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Comment by malbs | Hacker News Reader

My brother has the illness. Every ounce of self-doubt I have, I worry is the beginning manifestation of Schizophrenia in my own mind. It's not a good place to be - that worry that every time you "hear voices", it's some sort of announcement about your own mental state? The worst for me is mishearing people, or muffled conversations, where I fill in the gaps with extremely negative content, causing a downwards spiral in emotion. I'm sure it's nothing, and I'm perfectly normal though.

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What you're describing here could just be compulsive thoughts since you're worried about getting schizophrenia. If you do get it, it will probably be quite obvious, and you are at an advantage since you are already on the alert. Have you considered seeing a therapist about these thoughts?

If you do get it, it will probably be quite obvious

I think I once read that it's common for schizophrenia to damage the part of the brain that enables you to know anything is wrong, so whoever gets schizophrenia is unlikely to be able to figure out they have a problem. That's why most people with schizophrenia are convinced of their delusions rather than having the first instinct of going to a doctor. But that's hearsay, and my memory is a bit hazy on the topic.

It's hard for people who suffer from the disease to understand what's going on and apparently, they need some help from families and friends. Most people do not know when it's right time to visit a therapist and sadly friends are usually too afraid to say: you need some therapy.

Considered, but not with any great seriousness until probably the last 12 months. I'm taking a wait-and-see. I think it's just due to more responsibilities/commitments and you naturally question your actions/motivations/decisions

> If you do get it, it will probably be quite obvious

What? Do you mean "If you do get it, it will probably be quite obvious to those around you"? Given the rest of your sentence, I believe not. You should count yourself out on counseling.

Thanks, but no thanks, GalacticDomin8r. Obviously this was not professional advice, but I have many years of experience both from the inside of the mental health system and from helping others navigate it. I stand by what I just said. A skilled therapist would be able to see things that GP doesn't, so that would act as a counterweight if GP was to ever get sick and unable to see it for himself.

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