiatrist/psychologist.Actually about that if I remember well the third time she evaluated with that disorder.So we have to take it as a fact. 2) If I make a video and I say "I make this video/my videos for those who are interested to know how is it to have a Ferrari"then the viewers should expect me or someone in my videos have a Ferrari or me provide solid informations that come from my experience or someone else experience with a Ferrari(that includes a Ferrari in my possession).So,did she claim or stated that she has schizoaffective disorder?Oh yes she did and that she makes videos that come from her experience and others but the most important from her experience again about that and she had made that very clear. 3) Finally you don't need to be an expert to understand that what she says doesn't come from her experience!2 of her videos she made was about delusions (one of them)and hallucinations(the other one). Literally those 2 videos were "my top ten delusions/hallucinations".So,she doesn't only experienced that but she has a top 10 each of them list ,which means she has more (lol)and when you watch that video you see her explain hard core hevy metal delusions and hallucinations,those types that 10 doctors and 100 staff will take you against your will into a track wrapped like a hot dog and drive you directly into the deepest room inside a psychiatric clinic....but then you watch a video of her pay a visit, guess what,oh yes you are right, voluntarily!!!I can go on all day especially with indirect informations that indicate how far away she is of what she claims...but i let that to you and your brain 🤷 to decide.Observe by yourself...

[@PsychsolutionswithDrK]

Your insight and ability to clearly explain your experience of hallucinations is going to help so many people. Thank you for the work you do to take the stigma out of mental health differences! PS - Love your hair! 😁

[@georgekatsireas4324]

She doesn't have what she claims she has

[@mamnykk8515]

I don't have hallucinations

[@Jasonmack1211]

​@@mamnykk8515 I do sometimes

[@breec3346]

I suffer from schizoaffective disorder too!! Mine is the bipolar type! Thank you for being so open in talking about this disorder! I feel less alone in this battle!! We will fight and we will win! We are not our disorder! We have a disorder but we can’t let it define us!! ☺️😘❤️ also I love your new hair cut and color! So cute!! Looks good!

[@praveenvasistha247]

You are not alone

[@stevennix8680]

You are by no means ALONE! hang in there. you are in good company

[@TheFuddyBuck]

Not alone have the same type love your energy!

[@alexanderflores4388]

I have schizophrenia as well. I have visual and auditory hallucinations. This was spot on. Much love to you.

[@barneyronnie]

Get rid of those darn hallucinations; try clozapine, trilafon or others. You can do it, sir.

[@cuhweenuh]

Can’t get over how wonderful that hair color looks on you 😍

[@pixelatedatoms6584]

This is the first time I’ve heard hallucinations described as an entity that you can not see but your brain can. Thank you so so much, I’ve been told I could be schizophrenic but that my symptoms sound more “religious” in nature. Your videos give me the courage to go forward and find someone who will really help me.

[@colleenfleming8482]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on hallucinations. This helps me a lot. Also, I just want to say that I love your new hair color.

[@hazeljeffery5653]

I have a mental illness (not schizophrenia) and I always felt it a weakness and such shame attached. This honesty and openness is wonderful. You have changed so many lives. Thank you xx

[@hazeljeffery5653]

@Generic Name 😘😘

[@leftyelysium]

I have schizophrenia and I started hallucinating when I was about 15. I was looking into the walls and it was like there was a whole other world in there. I would hear the sounds, too. I can identify with myself smelling bad. I have the same thing. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

[@yvonnefairman9966]

Call sheet is so well Spoken in knowledgeable on this subject I really think she would do a great Ted talk on schizophrenia

[@Jennifer_7600]

Your videos are a godsend! 🙏 I watch them all even though I suffer from severe depression/anxiety, not schizophrenia; but just knowing that yourself and others struggle with brain “malfunction” makes it infinitely easier to keep on going. Knowing I’m not alone is everything! Thank you so much for your vulnerability in sharing your experiences. It is so, so helpful! ❤️❤️❤️

[@JM-vz6ok]

If you're still suffering from this. Look into the effects of gut on mental health. I suffered as well, I'm much better now. I spent the last year and a half healing my gut and I'm now almost completely anxiety free. No depression too. The gut is the key to the mind.

[@lundsweden]

I think this is something everyone can relate to. If I could smell something bad I would'nt believe it if others said there was no smell. Smell is such a primal sense, you smell it, you believe it!

[@juliejackman2649]

Unless a brain tumor takes out your olfactory system and you don't smell nothing.

[@lundsweden]

@@juliejackman2649 Huh? If you could smell nothing at all, it would be awful!

[@ItsBecauseImBored]

Have you really never had a bad smell stuck in your nose that wasn't really there? Just like you sometimes think you see some kind of shadow in the dark. It's more of an over active imagination and not a actual hallucination I think

[@Sun-qc1ts]

indeed, the real question is how the bad smell is manifesting where did it come from, sense one is forced to believe its there with ones primeness and why is it always right in the face, not somewhere els then one walks into it. also anther good question would be why is it this smell and whats it doing to me.

[@nora-yw6gl]

I'm in tears watching this, I've questioned so many experiences that finally add up a little better thanks to this video. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences.

[@brysenlane9045]

Your videos have helped me understand the disorder so much more when I was diagnosed, but it also helped my family understand me more. My biggest hallucination lately is feeling spider webs all over my body. My eye lashes will form into spiderwebs, I’ll try and pull them off my face even.

[@the.seeds.of.change]

I am so sorry you are going through that. A few years ago I saw scorpions coming out of the knot holes in the wood floor. I'd even take video to prove it and no one could see anything. Very scary. I truly hope your hallucinations get better and go away. I'll be praying for you!

[@smellysock4260]

@@the.seeds.of.change Sometimes they are real.YOu see them with your thrid eye chakra. Schizophrenia damages/rewires the brain in such a way that partly and unnaturally opens your third eye. It's a horrible experience, especially when it's something nasty like spiders. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. There is no way to make it stop, other than taking lots of pills. The scorpions and spiders are an "astral" phenomenon. People who do not have functioning third eye chakras, of course, cannot see them. YOur camera, being a physical object, cannot detect them either. Only someone else who has an activated thrid eye chakra can see them to verify the experience. I, for one, have seen such things. My mother was a schizophrenic, and I inherited the mental illness from her. I know that if i ever have children, I will condemn them to this horrible disease. I would rather die than harm a child. This phenomenon is clearly described in some Eastern mystical and yoga literature.

[@georgekatsireas4324]

That might be arachnophobia ...what she claims is far way from reality and far way from imagination to be true and in the spectrum pf hallucinations

[@justinatkins1668]

I know that I've said this on a few of your videos but you've helped me so much in understanding what's going on in my wifes mind. We've been married for 8 years and I swear I've learned more about her since I found your channel than I ever had in all the years I've known her. What you describe is always so similar to her situation. So thank you for helping us and so many others. You're literally a lifesaver.

[@mudiusp6050]

What's unusual and different about you Lauren is not that you suffer from schizophrenia (so many of us do) but that you've decided to navigate the difficult journey of your terrain on camera in real time. So you certainly deserve all the accolades that you receive. One more thing: you're lovely to watch and hear. Such a gorgeous woman.

[@christyme6395]

Has anyone ever experienced the opposite of this? I hear voices in my head all the time that are not mine. They tell me they are my spiritual guides and they are always helpful, happy and tell me I have value and worth. They never suggest I do anything that could be harmful to anyone. I see light around people and objects. Sometimes it is white light but if I stare at it I can see a spectrum of colors. Some would say they are auras. I love my guides and my experiences and I wouldn't trade them for anything. I've had so many of these kinds of experiences that I can't list them here because this post would be way too long. Reality is weird, I think there are other places we don't know about and those other places helped get me through cancer treatment a few years ago. Yet what was said about sensing things that were not there. I do that every day and I'm not sure that they aren't there. As a matter of fact I'm pretty sure they are. Yet I still do all the every day tasks I need to do just like everyone else and without any issue. Just wondering if I'm officially schizophrenic.

[@robinackermann7711]

i also see the auras not only around people, but also around objects

[@healthentertainmenttv]

Thanks for sharing your experience and I love the honesty. I'd really love to hear more about it if you don't mind.

[@Psullins1984]

You should see a psychiatrist ASAP!!!!! you definitely have some sort of mental disorder. Trust me don’t wait to seek help. What you are saying is NOT normal, it may be fine now but whatever you are dealing with will progress further as all untreated mental illness do.

[@Psullins1984]

You need to see a psychiatrist ASAP! What you are saying is NOT normal and will only progress as all untreated mental illness do! I thought I was special too until the disease worsens. Go seek help before the disease damages your brain further.

[@Kevin-ef4cc]

I was diagnosed with schizophrenia 25 years ago it's nice in this day and age to see someone like yourself that is so well at articulating your condition I used to call it a curse we need to see it as a blessing and there are reasons for it we must learn from it 😇

[@tresbirch6230]

I'm not living with schizophrenia so can't add much but love your videos & your ROSE GOLD HAIR is perfection :D

[@fernandaceron895]

The description of your hallucinations sounds so spiritual (mediumistic) to me. I really hesitated to leave a comment here, because I’m highly aware and respectful about how sensitive this topic is. I recently watched your latest video and I’m hoping you’re doing okay. I have massive experience with my own diagnoses and the fifteen years of treatment I underwent. I’m now a survivor of severe misdiagnoses that changed the entire course of my life. I’ve been off meds for more than a decade. I didn’t have any mental illness. I was this extremely sensitive person who had something called extrasensory perception. The manifestation of such thing shows up just as the symptoms of schizoaffective disorder/ schizophrenia, which are the two main illnesses I was diagnosed with. It’s a long and strange story and I hope I can share it one day in an autobiography. In the meantime, I’m sending you much love.

[@ashleycountiss720]

I thought this as well.

[@bananas4077]

Spiritual psychosis

[@eliasdecker4773]

I am very glad that you found you were misdiagnosed and have done well off of medications. However, please, in the future don't suggest these symptoms are not indicative of a mental health disorder. Especially on support forums and educational materials for individuals who have a psychotic disorder or are looking to support someone with these symptoms. I have had one too many clients who have abruptly stopped taking their medications because someone had convinced them they were actually a medium/in touch with God/spiritually stong/etc. and that they don't actually have a psychotic disorder. They were just more "spiritually in tune" or have "ESP". Needless to say, that isnt true. Most of the time, individuals with a psychotic disorder end up back in the hospital or spiraling out of control when they stop taking medications that they need. Ive watched people lose their job, fail out of college, damage or lose relationships with friends/family/partners and even become homeless. The worst part in all of this is that research findings support that baseline functioning can decline each time someone goes off their medication and relapses into another episode. I have watched clients go from having fulfilling lives to a husk of their former self. So yes, please, don't tell people that you found out you actually have ESP. I am happy for you if that is the case, and you have the right to tell your story. But in a space with people who struggle with symptoms of hallucinations and delusions, you are absolutely harming someone despite your best intentions.

[@fernandaceron895]

@@eliasdecker4773 You’re right. I realized I accidentally missed that what I was going through was also the manifestation of childhood trauma due to parenting neglect and being in all sorts of chaotic environments no suitable for infants, specially for highly sensitive ones, as it was in my case. At some point I became deeply invested in, not only finding the root of the problem, but also finding healing methods specialized on childhood trauma. I didn’t find it fair to have to use a chemical band-aid for the rest of my life just because of my caretakers’ unhealthy choices. My initiative started when I realized that something just didn’t add up. As far as I could remember I was a pretty functional child all along until I hit puberty. I don’t advise people not to take their meds. That’s not at all what my two comments have been about. All I’m saying here is educate yourself, do whatever research you need to do, read, learn, study. Simply open up and see if there’s more to the story that you may not be seeing and considering. But ultimately whatever you do, do it safely. You don’t have to come off meds to find out more about what’s really happening to you.

[@fernandaceron895]

@@eliasdecker4773 You’re right, I accidentally missed adding that what I was going through was also the consequences of childhood trauma. This was due to parenting neglect and all sorts of chaotic environments not suitable for children, specially for highly sensitive ones like it was in my case. My initiative started when I realized that something wasn’t adding up. As far as I remembered, I was a pretty functional child all along until I hit puberty. So I became deeply invested in, not only finding the root of the problem, but also finding effective healing methods specialized on childhood trauma. I found it to be unfair to having to be relegated to the use of chemical band-aid for the rest of my life because of my caretakers’ unhealthy choices. My comments weren’t intended to advise people to stop taking their medications. All I’m saying here is there’s no harm on educating yourself by doing research. learn, read and stay open and curious. There’s no harm whatsoever on finding out if there’s more to your story that you aren’t seeing or considering. But ultimately, whatever you do, do it safely. You don’t need to come off meds to be actively engaged.

[@dhsarah570]

i notice that i have tactile, visual and especially auditory hallucinations if i haven't gotten a proper amount of sleep. i then have a very difficult time fully falling asleep because i keep hearing things and seeing faces appear when im trying to fall asleep. then i slip in and out of consciousness, having very vivid, almost lucid dreams, but i can feel pain, and hear things that are so loud and real that they wake me up, and the cycle continues. it raises my heartrate greatly, and it just perpetuates the insomnia which perpetuates the hallucinations. sleep meds just make me feel like absolute shit, and i'll keep waking up to drink water cause of dry mouth or because they also cause disturbing dreams. i feel truly fucked, and sleep used to be something that i looked forward to because i'd be excited to momentarily escape the stresses of existing.

[@izznt]

I have extremely severe OCD and I often experience sensations of specific things, like the sensation that I'm scared I seem like I'm cheating when that's obviously not factual , but the sensations range is so huge and specific and almost spacial at times and I've literally called it a sixth sense before. I thought about this while I watched your video about delusions too, it made me think a lot about obsessive thoughts and how real they feel even though I know they're irrational. I hope you're having a good day, and thank you for sharing education and your experience. I think the future will be bright with mental health understanding.

[@justanotherphilliesfan6801]

You are not alone. My schizophrenia had like hallucinations such as bugs spiders animals and auditory hallucinations. You are brave

[@TheKarret]

I absolutely love the information you're providing about hallucinations - when I had an episode of psychosis, I feel like I had one of those moments where I didn't actually see anything, but I was reacting to this nothing as if it was there. I also really love how your hair matches your chair and the pink on the pictures in the background; the color palette of the whole video is just super nice. C:

[@irena6317]

Just a note to some people: After covid and certain infections people can experience "parosmia". I developed this intensely a few months after a covid infection and am still recovering two years later. I initially couldn't figure out what was going on, but many things didn't smell or taste right. Things smelled and tasted rotten. I was throwing away perfectly good food at first.

[@MrTooljello]

I had that too with Covid. For me it was dill pickle chips, ketchup and anything with whatever ingredient was causing this, made it smell like some kind of powdered chemical cleaner or something. Was so weird. Lucky for me it only lasted about a week.

[@ginahorvath9663]

I have the same problem! People don’t understand how bad it is. I’m a foodie, so this makes me very sad. Lately the only thing that tastes good are generic fruity pebbles. Lettuce smells like rubbing alcohol. “Smell therapy” is a joke. I know how things should taste & smell.

[@yolandacoronel8325]

Thank you for helping me understand this illness that my son was diagnosed with. And normalizing it versus the negative information you see on line .

[@virgielowe7018]

Thank you so much for this important and helpful information. Please keep up your good works, and know that it is not in vain. You are helping those who have the disease and educating the people who love them. God bless you!

[@Introvertcooking92]

I love the way you talk its feels sincere. I hope everything is going well with your life

[@jimmy31412]

Hi I was diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar. I was in psychosis for about 3months, and everything you explain in your videos is so accurate.

[@ronpieket8164]

Thank you for answering questions that had been puzzling me, but that I would never dare to ask. I'm watching this in August 2024, and I'm so happy to see that you have come so far in the few years since this video was made. I hope that your courageous sharing will help others to find a path to wellness.

[@mayarosenberg1813]

I'm struggling with this so much. The pandemic wrecked my mental health.I struggled with depression and anxiety in high school,and "came out of it". I never wanted to go back. But now that I'm in this hellhole again, I can't help but internalize all of the same messages I have now. I'm a failed "recovery" story, and i'm afraid the fact that I got better the first time reinforced what people think about mental health- that you somehow can will your way out of it.

[@mature_dgreat]

My ex girlfriend is experiencing this currently, she hears voices and see things I don't see. I know she's not cool with this experience. What can she do?

[@matthewdennison9827]

I don't know if anyone monitors this but... I wanted to say thank you! Thank you for the opportunity to watch and hear something thats directed more towards the schizophrenics life and point of view. I know it means a lot to have such resources available. I know I have felt so allow, left out and at times have a difficult time expressing myself and explaining how and what schizophrenic affects me and my little world.

[@raymondwalker8458]

You r the first person that I can relate to almost the exactly the same the little bits that I got what a relief thank you so much

[@kittenmallow]

Thank you for sharing. I have the same sort of halucinations where you sense someone is there and you cant see them, but your brain is telling you that someone is there. I have seen these my entire life that I can remember. A lot of times people, and some therapists, will dismiss it saying that " oh everyone sees things at the corner of their eye sometimes". It's made me feel like my diagnosis is wrong or that my imagination is just "out there" or that I must want this to happen or else it would stop. This video helps.

[@malissarunco3319]

Thank you so much for being so Open during your journey and talking about your mental health …My dad has paranoid schizophrenia for 25 years and he does see a cop woman that he always talks to,yells at, tells the woman to leave him alone. And and he won’t take his medication. He says it makes him feel stupid and he says he can’t function but the thing is, my dad isn’t giving the medicine a chance to work. He complains how he has bad luck literally with everything, his appearance, money, always getting shit on. For everything he does because he’s so focused Into the woman he sees. He’s not in reality. And I KNOW he can’t help it because of this horrible nasty illness. I love my dad and I’d do anything for him but he can’t see that I want to help him. I want him to be happy. I want him to get some positive luck. He deserves it. He can’t see that we want him better. He’s just so stuck on the meds making him feel like crap. It’s because he doesn’t give it time. I really do thank you for sharing your experiences with the world. And speaking up about it. I thank and love you for this. You give me hope for my dad. ❤️❤️❤️

[@mariashaffer-gordon3561]

Your dad isn't the only one with the attitude that antipsychotic meds make it more difficult to function. Treating schizophrenia is so hit or miss - there's no way to know in advance that a specific medication will definitely be helpful, it takes time to see if something might work, and sometimes it takes multiple attempts to find a drug or combination of drugs that work. I've never had to take an antipsychotic, but when I took an antidepressant decades ago, it made me feel like my head was full of cotton and ideas couldn't make their way out. Antipsychotic meds still aren't great, but they're better than they used to be. Research is being done on matching diseases with medications, precision medicine for mood disorders, like what's been done with some types of cancer. There's a medical journal called Molecular Psychiatry. I read, but definitely didn't completely understand, an article by H. Le-Niculescu et al in that journal, volume 26, pages 2776-2804, published April 2021.

[@mariashaffer-gordon3561]

One thing I should have mentioned about the Molecular Psychiatry article - most of the people who were studied had a mood disorder (garden variety depression, mania, or bipolar disease), not schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

[@gargis6509]

I am truly speechless after watching this video, cause I've been having almost all of these symptoms happening to me for many years now, I was scared at the beginning but having no-one to tell me what's the reason for all that happening to me, and thinking that people would think of me weirdly(cause of the times i shared with some of my friends they said that this doesn't happen to anyone and i was weird), so, i started to accept it and live with it till this day, i never thought about schizophrenia nor that i knew much about it, and watching this video, i learned about it, thank you so much for providing knowledge and your experience on this, really thankful for this video!

[@n11ck]

Very insightful video. Thanks for your explanation! My heart goes out to those who suffer from this disorder, or have mental health issues in general

[@bobbiecaress4736]

Thank you so much! I needed this explanation! I'm 45 and think I might have schizophrenia. I've been denying my illness for 5 years

[@dougalexander7204]

Your ability to share your experience with a schizoaffective disorder is so very helpful. Please take care.

[@KG-gg8rl]

I used to see the walls and patterns moving. Things 'morph' into other things. See people by the side of the road. Believe that people are out to get me / outside my house. See shadows move. I 'know' theres shadowy figures too - I don't see it too. I hear noises that other people don't. Hear whispers / chatter. I also feel like "something's there" and I am not a believer. I see faces come at me at night. I've been told it's anxiety driven / stress induced hallucinations?

[@faithgaspare6077]

Thank you for being honest. I get hallucinations of people and touch. I am scared of the visual hallucinations when I close my eyes. I know it's a positive to deal with hallucinations. Thank you again.

[@Mrs.Robinsons]

Back to lovin that hair cut! Now the color really spices it up ! Awesome-Many Thanks for all these videos!!

[@user-sc1es4wz4g]

My symptoms are mostly gone. But when I go in public I still hear people yelling insults at me. It upsets me at first. Then I realized its a hallucination. I used to constantly smell a pungent odor for years too. But thats gone too. They all seem so real.

[@pattyfluegel7816]

I am so sorry you have had to go through this. Thank you for sharing.

[@zalligar]

I have started to hallucinate recently, either that or really vivid dreams. My psychiatrist called them hallucinations but calling them that way feels scary. Anyways, wishing for the best lmao, to everyone who's going through something similar, or their own thing. Cool hair btw.

[@HollyJordan15]

So are vivid dreams=hallucinations?

[@Welsh_Aussie]

Hallucinating in your sleep isn’t anything to be worried about. It could be sleep paralysis which is common and not a sign of schizophrenia. If you’re hallucinating whilst awake then that’s different. Hope you’re well.

[@grinchlette]

I’m here trying to learn so I can help my brother with daily life. I feel so overwhelmed. Especially since he is not self-aware of the psychosis/hallucinations.

[@SweetSoSweet]

whoa the new hair color is looking beautiful! ♡

[@forgivenfree6]

Hi sober monkey & all reading I can definitely relate to the possession part as I was possessed they even done an excorsism on me many yrs ago. Eventually my family decided to take me to hospital when I attempted suicide & came and told them about the voices telling me I don't have the guts to tell people about what was happening. I was admitted & immediately sedated.woke up my clothes were changed & no1 around that I knew... Very scary for me... After treatment on meds that went completely wrong I think I might've had a reaction to it as my mouth went scew...the carted me to a mental institution where I was diagnosed with bipolar type 1 & spent 3 months recovering... I was torn between what the Dr said & what the pastor said because I was convinced that there was nothing wrong with me medically but that I was having a spiritual intervention. It was tough and still is upto this day experiencing unexplainable happenings & so forths but I am kinda coping & exploring the idea of a very deep connection with these beings. Sorry for long msg but I just wanted you to know that sometimes things happen to people because something or some higher being is trying to get you to learn the unknown & unseen truth about reality. Don't get me wrong I'm not saying don't seek help but if you listen to the positive side of the voices the magical part of it all you might find some very interesting & profound things out about yourself & what you are capable of as this higher being living experiencing life in this meat suit. I not delusional. I'm taking meds but yet...the unknown scary as it sounds is pretty fascinating... Be brave.take a leap of faith sometime & divulge into what is extraordinary about this seemingly boring thing called Life. I hope this helped you or someone better understand their reality. All of the best 💌

[@8polyglot]

LOVE the hair color, Lauren! Again, as a social worker in training, your videos are invaluable for helping me get insight on how people I may be working with dealing with schizoaffective disorder or other experiences might be going through and how to work with them.

[@yadabub]

Have you ever had what I will call 'subtractive' hallucinations? Sometimes I cannot see or feel an object that I know is in my hand, or my pocket. All I see and feel is the empty hand or pocket. Sometimes I simply actually do not see what is right in front of me, seeing instead a lack of that something. Good luck finding your keys, when your brain won't allow you to detect them at all.

[@anotheroned]

This is interesting thing, did not know it exists.

[@marraine7299]

@@anotheroned I saw it in the Yugioh manga but I always thought it was magic and not an actual thing

[@tcort]

Thanks!

[@emmy9327]

Thank you for sharing & giving such great insight. Love the hair 💕💕

[@squarebearderry]

Paranoid Schizophrenic here, you are doing great things. I also talk now and again about my experiences on my YT.

[@robingardella6240]

Thank you for your honesty! Love to you.❤

[@sageisnotaplant99]

This lines up pretty well with what I experience. Thank you for educating people on this topic

[@ultraparanioa]

omg your new hair is so cute! also love this video. very insightful.

[@paulharris4879]

I have smelt bad smells i thort it was my grandson shat himself also i think food goes mouldy infront of me so i cant eat it i hear 4 voices too . Also i been watchin tv i saw a polar bear he was taking to me asking if i was ok ... im used to it now i live with it its part of my life now ..

[@kristi5267]

Wow, you are doing such a great service here. Good for you!!!

[@jazdmay2071]

Can you please make a video for those of us suffering from extreme religious hallucinations and delusions. I currently believe I'm in actual hell. My hallucinations have told me I lost my soul and I'm in hell. They say it repeatedly.

[@Sun-qc1ts]

If you haven't you haven't had your skin cut off your not there ! your soul is too adorable to go there, believe it !

[@alexandriaf5755]

Thank you. Trying to understand a schizo person that i love so much. Hearing you experience make me have an idea of what is happening on his mind. He hide all symptoms and the whole situation is very confusing

[@Malik_Hoff]

i have hallucination/delusion that people i know talk to me and see what i'm doing. Like everyone is secretly psychic. i know it sounds crazy but it's hard to decipher the illusion from real life

[@joserosado4667]

Thank you for your bravery and insight on spreading your experiences and message with the world. I have been recently diagnosed with anxiety and panic disorder and I am trying to navigate and treat my mental condition with my Doctor as well as holistically and with lifestyle changes. I was really afraid at first and had too much pride to admit that I had a problem and to seek the help that I so desperately needed. It was only until my symptoms put me in the hospital where a kind nurse suggested maybe it was time to seek mental help and begin treating with medication. Since then I have made it my mission to find what works best for me to manage my mental health and to find a way to uplift and help others. Seeing your videos and seeing your courage inspires me to do more. You are an amazing person and brave for putting yourself out there which in turn has helped thousands of people understand importance of mental health. Growing up my uncle struggled with his diagnosis of Schizophrenia. I always sympathized with him but never took the time to understand what he went through. Your videos have helped me understand on a deeper level what those with schizophrenia experience. Thank you for sharing your story and I wish you all the best!

[@Mytommyj22]

You look soooo cute! Thank you for being a light in this dark world. ♥️☮️

[@receiptsreceipts8835]

Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. SOO MUCH. For sharing this lived experienced. For us caretakers.

[@hansenwarsito283]

Hello, thank you for your video I got diagnose with psychosis and ocd a few months ago, and i can relate so much with ‘ you can’t see someone but your mind registering that there are someones there ‘ I can relate so much, eventho i thought i was the only one who is experiencing like that ! Love your video so much ! Hansen

[@bonitaderosa3134]

I want to be sure you are taking care of yourself. Although these videos are invaluable to the rest of us - they shouldn't be stressful for you. Just sharing my thoughts. Good luck going forward.

[@juanmaguire6482]

The more i think about it the more i miss m mum and grandma and the rest of my family and how they lived with and helped me through my mental health problems.

[@reddbendd]

I have HPPD. Sometimes my thoughts get so loud I can hear them. It’s not vivid hallucinations but I do hear my name and occasionally things that are meant to be intimidating

[@MinnesotanMysticism]

2:00 I’ve literally smelt that in psychosis before, so awful, so weird too. It had a way of pinching the nose like a sharpie marker.

[@laurieberry4814]

Lauren. You do it with creativity. Love your hair. It’s like my sister-in-law. She colors her hair a lot. Fun. People like us can do fun things in our life. I only hear voices or noises outside my head. One time I asked someone about their cats that they don’t own. I heard hissing that didn’t exist. It was an auditory hallucination. Thank you for helping me understand you and myself. Stay well

[@MyKneeGro]

Your Bravery and open Vulnerability is such a beautiful trait to possess. I'm a new follower and have enjoyed everything thus far with great interest and pleasure. Thank you 💪💪❤️💪💪❤️💪💪❤️💪💪

[@saracopen7128]

The first hallucination I can remember was in high school. My husband (ex boyfriend at the time) was trying to tell me he was sorry and I heard him threatening to kill me. He honestly is a teddy bear and protective of me so now I know that he would never hurt me, but back then I was genuinely scared to the point I even tried talking to the teacher about it, but they knew that he would never harm me. I feel bad about that. Now I’ve been diagnosed with schizoaffective with bipolar type& wish I got help back in the day. You’re such a fighter who does everything she can to help her audience & I admire you! Thank you, Lauren

[@jillnelson8746]

You have become a wonderful articulate educator-so I admire you for using your illness as a positive force for good. Thanks

[@thepapermonster]

I mostly have tactile hallucinations where i feel insect crawling on my skin, or my clothes feel like insects where they touch my body. The worst ones are the ones in my ears because i can’t reality check as easily because i can’t look inside my ears.

[@the.seeds.of.change]

I'm so sorry you are going through this.. I have tactile hallucinations as well. I'll be praying for you.

[@nitrojane]

I have these hallucinations too. One thing my GP told me is that if there were insects in my ear it would hurt, like one of the worst pains you can imagine. So I try to remember that when my brain tells me they're in there.

[@YWFilmProductions]

God bless you, I hope you can heal from this.

[@Amylovescats]

looking beautiful, Lauren. As usual, amazingly thoughtful & insightful video.

[@melinayeamon2830]

Thank you for sharing. Very enlightening ❤

[@GoldenVulpes]

My brother experiences psychosis and these videos really help me understand how scary it can be for him. Sometimes I get sleep paralysis nightmares and how it makes me feel like someone is coming to get me. That must be similar...

[@iscanna]

Thank you for sharing your experience. It really helped me understand hallucination better.

[@froogsleegs]

I never, ever thought I'd hear somebody else describe having a conversation with spiders. it's pretty surreal that you have had the same experience!

[@ryleehappy8954]

I have experienced so many of these types of hallucinations that my jaw was on the floor and I was thinking, "that's what that was!!!". I really relate to interacting with a hallucination without seeing it. I experience tactile, visual, olfactory (rarely) and auditory hallucinations. I have experienced hearing my wife call my name when she wasn't home, feeling and seeing bugs all over, hearing random hushed conversations in a mystery language, smelling cat pee when there were no cats nearby, etc. When I slipped into psychosis in 2020, I hallucinated monstrous demons crawling out of the ground that I was convinced were going to kill me. I also hallucinate shadows in the corners of my eyes and hear footsteps.

[@adamwetherden]

Your description of your mind registering something that isn’t really there is exactly how I experienced my first hallucinations. Flashes of images in my mind alongside sensing a presence.

[@AutismUME]

Thank you for your honesty

[@georgiahoneybees]

I love your hair cut and color. I've watched previous videos and any hairstyle you wear is beautiful. Thank you for explaining this to us.

[@maltie123]

LOVING the short, pink hair on you! 💕

[@JamesMiller-ly1jz]

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[@sumanghosh-pb3dw]

4:42 - later hearing voices telling her 2 hurt self. 5:29 - visual started, checked w/peopl if they were real. 6:38 - hallucination of old man knockin on her car window. Checked w/peopl, they said no, but she still wonders. That was the only time it got that bad. 10:53 - still experiences break through symptoms even w/meds n it's managed.

[@luceo-non-uro]

yup. I am fascinated by my schizophrenia. it is very confusing... I have determined what is mine and what is not. It seems as though the bridge between the conscious mind and the subconscious mind has been made. as well as the unconscious mind.. the collective mind.. very strange. the dreams and nightmares are wild.

[@HasabeMizurukara]

my hallucinations are shadows that seem demonic and whisper nonsense. When I look back it feels like it never happened but in the moment it felt very terrifying and real.

[@Snooper810]

You can easily relate that when you are on acids, LSD or magic mushrooms, unbeliavable. Hope she is fully recovered

[@chadgarrett6947]

Personally, I started hearing auditory hallucination when I was 16, that was also when the insomnia started. I began hearing my mother, or random voices calling my name a lot when she wasn't even home, didn't matter if I got sleep or not, I got them either way, I know that not sleeping can cause this but yeah, no, I am diagnosed as schizoaffective disorder with insomnia and PTSD from childhood abuse I wish I could just get over already... I also got the bugs crawling in my peripheral vision crawling like in indiana jones and the temple of doom, stuff is crazy, especially when you are at your worst and it feels like you entered silent hill. It's crazy to me that I am so similar to most people with this disorder, but that made me realize this is for real what I have.

[@michaelmaberry6220]

Let’s me know I am not alone. My voices always seems like they are in the background or outside of my home. I constantly see what seems to be mice or something flying around me, I have feelings of bugs crawling all over me, I do get the smells from time to time, last year was the first time I recognized that my name was being called, people who I grew up with their faces are distorted while a day before I was just thinking about them, I am now getting what I call mind images where I can see people and images in my mind, I believe everybody is plotting on me with very elaborate plans, there’s always a presence with me always & the crazy thing is you will never tell that I am experiencing what I am experiencing I keep it quiet nobody in my family believes it and when I said something about it. old friends they thought I was weird when I told them I hear voices, so I have to maintain with no help but glad to know I am not alone & keep fighting

[@starfire8593]

Your videos are so informative. I've been watching all of them as I've always had an interest in psychology and mental health etc.. I have chronic major depression, anxiety disorder, PTSD, and OCD. It took a long time for me to understand why I have all of this since childhood. With medication and counseling it's become very manageable. I also am a recovered alcoholic and drug addiction so I relate to some of the hallucinations that were drug induced psychosis for me. It's very terrifying and kind of scared me straight which lead me to get help. I empathize with you so much and everyone who lives with this type of illness. You are such a strong lady and so intelligent. Thank you for educating your viewers. It's so valuable to have the information you are sharing and will help so many people. I wish you all the best for your happiness, health and well being. ❤ Your hair is really cute.

[@katrinabergmanmccolloch5948]

Thank you so much for making these videos. I don't even know you yet; you seem like my friend. I suffer from bipolar with psychotic features, so I know what it's like. The medication is hard to stick with because of the side effects, but I am finally committed to it. I tried it on my own several times, and it turned out horrible anyway; I am rambling. I just wanted to say thank you so much for making this channel.

[@truthseeker6584]

I am sorry that your medication has so many negative side effects, it is very brave of you to stick to it anyway. From all my heart I wish you the best! You will succeed in living a good and happy life because you are determined and you are on the right path. God bless you!

[@GregEdwards56]

Thank you! Billy Connoly once said that he was worried about smeilling bad: old men don't know how much they smell.

[@Sun-qc1ts]

I have faith I know this will help people that need saving as I did.

[@colinlmacleod3385]

Thank you Lauren. I did not know that those were hallucinations, but I have had several of those things you describe. I just thought those wavy distortions were optical illusions, but after my latest psychotic episode, I saw other things too, like a mouse floating around my clock, and then there was a transparent butterfly flying around my indoor tree and it disappeared. It would be good if I could take this involuntary creativity and imagination and do something brilliant with it. knowing how to direct it could make a difference to the world in some way, I would think.