Is he lying or maybe suffering schizophrenia?

I've been friends with this guy since elementary school. Sometimes he breaks contact with me for years, the most recent one was for five years. He's always said crazy stories, like he has no control over his left hand, he can tell some things that may happen in the future, but I always figured he was joking. He is 23 now and when I saw him he was still saying things like there is a parallel universe only him and several other people can see. I looked at the symptoms for schizophrenia, he had several of them, including hallucinations, delusions, he thinks his appendectomy is because of the dark things that he fights and he complains of light sensitivity and says he does not need to sleep. He even claims to not be human. I wonder if maybe he is joking, lying or schzophrenic.

I would think that it is for a trained professional to answer. Like others have said, it could just be a play for attention. It could be a distinct psychological condition - or combination of conditions.

Of course, having watched one too many horror/sci-fi films - there is always the chance that his delusions are actually true and we're just too comfortable in our existence to notice (like the film "They Live!" :) )

Seriously though, you need a professional to help. It might be something to ask your doctor about - to find out what facilities and procedures are available in your area. There may be groups or advice lines with people you can talk to about this. Ultimately you want to know the truth and are concerned about your friend... ...of course, if it is one big joke, you can always try asking

"are you for real?"

but it does sound more serious than that.
Good luck!

I don't know, that's a tough one... I would say he's either completely insane, or he's seeking attention. Or maybe he assumes you're gullable and tells you these things to see at what point you don't believe him and possibly call him on it. I would venture to say it's the lying thing though, definitely. Sometimes lying in itself is a sickness. People lie about silly little things and then begin to believe it and become ill from it, almost in a conspiratory way. I've encountered several people like that in my life and all I can say is... stay away, stay far away, lol.

He certainly does sound schizophrenic to me.
If he was just a compulsive liar, you would have noticed.
Are you sure he is not on drugs?
Many drugs lead to schizophrenia anyway, including grass.

I have no idea why someone would lie about this or fake this. He sounds schizophrenic. My cousin is and its pretty similar. I would try and get him help asap. The longer you wait the worse it gets.

Well it is defiantly delusions he is suffering. Not necessarily a schizt, but thats def one of the symptoms. He needs mental help or he will only get worse.

Yeah. That sounds like mania or schizophrenia.

There are pathological liars but he may be telling truth!

ask him, straight out and if you still think he might be suffering with schizophrenia then urge him to see a doctor x

why dont you just ask him.
it could be for attention though.