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Schizophrenic Guy Gets Pranked By Friends For 3 Weeks, They Regret It When He Checks Into Hospital
Person wearing a dinosaur mask and brown sweater, posing playfully against a shiny red and silver backdrop for a prank.

Schizophrenic Guy Gets Pranked By Friends For 3 Weeks, They Regret It When He Checks Into Hospital

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Imagine feeling like you are losing your grip on reality, and getting caught up in hallucinations that affect how you think, behave, and even feel; that’s schizophrenia. People who are dealing with this condition struggle with knowing what’s real and often have to work hard to discern the truth.

That’s why, when a schizophrenic man’s friends played an innocent prank on him, it spiralled out of control, with them trying to convince him he was “going crazy.” He later got to know what they were doing and cut all ties with them.

More info: Reddit | Update

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    Some folks think that people dealing with mental health issues owe it to them to be open about their medical history, but that just isn’t so

    Smiling man in blue shirt relaxing on a couch with a mug, conveying a lighthearted schizophrenic man prank hospital visit moment.

    Image credits: gpointstudio / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    The poster shared that he has been dealing with schizophrenia since he was 22 and that he was fairly private about his diagnosis

    Text post discussing a schizophrenic man’s experience with a prank during a hospital visit and medical privacy.

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    Text excerpt about eccentric habits and protective behavior of a schizophrenic man before a prank hospital visit.

    Text on a white background reads, Some friends thought it would be funny to make it seem like I might be going crazy as a group.

    Text explaining prank ideas, including wearing silly costumes or saying unusual things during a schizophrenic man prank hospital visit.

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    Man wearing a dinosaur mask playfully posing against metallic red and silver backdrop during a schizophrenic man prank hospital visit event

    Image credits: Freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

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    His friends didn’t know about his condition and thought it would be funny to make him think he was losing his mind by pulling a group prank on him

    Alt text: Person describing a preemptive hospital visit to avoid worsening psychosis in the schizophrenic community prank scenario

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    Text image with a personal story about a schizophrenic man’s feelings during a hospital visit and medication fears.

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    Text asking if the person is AITA for not previously stating they are schizophrenic, referencing schizophrenic man prank hospital visit.

    Image credits: Freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    The prank went on for three weeks, and it made the poster feel like he was experiencing a massive delusion due to his medication potentially not working

    Text post discussing the duration of a prank involving a schizophrenic man during a hospital visit, lasting around 3 weeks.

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    Text showing helpful resources related to schizophrenia from the subreddit r/schizophrenia for schizophrenic man prank hospital visit.

    Man involved in a schizophrenic prank during a hospital visit, highlighting mental health awareness and support.

    Text on a plain background reading you get what you put into groups you don’t have to talk your first couple times, schizophrenic man prank hospital visit.

    Group of friends giving a high five indoors, representing a schizophrenic man prank hospital visit concept in casual setting.

    Image credits: Freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    Due to the poster’s concerns, he checked himself into the hospital, and when he opened up to one of his friends about it, they apologized and revealed the prank

    Text excerpt describing a chaotic moment with audible sighs and hysterical laughter during a schizophrenic man prank hospital visit.

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    Image credits: Drudawgthedrood

    Young man with laptop sitting on bed, smiling while talking on phone during a relaxed hospital visit prank setting.

    Image credits: artursafronovvvv / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    In an update post, the man shared that he refused to accept the apologies from his friends and decided to cut contact with them, as there were other red flags too

    Text excerpt discussing updates after a prank involving a schizophrenic man during a hospital visit.

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    Text excerpt discussing self-reflection on friendships and emotional impact related to schizophrenic man prank hospital visit.

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    Man wearing safety glasses and gloves working with wood in a workshop, unrelated to schizophrenic man prank hospital visit.

    Image credits: Freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    The poster started spending time on hobbies and interests that gave him joy, began dating a woman, and even got a new job

    Text on a white background stating realization about job taking advantage, working harder and longer hours for less pay than employees below, related to schizophrenic man prank hospital visit.

    Text excerpt about personal growth and career success after improved self-care from a schizophrenic man prank hospital visit context.

    Text from a schizophrenic man sharing plans about buying a house with a large yard for his dog and himself.

    Text on a plain background expressing gratitude to Reddit for life improvement due to an external force.

    Image credits: Drudawgthedrood

    The man was glad that he had managed to improve his life and let go of people who only seemed to be taking advantage of him

    The poster had been dealing with schizophrenia for a long time and knew how to deal with it with the help of a close-knit community and coping strategies. Due to that, apart from the mental health community he was a part of, he didn’t feel the need to share his diagnosis with any of the people in his social circle.

    Although it might seem odd that the man didn’t reveal his condition to any of his friends, schizophrenia experts actually say that this information should be shared with caution. The reason for this is that people might react negatively to the news and may act out; therefore, it’s best to only open up to folks that you trust.

    That’s probably why the man didn’t feel like sharing the information with his group of buddies, and the prank that they pulled certainly shows why he didn’t fully trust them. All of the individuals were in on the plan and didn’t see the problem with gaslighting the OP for three full weeks, even though he seemed to be getting anxious.

    This kind of pranking behavior has become common in the last few years, with some folks pulling truly manipulative and scary stunts. According to a UC Irvine student, pranks are only successful when they don’t cause physical or emotional harm to another person, and end with the ‘victim’ also partaking in the fun.

    Young couple smiling at home with man holding house keys, related to schizophrenic man prank hospital visit concept

    Image credits: standret / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    This prank got too out of hand, because it made the OP feel like he was losing touch with reality and spiralling into a delusion. All of this must have been so tough for him to deal with, which is why he decided to check himself into the hospital, so that he could keep himself safe from any possible harm.

    Eventually, when he got out, he decided to confide in one of his friends about his experience, and that’s when they must have realized that they had gone too far and told him the truth. The problem was that it was just a little too late, and even though the entire group tried to apologize, the poster realized that he didn’t want to continue the friendship.

    Ending things with a friend is a tough call to make, but it’s also an essential thing to do if the relationship with them has become toxic. The only way to know this, says Therapist Kara, is by observing if there is mutual love, care, and empathy between you and the other person – if it’s one-sided or lacks respect, then it might make sense to end it.

    It certainly was a good decision in this case, as the man noticed several other red flags in his friendship that had been bogging him down. That’s why, once he moved on from them, it seemed like he was able to get his life in order and improve in several areas in a healthy and happy manner.

    It’s clear from the OP’s experience that he didn’t like the prank at all, but do you think he overreacted to the situation? Let us know your honest thoughts in the comments below.

    People were shocked by how long the prank on the man went on and were glad that he was able to move on from it and improve his life

    Screenshot of an online conversation about a schizophrenic man prank during a hospital visit with shared personal stories.

    Schizophrenic man’s hospital visit prank leads to unexpected reactions and challenges in mental health recovery journey.

    Reddit conversation between users discussing woodworking tips and a suggestion to watch The Wood Whisperer on YouTube.

    Comment thread discussing home brewing space requirements with a user explaining their small brewing setup in a closet.

    Screenshot of an online discussion about schizophrenia, featuring comments on high functioning and hallucinations.

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    Forum comment discussing support and recovery for mental illness, relevant to schizophrenic man prank hospital visit.

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    Comment text on a white background by Starfall9908 about a schizophrenic man prank hospital visit, with 874 points and posted 5 years ago.

    Comment praising a schizophrenic man's prank hospital visit for his self-improvement and finding new hobbies and friends.

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    Comment by user SwiggyBloodlust reading years ago it seemed like corny advice but true keeping good company leads to better outcomes in a schizophrenic man prank hospital visit context

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    Beverly Noronha

    Beverly Noronha

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

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    You can call me Bev! I'm a world-class reader, a quirky writer, and a gardener who paints. If you’re looking for information about tattoos, Bulbasaur, and books, then I'm the NPC you must approach.

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    Beverly Noronha

    Beverly Noronha

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    You can call me Bev! I'm a world-class reader, a quirky writer, and a gardener who paints. If you’re looking for information about tattoos, Bulbasaur, and books, then I'm the NPC you must approach.

    What do you think ?
    tori Ohno
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If his friends didn't know about his diagnosis, why did they single him out to do that to? Did one of them see his medication? That's just sick and wrong

    marcelo D.
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    they 100% knew. They were AH claiming that it's a prank when they gaslighting someone, in the actual literal sense of the word (not the tiktok sense that is someone disagreed with you)

    Load More Replies...
    Nils Skirnir
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Pranksters are evil scum and they should all be drawn and quartered. Plus Mr Beast is double scum (nothing to do with anything except I despise him and his ilk)

    Squirrelly Panda
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That kind of prank going on for 3 weeks could put anyone in a mental hospital, let alone someone with schizophrenia. I bet someone in that "friend" group suspected/new OP has a mental illness.

    Load More Comments
    tori Ohno
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If his friends didn't know about his diagnosis, why did they single him out to do that to? Did one of them see his medication? That's just sick and wrong

    marcelo D.
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    they 100% knew. They were AH claiming that it's a prank when they gaslighting someone, in the actual literal sense of the word (not the tiktok sense that is someone disagreed with you)

    Load More Replies...
    Nils Skirnir
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Pranksters are evil scum and they should all be drawn and quartered. Plus Mr Beast is double scum (nothing to do with anything except I despise him and his ilk)

    Squirrelly Panda
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That kind of prank going on for 3 weeks could put anyone in a mental hospital, let alone someone with schizophrenia. I bet someone in that "friend" group suspected/new OP has a mental illness.

    Load More Comments
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