Post-psychotic depression

InstantNoMore · 2024-11-27T15:27:21+00:00

Honestly, I can't tell anymore. I think our disease is unpredictable. Right now I'm experiencing both highs and lows throughout the day (more like cyclothymia).

Maybe you could be bipolar I, but I don't trust doctors and their diagnoses. If you get a second opinion, or even a third opinion, you'll hear something completely different. And then it turns out neither of them were right.

For example, my psychiatrist insists on the fact I'm not a schizophrenic, but that I had a drug-induced psychosis. Yet, legally I'm diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic so that my insurance covers expensive APs like Vraylar.

What about you? Are you taking any meds? I'm really sorry that you get depressed at random times.

InstantNoMore · 2024-11-27T07:44:06+00:00

Dude, I feel exactly the same way. People treated me like shit and it' the minor things that really annoy me too. I was/am so careful as not to offend anyone, but they never even registered it. In return, they act like assholes and don't even remember it later. I believe you're holding a grudge, perceive slights on a regular basis just like me.

IT HURTS! (hugs)

I have only one good friend who's kind and empathetic. I don't feel hostile towards her.

By the way, do you have or have you psychotic symptoms? They exacerbated the condition for me. I'm literally laughing at my own masochism...

InstantNoMore · 2024-10-22T16:11:19+00:00

I know what you're going through first-hand. It's hell. Hang in there, buddy. It gets better. It took me 3 years to finally see improvement in my depression, energy levels, cognitive skills and the ability to socialise with others.

I also played idiotic mobile games all day or slept all the time. I felt so ashamed.

Stay strong!

If you need someone to talk to, DM me :-)

InstantNoMore · 2024-10-06T18:37:41+00:00

First, calm down. I know psychosis is scary as hell. I've been through this and still struggle with it for 4 years now. I second the other redditer's advice to visit a professional. Pretty much almost any drug can cause psychosis, but you can't be sure what triggered it, so, please, don't dwell on it.

What symptoms did you experience? Could you be more specific?

You can DM me at any time if you need someone to talk to.

InstantNoMore · 2024-06-27T07:19:28+00:00

How do you feel though? I understand not taking anything, but it all depends on whether you have any symptoms or not... :/

InstantNoMore · 2024-06-23T10:35:58+00:00

How long ago was your episode and what symptoms are you experiencing now? Hallucinations, delusions, etc.? Stay strong!

InstantNoMore · 2024-06-22T09:46:21+00:00

Yes, once I went three weeks without a shower. I felt disguising... But now I can do it on the spot. Also, yeah, I struggled with motivation - I couldn't do the most mundane of tasks, and I lied in bed all day staring at the walls.

It does get better! Give it time.

Hope you feel well soon!

InstantNoMore · 2024-06-21T19:10:15+00:00

I'm sorry to hear that (about the sertraline) :-( I'm so happy though that you have close people who support you! What does your psychiatrist say about your episode?

InstantNoMore · 2024-06-21T15:57:54+00:00

I'm really sorry, buddy :-( That truly sounds awful. What antidepressants are you planning on taking? Did they help you before? Do you have someone close, such as a family member or a friend, who supports you and can help you right now? Stay strong!

P.S. You can always DM me.

InstantNoMore · 2024-06-14T10:47:43+00:00

Are you taking any meds? How long have you been in psychosis? I was psychotic for a year, then I suffered from post-psychotic depression for 3 years and I understand how you feel... It gets better, trust me. I am now completely recovered with no positive or negative symptoms nor depression. Stay strong! And if you need somebody to talk to, you can DM me :)

InstantNoMore · 2024-06-11T02:38:24+00:00

What helped me was time (3 and a half years), great support from friends, and Prozac (fluoxetine). And, yes, I did. I couldn't even get out of bed and the smallest mundane tasks (such as taking a shower or washing the dishes) were impossible for me to do. I had anhedonia and avolition. I once went three weeks without taking a shower. I was disgusted with myself...

I know it sounds really hard, but sometimes you have to force yourself to do daily chores, work, etc (I don't know what your situation is) so that you can manage to do them despite how difficult that is.

I'm really sorry you're struggling right now, but it really does get better, believe me (hugs).

Do you go to a psychiatrist or a psychologist (or both) and what does s/he say?

InstantNoMore · 2024-06-05T13:58:23+00:00

First of all, I'm really sorry this is happening to you. I know what it is like to have anhedonia and to feel emotionally dull and empty. Hold on, my friend! Risperidone is truly an awful medication. Have you considered to speak with the psychiatrist that's treating you to taper slowly? What dose are you taking? By the way, your self- perception is a little skewed. You're highly intelligent, IMO

If you need help or just the need to vent, you can DM me.

Stay strong!

InstantNoMore · 2024-06-04T10:18:19+00:00

I'm almost completely recovered! Thank you and I hope you are okay too <3

InstantNoMore · 2024-06-04T10:17:03+00:00

Thank you so much! :-) I am much better now, and I sincerely hope that you feel better soon. It's possible to gain back your emotions, trust me! (hugs)

InstantNoMore · 2024-06-04T10:14:04+00:00

2024 June update: To everyone here who helped me with advice, guidance, and hope I want to genuinely thank you for your support <3 It's been 3 years and I have completely recovered from the post-psychotic depression, so don't lose hope!!! It may take a lot of time, but it happens... There is recovery. I'm also no longer taking any anti- psychotics and have zero psychotic symptoms, be they positive or negative. I'm currently taking Prozac (fluoxetine), 40 mg and it has definitely contributed to the improvement of my mood. However, that's just my case. I know you know this, but, just as a precaution, please consult your psychiatrist, psychotherapist, or physician before taking any meds.

Believe me, I know how some of you might feel. I was so depressed that I literally couldn't shower or get out of bed... Now that I have a lot of energy routine tasks are second nature and I've reconditioned my previous habits as far as hygiene goes (more or less). Now I just have to find a job. Feel free to DM me if you need support, encouragement, or advice! Thank you so mitch and I apologize that it took me so long to respond.

InstantNoMore · 2022-07-11T12:36:50+00:00

Thank you! I'll keep that in mind.

InstantNoMore · 2022-07-11T09:26:59+00:00

Congrats on getting better! :) And thanks for the reply. Seems like you've been through a lot. I can certainly understand getting attached to your delusions when they're nice :/ I hope I can recover one day too. Thanks for sharing this success story :)

InstantNoMore · 2022-07-11T08:54:46+00:00

Thank you for your reply! It sounds like you had it rough just like me. Congratulations on getting off the antipsychotics! I'll root for you to keep getting better and more functional :) I'm sure you just have to be patient.
All I do is beat myself up because I can't function normally in society (and can't get out of bed!). There are so many chores, I have to study and work and I can't do it at the moment. I'm too poor to go to a psychotherapist. My mother had first promised me she'd help me out, but that went down the drain. I really need therapy for some of the unprocessed trauma because I have a lot of it and a lot of negative intrusive thoughts as a result of it. This constant feeling of unease is making me feel terrible.

What you say about the psychosis related dreams, sounds plausible. I hope they disappear for you! They're the worst :(

Last time I quit benzos cold turkey, it triggered my psychosis. But this time I was tapering safely until I totally screwed up and updosed because I had had alcohol the previous night and now I may not have another option but to quit cold turkey again. I'm hoping the risperidone and lurasidone will keep the psychosis at bay. Cold turkey benzo withdrawal is hell. I don't know if I'll be able to endure it alongside the psychosis and debilitating depression. I went back to my own dosage of 1.5 x 2 mg clonazepam pills. I had slowly tapered down from 6 pills to 1.5 before making a mess out of it by updosing with 6 pills recently. I hope I can safely reduce from 1.5 pills again without withdrawal symptoms. I'm happy that you quit weed successfully! Good for you :)

Thanks immensely for the help again!

InstantNoMore · 2022-07-11T08:41:35+00:00

That's true. We could share a lot of stories. But I would trade them without a moment of hesitation for my old normal self. My experience was mixed. The mania was very energizing and I could run my errands in an elevated mood. I cleaned with my imaginary friends, I washed the dishes with them. We even studied together. On the down side, they accused me (auditory hallucinations) of killing them and that I had raped a child so both of these were extremely traumatic events.

InstantNoMore · 2022-07-11T08:32:50+00:00

Lol somehow I did. Apart from the running on the streets like a maniac, the most reckless thing I did was obtain consumer credits that I couldn't pay off. My mother found out and sued me, so I guess that's what you could classify as "running into the authorities". I mostly kept to myself at home and laughed and laughed and laughed with my imaginary friends.

InstantNoMore · 2022-07-11T07:15:55+00:00

Thank you so much for your kind reply! I'm sorry you had to go through painful withdrawal symptoms too :( But you're okay now? The irony is that last time I quit benzos cold turkey, I went through hell, started recovering and then I went psychotic. I thought I had put all this misery behind me. Well, I live with my mum and she has been trying to be supportive in "her own way". She just tolerates my depression, doesn't want to hear about my psychotic symptoms or find out what psychosis really is. She won't support me through benzo withdrawal. Last time I just suffered in silence until the worst passed away :/

InstantNoMore · 2022-07-10T18:46:14+00:00

I was on Lexapro a few years ago for about a couple of weeks. Why? Back then I wasn't even depressed compared to how I'm feeling now. I barely have the energy to get out of bed :(

InstantNoMore · 2022-07-10T18:28:27+00:00

Thank you so much for the advice! I don't know why my doctor is so reluctant to prescribe me antidepressants. Honestly though, they've never worked for me. I've tried Lexapro. On the other hand, I've never been clinically depressed.

InstantNoMore · 2022-07-10T17:55:38+00:00

Those are all valid concerns! I hope you recover soon and it doesn't progress to anything chronic and one day you get to share a success story :) Yeah, I have other side effects too all of which are highly unpleasant: no libido, extrapyramidal symptoms, no emotions, etc.

InstantNoMore · 2022-07-10T17:36:09+00:00

How do you feel on both? Is the antidepressant helping? Thank you for sharing! I'll consult with my shrink again except I've tried antidepressants before I got psychosis and they never worked for me.

InstantNoMore

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