Can You Fake Schizophrenia? 

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My brother is institutionalized with schizoaffective disorder at age 59, and he is a forgotten and even a feared person. Yet he is the nicest person. He would do anything for others. His kind way surpasses mine.

Please don’t listen to the naysayers. You are an incredible help to me as the mom of a son that has schizoaffective.

It basically boils down to "well, you don't LOOK like you have schizophrenia." I may not have schizophrenia, but I was work friends with someone who has schizophrenia. I never would've guessed that they had schizophrenia. I just thought they were really quiet.

I love these videos. There is a stereotype that people with schizophrenia can't function so it's important for the information that you and others are putting out on RU-vid. I'm learning sooo much.

We cross people who have mental illnesses/neurodivergents/personality disorders every day and most of them seem so well put together that we don't even notice, while most of the ones we would have noticed are at home, or hospitalized, or in jail, or dead, we get to see very few people that have _obvious_ problems.

Keeping the paranoid thoughts in check takes a lot of work, and a strong mental. Meds help, but having them pop up from time to time due to stress is a constant struggle. So, for some people to actually be faking this mental disorder for attention is quite the depressing idea

I think the whole thing of "faking" is so convoluted because "faking" can refer to so many very different things: being mistaken/confused/wrong, or ficticious disorder, or malingering, or iatrogenic issues, or conversion disorder. So then people talk past each other and get nowhere.

I am so sad this is happening to you. The information you share is helpful and I look forward to watching you as often as I can.

I really appreciate how you show empathy towards people who might be faking or malingering or who might just be confused and lack experience concerning the illness or condition they self identify with. I think another reason why some people might be faking mental or physical illnesses is that they feel like their struggles aren't 'valid' otherwise. For example if you say 'I have depression ' instead of 'I feel really sad' , other people are more inclined to take your feelings seriously.

Never feel guilt for high functioning because you work hard to manage your life. Thank you for your videos and your channel. You're inspiring and educating.

This is a really compassionate video Lauren. You’ve touched on everything I talk about when having this discussion with other people both online and off.

I'm so grateful that you and Amateur Aries shared your symptoms on here because I was convinced I wasn't schizophrenic until you both described symptoms that I have, that no one really knows about schizophrenia unless you have it or specialize in it. I think malingering with schizophrenia is harder to do than people think. It's a complex illness. You can be aware of the real world but youre walking a thin line between realities. I would go back and forth all rhe time so it confused my friends when they found out, but they also weren't surprised when they considered a lot of my strange or "quirky" behaviors in the past.

Keep doing what you're doing Lauren! I felt so alone in my schizoaffective diagnosis. I was diagnosed (by a psychiatrist) pre-internet and it was incredibly isolating. I just wanted thank you for all your good work.

I also wonder what makes people so prone to accusing others of faking. Yes, it happens, but it's hardly the norm. I have lupus and get accused of faking flares even when I have visible, measurable symptoms. It baffles me how easy it is for able-bodied, neurotypical people to authoritatively malign experiences they're entirely ignorant of.

this is a really insightful video, & you’re the first creator i’ve seen discuss this topic. i’ve been experiencing auditory hallucinations recently & i haven’t been open with my treatment team about it yet, in part because i’m afraid they will think i’m faking it. i’ve been accused online of faking my very real, diagnosed BPD for attention & it was a horrible feeling.

While I don’t have the same diagnosis that you do, I have fought my way from being extremely unwell mentally towards experiencing a fairly solid mental health life. I find you to be incredibly credible having watched your content for several years. I truly appreciate your work. ❤

Thanks for this video, Lauren. I’m sorry that there are people who would accuse you of faking such a severe illness. I’ve struggled with severe depression and anxiety for most of my life, but I’m very good at “faking it until you make it.” Most people have never seen me face down on the bathroom floor sobbing into the linoleum, so I’ve run into skeptics over the years who doubt the severity of my mental illness. Love your channel and appreciate all that you do. ❤

Reaching that point where so much has happened that when people call you fake its almost hilarious is a silver lining that should be celebrated. At that point whether you have a mental illness or not, like you said, there is definitely something going on and that was the best answer you currently had for it.

Yeah, it's so dangerous for people to tell you they think you're faking when a lot of the time we can't see it ourselves. It's something I always wonder about myself as well and question myself about. My aunt calls my issues just "severe anxiety" and this has made me regret opening up about my diagnosis to her; there was a time when I believed her, because she convinced me there was nothing wrong with me, she couldn't even say "schizophrenia" etc and it alienated a lot of people in my life because I thought the rest were lying to me and my aunt was the only one telling the truth. Anosognosia is so damaging too and feeding that delusion can be and is so detrimental. Thanks Lauren, as always. ❤

If someone was faking schizophrenia then they probably have some serious mental issues...so either way the person has a mental illness...my opinion I appreciate this channel, I knew a couple people in my past that suffered with schizophrenia and this channel has helped me to understand it all on a deeper level, God bless you!

This is such a nuanced and compassionate take, and I really appreciate that you’re acknowledging all the sides of this conversation about “faking it.” Your point that life is hard for everyone, and some people might just be looking for acknowledgement of that in some way, was really impactful to me.

This is such an incredibly insightful video, and so full of empathy and understanding even towards those who may not be approaching you the same way. You seem like a wonderful person.

I feel empowered by your videos. Your bravery, insight, and honesty have been tremendously helpful to my own mental state. Personally, I suffer from Borderline Personality Disorder, severe depression, anxiety, and ADD. I'm so glad that you've created a platform to educate people about mental illness. Thank you for all of this.

Thank you Lauren for including the level of nuance you did, this was a really kind and well researched video.

I'm very sorry that people are so uncompassionate towards you. I want to believe it only comes from hurt, not malice. You are wonderful and I am very thankful for the time and effort to showcase the reality of mental illness from perspective I wouldn't otherwise be privy to. You are wonderful and brave - I wish people understood that exposure increases empathy and understanding. To see, hear, to acknowledge, to understand is to humanise,to empathize. We need to fight the stigma mental illness still carries. Thank You, from the bottom of my heart ❤

So many great points! I applaud your recommendation to believe people when they talk about their symptoms. For neuro typical people it may be hard to know what questions to ask, but that's what RU-vid is for.

Thank you for all the videos. As a psyche nurse who works with these types of conditions it helps me a lot in managing their situation🙏

I think there are more people on the schizo spectrum that present well like you, or at least present pretty well enough to function almost normal with meds! Very few are homeless on the street talking to themselves...But the thing is we the "high functioning ones" just have real jobs and we would die if anyone found out because of the stigma and embarrassment!! So we don't post it or put it out there enough to normalize it/ demystify or destigmatize the illness as maybe we should...But then if we all did, you my fair lady wouldn't be as popular or filling such a huge need! I am happy for you! And people need to stop saying you're faking and the real fakers need to stop lying and get a real conscience, they are misrepresenting us! Best Wishes Lauren keep up the good work!🎉

If you suspect someone fakes this illness........force them to take the awful meds for it and find out.

I'm 45 and been ill since 1996.ive had enough. Life is hard with our illness.

Hi Lauren What a great Topic today. It has alot of layer's. You did a wonderful job articulating all the issues. Thanks Lauren

Thank you Thank you! this one was a long time in coming though I do understand your reluctance to address this issue. I've had SZ for more than 35 years. It took me 5 years to be convinced enough to take meds. Something that I thought of while you were presenting is that even MORE education needs to happen because having hallucinations might seem cool to a teenager yet truthfully, they often do not know about the other parts of this illness like the social components and how it completely changes all of the personal relationships you have, being thought of as less than because of your mental illness, the confusion about everyday life, the awful meds, the loneliness, the lack of help and the misunderstanding that happens. Its really pretty crappy when people think that because they don't see you in the throws of an episode, you must not have it.

People can be ridiculous! I hope you don't take these accusations personally; it's more about them not about you! Your channel helps so many dealing with this illness or people who have people in their lives with schizophrenia.

Exceptionally thoughtful, sympathetic, and articulate - as always.

I heard it before. "You're the sanest person I know!" And I often question if I am faking it. My illness however, is obvious to other people. So sometimes my loved ones will tell me "look, you did/said this/that. Remember what happens when you get off your meds" But you're not faking it, the specific symptoms and behaviors you've shared and the way your mind works, it's very similar to my own experience. Mental illness can be so invisible sometimes, especially with people who have better social skills (and skills can be acquired!). It's just so misunderstood.

Thank you for all your videos :-) Your openness and talent for articulation have helped me so much in my own journey. Doctors have their place, but they are not a complete solution, at least not for me.

I really love your channel Lauren and I so appreciate you. I have 2 relatives diagnosed with schizophrenia. I appteciate what you share with the public. 💖🌹

That was an incredibly eloquent way to discuss this subject that I haven’t really seen people talk about at all or with the same sensitivity, that was really brilliant thank you Also i love your top the color is amazing

Thankfully for all you do for making us to understand

I wish every person in the world would watch the short you included. The more people self diagnose the less people who actually are diagnosed get the help and attention they need. I love your videos and everyone here is so grateful for all the lives you change.

Just wanted to say thank you. I do find your videos very informative, especially the ones about your experience. Those type of videos are why I use this platform for research. You can only learn so much from the literature. As far as the Faking It issue goes, I would say if you experience any of the symptomology it is a good idea to get checked out. The symptoms range from very mild to extreme. Even if you have the very mild symptoms you could still technically qualify for the diagnosis. That's why I think self-diagnosis is actually important, otherwise you wouldn't know to track those symptoms in the first place.

BOOM!!! Wow!!! Excellent Video!!! THIS!!! I swear I was talking about this today!!! BRILLIANTLY explained in detail!!! I agree Mental illnesses are “over exaggerated forms of human emotion and human experience”. And add neurodivergence to the mix. The world needs more people as insightful as you. And YES, LIFE IS FUCKING HARD!!! Edit: Lauren, If you add to your analysis the effects of collective trauma (wars, natural disasters, pandemics) I think you could have a thesis here for the increase in visibility in mental disorders in social media.

You have helped me so much the last few years. I have a son who has schizophrenia, bipolar, anxiety and depression. He has been through hell with this. He is getting his own apartment on Tuesday. I am hoping and praying he is able to start a fresh beginning now that he’s back on his meds. You are an amazing person to put yourself through all of this…. I have always felt your genuine struggle…. Thank you

I question myself all the time especially when I have been on an antipsychotic for a while but then when I come off of it and slip into psychosis and it reminds me. It’s hard for people that don’t know me well to understand because when I am doing well I am very productive and if they are seeing me then it means I am doing well. Especially if they see me hypomanic when I am full of energy and productive. Keep sharing because it helps people like me relate and feel that there are other people experiencing this.

I think the genuine intentions of “Living well with schizophrenia” were made clear when Lauren emphasized that we (the consumer) should consult with a professional instead of making a self diagnosis based on what we hear/ see on social media, or read on the internet. Thank you so much for educating us about mental health- mainly schizophrenia- and thank you for sharing your personal journey with us!

What a powerful and effective short! Lauren, I really appreciated your nuanced and comprehensive discussion of the issue of malingering and the issues with self-diagnosis. Whilst diagnosis is certainly a privilege for those of us who have access to it, for those who don't, self-identifying and self-diagnosis can be a minefield, and can be very problematic for the reasons you covered. I don't have a schizophrenia spectrum disorder (I have PTSD), but often find your perspectives constructive and nuanced on topics that are commonly addressed in overly simplistic and polarising ways. Thank you for your hard work :)

Thanks for sharing. Appreciate you. While our family member is able to work with medication and therapy, we are up all night when he is up all night having his battles, yelling, and negotiations and telling them to leave him alone so he can sleep for work. 2-3 nights a week, putting things around the home and outside in the wee hours of the morning, lights on. I dont think this can be faked. We have sleepless nights too. I feel everyone would love a "normal" life, if they knew what is "normal". I happen to know others who suffer from this. I also have had extensive conversations with someone who is paranoid OCD. That person would LOVE to not have to live what she is living through at her 52nd years now. It brings her to tears that she does what she does because of the paranoia. So, my heart goes out to anyone suffering from any kind of mental illness. Who am I to question? Just have love, care, empathy and understanding. Take care.🙏❤

Even if you were faking, which I don’t believe you are, you present accurate, non-sensationalized information about schizophrenia spectrum illnesses. Ignore the naysayers and keep living your real, messy, difficult, beautiful life!

God bless you for being so informative, kind and forgiving!! ❤️ 📖 ✝️

This is one of my best videos in mass media. Thank you ever so much for sharing this. I wish you the very best. 😊

I am very concerned about the mental health of anyone who has accused you of or even questioned youre faking. There is a problem with those people, maybe paranoia or extreme distrust

My father said that I'm fakeing my condition (I don't see my condition as illness or disease). He is bipolar and my diagnose is schizoaffective. I have though wondered if I'm faking this???? I have spend a lot of time reading history of mental illnesses and there have been times when people have reacted totally diffrendly this. We have been shamans or witches (Positively meaning), healers and so on. We see world differendly and from differend perspective. And most of as are really, really sensitive. World is hard place, especially human beings like us. If I could (Lottery win for example) I would support Laurens channel. It's really brave to open like this for a large audience. I don't have courage to do like Lauren. Tried though but the response usually is not very kind or encouraging. Big respect.

I appreciate this. I like how there was no "taking sides" or pointing the finger at anyone and acknowledging that people who are "faking" are surely going through _something_ . I agree that mental illness is a lot of the regular human experience amplified to a higher degree.

I was dx with D.I.D in 2020 and it was really amazing I felt free I finally had correct DX, and could start working in the correct problem finally, it was scary cause as I started coming out to a few friends, I was told about all the people faking D.I.D on tiktok. I've gone back to not talking about it. The stigma is so brutal.

I have also been accused of faking every once in a while. People have a preconceived idea of how someone with a schizophrenia diagnosis behaves. They're surprised when I am higher functioning than they expect.

I’m 54 and there are many reasons I don’t create a channel for support I struggle with self esteem I’m living in poverty and can’t afford clothes or a washing machine and therefore most of the time the clothes I have don’t match or fit properly I’m embarrassed by my appearance as my teeth have fallen apart from undiagnosed malnutrition and I’m hunch back and other things from scoliosis and other chronic progressive conditions My speech is horrible Because of my teeth I can’t even say my own name properly Anxiety Even just by myself knowing I’m talking to people makes me scatter brained so I forget words and lose my thoughts and jumble them up I end up sounding even less educated than I am My presentation I come off sounding very arrogant and bitter and I make weird noises from wheezing I have a harsh tone because I’m in pain and keep forgetting words and thoughts frustrating me and I’m having trouble breathing when I talk I’m overly sensitive Definitely not able to take criticism well especially/ mostly if it’s done in a demeaning way such as Are you really that stupid I don’t lie and so many people lie on the internet that if you sound unsure or confused or have difficulty with details and misspeak about something but say it correctly elsewhere it’s easier for people to assume you’re making it up as you go along and lying I think you get the idea I’m really struggling I’ve been getting psychiatric treatment since my 20s when I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety without anything except an attempted suicide and a 5 minute chat when first arriving at the hospital I’m now 54 and every new counselor or psychiatrist just uses that diagnosis and tells me things like hearing voices and seeing things aren’t relevant to my treatment because eventually I figure out on my own that they’re not real What they don’t take into consideration is that through group therapy and studying college psychology books and trial and error I’ve figured out how to test if it’s real or not when I see something that doesn’t make sense or shouldn’t be there and sometimes it takes a while and it’s scary and disturbing until I figure 😢it out There are many more reasons but I’ve already written a short story If you’ve actually read all of this I sincerely want to Thank You for sharing the information you share I have no idea what’s going on with me but I definitely find some of the things you share very helpful and interesting so Thank You Very Much 🥰

I came to your channel recently. I love what you're doing. While our mental illnesses are different (bipolar for me), I find you to be such an inspiration. Thank you for your very high quality, highly thought-out videos.

About four years ago I started to have suspicion that I might have some dissociative disorder. I went to the psychiatrist and they diagnosed me first with ADHD and then ASD. I believe those diagnoses are correct. They truly changed my life and helped me deeply. Particularily the ASD community accepts the self-diagnosis as valid and such people are welcome in the community. Ironically I still think I might have some dissociative disorder but that's a tale for different time.

Thank you for speaking to this issue. I cannot imagine hearing these comments and how that impacts your mental health. I am late diagnosed ASD/ADHD and it's so invalidating when people say things like "you don't seem/look autistic". Neurodivergent people are really good at masking/hiding symptoms to fit in, and there is so much under the surface that people do not see. Also - as a Psychotherapist, I think someone who does choose to fake a mental illness for attention is indicative of some sort of mental health struggle in and of itself.

Hooooly shiiiiit Lauren, this video spoke to me so much. Since I was a young teen, I've been just dreaming and fantasizing of struggling with something like schizophrenia (I'm very aware that it's not something I should want, so of course I never acted on it). I do struggle with social anxiety, however, and my self-image is very negative. I've always been aware that the reason I dream about this is for attention, the kind of attention where people recognize my struggles, lend me their support and are proud of my everyday feats. I absolutely did have a romanticized image of how people with severe mental illnesses live their lives as you said, but I have also always been aware of the gravity. So after having watched this video, I feel like everything I ever wondered without being able to put it into words has been answered. Initially I thought about talking to my therapist about this, but after your insight I don't think I need to. And it felt so validating that you validated people's need for attention through faking/wanting a severe mental illness even if it's not something to be encouraged. So thanks for this video, and thank you for setting the facts straight for me

I love u keep going. I suffer from paronid scitzprinia and I can relate so much from u London UK. It's mad I was on the bus today and I saw a woman just like u. Anyway keep going sis

Hey, sweet lady!!! Great to see you again!! You look great!!! Hope you are doing good/better. ❤ sending love and hugs. Fellow strugglers are pulling for you!! ❤️ 😍 💖

i truly appreciate your insights. i was just reevaluated by a new psychiatrist bc i wanted to see where i was with my old Bipolar 2 diagnosis. i managed to avoid it the last several years, but now i have persistent psychosis that's lasted a long time. i have ptsd and i'm learning that schizophrenia can come from trauma, and boy do i have a lot of it. my psychosis seems to revolve around the trauma. your video caught my eye bc i have this weird imposter syndrome where i feel like i don't actually have these diagnosed disorders, i'm a giant fake, i should have my benefits stripped, and my meds that help me taken away. but i've never been accused of faking or malingering except by my mom who knew nothing of mental health. she had to be educated by my therapist who basically told her she was ignorant and they had ways of weeding out the liars, but not in those words lol this new psychiatrist said, on her short list of considerations, C-PTSD, Bipolar 2, or Schizophrenia. could be any one of them.

You're doing a wonderful service. There are times when I see you struggling with your symptoms. As someone with Bipolar Disorder, at times I struggle with a thought disorder, it's hard to control my thoughts and speech. It's awful. I notice you struggle with something similar with your illness as well.

Thank you, Lauren! This is a very important topic for people to understand. There is a lot of misunderstanding out there. I appreciate your effort.

Thanks Lauren, another thought provoking topic. Media literacy is absolutely key as there is so much damaging trash out there. I really value your vlogs which have definitely helped me on my journey of acceptance/ living with a chronic mental illness. Looking for a cure is such an understandable route to take but also an exhausting one. One day at a time 🌈🙏🍁

I'm sorry to hear you have to deal with people questioning. I appreciate you content and watch for a different perspective of what another human being deals with on a daily basis.

This video was one of the most important videos I've seen this year, thank you!

And a level that even people without mental illness can’t even live up to. You have a better life than so many people who don’t struggle with mental illness don’t get to live. At first I was very critical of this and so didn’t believe you had mental illness, but now I’m learning more about it and realizing that having mental illness is not the worst experience in the world: there are way worse life problems people have to live with. So I am now finding these videos encouraging.

Just wanted to say thankyou for sharing this. I was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder bipolar type throughout the age of 17-18 by 3 different drs (2021-2022) and found your youtube channel shortly after. Despite this I have tried coming off my meds multiple times and have even convinced my psychiatrist that I "must be be faking cause I feel fine now" just to eventually fall back into psychosis or a mood episode. Its mostly just the lack of insight because I still cant really accept that I might have to be on meds for the rest of my life. One of the things I hate the most is people seeing me as sick/mentally ill/disabled/etc so I honestly hide it the best I can even from my drs. This video kind of taught me that if I were faking I would know, and if I were faking why would I put in so much effort to hide it and not receive attention? Idk, it definitely gave me the peace of mind I needed during this time so thank you.

Yep. I think this happens when you have a high functioning level of any disability (or can appear to be so). I have CP and have been questioned about it a number of times in my life, because those folks had only ever met people with severe CP or had stereotypes about it. I was also once accused of faking by a doctor which was really weird. Who would fake not being able to walk their entire life? (I have moderate cerebral palsy and have never walked unaided). So I can definitely relate to those aspects of it. I do also think there is an inspiration porn element so thank you for speaking on that. For the folks who are faking it, I think some of them might have mental health issues themselves like you said.

Hey as someone who ultimately got diagnosed with DID, thank you for speaking up about how their are people who misidentify or have other issues and use DID as a cover. we really appreicate it :)

Okay. Take two. I am older and not extremely internet savvy, so i dont know where the comment I was writing went. So, our young adult human ( non binary) shared your you tubes with me. My dear, your work is very very precious. I appreciate so much what you are doing. I only wish you were around(and the Internet for that matter) when I was a kid. My grandfather, my father, my brother, and my son were all diagnosed with schizophrenia; well, my son eventually w/ schizo effective disorder. So much I would tell you. Not now. Just please know, sweet girl, that you are helping a 65 year old mom understand even more, and Love even better. We always say, " We love whoever walks in the door, just keep us updated". I just figured out how to comment, my first. This moves me to tears, happy tears ❤

The reason why some people would accuse someone of faking a mental illness is that some people just have no empathy and maybe because they have no empathy they are just stupid and lack understanding of what others are dealing with or going through, so, they resort to accusations that are of no value to anyone at all. I know someone with scizophrenia, from listening to your experience and knowledge about it, I can see that you obviously know what it is all about and I see no reason to doubt your honest objective and constructive approach to dealing with it. I am especially interested in what kind of results you will see from your organized and well thought out approach to applying what you learned from Dr. Chris Palmer in regards to the ketogenic diet and other practices to develop healthy mitochondria and healthy metabolism and hopefully experience remission of your symptoms. I have confidence that you will be completely honest and objective about your results, which I am very interested in hearing and learning about over time as you put it into practice.

Thank you so much for pointing out that a lot of symptoms of mental health disorders are exaggerated issues that everyday people have. I have OCD and everyone these days who is really picky about something or is type A think they have it. A lot of the OCD community get offended by those "if this bothers you then you have OCD" It doesn't bother me, I think because when I was young my therapist explained to me everyone has "OCD like symptoms" but the difference between normal obsessions and compulsions and clinical OCD is how it affects your life. I think the biggest issue people come across is that others don't actively notice or see the persons issues, so they assume they cant be there. When my brother died none of his friends could believe he was autistic. He didnt act like what they assumed someone with autism would. I have OCD, ADHA, autism and narcolepsy and have no problem talking about it. And people are usually surprised when they find out any of those. They might later be like wellnthat explains some things, but it's not something they would "see" if they werent told.

I have schizoaffective, and one of the hardest things about medication for me is that when it is working, I feel like a faker. I have to constantly remind myself that I am ill and not a liar or fraud. It's part of why those who fake the illness for any variety of purposes are so frustrating to me. This illness is awful and there is so much bad that can come with it, including harm from others. Please, for those who aren't sure, look into a proper diagnosis so you can know. It's not worth faking.

Great information and a well rounded perspective and presentation

This was a very powerful, well spoken video. Thank you for all of the work you put into your channel to educate others. ❤

I am so sorry that you are dealing with awful people and a difficult illness. I have neuro lupus and deal with similar issues.

thank you for approaching this topic with such nuance

Wow. Great insight. I never thought of it that way. Wow again. Thank you!

Good morning Lauren this is Carla from Los Angeles . Thank you 😊 got sharing your thoughts

Do you think stigma has changed over the past 10 years. I found your video 6 months after a long stay in hospital. I take my meds but denial is present. I couldn’t fathom your open content due to shame I feel. I believe you 100 percent. Unsure of my experience as really ill or I just had a hard time. And maybe it was a fluke. I am so pleased you have been open and honest because stigma wise , you’re helping. Please take breaks and prioritize yourself over your viewers. Much love. New watcher - A

Ive was diagnosed with schitsophinia two month ago been on my antiphycotic meds since and my awarness of my mental health is skyrocketing thank you for your videos they really help me

I struggle with thinking that maybe I made up all my symptoms and that I don’t need the medications I take, then I remember the thought processes and symptoms that controlled me for so long and how I didn’t ask for it to start. I am much better on medication, can work full time, but still experience symptoms every day.

Hi, I have bipolar schizoaffective type. I have a friend who has not seen my symptoms and does, therefore, not think I have this disorder. It's frustrating because I am 56, and I came down with this disorder at nineteen, so I have suffered most of my life. I also present very well, so most people would not know that I have this disorder, but I do. Thank you so much for being a voice for change.

I think there IS a huge wave of people, particularly young women pretending to have mental illnesses on social media. Especially DID, Tourette syndrome (specifically with funny, cute or explicit tics), autism, ADHD, OCD and some forms of PTSD. Many of these people also seem to present in a similar way. They have unnatural hair colors, tattoos, piercings, dress in alternative fashion and identify as some sort of minority (alternative sexual or gender identities). I think it is okay to acknowledge this fact. The reason why I think this is happening is that social media has isolated people to such a degree that people (kids, essentially) who are not good at socializing and blending in group settings in real life feel abandoned and want to belong somewhere. What seems funny /cool/ interesting/ relatable/ wins me empathy? Popular mental disorders. And they just do it subconsciously. Usually there is not a malicious intent behind it, but it is sure as hell obnoxious and deserves more attention, especially from parents and loved ones.

I have two cousins (they’re brothers) who have schizophrenia. One of them, who actually struggles less on a day-to-day basis, seems “more schizophrenic” to the outside world. The other one, who was a football player, had full ride scholarships for university, had a full time job, and huge social life, has been in and out of hospital for the past two years. You wouldn’t know it by looking at him, and he’s been accused of faking because he saw his brother get care. He isn’t faking it, but because he doesn’t fit the Hollywood stereotypes of what schizophrenia looks like, he’s been denied treatment and help by doctors and the public alike.

Personally the thought that You are faking is an intrusive thought. I believe you. However, my relationship with this disorder compares me to you at times and says "How can she be so consistent and successful as a youtuber?". I love you sis!

Thank you for this! A childhood best friend of mine suggested I have DID, and he does all the Tik Tok stuff. I don't have DID. I am diagnosed borderline personality disorder. It's irritating when friends or family who think they know something try to diagnose you.

I worked in forensics setting before my mental health crisis and transition into healthcare and I have encountered people who were malingering - faking disorders to escape justice system, even if for a second (usually this meant serving their time in hospital). They shared some characteristics with people who "pretend for attention", but their reasons were more... grounded,I suppose, more tangible. Unfortunately for many people on this path (conflict with the law), exaggeration and even full out faking can be the only way to get any attention and help from overloaded, often cruel, classist system (which would also be easiest if we weren't a monoethnic country). Compassion was always a better response regardless of circumstances and I want to thank You for this thoughtful video. This often occurs when people feel.. invisible. Not special enough on their own.

Also, if someone is claiming she is faking consider this. Can you think of why if you were grieving, had a really bad stomach bug, or were sleep deprived that may not be the time you filmed? Yet, after you may want to share? She probably chooses the time closest to her best, so she can best articulate.

Thanks as always Lauren. Malingering still goes on unfortunately.

Your hair looks so amazing this length ❤❤❤

thank you for the video! I really afraid of the thoughts which say " I'm faking my thoughts and condition" and it's very hard to find the right answer to myself even when I remembering things about my experience and thinking "wow,it's the real thing that I struggle with" it doesn't making sense after a few seconds and Im starting to think that I'm healthy again phhh

I appreciate what you do. ❤

Also, I am so so sorry that people need to do this and not believe other people. No one would want to have a mental illness or broadcast it online and on top of that of course, you know you would have the composure to go online most of the time when you can speak when you’re intelligible that’s what any human being with you, but you’ve also been brave enough to go on in the middle of you know program and other issues and be honest. I’ve had a lot of the similar situations as you have all my life in college and sororities, and probably just a lot of stuff still in the dark for the past 20 to 30 years, and I just have so much gratitude and admiration for you and what you were doing and so much compassion and I I pray for you And all of us that are differently or misunderstood currently, who weren’t fully living our lives but we each have lives and they’re all different and we all deserve to leave the fully and give what we have out of our abundance and our difficulty Are used to love the story of the artist Cezanne. I’m writing this I’m dictating this as I drive, so probably no one’s gonna read this but if you happen to, I remember reading about him that he I can’t remember exactly he wasn’t as good as you know he couldn’t do what maybe Matisse or Suerat or the other impressionist s did, but I think he practiced something where he squinted to try to see value contrast. When you squint, you can isolate like the dark from the light, and then he worked in blocks of color based on value contrast, and when you see things like his portrait of the peaches will basically he develops his own very unique style out of a shortcoming or suppose a shortcoming. Well, it was creativity I mean need need is the father of creativity, and I see you working out of that and creating something beyond impactful like even beyond scientific research, because this is a huge piece of the human puzzle is living and accepting and understanding each other, and educating as well as this is something that’s gonna cause people to come out and dedicate more time and effort to research, but what I want to say, is you probably already know this but this channel and the word you were doing is going to free so many lives and create so much good, and I just pray for the good you were doing too, that there is less less suffering and difficulty and more and more joy in your life, and in all of our lives

I have treatment resistant depression and high anxiety especially noise. It sucks,but your videos make me feel like oh that’s how I feel.

Bless you happy you could function with a severe mental health issue that your dealing with on a daily basics.