The Problem: Paranoid Delusions in Schizophrenia:

From 1979 to 1985 I had paranoid-type schizophrenia. This was followed by a two-year period of recovering from the trauma of having been ill. I had to reassure myself that I was not being toyed with telepathically by someone else. By delving into the backstage behind-the-scene workings of my thinking, I was assuring myself that I was in control of my own thinking - that it was only I who was minding my own business - that I really did have a mind of my own. I dreaded the idea that others were using me telepathically and seemed to be threatening to control my thoughts. I was so engulfed with symptoms, I couldn't function. Visual hallucinations, grandiose delusions, a fear of dying and delusions of persecution - I believed that certain people could, and did, know my every thought and that these people were influencing my thinking. Truly believing that my mind was being toyed within such an overpowering manner, an all-embracing paranoia gripped me as though I were mentally paralysed. I looked upon life as though it were a trap.

With a motivation to overcome ill-thinking and false beliefs I learned to recognize and change a bizarre world which had taken a bold and unreserved place in the front rows of my mind. I began my three phases of recovery - Recognize and Identify, Counter-argue, and Replace delusions.

The Solution:

Eliminating Paranoid Delusions in Schizophrenia I reasoned that if some of my thoughts are disturbed, I can use my unaffected mind to think myself well again. Every time I compared reality to a delusion, I found reality to be the very opposite of what the delusional idea was making me believe. It became apparent to me that reality was something to be considered. This pet theory of mine was one I referred to as the "opposite principle." I believe a delusion can be eliminated with its polar opposite; the opposite of delusion is reality, rationality, truth. What a relief it was for me to discover that the opposite of what I thought was real, was in fact real, thereby making me aware of the falsehood of my initial perception.

Recognizing uncertainty (areas of doubt) is the first step to recognizing a delusion. The existence of "doubt" surrounding a delusion allows for reality checks. Doubting is constructive; the delusion is challenged. The question "How?" has been practical in my recovery. I explored how I am subject to others' schemes. To accommodate new evidence, one needs to rationally assess the validity of one's belief -- contradictions between a subjective (internal) belief and objective (external) evidence. To rethink my belief system, I compared the way things really are with what my delusions claimed. As I grilled my false beliefs under the examining light of truth, they failed. Nothing could support them except coincidence or further misinterpretation on my part.

I have hope and confidence that more people with schizophrenia can do better (and deserve better) than to merely learn delusion management/coping skills.

Based on the book, On Second Thought - Eliminating Paranoid Delusions In Schizophrenia ©1998 / 313 pages / 5½X8½" comb bound / ISBN 0-9698637-0-5.

Part 2

04/11/99