Hi POS888,
just deleted my reply....damn!
basically, schizophrenia happens when you either do drugs for the first time in your 20's, or are genetically pre-dispositioned or have experienced some kind of assault and were not drugged first.
there are different types - delusional, grandiose, paranoid. doctors say paranoid is the 'worst' and sadly it is what i suffer from. I know I am unwell when symptoms like being overly apologetic and saying sorry alot, giving things away that i may need myself, concern that missing objects are actually stolen...these are the main ones.
delusional schizophrenia symptoms is when you lose touch with reality and what is physically possible. e.g so my friend who is on Centrelink blurts out 'I am going to Germany next week for work' well this is highly unlikely and impracticable given that they have not mentioned this previously, they are unemployed and also have no money. But this is just a brief basic run down to help.
Grandiose is when a person has an inflated sense of importance, symptoms of this one are when people believe they are extra - ordinary maybe above the law altogether. i cant write more on this one without doing some reading. its the one i have least experience with.
which type you have depends on the type of assault you experienced (if assault was the cause). im not confident about how genetics or drug use determine which type you get or have though.
with hope for you I write that you might find it beneficial to make a time each day to sit and focus on what your mental health and stability looks like, write some goals out to help you eg contact mental health line, ring a friend or support worker, research on internet. You might feel more empowered and confident to choose a pastime / career / interest once you have given yourself a set amount of time to work through MH questions and issues each day....rather than let it get the better of you.
hope this helps.
"i think i can" turned into "i knew i could." - Little Engine That Could.
You can do it!
take care
MooWOoHoo