Schizophrenia simulation video shows how terrifying the condition can be
Warning: This article contains discussion of self-harm which some readers may find distressing.
Understanding your own mental health conditions can be hard enough, never mind trying to empathize with someone else's.
According to the Worldwide Mental Health Foundation, mental illness affects an estimated 950 million people across the globe.
The likes of depression and anxiety are now more openly spoken about in society, but there's one that still gets less attention - schizophrenia.
Advert
With this mind, a simulation video was created so people could see for themselves what it's like.
See it here:
The illness 'causes psychosis and is associated with considerable disability and may affect all areas of life including personal, family, social, educational, and occupational functioning', says the World Health Organization (WHO), and affects around one in 300 people.
The POV simulation begins with a man walking up to a supermarket.
Immediately, examples of these 'positive symptoms' take place.
Other voices can be heard saying "this is pointless", "even that kid knows you're stupid" and "don't go in there" as the man enters the shop.
Upon entering, more voices say "don't go in there", "nobody cares about you" and "the wine bottles are listening to you".
A mix of insults, paranoia, intrusive thoughts and startling commands from an array of different voices follow as the simulation proceeds.
The video continues with the man leaving the supermarket as the voices speed up in unison telling him to take his own life, "run" and "die".
Upon getting home, a voice can be heard saying "you think you're safe but you're not" while other voices laugh and sing "you're not alone" and "you can't hide".
The video has since been hailed as an 'accurate representation' of what it's like for a schizophrenic and has amassed over a million views.
"I'm a diagnosed schizophrenic and this is a pretty accurate representation of what leaving the house looks like for me, when I stay at home I usually experience less symptoms," one person penned below the YouTube video.
"It's important to note that this is just one of the symptoms schizophrenics may experience during an episode. It's different for everybody but for me, also adding visual hallucinations to it would make it more realistic," they added.
"Schizophrenic here! this is pretty accurate for when I'm having really bad days," echoed a second. "It's not always this bad, but sometimes its worse. my heart goes out to anyone else suffering with this."
Another person went on: "This is the most realistic so far.I've had schizoaffective disorder from about 5 years and this is like when it's severe. You can't control it, you can't run away from it. The only thing that you can do is let them pass but sometimes it's hard not to get angry at yourself for all this stuff."
If you're experiencing distressing thoughts and feelings, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is there to support you. They're open from 5pm–midnight, 365 days a year. Their national number is 0800 58 58 58 and they also have a webchat service if you're not comfortable talking on the phone
Topics: Mental Health, YouTube, Life
Niamh Shackleton