Cage The Elephant's Matt Shultz opens up about his psychosis and healing through music 

Relief

Yeah either he was going to get through it, or spiral more. But I had a feeling he was too stubborn to let that happen and I know his wife really helped too.

Saw him live in Birmingham in 2010 and never stopped following their music and dealing with psychosis myself I was very worried for him. Happy to see him okay ❤

I agree. He was kind and caring with him.

Me too.

Hope you're feeling better now 🙏

you realize how fragile life is because you're also self aware of the delusions

It lurks in the background, sometimes days, weeks, months, or even years like Matt here. Delusions can be difficult to detect, because your perception of the world may not change very much, other than paranoia creeping into the background. Rather than question your sanity, you start to question others' sanity, especially when confronted about the issue. It's like a spell that must be broken out of. I'm glad Matt snapped out of it, even though it took a police encounter before he did. Being actively psychotic and in possession of a weapon greatly multiplies the risk for self-harm or harming others.

I find it heartbreaking how people suffer through this. Lost my ex bc of it and watching her suffer was torture to me. Awareness needs to spread

I never believed it till I witnessed it with someone very close.

ADHD drugs almost INSTANTLY cause psychosis, and the damage is often permanent. I dont know why we all pretend this isn’t the case.

Me, too! Incredible that he didn’t give up in all that time. Harrowing for sure!

Yeah I didn't know the extent! But I've been dealing with issues like that too for years. I guess you never really realize how long you've been dealing with something when you are in it.

⁠​⁠@@nataliaalfonso2662a lot of misinformation up in these comments. SOME ADHD meds are stimulants. They do not cause instant psychosis. They do, however, stimulate you. A person with ADHD has a dopamine transmission deficit/issue. If you introduce a stimulant into a brain like that, that person will experience a difference that was never in reach for them otherwise. Yes, stimulants are addictive. Yes, if abused they can and do cause psychosis. Finding the perfect dose to fill the deficit takes some trial and error. But if someone is experiencing symptoms like this guy .. he was definitely abusing it. It’s irresponsible to come to the comments and tell the world it always causes psychosis or blah blah blah. You might dissuade someone from a treatment that could change not only their life but the lives of those closest to them.

@@nataliaalfonso2662 wow, this is a bold, blanket, and false statement you're making about meds that can change people's lives for the better and you're not backing it up with anything at all.

I just started taking Zoloft, should I be concerned? :(

@@momo33727No. Just remember that if you have a bad reaction people are there to help. Don’t be ashamed and so scared that you don’t seek help if you feel yourself “losing it.” You can often tell when something is wrong in your thinking. Don’t be too scared or proud or embarrassed to get help immediately. If you have family or friends listen to them if they notice a severe change in your behavior. I’ve been on the Zoloft for a while now. I had constant anxiety which led to extreme frustration and then constant anger. That alone was bad enough-but I also have severe depression. Not good. I smoke cigarettes and was having constant difficulty breathing or getting enough breath in-like my lung capacity had decreased or something. I convinced myself that I had lung cancer. That fueled my anxiety, frustration, and rage (at myself). I was ashamed that I had “given myself” a fatal disease. This lasted years. I eventually got my head together and spoke with my psychiatrist. He had me supplement my existing meds with Zoloft. It was like night and day. The chest pain and breathing difficulty disappeared. I tell people that Zoloft “cured my cancer.” I know nothing about this Cage the Elephant dude. I’m glad he’s better. However, it feels a lot like they’re skirting around the issue. That issue? Abuse of pharmaceutical amphetamines. He was prescribed an “ADHD medication.” He may have been “prescribed it” but it’s really tempting to not “take it as prescribed”-especially as a touring musician (ask me how I know) or a “long-haul trucker” like his dad. Zoloft isn’t an ADHD medication. Adderall and other ADHD meds are a huge help if you need them. Like if you can’t function as baseline normal human being. If you abuse it, not so much. I mean, it says, “Dextro-METHAMPHETAMINE” right there on the label. Not saying it’s the same thing as the Crystal variety; but it can freak you out near enough if you’re constantly popping them. Abuse of that kind is harmful to yourself and-maybe more importantly-others with mental health issues because: A) It stigmatizes ALL psych meds. Proof? Here you are worried that Zoloft (a completely unrelated medication) is gonna cause a psychotic break. B) It makes it really difficult for those who need Adderall to get their meds. Just search up “Adderall shortage.” It’s a big problem for those whose mental health depends on their getting their medication.

​@@momo33727Hi I'm a Pharmacist, and different people respond to antidepressants differently. If you start to have any unusual symptoms call your doctor right away. Sertraline is an SSRI which helps keep Seratonin around longer and helps with depression. If it doesn't work well for you don't worry there are a lot of different medications to treat depression. Weight gain and sexual issues are usually the most common reasons people change antidepressant meds. Psychosis isn't a common side effect. I hope things work out well for you. Hope this was helpful.

​@@momo33727 Hi I'm a Pharmacist, and different people respond to antidepressants differently. If you start to have any unusual symptoms call your doctor right away. Sertraline is an SSRI which helps keep Seratonin around longer and helps with depression. If it doesn't work for you don't worry there are a lot of different options to treat depression. Weight gain and sexual issues are usually the most common reasons people change antidepressant meds. Psychosis is not a common side effect. Hope things work out well for you.

@@momo33727I took Zoloft off and on a few years, I had to slowly cut down the dose because the withdrawal can be kinda rough. I will say when I was on it I was able to work a retail job because I had no anxiety. I’ve been off meds about 18 years.

Im glad your mom is better now. Steroids for pleurisy pushed me to constant fear and paranoia. Led to a mental breakdown that ultimately got me on antidepressants and behavioral therapy. I'm so grateful I got help. I will never take steroids again unless it's a life or death situation 💯

I only took prednisone for two weeks and I felt weird a few months after.

My old landlord went in for a steroid injection in his back and woke up in a jail cell. He had gone on a psychotic rampage on his drive home. Ran his car into things and tried to fight all the cops.

Wow I’m glad she’s feeling better now. I had to take steroids along with a bunch of other really strong medications after a breast augmentation and I swear I went in one person and I came out another. I felt so agitated and just out of control in my body. Now that you’re saying this I think I struggled for about a year after that. Hmmm now you’ve got me thinking about a lot of things…very curious.

Agreed, he definitely was abusing Adderall. Ive had similar experiences and you have to take a lot all the time to reach that point

where can i hear your music

Jesus will be your friend. Don’t let hypocrites and bad examples keep you from pursuing a relationship with him. He is King, savior, and can be your best friend if you’ll allow him to be.

You sound like me. I was diagnosed with the same thing years ago. Just keep listening to music and going to therapy, it'll help.

@@strangewayfaringstranger thanks for the advice… definitely will do that.. I hope things work out for you, it’s nice to know I’m not the only one out there..

Sending many best wishes to you all!!! ❤❤❤❤

Love you, Matt. Just saw yall for the 4th time at red rocks

You all are AMAZING! LOVE YOU GUYS!

Doctor, the pain is in my chest..

Madness ultimately ends in an early death - nothing to be admired or mythologized.

Yeah pretty cool

Try their self titled album. It's their first one and their best in my opinion.

that may be the nerdiest laugh ever recorded

Strange how they skirted around that issue. He may have been “prescribed” an ADHD medication; but there’s a pretty good chance he wasn’t taking it “as prescribed.” I’m glad he’s better. I just wish he’d be more transparent. Adderall is a miracle if you need it-like if you have ADHD. Abusing it just stigmatizes the medication and those who need it. My girlfriend takes it. With the shortages, etc. and the way pharmacies treat her with suspicion makes it, more often than not, a total drag of an ordeal every time she needs a refill.

Or he was taking way beyond the amount he was supposed to