Before I get rolling on this piece, I want to take a brief moment to say that this is being written largely in response to a Note put forth by the exceptionally well-read and well-intended Josh Slocum, of The Disaffected Substack and podcast.
I am so grateful you wrote this, Joshua. This matters. It clarifies an experience for me that I have not directly perceived myself, and it gives the "meta" perspective---you, the rational Joshua, observing the irrational part of yourself and managing it.
Schizophrenia is not well understood by the general public, and I have a better grasp on it now. This is not "over-sharing." Instead, it's like the layman's version of what Dr. Oliver Sacks did in relating case studies and vignettes illustrating the internal lives of people with stroke, aphasia, traumatic brain injury, etc. It's educational and humanizing. There's no wallowing, and nothing at all to be worried about "over sharing."
Question to you: In general, what can/should a person like me do if I'm with a friend who has your condition. Say you and I are having lunch, and you slip into a delusional state. What is the most helpful thing I can do and say to you and with you, and what should I avoid?
Linguistics are vital in such circumstances, and one's choice of words matter. One should, for instance, ask "What are you seeing," and not "What's wrong", because the first instance clarifies for the subject that what they are perceiving is not being witnessed by others, and is a subtle but certain indicator that perhaps they aren't quite correct. The second, "What's wrong", offers the delusion the chance to anchor in.
It's a bit flip of me to say, but I'll suggest it anyway: keep a tazer on hand for that lunch. A brief zap is typically non-injurious, but is just jarring enough to return the subject to a 'neutral' point of observation.
That might seem cruel or excessive to some, but I can tell you from firsthand experience, it works.
Another suggestion, regarding what to avoid, is this: if conversation starts to lean toward the nature of the subject's delusions, treat it like a set of mythologies or legends in your responses, to keep the subject viewing/framing it all as the fiction that it is.
I get it about the taser. There's a reason why sometimes people have to be bodily slapped across the face when they're in hysteria/something else.
During the break with my mother eight years ago at my lowest point, toddler night terrors returned. I mean waking up in a hypnagogic state screaming at the top of my lungs, unaware of where or who I was, terrified and wanting to die, and not responsive to yelling or speech.
My roommate Mary finally resorted to hauling off and backhanding me hard. Thank God. It broke the spell.
Very informative. Thank you for writing this Joshua and to Josh for requesting it.
It’s so refreshing to understand in this way, rather than a textbook list of “symptoms” or patterns. Thank you for humanizing this condition and sharing your experience. 🙏❤️
I'd say it'd of benefit for just about every person to read or hear, regardless of their background, profession, education level or other identity tags.
It provides such a concise and understandable explanation, that one couldn't help coming away with a totally different and informed (verses the hollywood model) perspective of this condition.
Thank you for writing this. I actually found a gem or two I could personally apply with my Lewy body Dementia mother, who is heroically dealing with visual and auditory hallucinations. They've not crossed over into delusions (thank you God), but responding to her in as helpful a way as possible has been my goal for these 5 years now.
This literally is a dumb question - due to my lack of knowledge of your condition - but have they looked at "psychedelics" as a treatment for schizophrenia? There obviously has been much talk around Ibogaine, but also other substances as well, for many mental issues (my interest obviously points toward dementia and Parkinson's).
Again, great appreciation for you sharing the intricacies of your world. Very brave and very generous!!
Incredible piece. We've all experienced the presence of someone with schizophrenia in public life, but I think this is the first time I've heard such an eloquent and based explanation of what it's like to actually be such a person. Thanks to Josh Slocum for drawing our attention to such a fine writer.
I’ve worked with mentally ill patients and he is right. Most of these women are classic borderline personality disorder. They were the worst to deal with, like psychic vampires. The bp1 and bp2 folks as well as the schizophrenic patients were lovely. I hated the BPD and they actually repulsed me. There is something unfixable about them. A 16 hour shift with bpd person was exhausting because they are so needy and lack any self awareness.
Thank you Josh for this article. My aunt was a paranoid schizophrenic and suffered greatly. Your article clarifies aspects of her behaviour that I was an unable to understand when I was young. I can’t thank you enough for writing this. My aunt’s life was so difficult but she was such an intelligent, loving, beautiful woman. Where is the research into this mental health condition? It’s so important and so needed. ❤️
I am so grateful you wrote this, Joshua. This matters. It clarifies an experience for me that I have not directly perceived myself, and it gives the "meta" perspective---you, the rational Joshua, observing the irrational part of yourself and managing it.
Schizophrenia is not well understood by the general public, and I have a better grasp on it now. This is not "over-sharing." Instead, it's like the layman's version of what Dr. Oliver Sacks did in relating case studies and vignettes illustrating the internal lives of people with stroke, aphasia, traumatic brain injury, etc. It's educational and humanizing. There's no wallowing, and nothing at all to be worried about "over sharing."
Question to you: In general, what can/should a person like me do if I'm with a friend who has your condition. Say you and I are having lunch, and you slip into a delusional state. What is the most helpful thing I can do and say to you and with you, and what should I avoid?
Linguistics are vital in such circumstances, and one's choice of words matter. One should, for instance, ask "What are you seeing," and not "What's wrong", because the first instance clarifies for the subject that what they are perceiving is not being witnessed by others, and is a subtle but certain indicator that perhaps they aren't quite correct. The second, "What's wrong", offers the delusion the chance to anchor in.
It's a bit flip of me to say, but I'll suggest it anyway: keep a tazer on hand for that lunch. A brief zap is typically non-injurious, but is just jarring enough to return the subject to a 'neutral' point of observation.
That might seem cruel or excessive to some, but I can tell you from firsthand experience, it works.
Another suggestion, regarding what to avoid, is this: if conversation starts to lean toward the nature of the subject's delusions, treat it like a set of mythologies or legends in your responses, to keep the subject viewing/framing it all as the fiction that it is.
Thank you. This is damned useful.
I get it about the taser. There's a reason why sometimes people have to be bodily slapped across the face when they're in hysteria/something else.
During the break with my mother eight years ago at my lowest point, toddler night terrors returned. I mean waking up in a hypnagogic state screaming at the top of my lungs, unaware of where or who I was, terrified and wanting to die, and not responsive to yelling or speech.
My roommate Mary finally resorted to hauling off and backhanding me hard. Thank God. It broke the spell.
Very informative. Thank you for writing this Joshua and to Josh for requesting it.
It’s so refreshing to understand in this way, rather than a textbook list of “symptoms” or patterns. Thank you for humanizing this condition and sharing your experience. 🙏❤️
Thank you so much for this article.
This is an amazing article and piece of work.
I'd say it'd of benefit for just about every person to read or hear, regardless of their background, profession, education level or other identity tags.
It provides such a concise and understandable explanation, that one couldn't help coming away with a totally different and informed (verses the hollywood model) perspective of this condition.
Thank you for writing this. I actually found a gem or two I could personally apply with my Lewy body Dementia mother, who is heroically dealing with visual and auditory hallucinations. They've not crossed over into delusions (thank you God), but responding to her in as helpful a way as possible has been my goal for these 5 years now.
This literally is a dumb question - due to my lack of knowledge of your condition - but have they looked at "psychedelics" as a treatment for schizophrenia? There obviously has been much talk around Ibogaine, but also other substances as well, for many mental issues (my interest obviously points toward dementia and Parkinson's).
Again, great appreciation for you sharing the intricacies of your world. Very brave and very generous!!
Incredible piece. We've all experienced the presence of someone with schizophrenia in public life, but I think this is the first time I've heard such an eloquent and based explanation of what it's like to actually be such a person. Thanks to Josh Slocum for drawing our attention to such a fine writer.
I’ve worked with mentally ill patients and he is right. Most of these women are classic borderline personality disorder. They were the worst to deal with, like psychic vampires. The bp1 and bp2 folks as well as the schizophrenic patients were lovely. I hated the BPD and they actually repulsed me. There is something unfixable about them. A 16 hour shift with bpd person was exhausting because they are so needy and lack any self awareness.
Thank you Josh for this article. My aunt was a paranoid schizophrenic and suffered greatly. Your article clarifies aspects of her behaviour that I was an unable to understand when I was young. I can’t thank you enough for writing this. My aunt’s life was so difficult but she was such an intelligent, loving, beautiful woman. Where is the research into this mental health condition? It’s so important and so needed. ❤️
I learned a lot from this article. Many thanks for writing it.