Thread: Schizophrenia + lucid dreaming?

I have a question about lucid dreaming and schizophrenia, so I thought this forum would be a good place to start.

I am a paranoid schizophrenic, but have always been able to lucid dream with little or no effort. I hear this could be because I'm schizophrenic and have a more "active" subconscious than most people. However, I've also read that pursuing deeper levels of lucid dreaming is dangerous for people with schizophrenia. However, I've not been able to find out why.

Do any of you have any information on this? Is is dangerous for me to pursue deeper levels of lucid dreaming than I already have, and if so, why?

Thanks for any help.
--Kate

I wouldn't take anything we say to be pure medical truth but, the argument I've heard is that some schizophrenics tend to confuse waking reality with being a dream. My argument has always been: "Well, if you can't tell reality from dreams then - by definition - you aren't lucid dreaming." But, I don't suffer the condition so I can't give a very informed answer.

read these

And for comedy (I found this during a search): This site makes claims that schizophrenia and lucid dreaming possibly indicate the presence of parallel universes: "If the parallel universes of relativity are the same as those of quantum theory the possibility exists that parallel universes may be extremely close to us, perhaps only atomic dimensions away but perhaps in a higher dimension of space-- an extension into what physicists call superspace. Modern neuroscience through the study of altered states of awareness, schizophrenia, and lucid dreaming could be indications of the closeness of parallel worlds to our own".

While I am in no way certified or trained as a medical or psychiatric professional I have a deep interest in psychology and particularly in developing new strategies to dealing with problems, be they situational or neurological. And apparently The European Science Foundation has the same ideas I'm having. Lucid dreaming may be able to treat psychosis because of the very fact that lucid dreaming is very similar to psychosis. I would be careful and if you start having difficulty differentiating between reality and non-reality (more than usual) then take a step back and reaffirm what is real. I hope you have a center in your life because that would prove very useful. Whether it be a person or event or place. But using reality check techniques would not be a half-bad idea in my opinion so long as you let medical professionals know, people in your life that you use as support or for guidance. But like I said, I'm not a scientist, doctor or clinician. Good luck.

read Lucid Dreaming: Gateway to the Inner Self by robert waggoner. it will teach you to come in contact and learn from your subconsious

I think the best thing anyone can do in your situation is to discuss your concerns with a qualified professional. There's probably little to no risk involved, but it's better to check first when you have a serious mental health issue.

Bad necro is bad.