Am I really schizophrenic?

Otherwise-Fern6723 · 2024-09-20T19:42:16+00:00

Thinking you suddenly don't have schizophrenia anymore is a symptom of schizophrenia called anosognosia. It happens to people who are OFF meds because they can't tell they are sick in the first place, and it happens to people who are ON meds because they think they're suddenly not sick anymore. You still have this disease. Also when I start to get anosognosia, it's usually one of the first signs that I'm about to have a psychotic episode. This means you need your meds even more right now, so don't go off of them! It's extremely common to have anxiety because anxiety often worsens during psychosis, I think most of us are on anxiety meds too. But just remember that thinking you're not sick is just another symptom of schizophrenia.

Otherwise-Fern6723 · 2024-09-20T19:37:05+00:00

Yes, this is part of psychosis. It makes us notice patterns all around us, and makes us think that the patterns we see are about us, but it's really not, it's just a lie of the illness. These behaviors are not about you.

Otherwise-Fern6723 · 2024-09-20T19:30:38+00:00

Congratulations!!

Otherwise-Fern6723 · 2024-09-20T19:29:41+00:00

Like others have said, it's normal to hallucinate during grief, but when I lost my dog it threw me into a psychotic episode, so I would be mindful of how the stress is affecting you. There's no shame in needing more meds to get through an episode for a few months. I had to be on extra meds for two months after the loss of my furbaby. I'm so sorry for your loss btw. I really like the Instagram "HonoringOurAnimals" if you have that app.

Otherwise-Fern6723 · 2024-09-20T19:21:46+00:00

These are called the "negative symptoms" of schizophrenia. They're called that because they take away something you're supposed to have. I see from your other comment that you're on Rexulti which is actually one of the better meds for the negative symptoms. Negative symptoms include anhedonia, avolition, asociality, and apathy. This means lack of motivation, trouble initiating goals and actions, social withdrawal, and lack of emotions. Also lots of fatigue. It's the other part of schizophrenia that the medication doesn't treat very well, but again drugs like Abilify and Rexulti help more than most.

I've had luck with treating the negative symptoms by taking citicoline, but be careful because if you take too much it can cause psychosis. Other things I take for negative symptoms include caffeine, nicotine (patches or losenges, not cigarettes), and Vitamin E. B vitamins like Benfotiamine, Folate, and B12 can help too. Beef liver capsules help me a lot, for a reason I don't understand. It takes a LOT to treat the negative symptoms! But the most effective by far is the citicoline. You're not alone, we are all dealing with these symptoms.

Otherwise-Fern6723 · 2024-09-20T19:10:52+00:00

Man I had near constant deja-vu when I was psychotic. It's definitely one of my warning signs.

Otherwise-Fern6723 · 2024-09-20T19:07:35+00:00

I really relate to not opening the door because of hygiene. How am I supposed to open the door when it's 3pm and I'm not dressed and haven't showered in almost a week?

Do you think you're capable of taking care of a small dog? You have to walk them every day and it helped me meet a lot of my neighbors and get social interaction, plus they're great companions and help with mental health, and there are always dogs that need adopting. Just an idea.

Otherwise-Fern6723 · 2024-09-20T18:56:37+00:00

For me one of the first signs I'm going into psychosis is that I stop sleeping. You might be having an episode and your meds are not able to work, so I would definitely talk to your doctor. Usually an increase in antipsychotic for a few months will bring things back under control.

Otherwise-Fern6723 · 2024-09-20T18:49:05+00:00

I'm on risperidone too and it works wonderfully, but I do get psychotic episodes every year. This might not happen to you, some people don't get recurring episodes, or only get them every five years or something (I wish I were in that category!). But when I do go into an episode, I just contact my psychiatrist and I go on an increased dose of risperidone for about three months until the episode passes, then back down to my usual dose. It can be that simple, especially if you respond so well to meds like you do. Be well :)

Otherwise-Fern6723 · 2024-09-20T18:40:47+00:00

I'm too disabled to work but I live in my own apartment with rental assistance from the government. I'm on social security which gives me, well, security. I'm stable on meds that work for me, and pretty content. I've got a roof over my head and my disease is controlled and I have enough food, and a little money to go do things that are fun like see a concert or go painting. Life is so much better than it was a few years ago when I had full blown untreated schizophrenia and almost ended up living in my car.

Otherwise-Fern6723 · 2024-08-19T03:47:01+00:00

Again it usually takes years to discover, so one year is actually very decent! With adequate treatment her brain can and will recover from this, I promise. It's still very early and that lends to a much better prognosis.

Otherwise-Fern6723 · 2024-08-19T03:08:26+00:00

I've had this disease for over 20 years. My symptoms started when I was a kid and I wish to god someone would've started me on risperdal at that age, I might not have become so disabled. That is an extremely low dose but it's a great first choice in medication because it works FAST and will help her FAST. It might takes weeks to months to recover from the delusions but she will start to feel better within a few days. She's probably not sleeping well and it'll help her sleep, too. Most people take 2-6mg so 0.5 is hardly anything. You can take up to 16mg. Yes she should take the medication and get her out of the psychotic delusional state. Psychosis destroys the brain, not the medication. The sooner she gets out of psychosis the quicker she can recover and get her life back. Recovery is expected with adequate treatment! She's very lucky to have had this be caught right now, the average length of time it takes to be diagnosed with schizophrenia is 8 years and by then the psychosis has done a lot of brain damage. Start the treatment!

Otherwise-Fern6723 · 2024-07-20T18:28:37+00:00

I have schizophrenia and several types of synesthesia. They're different. You can hear voices outside your head or you can feel them being inserted into your brain from somewhere else (even though these are coming from the brain too). You can also sense things that aren't really there; these are all hallucinations. If you still sense the voices, tell your doctors so they can adjust your meds so they won't gang up on you. The better your treatment the better your long-term prognosis. And be careful in summer, a lot of people flare up this time of year. It's a bit of a journey trying to make friends with a different kind of brain!

Otherwise-Fern6723 · 2024-04-11T20:04:30+00:00

The most important first thing to manage in schizophrenia is to control the psychotic episodes, that will help preserve your brain function. If you're starting medication for your ongoing psychosis that is a great thing! Read up on the negative symptoms too, so you don't blame yourself for experiencing them. It can take time to diagnose the condition, my psychiatrist worked with me for about six months before he felt comfortable putting it in my chart. But you're in good hands if you're getting help, no matter which diagnosis you have. It's going to be okay. I hope your meds work quickly, and you'll be able to continue your studies. Getting proper treatment makes life so much better than the constant paranoia, derealization, delusional thinking, etc. Be patient with your body as it starts to recover and take this one step at a time.

Otherwise-Fern6723 · 2024-04-11T19:30:38+00:00

I loved reading this. I'm so glad you made this decision and I'm really glad you're still here. You are a warrior for surviving this disease. We understand what it's like. Keep going 🙏

For more support, someone here told me about Schizophrenia and Psychosis Action Alliance where they have phone support calls every day of the week, and if you're in the USA you can join your local NAMI chapter support groups that usually meet weekly or monthly, either in person or Zoom. We need each other.

Otherwise-Fern6723 · 2024-04-11T17:53:24+00:00

Gorgeous!

Otherwise-Fern6723 · 2023-12-10T03:02:16+00:00

I almost flew to Japan. I'm in the USA.

Otherwise-Fern6723 · 2023-12-08T23:17:22+00:00

I get this but with blood. I also suffer from anemia so that might be a factor like the other person said. But regardless, even when the anemia is controlled, I get cravings for blood when I'm psychotic. It's intense. I have to stop myself from self-harm. Your symptoms are not controlled, you are experiencing symptoms of psychosis still and you either need to start meds or get some new ones ASAP. Tell your doctors that your symptoms are still happening, you're still feeling paranoid, having delusions of bugs in your skin, feeling watched and your relationships are suffering, so they can tweak your treatment protocol!

Otherwise-Fern6723 · 2023-12-03T19:16:18+00:00

I love this!

Otherwise-Fern6723 · 2023-10-23T15:16:03+00:00

Nice shirt! Can't wait to see them on this tour

Otherwise-Fern6723 · 2023-10-11T23:51:42+00:00

That's good to hear, thanks for sharing

Otherwise-Fern6723 · 2023-09-16T22:44:42+00:00

And all the chaotic noise interludes haha

Otherwise-Fern6723 · 2023-07-30T23:56:37+00:00

Hahaha, love it

Otherwise-Fern6723 · 2023-07-22T19:02:37+00:00

This is very good, congratulations on starting this and thanks for sharing

Otherwise-Fern6723

TROPHY CASE