MySchizophreniaTeam2

Yes, visual hallucinations do happen with schizophrenia, though auditory hallucinations (hearing voices or sounds) are the most common type. Visual hallucinations mean seeing something that isn't… read more

Yes, visual hallucinations do happen with schizophrenia, though auditory hallucinations (hearing voices or sounds) are the most common type. Visual hallucinations mean seeing something that isn't actually there.

These can range from simple things like:

- Flashes of light or shapes
- Glowing orbs
- Human figures or faces
- Animals or objects

Visual hallucinations can feel neutral, pleasant, or frightening depending on the experience. It's also worth knowing that hallucinations aren't limited to just sight and sound. They can affect all five senses, including:

- Tactile — feeling touched or sensations like bugs crawling on skin
- Olfactory — smelling something that isn't there
- Gustatory — tasting something that isn't present
- Somatic — feeling pain or sensations in the body with no obvious cause

If visual hallucinations are becoming more frequent or distressing, it's a good idea to bring it up with a doctor or care team, as adjustments to a treatment plan may help.

MySchizophreniaTeam2

Welcome! It's completely understandable to feel uncertain when starting a new medication before knowing your full diagnosis. What you're describing — seeing and hearing someone, disrupted sleep, and… read more

Welcome! It's completely understandable to feel uncertain when starting a new medication before knowing your full diagnosis. What you're describing — seeing and hearing someone, disrupted sleep, and nightmares — are experiences that many people on this community share, and you're not alone in navigating this.

Abilify (aripiprazole) is an antipsychotic medication commonly used to help manage symptoms like the ones you're describing. As your body adjusts, it's really important to keep track of how you're feeling day to day, including:

- Changes in sleep (nightmares, tiredness, difficulty falling asleep)
- The voices or visions you're experiencing — are they getting better, worse, or staying the same?
- Your mood and energy levels
- Any new physical feelings or discomfort Writing these things down before your next appointment can really help your doctor understand what's working and what isn't. Be open and honest with your care team about everything you're experiencing — no detail is too small.

One thing worth knowing is that Abilify, like other antipsychotics, can sometimes cause a side effect called akathisia — an intense inner restlessness or urge to keep moving. If you notice that feeling, especially in your legs, tell your doctor right away.

Most importantly, never stop or change your medication without guidance from your doctor first, as this can make symptoms worse or cause withdrawal effects.

You're taking a brave first step by being here and paying attention to your health. 💙

MySchizophreniaTeam2

First, take a breath. What you're carrying right now is genuinely heavy, and the love and strength you're showing for your boyfriend is remarkable — especially given everything you've personally been… read more

First, take a breath. What you're carrying right now is genuinely heavy, and the love and strength you're showing for your boyfriend is remarkable — especially given everything you've personally been through. You are not alone in this.

What your boyfriend is experiencing — believing that outside forces are controlling his thoughts or that people he loves are working against him — is a recognized symptom of schizophrenia. It's not a reflection of your relationship or anything you've done wrong. This is his illness talking, not him. The medication refill situation is really common and really hard. There are a few reasons he may be resisting:

- He may not fully believe he has a condition that needs treatment (this is called anosognosia, and it affects up to 98% of people with schizophrenia)
- He may have experienced side effects that made him not want to continue
- The symptoms themselves can make it hard to stay organized or follow through on tasks like refills
- Stigma around the diagnosis can also play a role Rather than pushing him directly toward medication, try approaching it as a gentle conversation. Something like, "I love you and I want to support you — how can I help?" can go a long way. Framing it as teamwork rather than pressure tends to work better.

It may also help to contact his treatment team yourself to let them know he hasn't returned for a refill. They may have options like longer-acting injectable medications that don't require daily pills. If at any point he seems to be at risk of harming himself again, don't hesitate to call 911 or the crisis line again. When you call, be specific — mention that he has schizophrenia and describe exactly what you're observing. That helps first responders respond appropriately.

You can also call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) for immediate support — for him or even for yourself. Please don't forget about yourself in all of this. Caregiving for someone with schizophrenia — especially with your own history — is emotionally exhausting. Looking into a support group for caregivers through organizations like NAMI or the Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance could give you a space to process what you're going through with people who truly get it.

You clearly love him deeply. That matters more than you know.

MySchizophreniaTeam2

It sounds like there may be some confusion — MySchizophreniaTeam doesn't process orders, so there's nothing to cancel in that sense!

If the goal is to delete a MySchizophreniaTeam account, here's how… read more

It sounds like there may be some confusion — MySchizophreniaTeam doesn't process orders, so there's nothing to cancel in that sense!

If the goal is to delete a MySchizophreniaTeam account, here's how to do it:

1. Tap the menu icon in the upper left corner
2. Go to Account Settings
3. Scroll down and select Deactivate My Account
4. Choose a reason for deactivating

Just a heads up — the account is held for 10 days before permanent deletion. If logging back in happens during that window, everything will be restored automatically.

MySchizophreniaTeam2

Most people are diagnosed with schizophrenia during their late teens or early adulthood. The timing can vary a bit depending on gender:

- Men are typically diagnosed between ages 18 and 25
- Women tend… read more

Most people are diagnosed with schizophrenia during their late teens or early adulthood. The timing can vary a bit depending on gender:

- Men are typically diagnosed between ages 18 and 25
- Women tend to be diagnosed a little later, between ages 25 and 35 That said, schizophrenia doesn't always follow these patterns. A smaller number of people — around 20% — are diagnosed after age 45, and in rarer cases, it can develop in children, though that tends to be more severe and harder to treat.

MySchizophreniaTeam2

Yes, absolutely — the voices heard in schizophrenia can sound like people you know, including family members. Some people have even reported hearing the voice of someone close to them who has passed… read more

Yes, absolutely — the voices heard in schizophrenia can sound like people you know, including family members. Some people have even reported hearing the voice of someone close to them who has passed away. It can feel very real and disorienting, especially when you're alone at home. Voices can vary a lot from person to person. They might sound:

- Loud or quiet
- Familiar or like a stranger
- Like they're in the same room or far away
- Internal (inside your head) or external (coming from the environment)

Being alone can actually make voices more likely to appear or feel more intense. Isolation and stress are known triggers that can make auditory hallucinations worse. If the voices are becoming more frequent or distressing, it's worth bringing it up with a doctor or mental health professional. It could be a sign that the current treatment plan needs a closer look. Antipsychotic medications and talk therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can both help make voices quieter and easier to manage.

MySchizophreniaTeam2

That sounds incredibly stressful and scary — and it's okay to feel overwhelmed right now. Here's what can help in the moment:

Right now, focus on safety first
- Stay calm and speak slowly and simply
-… read more

That sounds incredibly stressful and scary — and it's okay to feel overwhelmed right now. Here's what can help in the moment:

Right now, focus on safety first:
- Stay calm and speak slowly and simply
- Move to a quiet, low-stimulation space if possible
- Don't argue about whether what he's experiencing is real
- Acknowledge his feelings without agreeing with the beliefs
- Keep yourself safe — don't put yourself at risk If things escalate or feel dangerous:
- Call 911 if there is immediate risk of harm
- When calling, be specific — for example: "My son has schizophrenia and is experiencing psychosis"
- You can also call or text 988 (the mental health crisis line) for guidance from a trained counselor
- Try to meet first responders outside so you can explain the situation before they approach him Longer term, when things are calmer:
Refusing medication during psychosis is very common. Many people with schizophrenia don't realize they are unwell — this is actually a recognized part of the condition, not stubbornness.

Working with his care team on a plan, including coordinated specialty care, can help. This brings together medication management, therapy, and family support to find an approach that works for him.

MySchizophreniaTeam2

Great questions! Whether Invega Trinza is the "best" medication really depends on the individual — what works well for one person may not be the right fit for another. That's a conversation worth… read more

Great questions! Whether Invega Trinza is the "best" medication really depends on the individual — what works well for one person may not be the right fit for another. That's a conversation worth having with a psychiatrist who knows the full picture of your health.

Invega Trinza (paliperidone palmitate) is a long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotic given once every 3 months. LAIs can be a good option because they remove the need to remember a daily pill, which can help keep symptoms more stable over time.

For schizoaffective disorder specifically, treatment usually involves:

- Antipsychotic medication (like Invega Trinza)
- Mood stabilizers or antidepressants to address mood symptoms
- Therapy and psychosocial support

So medication alone is rarely the whole picture — a broader treatment plan tends to work best. As for weight gain — yes, it's a known side effect of many antipsychotic medications, including second-generation antipsychotics like Invega Trinza. These medications can increase appetite, and if they cause drowsiness, staying active can feel harder too.

Some helpful ways to manage weight while on antipsychotics include:

- Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
- Limiting sugary and high-fat foods
- Watching portion sizes
- Getting regular exercise
- Avoiding alcohol

If weight gain is a concern, it's worth talking to a healthcare provider — they may be able to adjust the dose or explore other medication options that are less likely to cause weight changes.

MySchizophreniaTeam2

Absolutely — delusions without hallucinations are a recognized part of schizophrenia, and many people experience them. About 80% of people with schizophrenia experience delusions at some point.

… read more

Absolutely — delusions without hallucinations are a recognized part of schizophrenia, and many people experience them. About 80% of people with schizophrenia experience delusions at some point.

Delusions are strong, false beliefs that feel completely real, even when there's clear evidence they aren't true. They can appear suddenly or build up slowly over time. There are two main types of delusions that can show up in schizophrenia:

- Bizarre delusions — beliefs that are clearly impossible, like thinking your organs have been replaced by machines or that someone is controlling your thoughts
- Persecutory delusions — beliefs that someone is watching, targeting, or trying to harm you

It's worth knowing that delusions can sometimes be complicated by something called anosognosia — a lack of awareness that the beliefs aren't real. This happens in a large number of people with schizophrenia and isn't a personal failing; it's just how the condition can affect the brain.

If delusions are feeling more intense or distressing, it's always a good idea to check in with a healthcare provider, as adjustments to a treatment plan can really help.