Beyond the Voices: Navigating Residual Schizophrenia

person in hat in fire performance at night

Beyond the voices: navigating residual schizophrenia is less threatening than active schizophrenia.

I haven’t heard voices or had delusions since the beginning of summer (’24). Don’t know why they stopped. Don’t care to know. Just glad there gone for now.

Will I get them back? Don’t know. I feel so less restricted and a less feeling like there is many people inside of one body. I’m also tired of seeing things that aren’t there.

It is tiresome to say the least. Battling to regain control of my mind. Too many people in my head. I want them out. For now, they are. But what happens in the next minute…?

Residual schizophrenia definition is a phase of schizophrenia where a patient has held a psychotic episode in the past.

But you no longer experiences the more intense symptoms like hallucinations and delusions.

Instead, they experience negative symptoms, like lack of motivation, or milder positive symptoms, like unusual beliefs.

Causes of Residual Schizophrenia

Beyond the voices: navigating residual schizophrenia is less stressful. Subsequently, residual schizophrenia is a complex disorder with many possible causes, including:

Genetics

Altogether, a family history of schizophrenia is a risk factor, with people having a parent or sibling with the condition being six times more likely to develop it.

Bingo! I remember sitting at the kitchen table watching my mother talk to no one there and noding her ahead as if in agreement. Sad times, it got even sadder when I started doing it.

Brain Structure

Changes to the brain’s structure and function can alter neurotransmitter interactions, leading to psychotic episodes and schizophrenia.

Environmental Factors

Exposure to stress, trauma, viruses, and poverty can increase the risk of developing schizophrenia. I was exposed to childhood trauma through constant bullying at school.

All through school, the stress was intensive. Constant negative comments made to me and around me.

Substance Abuse

Using mind-altering drugs like ecstasy or PCP can increase the risk of developing schizophrenia, especially during adolescence.

Pregnancy and Birth Complications

Another key point, malnutrition, exposure to toxins, and viruses during pregnancy can increase the risk of schizophrenia in a child.

Parent’s Age

The age of the parents can also be a factor, with first children born to younger or older parents being more likely to develop schizophrenia.

All things considered, other factors that may play a role include lifestyle choices.

Residual Schizophrenia Symptoms

Beyond the voices: navigating residual schizophrenia symptoms is easier.

Accordingly, residual schizophrenia is characterized by the presence of certain symptoms that persist after the more acute phases of the disorder have subsided.

Some Common Residual Symptoms Include:

Affective Flattening: Firstly, reduced emotional expression and responsiveness.
Alogia: Limited speech output or poverty of speech, reflecting a decrease in thought productivity.
Anhedonia: Inability to experience pleasure or interest in activities once enjoyed. I lost that a long time ago.
Social Withdrawal: Fourthly, difficulty in forming or maintaining social relationships, leading to isolation. I isolated myself about 2 years ago. I don’t like being around anyone.
Cognitive Impairments: Issues with attention, memory, and executive function. I’m feeling that today. I have trouble how to spell simple words and my mind wonders while trying to focus on writing these posts.
Odd or Eccentric Behavior: Additionally, unusual or peculiar behaviors that may not align with social norms. I ask you this: “what the heck is social norms?” It’s different for everyone.
Neglect of Personal Hygiene: Decreased self-care and grooming.
Reduced Motivation: In addition, lack of initiative or drive to engage in daily activities. I sit in my room doing these posts. That’s about the only motivation I have. Most days I’m too tired (and sore due to Parkinson’s) to do anything else.
Subtle Hallucinations: Mild or less intense auditory or visual hallucinations that may still occur.
Delusional Thoughts: Lastly, persistent but less intense delusions that do not dominate the individual’s thoughts.

How Long Does the Residual Phase of Schizophrenia Last?

The residual phase of schizophrenia can last for weeks, months, or years. The length of the residual phase depends on how quickly a person seeks treatment.

The residual phase is the third stage of schizophrenia, and it occurs after a person has stopped having psychotic episodes but still experiences negative symptoms.

Although a person’s symptoms may improve, schizophrenia is a permanent condition and positive symptoms can return.

The three stages of schizophrenia (prodromal, active, and residual) usually occur in order and repeat themselves, but the experience is highly individualized.

Something to look forward to. Of course, I know this. Sorry, I have such a negative attitude today. I’m tired and sore.

What Causes Schizophrenia Flare-Ups?

Beyond the voices: navigating residual schizophrenia flare-ups are a lot better.

For me, my flare-ups would start whenever. Sometimes, I would be at my lowest with the depression, or manic from the bipolar.

Sometimes I would be under a lot of stress, emotionally or physically. I tried to keep my stress level down, but that is difficult when you’re tapped out, especially emotionally.

I’m into the stage with the Parkinson’s Disease where every muscle and joint in my body starts hurting. So not letting stress affect me is pretty hard.

I try my best, but some days you just have to say “f*ck it!” Today is one of those days. I am thankful, I’m not experiencing any voices or seeing things that aren’t there.

It’s like living in a tunnel. You hear every echo and see every shadow, but then again, they don’t exist. What are you going to do!

What is the Most Common Cause of Schizophrenia Relapse?

My most common cause of relapse is from stress. When I’m under a lot of stress, that can trigger the schizophrenia.

I’ve been more layed back since summer began, so I believe that’s why I haven’t had any episodes lately. But my stress has been increasing with the pain.

So, who knows when I’ll relapse. Could be any day. Not something I look forward to. Basically, I’m helpless to stop it. I’m sorry, I’m going to cry.

I haven’t been this depressed in several months. I’m not suicidal, thank God. Back to the schizophrenia. When I relapse, I hope I’m living by myself by then.

Because I don’t want any one to see me go thhrough it. It’s embarassing and stressful. I especially don’t want my family to see it. I don’t want anyone to see me.

What is the Emotional State of a Residual Schizophrenic Person?

Emotional state? My stress is less than in the active stage. Less hallucinations and delusions. I’m not widely acting out like someone is trying to kill me like in active stage.

I may hear or see things, but they don’t particularly concern me. I know that sounds irrational. The delusions are less severe, so I’m not to worried about ’em.

Consequently, the less worried about them I am, the less impact they have on my emotional state. I wish I could go through the stages once and that was it.

Certainly, I would stay in residual stage if I had a choice. I took a break and just now came back. Figured why I was so tired. I didn’t take the Cymbalta (antidepressant) this morning.

I am 100% better now that I’ve taken it. Now continuing on with residual schizophrenia. Speaking of meds, the Olanzapine I take for schizo is helping me.

I mean in the sense that I’m not having continuous delusions. As I have said, I haven’t had any since the beginning of summer.

What Does a Schizophrenic Meltdown Look Like?

Beyond the voices: navigating residual schizophrenia with some meltdowns.

Getting taken away by police in handcuffs. That was when I had a schizophrenic meltdown. I was suicidal, but manic and running around the city that I lived in.

I had called my therapist and she told me to come into her office. So, I did and I was ambushed by the police and paramedics. I fought with them and lost.

I was handcuffed and literally was thrown in the back of the ambulance. Never, ever forget that day. By the way, her office was a couple of blocks from where I lived.

So was the hospital I stayed at. I had already been there plenty of times before because it was the only hospital near by that had a mental health unit.

Beyond the voices: navigating residual schizophrenia What Worsens Schizophrenia?

Beyond the voices: navigating residual schizophrenia is easier with less stress. I believe one of the things that worsens schizophrenia is stress.

The more stress, the worse the hallucinations and delusions. Makes sense, doesn’t it?

I mean there are other things such as if your put on a med that makes it worse. I’ve had that happen to me. I can’t remember what the med was, but it did make it worse.

What else? Oh, lack of sleep, definitely. I can vouch for that. I’ve had many sleepless nights and was having delusions at the same time.

My delusions are along the lines that somebody is either out to hurt me or annoy me. They always parallel that way. When I proof it’s not true, that’s when the delusion ends.

Medical risks makes it worse. People with schizophrenia are at an increased risk for medical conditions like diabetes. Just got diagnosed with diabetes and anemia.

What Calms a Schizophrenic?

Someone who will intently listen to you and not judge you for your shortcomings. They’ll listen to all the stories you have to tell and just smile.

I’ve learned not to share my stories anymore because I get judged as being schizophrenic. In my book, being one and being told you’re one constantly is not ok.

Some of the short acting meds do help, but I don’t believe in solely leaning on meds. If you don’t have anyone to talk to (like me), talk to yourself in a journal.

You guys are my form of talk therapy. I speak my mind, you give me comments back. I welcome good or bad. All I ask is that you be honest.

Sum It All Up

Beyond the voices: navigating residual schizophrenia is easier than active schizophrenia.

In summary, I believe I’m in the stage of residual schizophrenia right now. You know what, it doesn’t even feel like that. It just feels like it’s …well… gone.

Kind of like the anxiety, it just disappeared. My mind feels crystal clear. I feel like I have “all of my bearings,” so to speak. Could this really be it or do you think I’m jumping to conclusions?

I’ve never felt this good in a very long time. It started the first day I took the Trazodone (antidepressant). Hence, I was able to do more in one day than I have all year.

I stopped taking the Cymbalta (other antidepressant) yesterday. Apparently, that was the wrong move. I need it, which is fine. Whatever works. Until next time…

Articles About Residual Schizophrenia

-Schizophrenic Test

https://psychcentral.com/quizzes/schizophrenia-test

-Phases of Schizophrenia | Prodromal, Active & Residual

https://study.com/academy/lesson/phases-of-schizophrenia-prodromal-active-and-residual.html#:~:text=The%20residual%20phase%20of%20schizophrenia,%2C%20months%2C%20or%20even%20years.

-Residual Schizophrenia: definition, symptoms, and treatments

https://diamondrehabthailand.com/what-is-residual-schizophrenia/

Have a Good One,

Cindee Murphy
“One Voice Hopefully Recovering In Residual Schizophrenia Phase”

“If you hear nothing else today, please hear that there are no schizophrenics. There are people with schizophrenia. And each of these people may be a parent, your sibling, your neighbor, or your colleague. ” – Inspired by Elyn Saks

“There are a number of things that family and friends can do to help a person with schizophrenia. One of the simplest and most effective is to create a positive environment around the person.”– Milt Greek (Mental health advocate and author of Schizophrenia: A Blueprint for Recovery)

“I thought of the voices as… something a little different from aliens. I thought of them more like angels … It’s really my subconscious talking, it was really that… I know that now.”– John Forbes Nash, Jr. (Nobel Prize winning mathematician and subject of the award-winning book and movie A Beautiful Mind)

“At any rate, I have schizophrenia. I am not schizophrenia. I am not my mental illness. My illness is a part of me.”– Jonathan Harnisch, (Novelist, artist, filmmaker and author of Jonathan Harnisch: An Alibiography)