Mind elaborating on the connection between psychosis and automated behavior control.
Restated, is it possible to develop (eventually automated) ways to “drive people crazy”. Is it possible to use data and algorithms to manipulate someone into losing contact with reality, for instance, or trick them into manifesting schizophrenic symptoms
I don't think so. One of the primary theories of schizophrenia is that the glial cells in the brain are doing too much synaptic pruning. It's more of an organic disorder than say depression or anxiety which is heavily affected by environment.
My youngest brother has schizophrenia, which started when he was 19. He just turned 31, and were it not for his family supporting and caring for him, I'm sure he would be homeless or worse. He's one of the most sensitive, gentle people I have ever known. My wife and others who have gotten to know him would agree. Although he's "stable", thanks to an injection every 3 weeks, he's not going to ever get better. In fact…
Thank you so much for sharing this. My fraternal twin has schizophrenia and was diagnosed at 23. We're 25. I don't have schizophrenia. But his problem is that he refuses to take medication, so not sure where things will end up in the future with him. It's very up and down. One day like yesterday he's hearing voices and talking to himself, then the next day he's sort of normal. Hearing that someone else also has a fam…
Speaking from experience with my brother, it's an uphill battle. Without meds, he can go into a full-blown psychotic/manic episode and every new relapse damages the brain further and makes it harder to come back. With my brother it's especially bad since he doesn't even hear voices, but has delusions of grandeur and gets very confrontational, thinking he is the devil and wants to hurt people. Just recently (a few months ago) he had his third hospitalization, even though he was receiving abilify injections, and this time it took the strongest meds (haldol, leponex) to stabilize him. But sometimes it needs to get worse before it can get better. Try to convince him to take meds or get him on monthly depot injections. For reference, we are in our early thirties.