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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by linkadge on August 24, 2004, at 19:24:14
I hear of a few people on this board saying they are taking an antipsychotic for true schitzophrenic symptoms. This may be a personal question that nobody wants to answer, but I was wondering what sorts of things were you experiencing? Does the medication help? In what way does it help? I have been experiencing some things, possibly not severe enought for medication but would like to know if it is similar to what others are experiencing.
Thanks for any help
Linkadge
Posted by nicolas on August 24, 2004, at 20:37:05
In reply to what sort of schitzophrenic symptoms do people hav, posted by linkadge on August 24, 2004, at 19:24:14
Hello.
I am very often paranoid and when it gets out of control I myself go out of control and bad things happen in my mind. I've been on anti-psychotic medications, uninterupted, for almost a year now, learning the hard way that I can't stop taking it just because I feel better. And while I haven't completly seperated myself from some of my own delusions, I am now at least capable of dialogue; I can ask people what they feel and now believe them rather than assuming they are involved in some machinations, and my thoughts stay in my own head, they aren't broadcast for all to hear.
Staying sober has also been important in my recovery, and maintaining social connections. Without medication I am severely disfunctional.
Posted by linkadge on August 24, 2004, at 21:15:22
In reply to Re: what sort of schitzophrenic symptoms do people hav, posted by nicolas on August 24, 2004, at 20:37:05
I am glad to hear of the progress you are making. I have had a few of these symptoms but not to a severe degree. I need to watch them so that they don't advance. It can be hard however, sometimes if they get too severe I may not feel comfortable getting help
Linkadge
Posted by Basia on August 25, 2004, at 13:48:13
In reply to Re: what sort of schitzophrenic symptoms do people hav, posted by linkadge on August 24, 2004, at 21:15:22
If I am not on anti-psychotics I get progressively very delusional and paranoid and tend to think people have bizarre twisted motivations for doing things, even something small like someone rubbing their nose can seem like a special communication to me in these states. I can handle this sort of paranoid visual disturbance on the meds but tend to start believing them off the APs.
I now know I can't come off the APs although I know friends who have been psychotic/delusional who get by on a mood stabiliser (so lucky!).
Other schizophrenic symptoms include hearing voices, delusions of grandeur (i.e. believing I am a chosen one), trails - which i still get on the medication, isolating myself, lack of self-care, intense fear.
I also get manic symptoms such as hypersexuality, insomnia and increased creativity.
Fun for all the family, in other words!
But my meds are a life saver...If there is a God, he is a scientist as far as I am concerned...cheers,
Lyn
> I am glad to hear of the progress you are making. I have had a few of these symptoms but not to a severe degree. I need to watch them so that they don't advance. It can be hard however, sometimes if they get too severe I may not feel comfortable getting help
>
>
> Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on August 25, 2004, at 16:20:58
In reply to Re: what sort of schitzophrenic symptoms do people hav, posted by Basia on August 25, 2004, at 13:48:13
Thanks for your input. There are so many different symptoms through which a psychotic illness can manifest itself.
Linkadge
Posted by psychosage on August 26, 2004, at 9:29:14
In reply to Re: what sort of schitzophrenic symptoms do people hav, posted by linkadge on August 25, 2004, at 16:20:58
psychosis is a cousin or extension of bipolar to me. eventually, these distinctions will cease to exist, and we will have a better system of distinguishing clusters of symptoms.
i predict we will learn that many diagnoses were guess-timations based on limited and insufficient information obtained during clinical interviews.
Therefore, linkadge, you should be wondering if you have enough symptoms to earn a DSM diagnosis. You should be concerned about treating each and every symptom you have regardless of where other people fall on the scale.
Psychotic symptoms tend to get progressively worse until early mid-age or so for true schizos.
Any sensory disturbance should be reported because I know frpm experience if you wait too long you simply have caused your own suffering.
the Primary difference I would note about people categorized as bipolar and those as schizophrenic is the negative/dysfunctional symptoms of schizophrenia. Alogia, etc really tell me someone is not really with it as opposed to paranoia and grandiosity.
Otherwise, positive symptoms of schiz/mania look so similar that it hardly matters which words you use to describe them.
i hope i make sense here.
This is the end of the thread.
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