Interacting with schizophrenia

Thanks for your post last night @Appleblossom. It's great to talk with you.

I just seem to shut down any connection with people.

I need to engage the brain. This involves using the senses in conversations.

I have found it very difficult as I could be "nice" "polite" and "helpful", but did not how to relate in a relaxed social manner or pitch the right kind of relaxedness to the right person.

Too many things that I had experienced were problematic, and so I have learned to be more careful about self revealing.

Mind you lots of people just spout off the most ridiculous stuff and they think that is alright, but over the years I keep trying and doing research every now and then. I am a bit aspie-like, and I had a good night tonight. That is 3 GOOD christmas parties in a week. I cant believe it. I am thrilled. I have never really experienced that before in my life and I am 58. Always dreaded the breaks and parties. Maybe it is a skill that can be learned, and I am getting the hang of it at last, or maybe gradually people are getting used to me.

Good Luck with it. @Everan

I'm glad you had a good time at the three gatherings @Appleblossom. It helps to hear relating in a relaxed way and to the right person. Thanks for sharing this and being such a support.

I've been wanting to get this sorted. It takes time to get used to it. As i learn these tips i need to go outside and work my way through it. It's a hard battle but i know now that it is better than feeling bad and doing nothing.

Another thing that helped me was realising that so many people expressed without caring at all how they were received. Another lady fairly sohpsiticated, recently thsnked me for listening to her clap trap.... It helped me be easier on myself about misjudging ... and not being overly controlled. Some people will get you more than others ... we cant always tell who that might be ... that is the reality of a diverse community ...

At moment watching a doco on David Bowie. I did not realise he had so much schizophrenia in his family ... it made sense of his extreme showmanship ...

Yes a diverse community. Well said @Appleblossom. I appreciate were all different. Also caring for how it is received may help get my message across better.

Now I am interested in how to not being controlled from what you said. Also, learning how to set up boundaries with people.

Accepting reality is really hard and important for me. I guess part of where i’m at is insisting I get my way with schizophrenia leading to frustration instead of trying to be more a part of the interaction and learn about other people’s perspective.

Thanks for listening.

Its all learning @Everan

Hi @Bunniekins & @Loneliness

I am at the very beginning of saying "no" in my life. lol Trying to find little ways of standing up for me without it getting tetchy. Noticing how many people feel comfortable straight out contradicting me to my face, without any evidence to support what they say. Taking a step back from them, but not magnifying it, and being more vocal in putting MYSELF out there.

I just tagged you to a christmas thread. I hope you dont mind.

@Appleblossom Wow! good on you :D! I too am in the process of preparing myself to 'put myself out there' :). It is hard isn't. I am so used to sitting quietly and ignoring or rising above it .... maybe I should get a little bit more vocal although sometimes ignoring drives 'them' crazier then giving them a reaction lol.

Singing in choirs has been building up my vocal muscle ... lol

when I joined my writing group ... they used to say "speak up" because my voice sat in a low quiet register.

7 years later, at the christmas party I worried I had been too loud. lol ... that had never been a problem in the past. A lady from the group who had caused a lot of trouble for me had finally left and gone overseas. On reflection tho I did not like the shrillness in my voice that comes out now and then ... maybe its just an overcorrection and my voice will settle, but still be heard ??

I started writing on forum, as I felt more comfortable with typing and written word than spoken word.

I can now see why it's important to get out there @Appleblossom, @Loneliness, @Bunniekins.

I will feel better when i connect with people. I was about to have some good talks today at a Christmas lunch. Last night, however, i felt very excluded. I put on a good front but i reality i need to deal with some crazy thoughts.

It's very nice to have been supported from you. Thanks 🙂

I needed to write some more things down on this thread.

I don’t have regular thoughts. I practice the irrational habit of trying to block my mind to avoid dealing with the reality of the situation.

I think in isolation of other people. I do this when i need to have friendly contact with other people.

I am trying to overcome thoughts that don't function in check with reality.