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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Amandafran on January 21, 2007, at 12:10:29
Im afraid I might be starting to experience signs of Schizophrenia and iM getting really scared. I feel like my life is a movie and that I am really not living my life. Every night when I sleep and dream I wake up sometimes not knowing if it was actually a dream and the effects of the dream affect my entire day.
Also, ever since 9/11 I have been seeing on the clock 9:11 and everytime that happens something bad eventually happens....for me, I had emergency surgery over two years ago...Maybe I am just being paranoid or superstitious but I am really freaked out. I dont believe myself to have special powers...but I do believe that I can pretty much tell when something bad is going to happen whenever I look at the clock and it says 9/11. Beause it has always happened that way.
Should I be concerned?? Can someone who is Schizophrenic please write to me and tell me what it is like and what I should be looking for?
Im already BPD Borderline Personality...but I just got to where I could mention this to my therapist and it has been happening a lot...Im just scared that I am slowly making my way to being committed in a mental hospital and that scares me. I didnt want to tell him out of fear that he was going to start looking for another diagnosis for me..and I think that he is...I need help.
I need someone who can to tell me what I need to be looking for and or if by reading this it already sounds like there is something going on with me...Does anyone ever get the feeling that their life is one big movie? I told him I can seperate myself from those around me and "watch" them live their life and wonder what I am doing or why I cant live my life like they do. Am I the only one who has experienced this?
Help me please.
Thanks..
Posted by linkadge on January 21, 2007, at 14:34:56
In reply to Schizophrenia???, posted by Amandafran on January 21, 2007, at 12:10:29
This could be a lot of things. Depression with psychotic features, depersionalization, manifestations of GAD.
The feeling like you're in a dream sounds a lot like depersonalization. I get that all the time, my life seems surreal like a movie. My doctor said it was depersionalization.
Linkadge
Posted by Amandafran on January 21, 2007, at 14:44:06
In reply to Re: Schizophrenia???, posted by linkadge on January 21, 2007, at 14:34:56
I thought that was depersonalization but I wasnt sure. Do you know how to stop that? it is so annoying.I hate to think that I am becoming psychotic...I hope this is not the case.
Posted by med_empowered on January 21, 2007, at 16:30:52
In reply to Re: Schizophrenia??? » linkadge, posted by Amandafran on January 21, 2007, at 14:44:06
I think maybe you should relax and not worry so much about what you're thinking. Constantly worrying about if what you're thinking is "normal" or "OK" or "schizophrenic/psychotic" is not going to help you. Alot of people have odd thoughts/beliefs/experiences that could possibly make them "schizophrenic." Read over the DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia; it makes **NO SENSE**. You can be schizophrenic if you are: agitated/idle, overemotional/emotionless, excited/agitated, depressed/euphoric, so on and so forth. Schizophrenia can have a good prognosis..or a very bad one.
I think its important to assume, unless proven wrong, that you are in control of your actions. I don't mean you aren't sad or agitated or anxious, but I do mean its best to just assume that you are competent and more or less normal, unless you are presented with very, very convincing evidence to the contrary. Even then...proceed with caution.Good luck!
Posted by Quintal on January 21, 2007, at 18:02:07
In reply to Schizophrenia???, posted by Amandafran on January 21, 2007, at 12:10:29
Self-questioning is a good sign of sanity Amandafran and you seem to have plenty of insight into your thoughts and experiences. If you were truly psychotic you wouldn't be questioning your sanity - you'd be certain your experiences were real. I think link is right, this sounds more like depersonalization and dissociation, which is a common reaction to stress and usually resolves when your mood and anxiety improve.
Q
Posted by linkadge on January 21, 2007, at 18:59:06
In reply to Re: Schizophrenia??? » Amandafran, posted by Quintal on January 21, 2007, at 18:02:07
Are you taking any medications for any mood disorder presently?
Linkadge
Posted by Amandafran on January 21, 2007, at 19:02:30
In reply to Re: Schizophrenia???, posted by linkadge on January 21, 2007, at 18:59:06
Im taking Lamictal 100mg,Prozac 80mg Lunesta 3mg, and Abilify 10mg..the abilify I was told was for my disorganized thoughts....but I also know that it can be used for other things..
Posted by linkadge on January 21, 2007, at 20:10:16
In reply to Re: Schizophrenia??? » linkadge, posted by Amandafran on January 21, 2007, at 19:02:30
The prozac is on the high end. How do you feel it has affected your anxiety? For some people it can worsen anxiety if the dose gets too high.
Sometimes I found high dose SSRI's made the depersionalization worse.
Also, how is your sleep? With those meds it might seem that your sleep quality might be diminished. If your sleep cycles are altered too much it can somtimes worsen depersonalization.
Linkadge
Posted by Amandafran on January 21, 2007, at 20:28:36
In reply to Re: Schizophrenia???, posted by linkadge on January 21, 2007, at 20:10:16
The Prozac we were actually going to increase to 120 and I was going to stop the Abilify because it was causing RLS. My sleep has been messed up even with taking the Lunesta, my T says Im very sleep deprived..yet I dont feel tired. My anxiety with the prozac has been ok. I also have Xanax which I take as needed but with the abilify in my system I have been ok. I wouldnt stop the abilify except for the RLS...that makes it impossible for me to sleep with my legs cramping all night. If I stop the Abilify I am going to need another mood stabilizer in its place like geodon, or serequel or something...Im at the point where I just want to throw the towel in and say Im done because Im so frustrated with the way I feel...but for some reason Im hanging in there...
Posted by Phillipa on January 21, 2007, at 20:59:21
In reply to Re: Schizophrenia??? » linkadge, posted by Amandafran on January 21, 2007, at 14:44:06
Sounds like depersonalization to me too. Now that I'm that way. What does the clock saying 9/ll mean to you? Love Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on January 21, 2007, at 21:05:47
In reply to Re: Schizophrenia??? » Amandafran, posted by Phillipa on January 21, 2007, at 20:59:21
Sorry spelled that word above wrong. But another question what is your age? As schizophrenia seems to hit in the high teens early 20's . Love Phillipa ps hearing voices, seeing things that aren't there, does the Tv or other object speak directly to you. Great fear? Love Phillipa
Posted by clusterofcells on January 22, 2007, at 2:01:01
In reply to Schizophrenia???, posted by Amandafran on January 21, 2007, at 12:10:29
Hello! Firstly, depersonalization can happen with schizophrenia. It can also happen with bipolar disorder too (I myself am schizophrenic and had my moments where my life was a movie, as you described), it can happen also with depression, with panic disorders, PTSD...
Then there is also just depersonalization disorder, a dissociative disorder.
To it be schizophrenia/another illness there would have to be other symptoms. The 9/11 stuff seems like one. Not all schizophrenics think they have special powers, but attaching meaning to the 9/11 beyond what is 'normal' (no, I don't know exactly what normal is either) is a bit, well, delusional (or so says I, I'm no expert of course, and I don't know you, so this advice isn't the most trustworthy/reliable piece of information you'll be getting in your lifetime).
Are you in danger of hurting yourself or other people? They won't really commit you unless you are.
And you can have insight and still be losing your mind. I know when I got sick I was aware the entire time of what was happening wasn't 'normal' (there's that word again). Some lucky (unlucky?) people are just like that.
Posted by Sebastian on January 23, 2007, at 12:07:48
In reply to Schizophrenia???, posted by Amandafran on January 21, 2007, at 12:10:29
Sounds a lot like me. Haven't had that diagnosis though. I'm supposed to be schitzoaffective. Now I'm starting to think I'm schizophrenic.
Posted by clusterofcells on January 23, 2007, at 17:09:28
In reply to Re: Schizophrenia???, posted by Sebastian on January 23, 2007, at 12:07:48
> Sounds a lot like me. Haven't had that diagnosis though. I'm supposed to be schitzoaffective. Now I'm starting to think I'm schizophrenic.
Schizoaffective is just schizophrenia + mood disorder component. I've always thought I'm schizoaffective, depressive type, but it wouldn't change anything, medication-wise for me, so I don't really care/have pushed for a different diagnosis. I think people need to see things as symptoms rather than as labels for these symptoms. Labels mean nothing, or several things, really, so it causes a lot of confusion.
Posted by mindevolution on January 24, 2007, at 2:07:24
In reply to Re: Schizophrenia??? » linkadge, posted by Amandafran on January 21, 2007, at 19:02:30
> Im taking Lamictal 100mg,Prozac 80mg Lunesta 3mg, and Abilify 10mg..the abilify I was told was for my disorganized thoughts....but I also know that it can be used for other things..
have you exhausted non medication treatments yet, like psychotherapy or councelling, or getting a spiritual guide, or religion, or yoga, or meditation, etc?
what have you got to lose?
just as a suggestion you can always try these first and if you still are having problems you can always try the meds.
the side effects from those meds can be quite severe, particularly the antipsychotics. you should read up about tardive dyskinesias, akathisia, torsades de point, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome, so that you can make an informed decision regarding your medications.
I would also suggest that you seek help in the private sector of the mental health system, before taking yourself to hospital, because the public mental health system can be very harsh on patients.
I wish you well.
me
Posted by Amandafran on January 24, 2007, at 2:59:29
In reply to Re: Schizophrenia???, posted by mindevolution on January 24, 2007, at 2:07:24
Thanks for the reply...I have been seeing a therapist for about six years...and have researched every medicine I have been on..some of them have been pretty harsh...but I have been very picky about which one to be on...due to the many side effects that each one presents.
Exercise has not come easy for me and I know that would help but I have found a great T and he is helping me greatly. My doc just upped my dosage of Prozac to 100 mg which I feel is very high but I need it. It scares me that I am on so many meds but what can I do when I know I need them all? I have tried to come off of some but when I do it is horrible...
Anyway, thanks for the reply.... :)
Posted by mindevolution on January 24, 2007, at 4:08:33
In reply to Re: Schizophrenia??? » mindevolution, posted by Amandafran on January 24, 2007, at 2:59:29
> Thanks for the reply...I have been seeing a therapist for about six years...and have researched every medicine I have been on..some of them have been pretty harsh...but I have been very picky about which one to be on...due to the many side effects that each one presents.
well that's good :) I hope you haven't been on too many harsh meds. getting the antipsychotics to an absolute minimum seems to be the best solution as they are the most damaging, maybe try experimenting to see how low you can go and still get relief from your symptoms?
> Exercise has not come easy for me and I know that would help but I have found a great T and he is helping me greatly. My doc just upped my dosage of Prozac to 100 mg which I feel is very high but I need it. It scares me that I am on so many meds but what can I do when I know I need them all? I have tried to come off of some but when I do it is horrible...
I understand, if you need them and they work for you then good. have you got lots of support around you, like is there a mental health centre to go to and meet with other people? and is your family good about everything?
has your therapist helped you work out the 9/11 symbolism? sounds very freudian with maybe something stored in your subconscious. I have to say your 9/11 sounds like the worst sort of trauma that you could ever imagine.... is could be a warning about the suffering "mad" people experience when they get locked up and treated against their will with ect and really high doses of APs.
if you think it could be that, then make sure your family know that if you do "lose it", they should take you to a private clinic for treatment, not to a hospital. you need someone who understands the hospital system isn't perfect and they can't cure schizophrenia with any treatment. people get lost in the hospital system. you need kindness and care not removal of freedom and ect. get your family to read "mad in america" by robert whitaker so they can understand and not send you to hospital thinking they are somehow "helping". kindness, care and judicious use of drugs is a much better way if you can find it and afford it :) I hope you can avoid the twin tower disaster :)
> Anyway, thanks for the reply.... :)
no worries. i think everyone has weird thoughts at one time or another, so don't assume you have schizophrenia just because of that.
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