Managing Schizophrenia in Paris

 

Managing Schizophrenia in Paris

Schizophrenia Bulletin,sbaf129,

https://doi.org/10.093/schul/sbaf129

Published: 13 August 2025

            I enjoy going on vacation especially when it is out of the country. Vacations can create stressors like tiredness. Just being away from the norms in your life can be a stressor. Also traveling to your destination can be stressful enough. I realize I might need different distractions to help me travel to my vacation spot. The distractions from artwork to the attractions in Paris can help me get through the vacation. These sights can help me get lost in the moment and help me manage my schizophrenia.

I might have been experiencing stress from the anticipation of a trip to Paris with my parents. The stressors may have caused hallucinations that lasted longer than my usual shadowy figures and images that only last a blink of an eye.

            Some days before the trip, I was just waking up and my eyes were adjusting to the light. I saw a figure in my bedroom just staring at me. It seemed real and it lasted so long I thought I had forgotten to lock my front door last night. It was more pronounced than my usual hallucinations, but I still realized I was alone. I experienced these stressors because I knew I would not be in my daily routine.

            We were flying to Atlanta, one of the biggest airports in the world. From Atlanta we flew to Paris, France. I was glad I was not alone but with my parents. They were a great support system, and we loved to hangout with each other.

            One thing I was looking forward to besides landing in Paris was the movies on the plane. On the plane I watched a Quentin Tarantino movie and also a heart wrenching comedy I had not seen in awhile. I was distracted by the movies, instead of the slow second hand on my wristwatch. My parents were trying their best to get comfortable so they could get some z’s. I had to admit I would have loved to stretch out for a nap.

            Tiredness was a trigger which was not creating visual hallucinations but I for some reason was suspicious towards the other travelers on the plane. I thought I heard one say, “That is Jason, he is not a flight risk.”

            After that voice that seemed real, I figured no more gangster movies that might be a trigger. Although it was a long trip to Paris, the flight went smoothly. It was just extraordinarily long.

            At one point I had to get out of my seat. My back was hurting so I walked the aisles. My legs felt weak which could have been a side effect of my psych meds that I had taken about an hour before. I was off the routine of taking my medication, but I still took them.

            We finally arrived in Paris, and we were herded like cattle to show our passports. Nowadays there is facial recognition for security. My picture on my passport looks quite different from how I look now. I thought it might be an issue. It was not.

            One day in Paris, we went to the Louvre. There was the iconic sculpture of Venus de Milo, and of course the painting everyone knows Mona Lisa, as well as other works of art that I had only seen in pictures before.

            The tour guide was a little intense. He had a thick French accent and tried his best to seem smart by adding some philosophy to his descriptions. I just wanted to hear about the artwork. I was just showing how little I knew about art. I did my best to pay attention. He would see me trying to understand so he glared at me until I broke eye contact so I would not feel uncomfortable. After my parents and I saw the Mona Lisa, we decided to leave early.

            In some of the restaurants where we ate, I felt suspicion towards the waiters and the patrons. I thought the waiter gave me a sly smile like he purposely overcharged me. I thought he might have thought he tricked a stupid American.

            Other times I thought the patrons were staring at me, because I thought they knew me from my first-person accounts which have been published in multiple sources. They never said anything, so I thought it was a delusion, or they found out I was really not that smart.

            Another day, my dad and I went on an adventure. The Eiffel Tower showed herself. It was an impressive work of art that a person must see face to face. Taking a picture of the tower would not do it justice. It was beautiful, and at that moment, I was inspired, and, in that moment, I did not feel like I had schizophrenia at all.

            I do not know much about art, but I know what I like. I like supporting the artists on the street trying to sale their gifts on canvas. I have watercolor paintings of Florence, Italy sights and the Amalfi coast. I call it my Italy corner. We might have walls around us, but we can still decorate them.

            Mom made a reservation for lunch on the Siene River. We were served champagne and wine. It was the first time I had Chardanay. When you empty your wine glass the waiter immediately pours you more wine. I was introduced to the “wave off” which meant not now, later. I started drinking bottled water and ate some French bread.

            “You drink red wine with cheese, No?”

            The cheese came and I had a little glass of wine.

            After all that water, wine, and champagne, along with the side effects of extreme thirst from my psych meds, I had to use the restroom. I followed the restroom signs downstairs. When I went back upstairs, I saw a young woman. Honestly, I thought it looked like the young lady I saw in my bedroom a couple of days before. When I am unsure about symptoms like this, I do my best not to react to them. However, I did do a double take. During my last glance she was still there. I concluded, since I did not react to this sight, I figured I was just like anyone else on board the boat.

            I got lost up the stairs and did not know exactly where my parents were sitting. I walked one way then turned around. I noticed a server that was working in the section where I was sitting with my parents and finally found them. All the wine I had consumed did not help much.

            Back in my hotel room, I wondered about the dark skin young lady. The one I saw on the steps coming back from the restroom. I was glad I did not react dramatically. It is essential for me not to react to a delusion. Even on vacation, managing my schizophrenia such as watching movies, enjoying artwork, or seeing the architecture on the Sienne River can be a good distraction. I am thankful my parents were there with me to enjoy the sights and Paris culture.

I hope there will be more vacations like our trip to Paris. Experiencing other cultures is one of my favorite pastimes. I will always need someone to accompany me to help to give me the support I may need, but it is reassuring to know that I can travel and experience a normal life.