Schizophrenia and Clairvoyance
By barbarella
@barbarella (354)
December 19, 2006 9:45am CST
I have noticed that there are quite a few psychics on here offering readings. I have had a few psychic readings in the past and spoken to psychics about how they receive their information and I have also studied psychology. It has occurred to me that there are quite a few similarities between the experiences of schizophrenics and psychics and I wonder if perhaps it is the same thing, the difference being the explanation attached to the experience. By this I mean that a schizophrenic has no way to explain the internal phenomena and so develops delusions to account for them while a psychic is having the same experience but has a belief system which explains it. I would be interested to hear other people's thoughts on this, in particular those of anyone who has had either psychic or schizophrenic experiences.
Just as an aid the DSM IV criteria for schizophrenia are as follows:
A)2 or more of the following:
-delusions
-hallucinations
-disorganised speech
-grossly disorganised behaviour or catatonic behaviour
-negative symptoms i.e. affective flattening, alogia (lack or decline in speech), or avolition (lack or decline in motivation).
B)Social/Occupational dysfunction
C)Duration - continuous symptoms for at least 6 months.
4 people like this
15 responses
@SerpentsTongue (67)
• United States
19 Dec 06
I think the key difference is the criteria of social and occupational dysfunctioning. Schizophrenics tend to have delusions and hallucinations that are frightening and lead to violence to self or others. Psychics have altered states of consciousness that do not cause dysfunction. The key difference being one is a hallucination or delusion and the other is not. Whether the process in the brain is similar or not is a moot point. Psychics do not have the dysfunction. Why fix what is not broken? Just my humble two cents. I also have a degree in psychology and am pagan and believe in psychics and divination.
1 person likes this
@ESKARENA1 (18261)
•
19 Dec 06
im a psychic but as far as i can see what we term schizophrenia is a collection of symptoms and/or a behaivour pattern that we have no other label for. For example if i speak to god im devout, if god speaks to me im a schizophrenic
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@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
19 Dec 06
"Schizophrenics tend to have delusions and hallucinations that are frightening and lead to violence to self or others. Psychics have altered states of consciousness that do not cause dysfunction. The key difference being one is a hallucination or delusion and the other is not"
very good and key point! I honestly think that ppl put too much stock in the DSM...its a very good guideline IMO BUT there are often other factors that come into play that ppl generally tend to not pay mind to if that makes sense..
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@barbarella (354)
•
19 Dec 06
That is not strictly true. Schizophrenics very infrequently harm others it is just that there is very high publicity when they do, statistically though, they are no more likely to do so than the next person.
I think that what you have said about one being delusional and the other not is really what I am questioning. Could it be that these are people who have psychic ability but do not recognise it as such and so become delusional as a result?
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@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
19 Dec 06
Unfortunately the DSM IV isnt exactly a reliable thing...I've studied it myself as well as psychology, particularly abnormal psych since its the one that affects me the most and actually after having my psych eval with my therapist we got to talkin about it...the thing with the DSM is its a guideline yes, but only a loose one..I am VERY in tune with my 6th sense/psychic self....yes I have mental disorders BUT I'm not schizophrenic nor am I delusional (in fact quite the opposite)...
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@barbarella (354)
•
19 Dec 06
Thanks, you are right about the DSM IV - I just put it up as the most convenient guideline but in fact schizophrenia is such an umbrella term now that it is flung at any disorder remotely psychotic.
Do you think that your mental disorders and psychic sensitivity are related in any way? Do you mind me asking what mental disorders you suffer from and if you have any hallucinations or altered perceptions which are similar to psychic perception?
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@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
20 Dec 06
"Do you think that your mental disorders and psychic sensitivity are related in any way? Do you mind me asking what mental disorders you suffer from and if you have any hallucinations or altered perceptions which are similar to psychic perception?"
YES I MIND!! ;-) just kidding, no I dont mind at all..No I dont think my disorders are connected to my psychic me at all but I do feel that the CAUSE of my disorders are. I've been dealing with PTSD since i was a kid, I've also been diagnosed with Borderline Personality and there was one other one but for the life of me I cant remember what it was LOL mind you I've only been awake for 20 mins so my brain isnt functioning yet ;-) As far as hallucinations goes, I dont have them....but I have an interesting story about my uncle who did have them due to a tumour on his brain..But first COFFEE...
1 person likes this
@Nebulum (1)
• Milwaukee, Wisconsin
23 Oct 13
@Ravenladyj You didn't finish the story about your uncle. Your story will help me on my journey. Please consider finishing it for my sake =O
@chiquita1977 (1706)
• United States
20 Dec 06
schizophrenia and clarovoyance are totaly different and i do not think they should be associated with each other in any way they may seem to be similar but they are deffinatly not.schizophrenia is a mental illness that can be controlled with proper medications and i believe saying you are a claravoyant is just a story i personally do not believe anyone can have physic powers or see the future if they could life would be alot easier than it is now so i do not believe their is a connection between the two.
1 person likes this
@nobodyspecial (1011)
• United States
19 Dec 06
The differences between schizophrnia and Extra Sensory Perception are more and less than one might think...
A schizophrenic may be treated reducing the condition in whole or part, where as a person with extra sensory perception can not.
The ESP person does not display the symptoms of schizophrenia on a continual basis...with or without medications.
Everyone at some point has had a 'gut feeling' one that reliably lead them to the outcome...it is claimed that that 'gut feeling' is a form of ESP.
'Physics' are able to maintain employment, relationships as most of us do...schizophrenics have not been able to do so without continual medication and sometimes not able to even with medication.
The DMV IV is a guideline, it satisfies our need to label things...and to seek out solutions to some.
1 person likes this
@SageMother (2277)
• United States
19 Dec 06
Using one's sixth sense and being schizophrenic are two different things. Each person receives their information differently and, if you took some time, you could develop your own abilities to sense things that are unseen at the physical level.
Have you ever walked into an empty room and knew someone had just been there even if there was no actual physical evidence of the event, then had it confirmed later? Have you ever known friends that were good at using their intuition? That is the same skill a psychic uses, and yes, it is a skill.
Those who have the "gift" and leave it undeveloped are just as psychically blind as anyone else. It is not the disorganized patterns of a schizophrenic. For that matter, it isn't actually a "gift". It ia a natural part of being aware of the world around you, just more aware than others, and processing that information quicker than others.
@hac707 (162)
• Pakistan
19 Dec 06
The discussion here is very informative I think that you prople must have read the research papers that had been issued by The Royal Institute of Psychiatrists and by The National Institute of Mental Heaslth. these are very informative and descriptive papers regarding Schizophrenia. Other than this I would like to add one more thing that my elder sister is a patient of Schizophrenia and I have very keenly observe her behavior, these papers describe the whole situation, therefore it is not necessary for me to write more.
Take Care.
1 person likes this
@Victoria7 (1240)
• Spain
4 Feb 07
I think schizophrenics experience random phenomena, ie random thoughts and random things might be spoken, all because of the illness. But a psychic might say something which makes sense to the person she or he is treating and might come true. I think it is the randomness which is different. I am a professional tarot card reader (100% success rate) but know little about schizophrenia so perhaps my answer isn´t correct.
@remaster74 (4064)
• Greece
20 Dec 06
I think it is different the one with the other. But I don't think a lot of psychics exist. There are few of them and they really are hard to find. Psychology has nothing to do with psychics, though!
@sumathishetra (1178)
• India
19 Dec 06
ya i read your post and even i have heard and i have been told by someone about my future and past with the help of clairvoyance and schizophrenia and as far as it is concerned with my past i feel it is right and i personally believe in that art of talent. and that is true.
@remowus (9)
• United States
19 Dec 06
Let's see. How does that go? There is a thin line between genius and crazyness? Is this the same thing ?
I think there's alot of argument about this.
Is there a lot of similarites between schizo's and psychics?
Is it a breakdown of the filtering systems in the brain?
That's my vote. You need your oil changed. HAHA!
See, I can be funny at times.
But really, I think its a breakdown of the filtering systems in the brain.
More on this if there is some interest.
@barbarella (354)
•
19 Dec 06
You may well be right. That is how Aldous Huxley described the mescaline experience.
