Top 5 Questions I Get About Schizophrenia

**Trigger Warning**
Psych Ward and Suicide Discussion

In this episode of Schizophrenia and The City, Michelle answers five common questions about schizophrenia episodes. The first is this: what does an episode look like? For Michelle, an episode means talking to people that she has met, but aren’t actually there. An episode means being plagued with endless, aggressive ruminations about situations that can’t be changed. An episode means being asked questions over and over by the disembodied voices. An episode can even mean reliving past trauma. Episodes are almost always unpleasant and angering, and leave Michelle in a bad mood. Another frequently asked question is about the cause of schizophrenia episodes. Causes for Michelle include sleeping, walking down the street, watching TV or movies, and being on the train: essentially any activity where Michelle is alone with her thoughts or in a stressful social situation, or, in other words, literally every possible situation. The third question: how long do episodes last? There is no one answer. They can last from a dozen seconds to ten minutes and can initiate spontaneously or be stopped by someone interrupting. Does Michelle remember her episodes? Usually, yes, though she does not want to talk about them because they are unpleasant experiences. Finally, how does Michelle control her episodes? Mostly through medications, and the diligence of her support team, which is there to help her through her episodes. The most important thing to remember is that episodes are controllable. With medications and support from friends and family, although episodes will still happen, they will become more bearable and a schizophrenic can live the way they want to.

If you would like more answers to your Schizophrenia Questions, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment with the question!!