[Kelson12]

Lately I have been thinking that this disorder that I have, whatever it is, may possibly be worse than schizophrenia? Why? Because Schizo people have no idea that something is wrong with them. Where on the other hand we DP/DR people are overly aware that something is wrong with us, thus the reason we keep feeling like crap. Honestly, have you ever seen anyone on this board with schizophrenia? No, because they have no idea that something is wrong with them.

This DP/DR stuff makes life hell, because we aren't seen as crazy, no one knows what we are going through, we are so aware that things aren't right and constantly are thinking about the way we feel, and we are expected to continue on with life like nothing is wrong. And it blows.

 

[agentcooper]

i've thought about this before, and i really don't think we have it worse than schizophenics. schizophrenics seem really unhappy...a lot of them can't function in life. we at least can hold jobs and we can drive and rent apartments...etc...

just because most of them don't know there is somthing wrong with them doesn't mean they're all happy and free from care.

and just a sidenote, i think there are boards for schizophrenic people so may be they just don't come to this one cause dp/dr is the least of their worries.

 

[Kelson12]

I guess just the fact that we are so overly aware and analytical of our conditions and always analyzing how we feel. That is what I was trying to say. If I was able to not think about how I feel, how I felt last week, how I am gonna feel in the future then I would be fine. But instead I think about how I feel 24/7. For example, I was watching a movie and picture how I would feel in that current situation that is on the screen. Or when I have to go to the bathroom, I picture how I will feel walking to the bathroom. Or if my friends ask me to go out, I picture how I am gonna feel at the bar. Or on Sunday night, when I have to go back to work the next morning, I think about how I am gonna feel at work. It sucks.

 

[Guest]

Kelson, you describe perfectly how I can feel (picture yourself all the time). I understand perfectly.!! I have the same problem. I try to imagine HOW I will feel at this place, this situation, even in the movie (yes!).

About schizo, I think that they aren't lucky if they know their illness, but it's true, those who aren't aware are better, because they aren't aware of all this!!! Simply as that.

 

[Monkeydust]

Honestly, I don't think it's worse than schizophrenia; not at all.

Often what makes a schizophrenic's life an utter hell is precisely the fact that they do not know what they experience to be unreal.

I recall a story recently regarding a schizophrenic who murdered a policeman. The guy didn't know he was insane; he simply thought that the government were out to get him, that he'd be assassinated any moment, that people were all out to get him and so on.

He didn't know that these thoughts were unreal, no, but the fact that they were real to him - that, in his experience, they may as well have been real - must have made things unbearable.

Not to mention that they can rarely work, are in permanent care, face enormous prejudice from others, struggle to do daily tasks and so on - and on top of that they have precious little chance of ever recovering.

I think we have it considerable better.

As for this,

Honestly, have you ever seen anyone on this board with schizophrenia?

I've seen quite a few - at least 2 or 3 - and I haven't been here that long.

Very often schizophrenics realize something's wrong with them as soon as they get on medication.

I guess just the fact that we are so overly aware and analytical of our conditions and always analyzing how we feel. That is what I was trying to say. If I was able to not think about how I feel, how I felt last week, how I am gonna feel in the future then I would be fine. But instead I think about how I feel 24/7. For example, I was watching a movie and picture how I would feel in that current situation that is on the screen. Or when I have to go to the bathroom, I picture how I will feel walking to the bathroom. Or if my friends ask me to go out, I picture how I am gonna feel at the bar. Or on Sunday night, when I have to go back to work the next morning, I think about how I am gonna feel at work. It sucks.

I can definitely relate to all this, and I know how bad it can get and how much it can affect how you think and feel. But don't lose sight of the fact that many of us, unlike someone with schizophrenia, have an excellent chance of recovering. We have potential to change and be "normal", in good time. Few of them do.

 

[mcsiegs]

Or if my friends ask me to go out, I picture how I am gonna feel at the bar. Or on Sunday night, when I have to go back to work the next morning, I think about how I am gonna feel at work. It sucks.

Kelson - you described perfectly how I feel most of the time, and I can relate with you how you feel it sucks. It's like our own mind gets in the way of our enjoyment of life. It's interesting how the organ that gives us these thoughts is also the organ responsible for the feelings we actually have when we are in the situations.

I must say that as of this week, my DP/DR is about 70% gone from where I was when I joined this forum at the beginning of April. The increase in Paxil, while being hell last week has finally kicked in, and this support group helped tremedously. Also, I am in talk-therapy counseling, which also works well for me. I consider myself lucky that mine is not drug-induced, but I also know there is hope for everyone, whether from drugs or not.

You are all in my thoughts daily, and even if I kick DP/DR 100%, I will still visit this board to offer encouragement.

Kelson - If you find yourself thinking about how you will feel in a certain situation, try and picture yourself laughing and smiling in that situation. Sounds corny, but it's better than imagining stress.

 

[mcsiegs]

And for the record, I think schizo would be worse, especially on your loved ones.

 

[Guest]

I'm not sure of exact numbers, but a proportionally huge amount of shizophrenic people commit suicide when compared with the general population. I'm sure alot of us dper's have had suicide thoughts (i know i've pictured an aldous huxleyish death type), but how many of us have actually gone through with it? Putting a gun to your head and pulling the trigger are worlds apart.

Sure we are upset we are in an empty world, but shizo's can live in a hellish world. Alot of them become so traumatized, in later stages, combined with medication, they can't recognize their family.

In another case, my grandmother's friend's husband was shizo. He thought his family was planning to kill him and decided to kill himself before they "could have the satisfaction".

 

[Kelson12]

Ok, there is a difference between DP/DR and Schizo, but sometimes I wish I had no idea that something was wrong with me. In no way would I want to be Schizo, but if this DP/DR isn't hellish, I don't know what is!

 

[Shadow Cat]

Lately I have been thinking that this disorder that I have, whatever it is, may possibly be worse than schizophrenia? Why? Because Schizo people have no idea that something is wrong with them. Where on the other hand we DP/DR people are overly aware that something is wrong with us, thus the reason we keep feeling like crap. Honestly, have you ever seen anyone on this board with schizophrenia? No, because they have no idea that something is wrong with them.

This DP/DR stuff makes life hell, because we aren't seen as crazy, no one knows what we are going through, we are so aware that things aren't right and constantly are thinking about the way we feel, and we are expected to continue on with life like nothing is wrong. And it blows.

Schizophrenics have it way worse than us. On another depersonalization board, there was a schizophrenic. She has pretty bad depersonalization. People with schizophrenia sometimes get this disorder. They can't function correctly a lot of times. They have hallucinations and delusions. They can be extremely paranoid. They have trouble socially. Some of them can't have jobs or anything. My mother knew a guy with schizophrenia that thought the government had inserted aliens into him and was extremely paranoid. Schizophrenia isn't even curable either. I would much rather have this disorder than schizophrenia.

 

[ShyTiger]

i think both are just two different things, but both have a huge impact on the sufferer and family. i dont think one is worse than the other, as both to the sufferer are traumatic and limit quality of life.

 

[Da'Burgh]

I consider myself lucky that mine is not drug-induced, but I also know there is hope for everyone, whether from drugs or not.

Why would you say that? You act like there's a difference.

 

[mcsiegs]

I consider myself lucky that mine is not drug-induced, but I also know there is hope for everyone, whether from drugs or not.

Why would you say that? You act like there's a difference.

Relax - no need to be so defensive. My comment was more to the fact that after reading stories about drug-induced DP, the experiences seem way worse than mine, especially when the drug was in full effect at the time of consumption.

I do not judge - I just offer my opinions and encouragement. If I think drug-induced vs non-drug induced is different, that shouldn't be a cause for concern to anyone. I believe that recovery is equally obtainable for both groups.

Peace, Da'burgh.

 

[Guest]

what kinda question is this Kelson?

of course Schizophrenia is worse, c'mon man

Would you like to be having hallucinations and hearing voices??? Think about that

My prayers & thoughts are with all people with Schizophrenia, its way worse than this DP/DR nonsense

and after a while Schizophrenic people learn that they are ill.

My neighbor is Schizophrenic & has been for over 20 years. He's in his 40's and still lives with his parents, he basically does NOTHING. I feel bad for that guy, because his dad said he is very very smart.

 

[Guest]

btw, aren't these complain posts becoming a bit redundant

how are you gonna get better, if you just keep complaining and complaining man, we talk about this all the time, dwelling on it gets you nowhere.

 

[Ben]

Amen soulbrotha.

 

[Kelson12]

btw, aren't these complain posts becoming a bit redundant

how are you gonna get better, if you just keep complaining and complaining man, we talk about this all the time, dwelling on it gets you nowhere.

I agree...but no need to call me out in the middle of a thread. Was your second post really necessary? C'mon plr. It's cool if we discuss it between IM and shit, but just keep it like that. No need to call me out on shit in the middle of a thread. Secondly, you have NO idea how I feel. None what so ever. So until you do, don't judge and think that it is that easy to just not dwell on it. Obviously, you are able to not let yours effect you that much. I can't say the same for myself. You even said last week, I don't really understand the detached thing. So there you go. You have no idea how I feel. Until you learn that, don't be so quick to judge and assume. Peace.

 

[Guest]

kelson im just trying to help man

i guess just in a different way, Im not into the whole " paragraphs of useless advice " style. I think the only way to get better is to find the inner strength and just move on.

 

[Kelson12]

kelson im just trying to help man

i guess just in a different way, Im not into the whole " paragraphs of useless advice " style. I think the only way to get better is to find the inner strength and just move on.

I understand...I'm working on trying to find that inner strength...unfortunently I haven't found it yet...but I'm working on it. I appreciate the help, just know that it's easier said than done sometimes.
Peace

 

[Sojourner]

My psychiatrist, who is an expert, told me today that panic attacks are the single most frightening mental experience known to psychiatry.