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I also want to praise the way you empower the viewer. Usually advice comes with "don't do this to yourself" or "you're addicted, addiction is bad" or "this isn't healthy and needs to stop". Which is all well and good, but I feel "your coping mechanisms are yours to evaluate and re-evaluate as needed" and "think of how to make your life better in the long term" are more helpful pieces of advice. It is very empowering. I'm rambling today, sorry. Thank you
@@DaveOfTheDaiquris it was a problem for me until I disconnected everything Instagram Facebook WhatsApp cash app to me is just freaky how we share all our information with the world just to get a like or comment from someone you put a video for example of me giving my mother $1,000 for Christmas and that video has 50 views in one 👍 so there's 49 weirdos on my page and now people don't even call you anymore they send you a DM through messenger you can't tell people's true intentions they hide behind the text and the fact that there's so many other people looking at your stuff it's like leaving the window to your bedroom wide open so everyone can see you sleep. #THINKABOUTIT✌
There's so much more compassion in recognizing that substance use is self medication instead of the judgement of calling someone an addict. I used weed to medicate inadequately treated mental illness. Once I was on the right medications, giving up the weed was so easy. Don't ask people to give up the things that make them get through the day if you're unwilling to actually help. It's such an important distinction. I also refer to it as self medication over calling it addiction.
The biggest addiction I quit, crystal meth, 11 years ago. There’s a million tips that I learned through years of trying to quit. Don’t give up. Learn to listen to the right people, harm reduction, AA, CA, DRA all learning forums. One more time will never be enough so never fall for that. I’m currently battling horse racing addiction and this video was helpful
If you can set limits to your addictions to within 'normal' , ie the same as the rest of society they can be positive. For me loneliness is my weak point. When my life is going well I don't need the addictions. Most people have addictions but people approve of them, eg. Work addiction, spending addiction. If you quit christal meth you're as strong as hell, and it proves that you're addictive, but it also proves you have a good quitting capability.
ive seen things, heard things, and believed abnormal things since a kid. i first smoked weed when i was 13. at 14, i had a very bad trip. i blacked out, and woke up shaking. i thought i was dead and had to ask repeatedly if i was alive still. later on that year, i started to have these episodes. i would see little things like smoke and bugs. i would hear things like phones vibrating or ringing. it progressed into voices, shadows, heavy breathing, whispering, etc. i have a wide range of psychotic disorders in my family. before you smoke, please check your family history!
Totally. Especially with how strong cannabis is these days without a doubt if theres history of mental illness in your family and you've beem going through alot of stress and smoke weed, you'll probably go into a real nasty drug induced psychosis.
had the same thing, uncle was diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic. i wish people would stop advertising weed as a cure-all, it effects some people horribly
This channel has quickly become one of my favorites not only as a person interested in mental health but also as a medical student. Thank you so much for this education.
Don't act like you understand or even want to understand for that matter. You are part of the problem. This not an attack but I'm sick and tired of people acting like they care when they actually just see this as some "natural phenomenon" of the brain. If you actually started listening to patients and investigate what the true cause is we would actually make a real difference. Most schizophrenics are only pretending to be okay and that is all the health industry is teaching us.
@@camagu9201 What does listening to patients look like to you? I would think learning more about schizophrenia through Lauren's channel would be a good way of listening. What else do you think this person should do?
Maybe you have good intentions. I don't know. The question is what are you going to do with all this "education"? Don't tell me you are going to give the patients medication that has debilitating side-effects and then blame them for not taking medication and on top of that. You don't even know how the mediction works. You think you are helping but you are part of the problem and I don't blame you. You do not have enough courage to actually believe the victims. Simple question that you might not understand now but perhaps one day. If the moon is in space, why can't I see space? Is the moon in space or is the moon in the sky? Sometimes you can see the moon during the day... I'll leave it there.
@@camagu9201 Why are you getting angry with a random medical student? You don't know what her beliefs are or what her practices will be in the future. I'm sorry you clearly had a negative experience with medicine in the past but not all doctors are pill pushers, many doctors actually listen and respect their patient's autonomy to make their own health care decisions regardless of what the doctor suggests. Do YOU understand how medication works, the pharmacology and biophysics of the effects of medication on the nervous system?
@@deek3183 I don't need to know about the medication because I already know that there is no illness to begin with. How does the brain create voices or an alternate reality that is not real but only real to the person experiencing "symptoms"? How stupid do I have to be that I can't tell the difference between a hallucination and reality? How stupid do I have to be that I can't tell the difference between my own voice inside my head and voices that don't come from me? If you really believe the patients what are you doing to actually help them? My point is that we are not solving any problems by beating around the bush. The doctors don't know what schizophrenia is but they are treating a supposed illness that doesn't exist.
I developed an eating disorder when I was 11 years old that was very much tied into my OCD. I finally recovered in 2014 and felt great! About two years later I developed symptoms of psychosis and mood swings and was eventually diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. While trying to cope with the psychosis I slowly made my way back to controlling food and relapsed with anorexia. While I was in and out of hospitals the eating disorder became entangled with the psychosis and I had a hard time trying to recover ultimately from both the anorexia and schizoaffective disorder. When I finally went into residential treatment the treatment team focused on both issues and started me on an IM of an antipsychotic. Wonderful things started to happen with both diagnosis's and I slowly became more clear mentally without the psychosis and was able to also recover from my eating disorder once again in 2018. I'm so glad you shared your story because there are so many people out there struggling with the same things and need to know they aren't alone. Thank you!
Lauren I don't know anyone with schizophrenia but I love your content, how you naturalize mental issues (just part of the human condition!!), your calm poised manner is very inspiring, what you've been through and how you live. For example I'm very interested in the content relating to motherhood. Anyhow, my point is that you guys' work is phenomenal and we need more content like this: open, informative, non judgemental, insightful. Love this channel!
What's interesting is that, given how many people each of us "knows" these days, plus the prevalence of new schizophrenia diagnoses (~1.5% of the pop), you likely actually _do_ know at least one person with schizophrenia. But because of the stigma, they may not tell anyone other than those closest to them. Which is why I wholeheartedly agree with your comment; I so appreciate her tireless work towards breaking down that stigma. Too often, mental health issues end up being a bunch of people who feel like they're the only one going through their particular struggle
@@blackfordoblique1965 Lol are you serious..? The vast majority of researchers and mental health clinicians _don't_ deal with mental illness (unless we're counting general anxiety). ESPECIALLY with schizophrenia. Wanna know why? Because the vast majority of people who seek a diagnosis for major mental health crises (again..especially schizophrenia, due to its ultra high likelihood of debilitation) do so *because it is impairing their functioning.* Sooo, no, most of them aren't pulling 12h days in research labs, or seeing back to back clients, or doing psych evaluations. A lot of them have trouble holding a conversation, or getting out of bed. There are _some_ whose symptoms are very successfully managed, and they have the skill set and desire to study mental illness, but they're in the extreme minority.
@@blackfordoblique1965 What are you even talking about? Where is what coming from? You asked - me, specifically - a really bizarre question. So I answered..
@@DannyD-lr5yg true, the vast majority don't care to properly diagnose them and probably not given the right medication. For example someone with squizophrenia gets diagnosed with psychosis or bipolar and given mood stabilizers instead of antipsychotics, when they aren't having depression,just psychosis and mania.So no they don't try their best at diagnosing and that can make a word of a difference. Other times they give way too much of a medications that they refuse to go back, remember not everyone is aware of their condition.
Thank you 🙏🏼 thank you 🙏🏼. My oldest brother has schizophrenia but refuses to admit it to himself and refuses to take meds. He says he doesn’t need them but sees hallucinations and hears voices and even says he hears things over his phone. He is now living on the streets and refuses to move out of state where I am. I have been forwarding your videos to him in the hopes that he won’t feel shame in being sick. I just love him and it kills me that I can’t help him. 😭😢
I'm so sorry. It is a sad reality for many people with a severe mental illness. It's hard to guide someone to get help when they can't think clearly themselves. I hope he gets the right help he needs.
I know Desiree I to have a daughter who has schizoeffective disorder with Bi polar depression. Possibly caused by a overdose of Drugs. She lives from place to place. I have no idea how to talk with her about her mental illness she is off her meds I think. She hears voices and paranoia. I don't know where to turn and how to talk with her about her illness
My addiction was religion. Now that I've developed healthy coping mechanisms, I have learned to put religion aside and live my life in the moment. Thanks for the wonderful video!
Lauren youre so strong and courageous for sharing your experiences. My girlfriend has schizophrenia and shes addicted again after a year without smoking and your videos help me a lot to understand and deal with it all so I can do my best to help her. Thank you so much, God bless you❤
You think Lauren is making you understand but she's actually holding back a lot of information because you non-schizophrenics struggle to understand even when explained to because you're so stuck up your asses. I don't blame you I was once like you because I was too busy believing in things that are taking me nowhere in life like religion. You believe in some god or spirit you haven't even seen, but when a "schizophrenic" tells you what they have seen, felt or heard it can only be a mental illness just because your mind cannot comprehend. Stop it. Show your girlfriend this. She probably knows what I'm talking about.
@@camagu9201 Thats not my case, I'm not stuck in my mind. I also have mental illness and Lauren is making me understand more about schizophrenia even because she has schizo so she speaks more truthfully, you know, and with experience than someone who does not have schizophrenia.
@@danielleborgessthe truth is there is no mental illness. Some people have "depression". Depression is not a mental illness, we are simply going through a rough patch in our lives due to whatever reason. Some people don't need medication but simply a reason to live. So we find meaning in things like gods and religion when in fact that was man-made. We don't even know what we are. The truth is there is no meaning in life so just enjoy the ride if you can.
@@camagu9201 yeah we have to enjoy the ride, but what I said is just that your previous comment is not my case, it does not define me, and I was confused because you seemed like you were so sure in your definition without knowing me. And it is not depression that I have, but I totally understand what you said 😊
Woah! A brand new video by this gorgeous and well educated woman. I am a trained psychologist and I learn a lot from you. Thank you for giving so much support to people being in contact with psychosis/schizophrenia the one or the other ways.
thank you for this video. I'm a recovering poly-substance addict with SZA and getting pregnant with my angel baby saved my life. I find with schizophrenia and other related disorders its so hard to NOT use a maladaptive coping mechanism to try to escape your own brain. thanks for your vulnerability, Lauren.
I am a recovering drug addict as well. I've been sober for quite some time and am incredibly grateful as a result. Thank you so so much for your empathy and honesty. You are an incredibly lovely human being- keep doing what you're doing.❤❤❤❤
I’ve struggled with spending. What has helped me is to say to myself is this a want or a need. When I’m feeling down the shopping has definitely given that rush. But it doesn’t last. Coping is everything.
No shame in anything done to survive, my dear. You are such an inspiration. Both my sons use alcohol and marijuana to manage the discomfort of suffering from their severe mood disorders and it breaks my heart.
@@maryannscott5567 So can prescription medications for mood disorders. The prescriptions are also more damaging when abused and can even be deadly if abused. there are zero deaths from marijuana use.
Thanks for sharing! Love your content! I'm schizoaffective bipolar type and weed addiction had me in its grip for decades. Lately it's been under control, I haven't had weed in months. Coming off of weed made my paranoia skyrocket for a couple of weeks. Hopefully I can stay away from it forever.
Thank you for these videos I was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder a year ago at the age of 16 and although I am on a good treatment regimen ; I still struggle with acceptance of my diagnosis. Its people like you who don't allow the stereotypes to define others and themselves I appreciate your videos and its nice to be able to relate to someone.
Oh man...I'm not crying, you're crying! Thank you for sharing. You are very strong and I am in awe of your clarity with such a heavy burden. Hope you are feeling well! Much love to you, Lauren 💜
I struggle with mental illness. Your channel is very helpful and comforting. Your channel helps me feel not alone. Thanks for sharing. I’ve dealt with addiction (Ritalin, opiates, alcohol in my past. How I got through it was because I wanted to like myself when I looked in the mirror again. I am on medications that help deal with my anxiety, depression, and at times psychosis) my mental illness started at about 17 and it seem like it happened all of a sudden because one day I was in a mall with my sister and all of a sudden I was afraid of being around people. I’m 65 now and I would encourage anyone struggling with any kind of mental illness there is hope💗
What I had gotten from one of my counselors was you never really get rid of an addiction. It just changes form. You mitigate it as best you can and move it to something less damaging, but it is an aspect of yourself that's always there. Might as well make peace with it. Change of environment can help to adopt better behaviors.
Congratulations and Keep going man, it took me about 3 years of sobriety for the mental fog to wear off... but it is definitely worth it (you might not notice the fog yet, but you will when it starts to clear out).
Lauren, thank you so much for sharing this. It was obviously very hard on you. It is greatly, greatly helpful. I have issues with impulse control (the dopamine hit thing, probably stemming from ADHD), as well as body image issues. Both lead to self-loathing and the more sneaky kind of shame for even falling prey to body image issues in a world where "your body is your temple". Thank you for talking about this. It shouldn't be something to feel shame over.
I’ve dealt with my own alcohol addiction. I’ve learned that so much of dealing with addiction is re-learning to love yourself. Addicts can be really hard on themselves. Self love often leads to better choices.
I don't have schizophrenia but recently went into a psych ward for a night and diagnosed with Bpd or eupd. I met mainly scitzophreniacs in the ward and was pleasantly surprised. Lovely people and my heart really goes out to you all dealing with hullicinations and voices. I know myself that anxiety and depression is terrifying in itself and I couldn't imagine hearing or seeing things people can't see. :( I truly hope we all get well and live healthy lives. Life is a blessing and I hope you understand all of us dealing with mental illness are living with the stigma around it and together we can break it ❤️
I am so glad that you decided to talk about addiction. It has such a high co:morbidity rate with so many other mental illnesses. Alcohol, for example, seems to be “justified” with our society as a way to let off steam or deal with the crazy work week. I have struggled with severe anorexia for most of my life, including many hospital stays. While I have turned a corner now, I was also struggling with bipolar disorder, which was never diagnosed at the same time. I cannot tell you what a relief I feel being able to talk about this. It is awful to feel so out of control and suicidal in the past. I do not know how I survived, but here I am! I struggle, but with my med. and therapy I want to live again! Thank you for your channel. Sending you all love and light!!! 🙏❤️🕯🕊😇🌈
I find, for me anyway, that anxiety will lead to a strong desire to control ones environment, and that can come in many forms, and that desire to control ones environment can easily become an addiction. The paradox is that the more I try to control my environment, the more it leads to increased anxiety. I think this is because it lulls you into a false sense of control, and when things really do go wrong, it results in a total mental breakdown.
I wanted to say thank you. Thank you for helping me feel like I am not alone. I’ve struggled with ED and mental health issues for about 25 years. It helps so much to be able to to talk about things out loud, thank you for creating such a safe and supportive space.
Thank you for sharing! Found this very helpful. As a daughter of someone who continues to survive with schizoaffective disorder, some of the maladaptive coping mechanisms that you mentioned I have found myself to use to an extent. It’s refreshing to see them being discussed in an open manner.
I really appreciate you exploring the fact that a myriad of things can become an addiction or a maladaptive coping strategy. My life was ravaged by a partner's pornography addiction. But when I tried to talk to others about it, several have said, "pornography use isn't an addiction!!!" It was incredibly invalidating. Just because pornography use is normalized doesn't mean it can't be an addiction. Thank you 💕
I rarely comment on youtube but I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your personal struggle with the disease of addiction publicly. That’s some courage you have to face the world so openly. I have struggled with mental health problems since childhood and to self medicate I used substances to disconnect from reality and numb the pain. I have only recently come to terms with the fact my body’s response to drugs makes me go into psychosis and have psychotic symptoms. I’m just finally getting off anti-psychotics after 4 years of struggling with the aftermath of long term substance abuse. Drugs did not help, it made my problems much worse. All the best with your journey in life, your content has helped me a lot. Thanks.
You are so strong girl, you make people who struggle with mental health and addiction (me and others out there too) feel so less alone. Love you Lauren
Your channel is such a blessing to youtube, it's amazing to see so many people becoming more educated and understanding of schizofrenia/schizoaffective, and the stigma being reduced, and at the same time making me feel less alone with my own schizoaffective disorder
I've been dealing with with my addiction's to alcohol and my secret taste for drug's while struggling with my schzophrenia , thank you for your vlog knowing I'm not alone
This came in for me just in time. I neuer thought that my eating disorder is some kind of an addiction, which helps me cope with my mental disease. I'm so grateful for your videos and sharing your struggles with us. Thank you so much.
I've developed a rhythm of watching videos from this channel every few days. Although I was initially driven by curiosity now I'm responding to Lauren herself. She is an incredible example of the courage in vulnerability and the value of honest, constructive, self interrogation.
It takes a lot to admit to struggling with an eating disorder. When I started struggling more with depression as part of my schizoaffective disorder, I relapsed on my ed for the first time since I was 11. It took 3 years, 4 hospitalizations, a stay in residential, and so so much therapy, but I finally achieved staying in recovery. What really helped me was having a strong group of friends. They didn't know I had an eating disorder until I went public while in recovery, but they all knew that I was depressed and they stuck by me and lifted me up through that. I cannot stress the importance of having reliable friends enough!
I learn so much from you with every video, both personally and professionally. You are an amazing role model in your vulnerability and wholeheartedness.
Wow I have so much respect and admiration for your courage and generosity in sharing this stuff. I can hear and " feel " the stress in your voice and yet yet you keep going and share what you have to say in order to help people. 👍 Thanks.
I can tell how difficult it is for you to share this part of you. I hope you read this because you are so brave to talk about this. Please ignore any negative comments, you are absolutely awesome(and beautiful to boot)!!!
So much respect to you for sharing your story to help others heal. It's a true calling. I'm also dual diagnosis (quite a few)...but not schizophrenia. I absolutely found my purpose as well in telling my story from years of complete despair to healing my brain and getting my life back! 💟🦋🕉
Glad to hear from you. Thank you for opening up about addiction. It's not something often thought of but is compounded by mental illness. I suffered, got over it, and slipped back into it when i started suffering with depression/anxiety. It was a way to distract myself from the pain, but pulled me back in. Getting out requires conscious effort, i.e. a loved wanting my attention, family responsibility, and my own health. It's hard, I'll admit, but admitting i have a problem has made me proud that i am fixing it. I over came addicting once, i can do it again. Yes i realize that sounds counter intuitive, but with a gap of at least 10 years, i think it counts. ;)
Thank you for this video! I am watching this as I am drinking and I know I need to cut back. Alcohol makes my depression worse, not better! Your candid discussion and sharing is comforting. And I do appreciate that you recognize that maladaptive coping, whatever that may be, has served some kind of purpose. That recognition helps soften the shame that we often feel for being ‘messed up.’ I’m not messed up, I’m coping in the way that has served me so far. That perspective makes me feel empowered, rather than down on myself. Thank you for all your wonderful videos, you are making a positive impact. ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for this video. I lived with someone who was diagnosed with schizophrenia. There was a lot of stigma, isolation of family, and loss of hope and shame. We all suffered with the family member, and eventually the patient did not want to be married anymore. We are divorced now but I care deeply about these sufferers still. All my clients who had substance abuse, was very difficult to treat.Hope is a life line, and compassion
I have maladaptive daydreaming, and I know it isn’t the same as drinking or substance abuse, but it really effects my life heavily. I’ve had it for 4-5 years, and the major depression that I was going through all those years ago when I started is practically gone, and I feel really happy, but I don’t do anything with that joy because it relies solely on this ‘addiction’. I ended up dropping out of school to be homeschooled, I have no friends, i never leave the house, I have a lot of sleeping problems. I don’t have time to do anything productive, because I am so busy with my daydreaming. I recently started going back to school and I can no longer daydream like I usually do, and my depression has come back with a vengeance. I no longer feel happy. I don’t do any of my homework because I am so busy spending my afternoons making up for the lost hours. My sleep is even worse then it used to be. I have started falling back down the kill yourself rabbit hole, and I don’t know what to do. I don’t have anyone to talk to because the only people in my life are imaginary, and the few times I have tried to talk to my mum have failed miserably; I don’t think she takes it seriously, and she underestimates this dependence I have on it, (she hears imaginary friend and thinks I’m just mucking about with my overactive imagination). This dependence terrifies me, but at the same time I can’t give it up because it’s my only reason to live. I have no idea why I decided to share this, but I’m currently sitting alone in my room on the verge of tears, and i feel really lonely, and wanted to get this off my chest, (not that I will help all that much). I know it doesn’t sound as serious as all these addictions mentioned in this video, but it’s taken over my whole life (before I returned to school I would spend anywhere from 9-17 hours a day just daydreaming), and I feel really lost. Have a good day!
Fellow MDDer here. I’m right beside you. I take Rexulti to prevent the daydreaming (it’s medically-induced aphantasia) and without my daydreams, I’m miserable when I can’t use it to cope. But, that feeling is fuel for the real improvement-addressing the problems in our lives that made us want to daydream in the first place. Occasionally, when I succeed at being better for a time, I feel better. You didn’t ask, but I think that’s where we’re supposed to go.
If i didnt find your videos idk if id be here. Im trying to cope everyday, with no hope for the future! Persons question my illness and i cant tell if they are real, everyday is a struggle for the battle of my mind, trying to communicate with others who arent sick, im so misunderstood! I got recently diagnosed and struggle with acceptance and being all alone! Nobody understands addiction and how it has played a role in my mental health! It is so hard to shower, eat, plan for holidays because idk if ill be with my family or if ill be lost in the struggle that is trying to cope! I feel I dont have the right medications but the ones im on help! But it is the worst time of my life! Idk where to turn, so I found you videos, they give me some hope, but never know what tomorrow holds! Thank you for educating the public and me as well!
Love your videos so much! I used to study psychology, but changed my career because I lost interest, but when you come out with a new video, I always immediately watch it. The way you talk about these subjects can educate people who are not familiar with schizophrenia in an engaging way, and at the same time help people going through these problems by representing them and making them feel being seen.
@@camagu9201 I just realized I love other things a lot more than psychology. If you're gonna be a psychologist you should be passionate about it, and I wasn't really
Hi Lauren. Thank you for your courage and frankness in your videos! The image in my mind for people with schizophrenia-spectrum is a person who can't function at all, often homeless, unable to hold a job, maintain hygiene, and in need of care. Part of this is from working in care facilities, and people are usually in that state by the time I see them. Thank you for blowing that idea out of the water!!! Certainly not someone who can function as well as you. I love learning to see people differently. I'm in school getting a CADC degree, and specializing in people with addiction and mental illness, and these videos are an amazing resource. God/dess bless you in your healing journey. I know that sounds cliché, but I truly mean it. Thank you for being an amazing guide.
My son, a schizophrenic, sadly passed from an overdose. He struggled for years..... He refused all treatment. In his world, he was ok. He wasn't an addict. I wish I found you prior to his death. Am glad you are doing these series. You are helping a lot of people. Keep up the good work.
I'm so sorry for your loss. If you don't mind me asking, what would you have done different? My son is 24, schizoaffective disorder, he has been off drugs for 7 months and 4 days ago he started shooting up meth. I am so lost, I don't know what to do. He blames everything on me and told me if I marchman act him, I will be sorry because he said, "I promise you, i will be on the news, cause I will murder someone."
@@mjmartinez3244 you need to find out if you can involuntarily committ him. I don’t know which state you live in but some of them will send a paddy wagon and pick him up. I couldn’t do that. I’m in NY. They will only pick someone up here if he is a harm to himself or someone else. You may need a gun. I took up jui jitsu and got a gun. I’m so sorry you’re living through this.
Thank you so much for sharing your vulnerability and providing hope for fellow sufferers. I just want to note that it might not always be the best idea for someone to comment on another's addiction, especially given that addicts very often are already burdened by the knowledge that they are harming themselves (and maybe others). Holding up a mirror to someone who is suffering from addiction can exasperate the guilt and shame and result in the person distancing themselves from you, which would ultimately be harmful for them, given that addicts are prone to self-isolation anyway.
I am really glad that you shared your addiction issues publicly. I was nervous about doing the same on my channel. The more we talk about dual diagnosis, the more people can be educated to how difficult it is
I live with BiPolar disorder, and I have for my adult life. Much of your mental health development parallels that of my own. Even more than the clinical parts, the way you describe how you felt through your journey resonate with me. Thank you for stories, and your very personal descriptions.
This lady is so well spoken, so beautiful, so sweet. Probably many other very positive things too. She may be afflicted, but aren’t we all? By something? I want to encourage you if you are reading this! You rock!
This was a gem to come across. Even though I don't personally struggle with Schizophrenia (as far as I know) much of what you shared applies to nearly anyone and everyone seeking to better understand their mental health struggles in their lives. Thank you for that. Your honesty and vulnerability is refreshing and inspiring. Subbed
Hi Lauren, I'm 44 years old and after watching your videos, I finally know what is going on with me and I can explain it to my family. I've been going to therapy for about 14 years and not one time had any of my therapists mentioned Schizophrenia, even after telling them that I am exhibiting signs. I have lots to learn and I'm very happy you are making these videos for me and others with the same challenges. Thanks SO much!!!
I’m so grateful for everything you put out here. Thank you brave girl. This channel has helped me with the people I love with mental illness. It runs like a racehorse throughout my family. Love you so much and thank you.❤️
Thanks to Lauren , acceptance amongst public is growing.Her warm , compassionate personality is a light that shines on us. : ) Let me share a little poem with you : " I'm sitting here quietly , doing nothing and look ! .... The grass grows by itself ."
Hi Lauren, I don’t have a serious mental illness but I do relate to what you shared. Also, thank you for having the courage to share your experiences. I am a high school health educator and we talk about everything in this video. Blessings to you.
I watch another RU-vidr who does mental health videos. One of my favorite things she has done was film herself during an episode of bi polar, both mania and depression to really show people what she goes through. It was very insightful and educational. I loved seeing both sides of her life and how she recovers and is able to carry herself outside of her illness. I know this might sound uncomfortable and invasive but if you think you would be capable of doing that I think it would be very beneficial to your viewers from an educational standpoint. And it would help everyone see why it's so important to stay calm and have compassion with someone who is in an episode.
Thank you so much, I feel comfortable and learnt things that I wasnt aware. Your channel really helps me with learning more about schizophrenia. Thank you once again 💛💛💛
Lauren, you are so courageous in sharing your personal story. I know it must have been extremely difficult to be so candid, but I also know that in doing so, you are helping many people with their own struggles towards healing. My hat is off to you, and my heart goes out to you and to everyone else facing similar challenges. All the best to you along your journey towards wholeness!
Someone told me once that eating disorders are about control more than anything. I’ve had periods where I struggle with disordered eating and have seen that in myself as well. Maybe that’s true for you but thank you for sharing!! This was such a vulnerable video to make, so many people will benefit from your bravery in talking about thai
it takes so much strength to share these parts of your life and it will help many - it's great that you're self aware I think this is the first step to getting help either reaching out or helping yourself. Thank you for this content, Lauren 💜
Thank you for posting consistently great content. I am a big fan of the channel. I have bipolar disorder and have also used restrictive ED behaviours in the past after hospitalizations with psychotic episodes to get a sense that there is at least one aspect of my life that I can fully control. When you have had to stick to the daily ward schedule, medication regime and constantly respond to questions regarding your mental state for some time it becomes important to have one thing, which is truly yours to decide - even if it's unhealty secretive meal-skipping and purging.
The first problematic coping mechanism I recall in my life was pulling out my hair. It progressed to addiction stuff, for sure...almost 4 years sober now...
For me, it is usually my eating disorder. I feel like it brings me out of psychosis in the hospital and ends up getting me a release when I am not really better- but only soothed by my ED. Then I get out and can't do better in the longterm, so I end up back in crisis.
I could hear in your voice how hard it was for you to explain this and share this next piece of your story, thank you for trusting us enough to share something hard.
This is one of the best channels on RU-vid. You are so articulate and helpful for anyone watching your videos. Thanks you for having the courage and grace to share your journey. Bravo.
Madame, you are a stigma-buster superheroine! You have no idea what this video means to me as someone chronically struggling with substance abuse. I am not schizophrenic, but I believe my grandma had schizophrenia but was not diagnosed, or the diagnosis was concealed in the family -- she is instead castigated as an "addict," saddled with shame. I dislike how a lot of health professionals further the stigma of shame by moralizing people who struggle with addiction, basically treating us like we are all terrible people. It prevents people from being open, getting the support and help they truly need, and just being seen as a human being which is critical for the confidence to heal, grow, and be the best we can be. This was a brave video I wish all psychology students and other professionals would see.
Considering that having a mental illness is stressful in itself and often gets in the way of hopes, dreams career and education, it's not surprising that addiction can become a way of coping with all of this! I think too boredom can be a factor in all of this, better to be focusing attention and energy, if possible, on some kind of goal we want to achieve.
There’s a huge problem where I live with a large homeless population, many of whom are addicts. However, a significant amount of these people I encounter on a regular basis also seem like they’re in some sort of dissociative episode, but it’s hard for me as a bystander to know. I also don’t feel I can talk to them or help them because they’re so mentally gone. So this video is incredibly helpful in just having some understanding of what may be going on. Thank you for sharing!
Lauren, you are simply amazing. I learn so much from you about mental health, but your courage and compassion and wisdom just bowl me over. I wonder how many people you are literally saving by sharing and teaching as you do. You are truly a Godsend. Much respect and thanks.
I felt alone fighting my mental illness until I stumbled upon this channel. Sometimes those us, family or friends, struggle how to help as our symptoms can push them away.
2:00-2:06 is exactly the same that my psychiatrist told me, when I was first diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. Lauren&Rob: Your channel is the only one I allow to send me notifications. :)
Unfortunately I'm a workaholic and I suffer from burnout syndrome. It's awful, it drains all of my strength, but like Lauren said, those who work a lot is praised and is well seen by society. It's really hard to heal from this addiction..
You deliver every message so openly, vulnerably, inspirationally and genuinely. I hope you’re able to post these knowing that you are really touching people, and are a wordsmith for people to be able to advocate for themselves. You (and your partner- we see you putting in your work too!) make it easier for people to get help simply by helping people put these experiences and feelings into succinct wording. I personally don’t have experience with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder but I resonate so much with your content and mission. Truly amazing work you’re doing❤️ To that end- I’ve struggled with spending and technology to cope and it was eye-opening to hear you speak to your experience with spending. Spending is a hard one because it’s easy to justify what you buy as “useful” (at least for me) but it’s really clutter. Thanks for your openness:)
