Diagnosed with depression with psychotic features

[LovelyBath]

Hi, I have had this diagnosis after having several episodes of depression in the past. This time it happened after a series of serious operations and physical illness. I had psychosis in the hospital which worsened afterwards. I have had some good support from the local mental health recovery service and have had a support worker for the last year or two. I'm just about trying to manage alone after being discharged back to the GP. I do have much more of an awareness now and sometimes coping strategies. Just wondering if anyone else had experienced anything similar

[Muddlewitch]

I had it when I was a teenager for a few years. I have had periods of depression since, but without psychosis. I have had intrusive thoughts with the depression though, but thankfully have been well for a a few years now and actually work in mental health these days.

Psychosis varies hugely from person to person. Distraction worked well for me with low level psychosis, very mundane things until it passed. Also getting to know my triggers - stress, lack of sleep, lack of food/wrong food etc. recognising those early warning signs (keeping a record after episodes to notice patterns) and making sure you keep yourself safe once they start. Routine. Support from others who have had similar experiences is very useful, have a look at something like Elefriends.org.uk - online community for people with mental health issues. CBT can sometimes be useful depending on the circumstances.

[Muddlewitch]

Also alcohol and medication (legal or illegal) can be triggers, possibly explaining why you experienced it after surgery.

[Heaveniswaiting]

Hiya, I have this too. Currently in a depressed episode with awful anxiety but no psychosis yet this time. It is awful isn't it. I wish you well.

[dontrunwithscissors]

I apparently had psychotic thinking with depression in the last couple of epsiodes and was admitted in December and June. It's horrible. Sorry, I don't really have any coping strategies, but and hope you keep feeling better.

[Heaveniswaiting]

I find getting enough sleep helpful as I'm more likely to get psychosis when I don't sleep. That said, I sleep loads or barely at all.

[LovelyBath]

Thank you for your replies, very helpful and wishing you all well too. I find mindfulness quite helpful at the moment but not sure if it would be possible if it got worse. Keep trying to think to myself we can't control what happens to use but how we respond if symptoms do get worse. And yes as mentioned things like sleep alcohol etc can be triggers.

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

I'm sorry you're going through this. We're currently watching DFil go through it and it's so frustrating not being able to help him. He doesn't have a clue about triggers or understand how to manage anything so he just carries on in his sad little state. The home treatment team and his care worker are fab though and are doing everything they can. I think he's just too old and too set in his ways to change now.