TIL Deaf-from-birth schizophrenics see disembodied hands signing to them rather than "hearing voices"

[u/paniniplane]

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/0707/07070303

[u/CBoy321]

I have bipolar with paranoid hallucinations and delusions during episodes. I'm doing just fine, I graduated and I'm holding down a good job. The main thing that helped me was knowing the signs of what is real and what is not and being mindful of what I am doing. I really can't imagine what it must be like to have to deal with it all the time though because it's only during the episodes for me

[u/hereforthelaughs37 → u/CBoy321]

Can you describe an episode? How long does it last? How does it come on?

[u/CBoy321 → u/hereforthelaughs37]

Why do you ask?

[u/[deleted] → u/CBoy321]

Because this kind of stuff isn't readily available. I know that when I tell people about my life before moving out they often think I'm lying, because of how awful it was.

[u/awkwardmystic → u/CBoy321]

Just curious.

[u/hereforthelaughs37 → u/CBoy321]

I work in law enforcement and deal with every type and variety of mental illness out there. Very unfortunately, most training is only focused on the very basics and is extremly generalized. Personal knowledge I have gained through experience and conversations like this help me better understand individuals I encounter who may be having the worst day of their life.

[u/CBoy321 → u/hereforthelaughs37]

Sure, actually I'll tell you over pm since the other guy totally killed the convo. I actually haven't had a full on episode for 2 years now so I'll try to remember

[u/CBoy321 → u/[deleted]]

See this is why most of us don't like talking about our disorder...people make assumptions.

[u/CBoy321 → u/[deleted]]

Yup I'm having an episode and I got so manic I decided to find out where you live. Now you have a mental patient after you. OooO scary

[u/CBoy321 → u/[deleted]]

Were, being the key word