Dr Syl's Psychiatric Analysis: "I'm in psychosis right now"
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- čas přidán 4. 06. 2023
- Link: • I'm in psychosis right...
Join Dr. Syl, a psychiatry registrar, as he provides a reflection and commentary on the CZcams video "I'm in Psychosis Right Now" by Lauren from the channel Living Well with Schizophrenia. Gain a deeper understanding of schizoaffective disorder as Dr. Syl discusses the symptoms, pathogenesis, and treatment challenges highlighted in the video. This informative and insightful reaction may be helpful for other medical professionals, students, and anyone interested in learning more about schizoaffective disorder and the experiences of those living with it.
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Go hug a tree instead?
I’m a School Psychologist and I’ve followed Lauren’s journey for years. She is genuinely one of the more compassionate and intelligent humans I’ve seen on CZcams.
That was a very supportive and caring thing to say. I hope she sees your comment.
Im a school psych too and follow her for a while. 😉
I found Lauren when i was first diagnosed with paranoid skizophrenia at the age of 20.
I was in a horrible state of mind, not well and soon knocked out by the medicine.
She helped me through, and to understand what i was supposed to feel and experience, safe to say i learned a great deal about the illness!
Most important i learned was that i did not at all fit into that category.. I am misdiagnosed and it is very hard to get rid of it or even changing it!
Luckily after 7 years, i finaly had a Doctor green light me for a re-evaluation!!
The nice lady re-evaluating me is not in doubt about what she suspects, the same thing i have been saying for YEARS i look, act, and feel like someone who has autism, and its getting more and more clear as my mask falls off and the signs of skizophrenina has been identified as trauma responses, and autistic traits that CAN look skizophrenic!
I am learning so much from this haha!
But all of this, is thanks to Laurans channel, she is so good at portraying how skizophrenia can look and feel like, i am not in doub't how it looks like, and im not in doubt that i was misdiagnosed by (sorry) lazy psychiatrists that did not ask for nor look at the bigger picture..
I followed her too, as someone who has experienced BP1 and psychosis. I don't find her last 4 latest videos to be accurate for the vast majority of people and I'm speaking from personal experience. If her video is genuine which I am not questioning her diagnosis, the content I am saying the she is an outliar. Her channel is a full time business and on her website she has a picture of her film set. I questioned the hospital video because there were FAR to many red flags but what sealed the deal was all the coloring books, books games, where perfectly intact LOL that just doesn't happen patients rip the pages out scribble all over them. In fact I told my friend I met the last time I was hospitalized and she laughed her ass off and sent me pictures of what she had just ripped out. The traveling nurse I met said "girl bye" lol btw shes in Malibu CA at one of the nicest REHAB facilities in the country and she has to check out and time stamp her razor and give it back right away, it's not a psych ward. No, lotion, soap, shampoo, etc. Psychosis destroys lives and if a parent saw that video they would be so confused and hurt because they would think their kid is in control of their actions. Her videos have helped a lot of people and many are informative but her last 3-4 have significantly HURT a lot of people. Anyone who has been in psychosis will tell you that.
@@BipolarPerson What you describe sounds like a closed off psych ward..?
She said in her videos that she went there voluntarily, and she went BEFORE she had a full-blown psychosis, to get her medicine upped a couple of notches, she was there ONLY to be monitored while the medicine took affect, and she described it like she has tried this before but at other places, she also describes how at awe she was of the experience, and what was different to the other experiences she had.
This video is showing a woman handling her Schizophrenia well, if you follow her just a little you know how bad it HAS been and that she is more in control of her illness right now, which is the goal for many people with schizophrenia.. Its not an illness that goes away, but it can be managed well and you can live an almost normal life with it.
And just for your reference, the psych ward she describes that you cannot recognize, is how MOST psych wards in Denmark looks, unless you are dangerous to yourself or others, but even there you would find nice, clean common area's with intact coloring books and puzzles. You seem to judge her validity, from a moment in her life where you cannot recognize her behavior and environment, because she is not as sick as a person in a full blown psychosis. She has worked on herself for so many years, and have gotten to a better place where she can recognize her red flags before disaster hits, so she doesn't have to be involuntarily hospitalized in a closed off psych ward.
For those interested, Lauren put out another video after this. She voluntarily went into a psychiatric hospital, hoping to be released this week. But, after talking with her doctor, she might be in for a while. She is doing okay. She still doesn't feel 100% in control, but she does recognize things are getting better.
I love her. Her videos are incredibly informative.
Yep. I watched it today. Her, and Rob, are a good team. Love them.❤
Yes she went voluntarily and the hospital changed it to involuntary, she's been there for a week now.
I think in today's video they share she was actually not taking her meds. My heart breaks for her
Got to keep those view ratings up!
She’s actually getting discharged today! Just saw the community post.
I've got schizophrenia and autism. I'm in Australia and about Laurens age. Her videos have inspired me to take pride in my management. I'm doing very well.
I have both traits as well. Nice to see you here.
Same for me : psychotic episods and autism. In France, some psychiatrists don't tell patients they are psychotic. I've learned my diagnosis when I asked my medical records to the hospital... and so I read I had either schizophrenia either delusional disorder...
I hate French doctors who don't tell the truth to the patient...
I'd be interested to know how many autistic patients also have schizophrenia or psychotic episods.
1/3 maybe.
Oh awesome! That is so good to see, Libby
I so feel for people who suffer from illnesses such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder. Thank you Lauren for being so brave.
She puts such a personal real intimate vulnerable and relatable grasp to the illness- she’s a really good advocate
My mom has dementia. It is really sad to see people working in stores and restaurants, or just passers-by, be so impatient or even confrontational, or just muttering, "she's crazy!"
No one really knows what another person is going through, or how they got to the place they are in.
Our society needs so much more compassion and a lot less judgmentalism.
This is so insightful. I have no tolerance for people who are rude to others that are different from them. It’s so sad people react this way. You truly don’t know what others are going through and almost 100% of the time it’s NOT about you. Give people grace and be kind 🙏 ❤ 🙏
This comment is spot on. I'm guilty of not being as compassionate as I should've been; it takes practice. Most of us should all practice more. ❤
Tell those people do fuck right in off...
It's not just retail staff but yes they are toxic environments in which only toxic people can thrive.
People have got worse since COVID, more hostility and less compassion and empathy
I don't want to be apart of this current world
That would be an accurate assumption on their part.
What person in her audience made her feel guilty that she didn't film enough of her bad episodes? What the heck? She's dealing with a real disorder and she doesn't owe anyone anything! Cheers to her tho for being brave enough to be that vulnerable in this state. She genuinely looks scared of what is happening to her in this video and my heart goes out to her. Hope she feels better soon! ❤
Well said.
Wish she wouldn’t film any of them it’s sick and embarrassing for her poor kids. She’s just selfish
@@zhaviyah84 yeah overcoming an illness and sharing hope is so selfish and embarrassing for the children. better she would be a victim, hide it and make her children proud by masking it. damn, how do you manage to sit upright while breathing at the same time with only one braincell?
@@zhaviyah84what the hell are you even on about? what a bizarre take on her. take a look at your own life first.
Obviously a completely inappropriate and unkind response. What I tell myself is, we never know what someone else is bringing to the table or what’s going on in their life or body. It helps me to forgive their unkindness. Blessings and peace be with you 🌷
I think it's also important to take into account that someone like Lauren is used to talking to a camera about her symptoms, and that this could potentially mask the severity of her struggles. Even the tidy, lit up room as part of the ritual of "making a video".
Similarly to how someone with a long history with mental health issues and talking to mental health professionals can get into a "talking to a professional mode", where they might come across as more clear minded and stable than they actually are, but the reason they present as such is *because* they arent able to switch to a different mode.
I of course don't know Lauren's specific situation, but it made me think about how someone's baseline is very situational, and can become an automatic way of presenting if you dont have the bandwidth to adjust to whatever is socially expected when you actually aren't on that baseline.
Im not a mental health professional whatsoever. But as someone who has been in the System (TM) for over 20 years, ive often had to remind my doctors that the moment i stop seeming unwell, while saying im unwell, is the moment that people should recognise that this might be a worrying thing.
I don't know Lauren, but as an example; if a friend tells me they are losing grip on reality, and are simultaneously doing everything as it should be done, that would worry me at least as much as if their house would be in shambles and all that.
Not saying that you were suggesting anything else. It just made me think and such ^^
This is an important point. I often find myself maybe trusting patients too much in a way. Ie if they say I’m fine - sometimes that reassures me when really they are being guarded and not forthcoming.
And community psychiatrist I worked with would always tell me people in mania often present themselves better than what they are like in the community. Which was a valuable lesson to learn (unfortunate I learnt it the hard way!)
What do you mean?
I have bipolar that presents with psychosis and I tend not to be so honest with my psychiatrist or by the time I see the doctor I’ve picked up a bit. Im used to pretending to be ok - masking.
Thank you for verbalizing what I took mental note of but currently lack the communication processing to express this information-
@@kate4biglittlevoices Thank you for validating that Im not the only one who feels this way!
I regularly watch Lauren's videos. Rob is her husband. They had a child together about 2 years ago and she also parents 2 children from his previous marriage. Lauren has a large following of caring, supportive fans. Lauren made another video after this from a psych ward where she was admitted. She said it was traumatizing.
I will wait to see how the admission goes and maybe do another review to discuss her experiences. :)
When you attend A&E you usually encounter medics who are not specialists in mental health and usually don't know your medical history in detail.
This means they are dismissive of how ill you are, because there's nothing to see, so you have to lay it on thick to even be heard.
Or, they go the opposite way due to their own prejudices or fears and react to you as if you're a violent, crazy, irrational criminal, rather than a vulnerable, scared, exhausted ill person needing safety, peace and quiet, time, understanding, listened to, sleep and NO STRESS.
Basically you have to put all your effort into soothing THEIR disordered emotions.
Once you get through that to a psychiatric ward things can improve, especially if you're a 'repeat' case with a pre-agreed treatment plan.
Though the routine use of compulsory medication as a first resort rather than a last resort is still a major trauma risk.
It is NOT pleasant to be threatened (with genuine intent) with being pinned down by strangers, stripped and injected in your bottom, with drugs, simply because two doctors decide you may 'worsen without treatment'. Even though they put in writing later, that at no point were you a risk to yourself or others.
Made worse several days later when you read on the leaflet (which you have to ask for, as zero information on the 'medication' is volunteered) that the first possible side effect of the drugs is 'sudden unexpected death'. (The rest of the side effect list make that outcome seem the merciful one.)
Then, having been 'put on' those drugs, you're required* to stay on them for a minimum of six months.
But even if showing upwards of two dozen physical illness side-effects of them, and no psychosis after the first four days, you are in practice only allowed to come off them after TWO YEARS. And THEN only because YOU proactively asked to, after eighteen months.
*By 'required', I mean that it is made clear that any attempt at 'non compliance' will result in indefinite detention and particularly in coerced medicating as described above. (And obviously will be added to your medical notes to follow you around for the remainder of your life.)
You may make a split second decision and 'comply', that is, surrender. On the basis that being killed or having your health irreparably ruined, by whatever effects and side effects this mystery 'medication' has, is preferable to the lifelong trauma you know assault-in-order-to-inject-without-consent would cause you.
This will allow you to eventually escape the immediate threat of further traumatisation. After several years of play-acting the 'obedient dog', as someone called it.
But be aware you WILL find the learned fawn response (and resultant self-disgust), of mentally prostrating yourself and grovelling, shutting down and experiencing fear symptoms for days, persists for many years and possibly decades afterwards. Triggered after any future, casual social encounter with a psychiatrist or similar 'professional' who buys into the System.
It's not their casual System-centred behaviour or thoughtless ignorance that you'll find hard to forgive or recover from. But shame and disgust at your own cowardice. For surrendering the autonomy that makes you human, in favour of an increased likelihood of physical survival in the System.
The abandonment of rationality. (Such as only taking medication AFTER finding out what it is, what it's for, weighing up the risks. Such as expecting to be treated as a human being of equal value, given a fair hearing, entitled to bodily autonomy). In favour of animalistic survival.
@@DrSylYes. Please do!
@hoperesilient1001 exactly ... she said it was traumatizing. which is a subjective statement on her perception and doesn't have to reflect trauma as it is psychologically defined. for someone with complex trauma issues, it is extremely frustrating to see the nowadays widespread use of "trauma" in contextes other than the psychological definition. if she was acutely traumatized, i doubt she would be able to speak about this subject on camera (while being on ward) or had the wish to do so; apart from that her whole psychological condition would be worse. that doesn't mean that i doubt her negative und subjectively overwhelming experiences in ER, i just question the use of the term "trauma".
@@saraiumbra3008I’m another person with diagnosed complex trauma. Dissociation is a powerful tool…at least for me. I could talk about a living nightmare while I was still in it…because it was happening to someone else, not to ME. I think you’re being too pedantic here.
I work in the biomedical communications field in the area of mood disorders. As a scientist, it’s really grounding and sobering to see someone who is suffering and so clearly communicate what their concerns are. Her sharing this experience is a gift. It’s important for me to see this on the personal level AND the higher-level biomedical/psych research studies.
I hope she has the support and resources to feel better… and (as someone in the US) my heart breaks for those without the same access.
Thank you Dr. Syl for your analysis and your work in the clinic.
What is the best route or option to get into this field?
@@snikklefritz3640 I think biochem or pharmacy
sounds like you have a disorder called Munchausen syndrome....sounds like you need to be medicated.....maybe instead of medicating those for having feelings..maybe you should be medicating those who do not have emotions, usually includes medicating alot of men instead of so many women.....
Thank you for your hard work in this area! As a fellow American, I’m so grateful for your service. My daughter suffers from bpd, and it’s really difficult on our family. Thanks again ❤
I just want to add that one thing her channel has helped solidify is the importance of having someone there with you (as in living there) all the time to support you. It kills me to think of what a fine line she treads between being functional and being that person you see talking to themselves on the street. People with these conditions NEED support, and we need to be thankful to these people's partners and loved ones who provide that support as well.
So true, my husband is in psychosis right now and needs a lot of gentle handing, he hasn't spoken for a couple of days, hopefully he will come out of it soon.
@@jaeldavison9916 👍❤️
Thank you.
Those who support them need support themselves, and ways to protect ourselves when they become truly threatening and dangerous. My son was born a month early and then died of SIDS... after my sister punched me in the head and tried to kill us in her car on my daughter's 7th birthday. She's currently on probation for trying to strangle my aunt. And this past week, she kicked in the door at our elderly, disabled father's house and attacked him, punching him in the face and ribs (which were broken in his accident, nearly killing him when they punctured his lung and bruised his heart) and screaming that she wanted him dead. When our sister tried to pull her off him, the schizophrenic sister attacked her and ripped out huge chunks of her hair and scratched her face bloody. She does not believe she's sick. She refuses to take meds or accept any diagnosis other than "depression." Part of her delusions is a belief that we were all in a big conspiracy to have her thrown in the hospital. (She was pink slipped and held for 9 days because she told a counselor she tries to kill herself every day and believes the whole world was watching her having sex with her boyfriend on the internet through her "hacked" cell phone, then refused to go to regular outpatient therapy.) There is NO HELP out there besides calling cops, who will do NOTHING EFFECTIVE.
@@jessica3548?it’s nerves good blood was taken ever morning at 5 I have insominia was given a test questions for Alzheimer’s
Assuming Lauren is ok with it, I hope you continue to react to videos from living well with schizophrenia. She makes a wide range of content from creative pieces and vlogs to reactions, interviews, and informational videos. Even outside of the topic her channel is on, the amount of passion she puts into her content really deserves all the focus it can get.
I second this idea.
It's heartbreaking seeing Lauren like this. I've been following her for a while now. She works so hard to stay well.
And don't forget all the Schizophrenia coffee mugs, t-shirts and novelty merchandise!
@@jameslatta6813 You've got a better way for a Schizophrenic to make a living?
IMO, she doesn't need anyone's "commentary", especially not from a "doctor-in-training".
She covers her illness with clarity, intelligence, bravery, honesty and transparency.
And isn't it a bit unethical for a "doctor-in-training" to even attempt to present a commentary when he knows nothing about her?
She is so so brave. My grandma had schizophrenia and received electroshock therapy that left her permanently anhedonic which is how I knew her my whole life :(
Anhedonia is one of the most common symptoms of schizophrenia (part of negative symptoms of the disorder) so it may not have been because of electroshock therapy. Negative symptoms including anhedonia also typically get worse with age.
@@lizardman1582 Yeah, they turn everything into symptoms. When I told my psychiatrist (two of them) that antipsychotics make me depressed and suicidal, they both, on different occasions said it was the symptoms of my illness. But every time I'd quit the meds my will to live would come back. Being on antipsychotic medication is like the worst feeling ever - I'd just passively wait for the day I die. It feels like you're wasting your life.
@@agniukaz10 Anhedonia has different brain mechanism depending on the disorder. In schizophrenia it’s thought that excessive activity at 5ht2a receptors causes anhedonia. In depression which could be your case, anhedonia is mostly caused by a lack of dopamine so it makes sense that antipsychotics being dopamine antagonists would make your mood worse. However in the case of this persons grandma unless something went horribly wrong there is no reason to believe that electroshock therapy would be the cause of her permanent anhedonia. It’s very much possible that your anhedonia is more from depression than the schizophrenia. Generally speaking acute administration of any dopamine antagonist including antipsychotics will reduce motivation but that effect disappears with chronic use.
@@lizardman1582 This just proves that psychiatry has no clue what it is doing. I am sorry, but you are making assumptions without having any context. I have been diagnosed with Schizophrenia in 2010, and have been on various antipsychotics throughout these years, on and off, and all of them made me feel worse. I don't have depression (except, what I think is a normal occasional sadness resulting from just dealing with life), but when I was put on antipsychotics, I was either suicidal or just hoping my life would pass quicker, as I wanted my existence to end. In the case of this person's grandma, you also don't have any context. It seems their grandma knows what they have been through and how ECT changed them. Anyone in the psychiatric field would benefit from asking first, as well as, listening to their patients and believing them, or at least trying to believe them, instead of invalidating what they know they are experiencing.
Just to add - I think there is a place for antipsychotics in the mental health field, but not to the extent they are prescribed now.
May I ask you what is your role, or interest, in Psychiatry?
My stepsister was bipolar, and her daughter has schizophrenia. Both very intelligent ladies.
One of my friend was in permanent psychosis, he used to put just his head around open doors and ask us ''if he had just killed someone and are the police coming'', He was harmless, never violent in the years I knew him,, I even shared a house with him for 2 years. I was cursed also, I was fine most of the time but I had what 3 shrinks 5 years of psychiatry and a EEG later said was a Chemical Imbalance. Ive come to learn that that means they have no idea why your humanity can fall off you..
I'm a graduate student in Social Work and I've followed Lauren since before I ever considered my studies and the education and vulnerability she has shown the world is such a gift. She is amazing.
My name is Lauren as well. I have had 3 months straight of hallucinating images and voices relentlessly taking over. Once I received treatment while homelessness kept me coming to terms to what has happened, actually helped me. I believe that the voices left because of my fervent prayer and faith in The Lord Jesus Christ. I am exasperated about it. But, haven't had any episode while taking meds in 3 years. I thank God for this understanding and this experience. Even though the persistent conscientious torment made me better able to relate to what others in my family have went through.
I know it's a tough service they perform but one thing that is clear from watching her channel is that psych wards or mental hospitals often don't do a very good job of helping patients like her and are almost as traumatizing at the illness itself even when a patient isn't being combative. There's a lot of room for improvement.
I agree. And I believe that Lauren lives in Canada (as I do!).
It’s just so heartbreaking that the psychiatric ward is like a prison 😢 mentally ill people haven’t done anything wrong. And mental health is about so much more than just medications… although that’s a western society thing 😬 I’m just saying, it doesn’t seem like an environment that would improve anyone’s mental health.
She's looks like she is staying in a 5 star hotel on vacation. Lol.
@@jameslatta6813this video was filmed in her home. The next video was filmed in the psych ward and she talked about how it was a lot nicer because the other ones had 5 people in the same room and half the plumbing was broken. There's a lot of story missing if you only watch this video.
@@NarwhalsGoBoom I've watched her videos on her channel. I know where they were fllmed. And I know the one above is her in her home.
@@jameslatta6813 oops sorry dude. I read that expecting a negative implication
Last year a close family member had a severe psychotic break. I've been following Lauren trying to understand more, because it was just a shock to all of us. I've always been depressive but never had psychosis, and I had no idea that depression could even lead to a psychotic episode. I'd always seen myself as more vulnerable to depression until this happened. It's amazing how much Lauren reminds me of her, even though she speaks a whole different language... the long pauses, the difficulty forming thoughts, the facial expressions, the things she does with her eyes, the flatness... it feels so helpless from the perspective of a carer. But Lauren has a huge amount of insight into her condition that I wish my family member did.
She's Psychotic Light.
I think I've experienced psychosis after depression...was not nice ...then I got a more extreme diagnosis than psychosis, but actually it's just been psychosis, really ...you really have to manage depression/psychosis before it gets worse a.k.a. out of control.
@@HeyOlive239no offense, your comment is confusing.
You think you experienced psychosis, you were "diagnosed" differently, but are pretty sure it's psychosis....
Uh what?!
@@r.coffman1431 oh yeah, I see how it's confusing. I got diagnosed with psychosis and then later with something worse. I wasn't sure, if it was the depression that lead to the first experience of psychosis, but now I am pretty sure, that it was possible for the psychotic phase to come through, because I left the depression (mostly) untreated...and it was deeper than just a mild depression for sure..
Antipsychotics ruined my nervous system. I was given very high doses of Olanzapine (15mg) when I was hospitalised nearly 3 years ago, and experienced seizure-like symptoms. I told the doctors in the ward about it, and they ignored it and just continued the medication. Within a couple of days, my limbs got numb. Since then, I experience pain in my hands and legs daily (especially after just waking up), and also numbness. It's been 3 years and my nervous system has not yet fully recovered, although I am not on antipsychotics at the moment. I'm still hopeful it will get better, but these meds are dangerous. The doctors are so convinced they are correct, I wish they would listen to the survivors more.
yeah the meds are so damaging and bad. they cannot actually heal the condition. its so sad. doctors do not really help or know that the side effects can be this bad.
Major side effects are liver/kidney damage and failure, you cannot or should not drink alcohol of you take anti-psychotic meds, plus don't think docs know everything, you know what's best for yourself, they messed up my meds and my entire right side of my body was paralysed and they left me like that till a family member realised and forced them to give a med to counter it
Lauren really helped me understand my Schizoaffective Disorder way more than anything.
CZcams had given me her channel way before I was questioning and shes been such an asset for me.
I know someone with schizoaffective disorder and most people don't know her diagnosis because there is just so much stigma around mental illness. I'm so glad people like Lauren are showing people what it's like to have schizophrenia. If more people understood and were less judgemental life could be so much easier for these people who do not want to be ill and would just love to be healthy.
As a long time patient, I think too much emphasis is put on labels. Many patients have overlapping diagnosis and the whole field is very complex.
My brother was severely schizophrenic.. and my mother is bipolar. Occasionally she hallucinates, but not like my brother. Im the only relatively "normal" one. ... it is so sad watching somebody struggle with this disease. It really is. My childhood was fraught with visits to mommy in the mental hospital... she'd go in, get stabalized, come back out- and repeat the process. My brother was locked up off and on, until the last time which was for 8 years straight. he was released to the streets, where he died. Sad all around. I feel so bad for this lady. I really feel bad for people who go thru this.
Laurens life is deceptively difficult, she's more articulate and self aware than most people suffering psychiatry.
I have been watching Lauren @LivingWellwithSchizophrenia for years. She is amazing, strong, and helps so much with education on living with her disease, and mental illness in general from a patient's perspective. She has been able to accomplish so much and make mental illness relatable. She has had the disease for years, and does work very hard to stay healthy. She is married, and discusses her discussions about her psychiatric or mental health team frequently, so she is well supported. She was admitted to an inpatient unit, and was still there as of 6/13. Thank you Lauren.
I watch Lauren's channel and appreciate how much insight she has into her illness. My brother has schizophrenia, and her videos really help me understand what it could be like for him.
Lauren has since made another video. She voluntarily agreed to treatment and the video was made from her hospital room. She is obviously doing better in the 2nd video, though she says she might be in hospital for several more days.
Nurse here. Thanks for this Doc. I commented on Lauren’s original vid. It’s very sad to know that so many people lack compassion for this extremely complicated dx. I’ve worked in a behavioral primary care clinic and the etiologies and s/s of schizophrenia are widely arrayed. It takes a special kind of healthcare individual to dedicate their time helping patients such as Lauren. Thanks for your insight.
I am a very long term mental health patient. I agree with your statement. People have the wrong idea of psyche care units, nurses and what the various labels do and don't mean. I try to set the record straight. The system, despite its flaws, helped me to get whole.
Unbelievably brave, unbelievably insightful and unbelievably useful for other people that experience these symptoms… As a medical doctor I am in awe, and I can say nothing but “ thank you” !!!
Lauren is an excellent bridge-builder between people with SMIs, health care providers, and families seeking advice and understanding. She is also starting to do interviews with different people in the mental health space. If you're interested, you could reach out for a collaboration! It would be great to see more open discussions taking place between psychiatrists and those with lived experience. Thank you for bringing attention to this video and for your sensitive analysis.
i clicked on this video because my fiance once made that exact utterance. ''i'm in psychosis right now''. my response at the time was reprehensible. i told him he musn't be if he was able to look at me 'normally' and tell me that. I didn't really understand what psychosis was or how it presented. i later realised he had been standing at the bus stop where i found him for about 6 hours, for unclear reasons, with a completely neutral expression on his face- i now imagine- doing everything in his willpower not to completely lose his shit from how terrifying the experience is. Without meaning to at all, I made him feel even more weak and afraid. he killed himself in a public toilet a week later while i was asleep.
I loved him ferociously, with every cell in my being. all i wanted in this world was his happiness, safety and prosperity. His disorder was not my fault, but the lack of comprehension/insight surrounding what he was suffering lead people that loved him the most to exacerbate his symptoms and ensure that he never remotely felt safe ''admitting'' to it or talking about it. he suffered in silence til the bitter end. the strongest, most beautiful, exceptional and morally infallible human being i have ever encountered.
rest in peace Arthur Noel Wilson, my soul twin.
He mattered ♥️♥️♥️
Imagine all the people who aren’t articulate like Lauren. I imagine it could be sooo difficult getting the proper diagnosis.
I’ve watched Lauren’s videos in the past and I was always struck by just how articulate she is describing her struggles with her diagnosis and how she navigates her illness with the incredible insight she has and the support and comfort she receives from her husband, Children and family/in laws. Lauren is one amazing woman x
F schizophrenia 💔 praying for everyone to always have hope for the better
You really should watch more of her videos and you can see how she is other than this video. She is a wonderful person that is there to help people. I am so glad she has created her youtube channel so I can actually see there is such thing as mental illness and it's not demon possession or acting. I have learned a lot through her videos. I wish you the best of luck in your practice!!!
2:55 You just gave me an additional definition to “reading the room” - funny, but important. Many doctors, even psychologists, psychiatrists, etc would not be empathetic enough to pay attention to what her environment looked like at the level you do.
I have relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. It has been in remission since I underwent chemotherapy in 2018. I can empathise with feeling utterly powerless in the face of chronic illness. When it feels like your body is betraying you or mind in Lauren's case. I wish Lauren so much healing and strength ❤❤❤
Lauren is amazing. I love her honesty, vulnerability and willingness to share it all with us. She gives me so much hope for my loved one.
I have been following her journey. Having had a friend with this condition makes me so thankful for her contribution in informing and educating people
Your video was recommended after i watched laurens video , and I'm subscribing after i see you have a playlist on psychosis. Thanks for this video and the content you're creating. My husband was recently diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar type 1 and he is in psychosis and im trying to learn all i can about this and get ready for the hospital phase. Thanks for your work in efucating us!
Her work is so important and it's really incredible to see her be so vulnerable. I know her channel helps so many people.
I love sweet Lauren!! Thank you for featuring her because she's doing a great service while facing her illness. Thanks! I subscribed!
I watched her video and love her channel. I live with schizophrenia and experienced what she's experienced. It's very real and scary. I thank you for sharing and I thank Lauren. ❤
This video is raw and SO helpful on so many levels and to so many people. Thank you for being willing to try to help even when you are struggling.
I began following Lauren during my nursing program this year. She's open and willing to be vulnerable. I'm grateful to witness her journey.
Thanks for your analysis - straight forward, compassionate and articulate.
I'm so grateful for Lauren's channel, I've been following her for years. My mom lived with Schizophrenia, I lost her quite a while ago and this helps me understand her life more. It's also extremely healing for me to see that it's now possible for people to live a much happier life (don't get me wrong, we obviously still have a long way to go). Thanks for covering her story with compassion and helpful information. Sending love to everyone in the comments living with this disorder ❤️
I’m a HCW in a medium secure mental health hospital. The doctor for my ward seems so much less informed of what it’s like to actually be on the ward, your understanding of how traumatic an IM experience can be will be appreciated throughout your continued practice. Lauren’s openness has been so important in educating both those struggling and those caring for those who are struggling, but it’s also useful to understand a doctors thoughts around someone who is experiencing these things and helps us caring for those who are struggling to improve their practice. Thankyou for taking this time
I have been following Lauren’s journey and am glad you have found her amazing channel.
Thank you for your reflection on this. Lauren is amazing and a true hero IMO. I do not have her disorder, but follow her because I have a cousin and an aunt with schizophrenia and she has really helped me better understand their challenges
I really respect her for sharing this with us. I have different mental health issues, but this truly helps me understand others and what they might be going through. It’s so important to not only understand yourself, but others too. I really think she’s brave and so amazing for this. Always sending love ❤️
Recently discovered your channel Doc. It’s clear you have great empathy and compassion; and your insights are very helpful. I’m a retired social worker and we didn’t have CZcams “back in my day”. Agree it can be a real positive tool but also has a dark/scary side. I’m glad to see Lauren using it for good. Thank you for what you do!
Agree
Thanks for your video. In my opinion, it is smart to keep at least 25% of every week day available for consumers in crisis. It is preposterous that suffering people in their greatest time of need have no familiar, reliable supports for days at a time. My GP applies the 25% rule & it works exceedingly well for him & his patients. Afterall, people can't make timely appointments because they can't "plan" their illnesses weeks in advance. Illness does not work like that. It is remarkable that many psychiatrists don't seem to accomodate this reality.
Yes please
Lauren is certainly a very courageous and sharing person to place her vulnerabilities and circumstances on social media. What an amazing and normalizing way of letting us know we are all humans working our ways through life❤
I'm a current nursing student on rotation for psych/behavioral right now. This is an incredibly informative video. Being able to see what is considered "well-managed" schizophrenia and psychosis is so helpful. You can see it in her eyes, she's in pain (maybe not physically), and emotionally she's drained. I wasn't initially interested in psychology and nursing, particularly in patient; but recently its come to my attention that this may be my future pursuit in caring for people and healthcare.
thank you so much for your work🙏 as a psychotherapist I love to see your point of view as so many people suffer those days not knowing what to do and how to react toward psychosis. Love this women for her impact when we still stigmatise people in crisis....
love how respectful you are by stating right at the beginning before watching the video that if the person in the original video is uncomfortable with you reacting to them, you would take the video down with no comment !!
My sister in law was diagnosed with Late Stage Schizophrenia at 33. I stumbled upon Lauren’s channel a few years ago and have followed her, watching every new video. She’s an excellent resource and a wealth of knowledge for people with schizophrenia snd schizoaffective disorder.
Hey Dr Syl, my adult son has schizophrenia and has lived with this for the last 11 years. My advice for you going into private practice is to get your patients to nominate a ‘trusted person’ to speak on their behalf. My son has given me his written authority to deal with his medical issues. Since we have had this in place, it has kept him more stable and we have established a Telehealth arrangement so I can contact his Dr by phone if an urgent situation arises. My son works full time, is married, has a child & is leading a successful life even with all his challenges. He elected not to have his wife to be his medical advocate so it does not become a power play within their relationship. Prior to the medical advocacy being put in place he seemed to lurch from crisis to crisis. Issues still come up but we can now get on top of things quickly before things get out of hand.
Honestly is key in expressing yourself.
Negative self talk is ok for a short time.
When I'm going through a depressive episode I allow myself to rest and process for a few days. I tell myself it's ok to rest.
I then realize after a few days it's time for myself to get a shower, get outside, take a nap, do some art making. I try to get productive.
It's like I get too comfortable with depression when I'm overwhelmed. I'm on LTD now because of my terminal cancer.
I find making art very helpful. Being creative allows me to distract myself from reality.
I use my creative alter ego Maritime Senorita to help me in this process of healing so I don't overthink, it's like I hand over the reins to my alter ego. And my alter ego helps me get back on track.
I don't know if this makes any sense or helps but I'm sending you unconditional love ❤️.
❤
This one had me in tears, and I am always super impressed with how well people who show this side of their illnesses can maintain such composure while talking about the pain and confusion they are going through.
Lauren is such a brave person, she is helping so many doctors and clients ❤ my brother suffered so much through his short life 😢
I found what you said about evaluating a person's thought for linearity, circularity, tangentiality and tempo very useful as a template for assessing my own patients in crisis. I also appreciated what you noted about her living environment. I thought Lauren's affect was rather flat for her too. I have watched a few of Lauren's videos and think she is a very courageous lady. I hope she hasn't found her inpatient experience to be as bad as she feared.
Thank you for reacting to this video. I recently got diagnosed with bipolar 1. I had my first (known) manic episode without psychotic features and was hospitalized. This video, and her subsequent videos, are so powerful in sharing her experiences while she’s having them. I’m so impressed by her knowledge of her mental health and how she’s able to communicate to us on YT, but more importantly with Rob and her mental health team. Much love to Lauren ❤
Senior bipolar patient here. I long for the days of the occasional, euphoric, manic episode. Now I am just unipolar depressed but the meds help me manage. Take care.
She's a real peice of gold. I've watcher many of her videos and followed along with her journey. So I seen her video.
It pained me greatly to see her suffer like that. It triggered a strong protective instinct in me, and one of the most frustrating things a man can feel is helpless. Theres not alot I wouldn't do to relieve her of this despicable condition.
That is her partner, and I wish there was something we could do to help them. They both deserve so much better.
Lauren just know there are people out here that care and empathize with you a great deal.
You are doing so well. My brother is schizophrenic. I have long Covid and chronic migraines since childhood. It’s difficult for others to understand the concept of “my brain is not working properly.” But from a different perspective I completely understand.
It’s so brave and lovely of you to do these videos to help families friends and communities understand.
Please don’t be embarrassed. If you had MS or any other neurological condition, would you be embarrassed? Probably not.
Our bodies fail us in so many ways. The good news is we get to live on this beautiful earth.
Again you are doing great. Thank you so much for bringing awareness to this truly difficult condition. I often feel guilty about my illness and imposing on others. However, my husband‘s a doctor and what he always says to me is two things. I love you and if you had a broken leg, would I ask you to run a marathon?
Always remember how you are feeling for today is temporary. Blessings and peace be with you.
Thank you so much.
🌷
I was so excited to see her video yesterday that she was released from hospital. Her partner was very supportive even during her stay❤
It must be very stressful and taxing to have that illness.
Such a strong, brave and caring soul.
I am so grateful for Lauren’s willingness to share her struggle. I believe that it takes bravery to expose one’s vulnerability in that way.
She is extremely brave!! Sending prayers and positive, healing energy!! 🙏
i love her channel. it has helped me alot be the best caregiver to mental health individuals as i can be . she is brave intelligent and caring.
I watched this video before and her video from the hospital and when she got home. After reading so many of the comments I felt very discouraged about the experiences in many psych wards. You may have a great working relationship with your psychiatrist, but when these hard times hit, you can’t get to see that person. And that is supposed to be ok. Yes, you may be in a safe place, but it’s so restrictive, and there is so much down time, and so little time with therapists, I don’t blame anyone for resisting going to the hospital. It’s easy to say there are plenty of treatment options, but the process of trying them takes a long time and most of that time you are on your own. Many people resist being honest about their symptoms, and it’s easy to see why. Thanks to people like Lauren we understand more about it. But there is a very long way to go - just like it is with some cancers and other diseases and other heartbreaking things in the world.
Lauren is making the best of a hard situation, and she isn't hiding her pain. You can't help but respect that in a person.
Hello, I have a lot of sympathy for Lauren. 1 month and 6 days ago I got released from the psychiatric hospital for psychosis. The phase that Lauren is feeling is probably the prodromal phase. When I was in the 'prodrome' I felt very confused and had unclear thoughts, in my case it did kind of look like what Lauren is experiencing. I say this because some people think that it's fake.
Could you please talk more about the confused state?
Yes, my experience was very different.
@@user-ke4hi2el5k I'm sorry for not being clear, English is not really my native language. But with confusion I meant not knowing what was happening around me. I couldn't fathom the fact that we were humans, I just perceived a clump of cells. Or talking without making sense, I couldn't understand logic even though in my daily life I like to think a lot about logical things (maths, etc.).
I've been subscribed to Lauren's channel since she started it. She's awesome and her videos are so helpful to so many. Her partner, Rob, is wonderful too. They offer many resources. I hope she sees this video; I think she'd be very thankful for your kind words and opinions.
lauren seems like such a sweet woman and I'm glad for her brutal honesty regarding her illness. her videos about her illness gives a face, a name and a life to this illness
I've been following her for a while now and has been extremely helpful for me❤
Gosh, thank you for creating awareness surrounding sypmtoms of the mind here.. it's uploads like this, where everybody is teacher and student and we feed off one another like big black hungry dogs at the food bowl. Hungry foe knowledge. Uploads like this are very much needed, in order for patient and professional to work beside one another for answers and future solutions.
Its important to understand the difference between, a possible psychotic episode of depression and a mild wave/bout of depression.. 🧐
Our son has tourettes and adhd and fell into mild depression 6 months ago. He was in an accident 17 years ago, that took his father's life and recently, everything came to the forefront. During the last 3 months he has psychology appointments once a month and a wonderful mental health care plan. Because of his movement disorder, he is on very low dose antidepressant for six months and he will be weaned after that, to see how he copes..
His neurologist stated those meds often not good news for people with movement disorder plus antidepressants apparently doesn't help ADHD, unless the person is depressed. The neurologist mentioned in a letter to my son's GP, not good news for him to stay on some of those medications long-term. The idea is to get him stable and back on his feet, with coping mechanisms and good sound counselling and ongoing strategies. He is 3 months in and so far so good. Amazing changes and a recent job change during the last two weeks. I'm excited to see what the next 3 months hold for him. And the next 3 months after that. The mind is such an incredible and delicate piece of work..🙌
I love your kindness and empathy. just wanted to let you know
I really like how you allowed long times of lauren talking. It shows that you really listen to people and allow them to talk. I could see thst yoh reallg respected her
Have you ever had a dreams
I have the same disorder as Lauren I have Schizo-affective I love watching her videos every day and they give me hope.
I've watched several of Laurens videos. She's very ill but gets by with her husband's help. Usually she's very fluent and logical. Good to hear an Aussie.
I've watched her videos for years! She's amazing!
She makes being insane look very stable.
Love your channel. Just subbed. She's very articulate it seems and her videos gives other people hope.
16:52 Most difficult thing to deal with is paranoia. It comes n goes as it wills . Fun part is when CZcams talks to u. Ur mind keeps deluding u that it's true. N it feels so real that u find out how powerful the mind can be so be strong n tc.
Lauren’s channel is great you should do more and reach out to her might be able to do some really impactive content for people struggling and partners of people who are struggling with mental health
Yes, I would love to see you connect with Lauren and Rob. Maybe take it slow - she is in hospital right bow
I so appreciate Lauren’s content. I have a close family member with a major psychiatric illness, and I feel so much less frightened talking to them about their mental state because of the content in these videos.
This resonated with me so much. Im just coming out of a relapse of my psychosis, I experience auditory hallucinations. This lady is managing her condition amazingly and it was so reassuring to me to see someone describing exactly the sort of confusion and vulnerability I experience. Thank you so much for that.
I have been absorbed listening to you in about 3 sharings. I have a feeling you are a lot more in touch with reality than you are giving yourself credit for. You sound very real to me.
In 2022, I was verbally abused by a general practitioner. Instantly, I went into a psychotic episode. I recall calling my daughter while standing, waiting for my ride home. I was sobbing trying to explain how I'd just been treated, yet my mind wouldn't gather the info. It felt like it tripped circuits, and I started hallucinating, I started to talk about things that part of me knew were inaccurate, yet my brain was trying its best to convince me everything was fact. I was so scared, my children were scared for me. It took 3 days for my brain to slowly start to enter some form of reality. I was rocking for hours, I couldn't sleep, I was terrified of my thoughts, nothing seemed real. I have a diagnosis of MDD, reaction depression and chronic anxiety. The doctor was punished, and my therapist explained my brain tripped to rescue me from the reality of the horrific abuse I'd experienced. That wasn't the first episode of psychosis I've been experiencing them since 5yrs old, yet the last one was the worst. The first symptoms scare the hell out of me, yet it pushes me to quickly use the wellness tool I've made throughout my 54 years. Sadly, I can not pay for continued therapy. The last time I called the UK mental health helpline, I was quickly told to stop crying. I educated the young girl on the other end regarding crying and its release of stress and anxiety. She didn't have a clue. She tried to get me to promise I wouldn't kill myself, even though at no point had I stated that I was suicidal. I didn't promise anything I instead told her that I found her request to be extremely unprofessional. I've never phoned that number since, even when I'm going through traumas.
This guy is clearly just now learning a looot of this. Had to point it out for the safety of others. Please please please remember he is only in training!
This is the first video I'm seeing from you. Great content, your explanations are immersing and easy to follow.
New to your channel & love it! Also wanted to say I’ve grown up around mental illness..my father had bipolar, my sister has borderline personality disorder & I’ve been diagnosed with bipolar, severe PTSD, battered women’s syndrome, & General anxiety disorder -love how you run your channel!
Mental health is SUCH an important and overlooked issue in our world. I have major depressive disorder and ADHD and I’ve been on anxiety and depression meds for years now that just weren’t strong enough and stopped being effective after a decade. I’ve never fully admitted to myself until recently that ADHD is something I DO have. It’s something that has been the root cause of my emotional issues I think. I finally went back to a psychiatrist this year and he’s been an immense help to me.
I don’t want to keep stacking pills, but I need these and have to be ok with that. My Doctor is extremely cautious and wouldn’t put me on anything I didn’t need. He’s been great about taking things slow with meds.
The point is it’s taken me myself way too long to admit to myself that it’s not something I can just control. So as much as I was in denial about it being important, others in the world REALLY don’t think mental health issues are valid. Work usually doesn’t care, disability is near impossible to get for it, friends don’t understand sometimes, family has a hard time with it… there’s just no sense of urgency or seriousness with it and that’s wrong. If you had heart problems, people would get it and you’d get more support. Since it’s emotional, people don’t take it serious. Even physical issues are still hard for people to take it seriously. The reality is that we just don’t have enough support from the government on the well being of people… physically and mentally. We must change that and protect and care for others that need it.
This doctor seems like he knows his stuff! I wish you the best, doctor, in your training and practice! Psychiatry is an amazing field, and there is so much of a need for doctors in that field. All the best! 💚
Thank you for what you're doing so compassionately.
Psychologist here. I enjoyed listening to your analysis and thankyou for mentioning the work we do to help patients restructure their thinking .
My therapist also keeps a bit of time free each week in case someone really needs it. I think it's extremely good practice.
Hey! I'm a new viewer to your channel :) I enjoyed your analysis and commentary very much.
Thank you for giving us hope as Lauren from Living well with Schizophrenia does.
I was diagnosed with Schizophrenia officially today, but I've been struggling with it for nearly six years.
It developed after I started taking stimulant medications for GAD (Generalised anxiety disorder) and ADHD, something I regret.
Also, the trauma I've endured which resulted in a diagnosis of PTSD is a large contributor to me developing Schizophrenia.
My third most recent episode of Schizophrenia was (like my other episodes) mixed with GAD and followed by a terrible depression. It was triggered by my father's death in late April of this year.
I'm determined to thrive with this diagnosis and role model recovery for others, and be one of the success stories.
Doctors like you make all of this possible. God bless you and thank you for this channel.
❤
Thank you for making this video. I find it very helpful. Lauren is very much like my daughter, erudite, smart, brave but unfortunately plagued by psychosis on occasion. I found it helpful that you evaluated the room she videod in and commented on her baseline. The entire thing was helpful. Thank you again.
VERY MUCH ENJOYING YOUR CHANNEL. THANK YOU FOR HELPING PEOPLE WHO ARE GENERALLY HAVING A BAD DAY OR DAYS.👍