Living with Schizophrenia - Page 2 - Writers Forum

The Backward OX · 07-14-2007, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedreamweaver

Interesting.

I liked the argument of 'Physiologically, the schizophrenics experience is as real as any tangible experience.'

Thought-provoking.

I’d like to make two points.

The first is that one does not need to be schizophrenic in order to feel an imagined experience as tangibly as a real experience.

It is a fundamental tenet of, for example, hypnosis, where the patient is conditioned to believe what she/he hears. Tell the patient on a blisteringly hot summer’s day that they feel extremely cold and, provided the message is delivered in sufficiently credible terms, an observer will see the patient begin to shiver. The patient “feels” cold. You can try this out for yourself, on a hot day, without even needing a hypnotist. Just sit, close your eyes, relax, and I mean really relax, and conjure up in your mind’s eye a vivid and continuing picture of the coldest imaginable scenario. Perhaps sitting naked on an ice floe in the Arctic Ocean, with a blizzard howling around you, and with nothing to see but more icebergs all the way to the horizon. Brrr. I got cold just typing it. See what I mean?

This principle is widely used in sports training, where even the conscious mind can “see” something not yet happening as if it really is happening. You can try this for yourself too. Let’s use shooting hoops as an example. Instead of just shooting hoops, first stand with the ball in your up-stretched hand, and imagine in your mind’s eye a successful throw. Repeat the exercise a few times. In your mind, concentrate on the ball always going in the basket.

Then shoot.

Bingo!

After years of missing flies with the fly-swatter, I decided to put this technique to work, and now I get them every time.

My second point is the use by the OP of the word ‘physiologically’, saying

Quote:

their mental anguish is translated into an actual physical experience of fear, triggering the fight or flight response. Physiologically, the schizophrenics experience is as real as any tangible experience.

Not only because he used it, but also because it has been picked up on by you, and you may just add it to your vocabulary without being aware that it isn’t the correct word to use in such a context. In the simplest terms, ‘physiologically’ means ‘of the body’. However, what really happens when the chainsaw-wielding Fibby bursts through the door is actually rather complex, and the body only comes in during Act Two. I’m going to be lazy here, and Paste a few words from a site somewhat more knowledgeable than I, to hopefully provide a clear pic of what actually takes place.

“The walnut-sized structure in the forebrain called the amygdala, along with the hypothalamus, controls the first, physical response. When an animal receives a visual stimulus that is recognized as potentially dangerous, the neurons from the eye send a signal directly to the amygdala. The amygdala then stimulates the hypothalamus to produce corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). The release of CRH triggers the pituitary gland's discharge of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which in turn stimulates the adrenal gland to secrete cortisol. Cortisol in the bloodstream causes an increase in glucose production, providing the necessary fuel for the brain and muscles to deal with stress.

Studies of neuronal activity in the brain have suggested that the prefrontal cortex, a cognitive and emotional learning center that helps interpret sensory stimuli, is responsible for the conscious assessment of danger. After passing through the amygdala, sensory information is sent on to the cortex. There, the frightening stimulus is examined in detail to determine whether or not a real threat exists. Based on this information, the amygdala will be signaled either to perpetuate the physical response or to abort it. Because the amygdala is aroused before the cortex can accurately assess the situation, an individual will experience the physical effects of fear even in the case of a false alarm.”

What this all means is that it’s the brain, in the OP’s example, that irrationally experiences the Fibby. In other words, it is a psychological, not physiological, experience.

. . . Just thought I’d clear that up.

Edgewise · 07-14-2007, 11:49 AM

Yes, but the fight or flight response would be just as active, whether or not the "Fibby" with the chainsaw is real or not.

Edgewise · 07-14-2007, 01:32 PM

Oh yeah, and having schizophrenia, being hypnotized, and shooting hoops is hardly comparable.

Sen Yama · 07-06-2008, 11:19 PM

I'm glad that you are persevering.

virginia · 07-07-2008, 12:27 PM

Edgewise,

my brother is schizophrenic and so is my son's father which means I know a bit about this illness and living with it (my poor son, now 28 and through college, still worries about whether he'll be a victim, it's horrible).

It also means I know what it took for you to write this essay because, as you say, it's very difficult for anyone else to understand and it's frustrating for you when they don't even seem to try. You did a great job and I'm sure it will help others (like my son) who might be on the look-out for (or suspecting) similar symptoms. On-the-other-hand, someone might just feel empathy. Well done.

Virginia

P.S. I don't see either of the two I mention above any more as I have become housebound with MS (my poor son!). I can tell you, though, that the former is happily married to a school teacher with two adult sons of his own (both well!). The latter, sadly, not so good and in and out of hospitals/hostels. A lot seems to depend on which medication they're on and my brother, by all accounts, gets more choice in London compared to the other in Cornwall. I may be wrong and, anyway, that's the UK.

Take care.