Delusion or Reality

[Veekay]

We know that in Schizophrenia - one lives in a delusional state at times. Psychology has words like delusions and hallucinations to describe these states. In physical world - these are attributed to chemical imbalances in the brain. Is it overactive imagination or some paranormal behaviour?

[escapee]

I can't see how a Schizo would be able to lead a normal and balanced life , work as professional spiritual medium that's helping and touching many ppl life like errr hehe

[The David]

Don't Schizophrenics show signs of brain decay?

Regardless, Schizophrenia has less to do with what you believe, and more to do with why you believe.

[Markus74]

Is it possible to intend and manifest schizophrenia ? And why would you do that?

[wills]

I have often wondered the same thing.

Who is to say that the 'disease' is not actually a hyper-aware state? We are limited by our senses, but perhaps as one ages (so called dementia) or if one is born with a 'special' brain one can observe things that the rest of us cannot.

[Paul C]

Originally Posted by Markus74

Is it possible to intend and manifest schizophrenia ? And why would you do that?

Hmm, I would say that some people are self-loathing. Either on a concious or (more commonly) subconcious level. So yes, some people maybe do inflict schizophrenia upon themselves.

But just because a individual hears or sees something that someone else does not experience themselves, does not make them automatically schizophrenic, either (although, brain decay would be a good sign of it!).

Veekay: "We know that in Schizophrenia - one lives in a delusional state at times."

And to say that some people live within a delusional state at times is an understatement, I would think. Considering how many people live almost completely within their egos.

But, as we know, the human race states most things (if not completely) out of some kind of degree of ignorance, regardless if one subscribes to a purely objective or subjective universe (and a blend of the two as well).

Take for example how the common parents tell their child at bedtime that there is 'no such thing as ghosts' so, nothing to worry about. But really, how would they know for sure? It's only said for quick assurance (and ultimately will mould the childs belief system, therefore making the possibility of seeing a 'ghost' far less likely).

Veekay: "Is it overactive imagination or some paranormal behaviour?"

To answer your question it could be either or, just as likely, be a combination of both imagination (entity taking form of object the observer knows well) and of the paranormal (ethereal creature taking opportunity of observers altered state in which to present itself).

[Sean.M.Connelly]

I'd like to point out that schizophrenia is a huge umbrella term for many different unexplainable behaviors. As humans, we like to label things... but sometimes we forget that just because we label something, doesn't mean that we understand it. Just because we label all mental disorders that we don't understand as "schizophrenia" doesn't mean that all those mental disorders are the same.

I've seen programs on PBS on schizophrenia, and it always amazes me how they group, what I see as radically different problems, into the same umbrella group. I think the problem of schizophrenia is a little more complicated than just one or two actual problems. It seems to be a catch-all label for what could be hundreds/thousands of different problems.

~Sean

[Veekay]

I agree most of us group a variety of mental disorders under one umbrella. What I am curious to know is it something psychic or paranormal - when one has 'delusions' or 'hallucinations'?

[AndyMartin]

You cannot apply the terms "delusions" and "hallucinations" to the "paranormal;" they come from a completely separate ontological perspective. That is, those words are used to discount and judge as abnormal experiences that cannot be explained by strictly empirical methods of analysis.

"Paranormal" indicates acceptance and search for understanding of inexplicable experiences, many of which occur outside the realm of what empirical methods can measure.

So they're both just a way of judging the same experiences as good or bad, and judging others by how they talk about those experiences.

It's sort of funny that if you hear one voice in your head, you're normal, but if you hear more than one you're not. Why is one okay? The biggest delusion is to let yourself be led by a voice in your head that you cannot identify, much less accepting it as your own identity. The real question is why any of us feels the need for external judgment of our experience, as though there is any greater arbiter than our own heart. If we feel we need help because of conditions that we cannot handle on our own, then it's useful to get help. But the label does not give help.

[Paul C]

Originally Posted by AndyMartin

You cannot apply the terms "delusions" and "hallucinations" to the "paranormal;" they come from a completely separate ontological perspective. That is, those words are used to discount and judge as abnormal experiences that cannot be explained by strictly empirical methods of analysis.

"Paranormal" indicates acceptance and search for understanding of inexplicable experiences, many of which occur outside the realm of what empirical methods can measure.

So they're both just a way of judging the same experiences as good or bad, and judging others by how they talk about those experiences.

It's sort of funny that if you hear one voice in your head, you're normal, but if you hear more than one you're not. Why is one okay? The biggest delusion is to let yourself be led by a voice in your head that you cannot identify, much less accepting it as your own identity. The real question is why any of us feels the need for external judgment of our experience, as though there is any greater arbiter than our own heart. If we feel we need help because of conditions that we cannot handle on our own, then it's useful to get help. But the label does not give help.

Well said. Especially about the contradiction of voices within the head. It's funny how 'majority' usually translates to 'normal'.

[Veekay]

Very well explained - Andy.