Post: #26

Ok so he is 20 and studies in university with me. He doesn’t smoke or do drugs, he has been doing this less frequently but this morning at 5am I could hear him listening to music and repeating the lyrics like a mad man, but it was still strange. I think the music hypnotises him or something but he doesn’t act like himself when he does it. He listens to hip hop and chants the lyrics but not as they go along, like he will repeat words and slur them which makes him sound possessed e.g. morning morning morning morning

Post: #27

Soooooo, did you pop in and have a laugh at him? He might not even realise he's doing it... or simply doesn't care. But 5am is a little early, you definitely should have confronted him about waking you up!

Post: #28

Maybe he's doing it on purpose so you will think he's weird and you will move out.

Post: #29

Mate you need to actually talk to him instead of avoiding the issue. Then if you need advice, we can steer you in the right direction

Post: #30

Any way you can get a copy of what he's listening to?

Post: #31

(10-09-2018 04:24 AM)Mikestar Wrote:  Ok so he is 20

Someone else mentioned schitzo symptoms. It's typically around that age that the condition tends to manifest. This could be a real possibility.

Post: #32

I don't know what his behavior means but I know you should take it seriously. Twenty years ago I read a book called "The Gift of Fear" which hit upon how often people feel apprehensive then do nothing, and are killed. Most animals simple run when they feel it. Humans talk themselves out of it. A few days ago, a stretch limo/SUV in NY crashed and killed all 18 occupants. At least one texted someone to say, this limo is fucked up. I've heard other occupants did too.

Talk to him and gauge his response. Call his parents if you know them. Or close friends. Don't assume it will go away. You may be in danger, and maybe his people already know he will need help one day.

Post: #33

(10-09-2018 08:55 PM)Rhyme or Reason Wrote:  

(10-09-2018 04:24 AM)Mikestar Wrote:  Ok so he is 20

Someone else mentioned schitzo symptoms. It's typically around that age that the condition tends to manifest. This could be a real possibility.

I agree regarding the appx. age that Rhyme already pointed out. The roommate also seems to be isolating himself, which is not a good sign.

People with schizophrenia lack self awareness, so the roommate is never going to realize that something is not right and that he needs help. Schizophrenics also have a high suicide rate (http://schizophrenia.com/suicide.html#).

I think Mike needs to address this right away, as others already have mentioned. If Mike is dreading having a conversation, he should at least let the roommate's parents know, so that they can help him.

Post: #34

I wasn't kidding about the schizophrenia.

I've seen it begin almost exactly like that. Call the parents.

Post: #35

He stopped doing it for a while and as I am writing this right now I am hearing him singing, it sounds like how the loonies sing in Arkham asylum locked behind the cages when batman rolls through, shit I can't just bust in the room and say what are you doing do you have schizophrenia? And I don't know his parents or anyone close to him. I have realised he only does this to songs with lyrics, when he listens to house music he is fine.

Post: #36

(10-11-2018 11:23 AM)Mikestar Wrote:  He stopped doing it for a while and as I am writing this right now I am hearing him singing, it sounds like how the loonies sing in Arkham asylum locked behind the cages when batman rolls through, shit I can't just bust in the room and say what are you doing do you have schizophrenia? And I don't know his parents or anyone close to him. I have realised he only does this to songs with lyrics, when he listens to house music he is fine.

Well if you ask him if he has schizophrenia, I think he'll simply get very mad at you or get thoroughly confused, as people with this disorder lack self awareness. So I suggest that you don't ask him if he has schizophrenia, because, unless he is on meds and aware of it, it'll be a nonproductive discussion.

I think it is smart that you noticed his odd behavior and decided to get input on here. If you talk to him for 15 mins, you'll probably get a feel about whether something is off when he starts talking (i.e., if something is wrong at all). Even if you have a shade of doubt, it might be better to err on the side of caution and let his parents know.

I wonder if maybe you can suggest exchanging emergency contacts (since you guys are roommates), and then you'll hopefully have his parents' contact information with you for emergency purposes. Just a thought.

Post: #37

(10-11-2018 11:23 AM)Mikestar Wrote:  He stopped doing it for a while and as I am writing this right now I am hearing him singing, it sounds like how the loonies sing in Arkham asylum locked behind the cages when batman rolls through, shit I can't just bust in the room and say what are you doing do you have schizophrenia? And I don't know his parents or anyone close to him. I have realised he only does this to songs with lyrics, when he listens to house music he is fine.

More than likely he has his music turned up and can't hear how awful his singing is.

Post: #38

Its been over a week and you have still failed to do anything productive about the situation. Are you ever going to take the advice given to you in this thread?

Post: #39

(10-11-2018 02:03 PM)Atomic Wrote:  Its been over a week and you have still failed to do anything productive about the situation. Are you ever going to take the advice given to you in this thread?

Doesn't seem like it.

Post: #40

That would be epic if he was just trolling you.

Post: #41

Sleep with a knife under your pillow. Dead serious. I wouldn't take any chances in this situation.

Post: #42

OP - this called a "concern for welfare".

A concern for your flatmates welfare. You can take it to the authorities at your university and the authorities in general and they will point you in the right direction AT THE LEAST.

Also what about your vulnerability here? Take this to YOUR family and YOUR friends. Tell them your concerns, get THEIR advice.

no-one minds if your genuine concerns turn out to be based on a misapprehension.

Start talking to other people about this. Start involving others that you know.

If you find yourself shutting down and not acting as you might wish then that is a normal response to an abnormal situation.

So go easy on yourself and just make sure that you involve other responsible people.

Post: #43

I heard him doing it again so i walked in and said hey man are you okay? I heard you singing. He said: that definitely wasn’t me, I’m all good whilst laughing.

Now that I did this he stopped doing it. I will slowly ease in to let him explain this behaviour but right now it is non threatening. I think he just sings really badly and has mild autism. He keeps listening to things like migos and UK rap.

Bienvenuto - I’m in Italy, one of the most beaurocratic countries in Europe, you think they have concern for welfare here haha? That doesn’t exist in my university.

Anyway, whilst this is scary I don’t think it’s threatening as I thought, he could be trolling me for all I know or he just likes to express himself weirdly whilst listening to music.

Post: #44

He is singing and saying it isn't him.

He is hearing voices.

Post: #45

(10-13-2018 04:55 AM)Mikestar Wrote:  Anyway, whilst this is scary I don’t think it’s threatening as I thought, he could be trolling me for all I know or he just likes to express himself weirdly whilst listening to music.

It's not threatening- yet. Until he starts having a delusion of persecution involving you or a similar manifestation.

Get him help. Do it, rather than bitching on here.

Post: #46

Plot twist:

OP actually lives alone and sees hallucinations that he has a singing roommate. That is why he cannot talk to him and address the issue properly.


OP and his roommate:

   

Post: #47

Ok I will this time. I had doubts but now I don't, today he had the worst outbreak, he sounded like he was slurring his speech whilst singing then he said to himself: I need a shit and ran to the toilet. This is definitely schizophrenia. My poor friend, such a normal guy, he doesn't show any signs of depression though and is always positive about things, I just hope he isn't suffering cos I know schizophrenia is really serious. I'm gonna speak to my other flatmates about this and then try and find his parents on facebook. What if his parents don't even know about this condition?

Post: #48

Did you ever tell him, that you think he is acting weird? His reaction to that would tell you a lot. If he sort of smirks and acts as if he is in some secret and you're not, then that is another clue for hearing voices. Maybe there really was a simple explanation. In any case, trust your instincts and don't be the one to make the decision. Good to bring it up with the other flatmates as well.

Post: #49

If you can't get him out of there, then get yourself out of there OP. I used to manage a lodge and we had a schizophrenic stay there one time. He trashed one of the rooms, threw a microwave off the balcony. I went in the room to ask what was going on and he freaked out and started blaming it on 'black magic' and 'racoons' while circling me around the room at a weirdly quick pace. I backed out the room, locked the door on him and called the police.

They restrained him cuffing him ankle and wrists and plonked him in a cruiser. Wasn't until I went to clean up the place that I found his meds. Think he'd been trying to ween off the medication and smoking weed instead. He'd smashed the toilet, broke a shower basin and started ripping wall paper off the wall.

Post: #50

But why would I get him out of there? His behaviour is non threatening and literally only occurs when he listens to a specific type of music on his headphones (he doesn't show symptoms when listening to music with no lyrics) and he is my friend. I go to lectures with him, we wingman each other when we hit the clubs. Plus our housing contract is signed for another 4 months so no getting out. I mean how likely is it that his behaviour drastically changes and he goes psycho? Maybe if he is always occupied so he cannot listen to music it would be better for him.