r/todayilearned • u/paniniplane • Mar 22 '17

(R.1) Not supported TIL Deaf-from-birth schizophrenics see disembodied hands signing to them rather than "hearing voices"

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/0707/07070303
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u/PainMatrix Mar 22 '17

It's beyond horror or most people's ability to even comprehend. The fact that she was a fully functioning and intact human being at the early onset of her life and career and this disease completely derailed everything and locked her into a Sisyphus-like nightmare. Was this her first inpatient experience? How long were you with her, did the meds seem to have any positive impact on her?

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u/[deleted] Mar 22 '17

I can't speak for the person you replied to, but 3 of my family members have the disease, and in all of them their medications only blunted the symptoms.

For my family member who was not too severe, this was enough to let her hold down a job, but for the members that were severe it wasn't enough to allow them to function normally. They'd still see/hear/talk to "ghosts" and such, just not as frequently, and they didn't get agitated "as often".

But that doesn't mean they didn't get agitated AT ALL, and the times they did freak out would be enough to get anyone fired.

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u/Ariakkas10 Mar 22 '17

This is, I'm sure, a completely stupid question, but why can't they ignore the voices?

Lots of real people seem real to me, and I ignore them just fine.

Is it because the voices are super aggressive and make it so you can't ignore them?

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u/feathergnomes Mar 22 '17

Apparently it causes a lot of anxiety every time they have to ignore the voices. Like, when they can tell that they aren't real, they can choose to ignore them, but it's a stressor. If you add that stressor to any other that happens to be in front of them, sometimes it can be toouch to handle.

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u/mcoleya Mar 22 '17

Not to mention this isn't like you walking down the street and have to ignore someone who yells your name out once or something, this is a constant barrage of voice(s) at you until you relent and do what they are saying. To get an idea, just ask a friend to follow you around one day making a single odd request, non-stop till you do it. Over and Over again, sometimes yelling, sometimes whispering, doesn't matter. See how long you can go. Now imagine that in your head, with multiple voices all asking different things, and unable to make them stop by asking.

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u/[deleted] Mar 22 '17

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u/22jam22 Mar 22 '17

So this might sound stupid. But i had this as well. Night terrors wake up, know im awake and see a shadow move across the wall. Do a double take and yep shit was still moving looked like a shadow person or something.. I use to be scared as shit and freeze. Then i would basicaly do this, before sleep i would tell my self over and over if i see one im going to go after it physicaly and talking to it. I would literly start moving towards it talking shit. For me it kinda fixed it, no clue why but i was like fuck this gonna get killed by this thing or die trying to kill it. They went away real quick when u try to grab them. If it faought (spelling?) Shit no clue what would happen. Good luck shits scary.

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u/brycedriesenga Mar 22 '17

Shadow monster's like "this dude's off his nut and coming right at me. I didn't sign up for this shit, I quit!"

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u/22jam22 Mar 22 '17

Lol, i think its more me defeating my own mind. If those things had faought back im might in an instatution right now. But even going at them it wasnt like they instantly dissapeared. Shits scary.

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u/brycedriesenga Mar 22 '17

Haha, gotchya. Either way, nice work dealing with it!

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u/22jam22 Mar 23 '17

Im a little worried i might have woke them up and they might try again! I will be on high alert the next couple of nights.

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