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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 vbs on July 29, 2014, at 13:19:56
I stumbled upon this phenomenon while researching St. John's Wort. Wikipedia describes ideas of reference as a psychotic condition where someone believes coincidental events relate to "one's own destiny;" everything happens for a reason. I notice myself believing that a lot. It bothers me.
If I'm aware of experiencing ideas of reference, does that mean I'm still psychotic? Insane? The thing is that I feel fine. I'm not hearing voices or displaying bizarre behavior. I'm a little OCD and depressed. Basically, I don't want to fall into the trap of self-diagnosis and a self-fulfilling prophecy. Help!
Thanks for any reassuring input.
--vbs
Posted by Tomatheus on July 29, 2014, at 15:59:32
In reply to Ideas of reference in schizoaffective disorder?, posted by vbs on July 29, 2014, at 13:19:56
vbs,
I think that ideas of reference are a symptom that can occur as part of a psychotic disorder like schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. It's also my understand that this symptom might occur in individuals with bipolar disorder, schizotypal personality disorder, and possibly other disorders.
I personally experienced what I'd describe as non-stop ideas of reference prior to getting on the Abilify that I'm taking. It was as if almost everything that I'd see or hear was either carrying a hidden message of sorts or responding to something that I was thinking. I still get the occasional idea of reference when I'm on my medication, but it's not a constant thing for me now like it used to be.
To answer your question about what it means to experience ideas of reference and to be aware of them, I think I'd steer away from reaching any kind of conclusion about saying that you're definitively psychotic (or especially insane) just based on the fact that you're experiencing ideas of reference. I'd view ideas of reference as a symptom that you might want to discuss further with a therapist or doctor. Whether you require further treatment at this point is something that I think you need to decide with your treatment professionals, and I think that the extent to which your ideas of reference are bothering you is something that should be taken into account.
Well, I think I've summed up my thoughts on what you've asked. Take care, and be well.
Tomatheus
Posted by sleepygirl2 on July 29, 2014, at 16:31:58
In reply to Ideas of reference in schizoaffective disorder?, posted by vbs on July 29, 2014, at 13:19:56
I tend to think it is fine unless you think something like billboards communicating directly to you, or the radio talking just to you.
My uncle had that, the radio talked just to him. The neighbors wrote plotting against him.
I sometimes imagine that something bad will happen if I do something in particular, something along the lines of not stepping in a sidewalk crack, but it doesn't get severe, feels sort of OCD though.
Posted by Phillipa on July 29, 2014, at 17:47:11
In reply to Re: Ideas of reference in schizoaffective disorder? » vbs, posted by sleepygirl2 on July 29, 2014, at 16:31:58
That's what my OCD. Also wear something so bad things don't happen. Phillipa
Posted by baseball55 on July 29, 2014, at 20:10:50
In reply to Ideas of reference in schizoaffective disorder?, posted by vbs on July 29, 2014, at 13:19:56
> I stumbled upon this phenomenon while researching St. John's Wort. Wikipedia describes ideas of reference as a psychotic condition where someone believes coincidental events relate to "one's own destiny;" everything happens for a reason. I notice myself believing that a lot. It bothers me.
This definition seems overly broad. Many people believe everything happens for a reason, including many religious people. In psychology, "ideas of reference" means thinking general things refer to you, specifically. It refers to beliefs like: people on television are speaking of you specifically or are sending you messages; noise made by neighbors occurs because they are talking about you, plotting against you; people you meet or encounter are agents of some power trying to harm you. Ideas of reference are delusional and often paranoid.
Posted by SLS on July 30, 2014, at 8:36:51
In reply to Re: Ideas of reference in schizoaffective disorder? » vbs, posted by baseball55 on July 29, 2014, at 20:10:50
> > I stumbled upon this phenomenon while researching St. John's Wort. Wikipedia describes ideas of reference as a psychotic condition where someone believes coincidental events relate to "one's own destiny;" everything happens for a reason. I notice myself believing that a lot. It bothers me.
>
> This definition seems overly broad. Many people believe everything happens for a reason, including many religious people. In psychology, "ideas of reference" means thinking general things refer to you, specifically. It refers to beliefs like: people on television are speaking of you specifically or are sending you messages; noise made by neighbors occurs because they are talking about you, plotting against you; people you meet or encounter are agents of some power trying to harm you. Ideas of reference are delusional and often paranoid.I agree with this characterization.
Personally, I experienced some heavy-duty ideas of reference in association with bipolar mania.
- Scott
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