anyone else suffer from pyschosis/psychotic episodes?

[TheArmadillo]

Had a psychotic episode a few weeks ago. Have had them before but this seems to be a lot shorter (last one was about 9 months long and took about 2 years to recover).

Currently taking anti-psychotics and having therapy. Coming to terms with the idea that this is not going away forever and will come back whenever I get completely stressed out. Also dealing with money troubles as a result.

I don't know anyone who has the same/similar. Just wondering if there is anyone else out there? Dh is a sahd partly because of this, others are supportive but don't understand what psychosis is.

I think feelings can be, yes. They are being slow in getting me anti-psychotics; even putting it down to tiredness and overwork at university (!). The DR I saw on Friday said its too early to tell if I have schritzophrehia; but it's highly likely. The home treatment team say different- you don't want a label, you could learn to control the voices with therapy etc. and putting it down to a chaotic childhood. But I've had three years of therapy; some self-funded, and I reached a good place in my life. Single Mum, great social life, lots of great friends, graduated with a first, onto Masters and PhD (both offered), job on graduation. Somehow, I think I'd managed to get over my issues, and this is an illness that needs medicating. It might have been caused by my childhood and triggered by stress, but that's not the issue. Looking back, I had the symptoms for a while. They are sending their Dr to speak with me. The one at the clinic said I need anti-psychotics, but wants to talk to me first (!). I'm hearing voices still, and they are controlling/ claiming responsibility for things. Also feeling the voice is there, being watched etc., people whispering. Happens a lot, but if I talk about it, as you'd expect, it gets worse. I tried not to take diapazem today, but became very confused and made a significant lapse in judgement (overfilled the bath because I was pre occupied) so took it in the end. DD isn't allowed back with me until social services have assessed me, because I might act on the violent things the voices say (I won't- but I did say to the CPN I can't guarantee I won't have another episode and keep her safe. BUT if I have treatment, it will stabilise me and I will be able to manage my condition). I'm meeting a friend at 4- so I should probably get in the bath I've had to run again....

Try not to focus too much on what label you are given. It is unimportant what matters is that the symptoms you experience are treated successfully.

Strange indeed that you aren't already on antipsychotics. I got then brought home when I was talking on phone to my cpn about lizards looking through windows. Now I am not so messed up but I still feel that some people are lizards.

I am breaking point with it. I feel suicidal. I've made a plan, I can't act on it today, so maybe I'll tell the home treatment team when they come tomorrow. They clearly think I'm making it all up for attention and I have an "overactive imagination" and are quite happy to leave me to my own devices, unsupervised, so whatever really. I just don't care anymore. The voices are still there. Without diapazem I have hallucinations and hear flowers singing. I can't be bothered trying to convince them anymore. They think I'm lying, or else they would have prescribed it for me already.

Maybe they want to be sure what your diagnosis is. I would think if it would be psychotic depression antidepressant would have helped. I think they believe you, why otherwise they would sent home treatment team to see you. I have been quite bad with depression and no home treatment offered.

Hang in there katkins1, you will get better. I have psychotic depression which is well managed with antipsychotics and antidepressants. I wish you all the best for a speedy recovery.

Thank you. I just phoned the crisis team because I very, very nearly sh. I'm not sure what you are meant to do in situations like that, but the Doctor I saw today I need to phone and report it- because they would rather know, especially since they are observing me for a week.

We'll done katkins1 that was very brave to phone. I hope the crisis team respond quickly.

Good that you called. Must be hard with all those hallucinations.

I'm not having as many hallucinations now- I have weird thoughts, like I bleached the bath because I thought there had been a giant spider in it, almost thought there was one sitting on my bed and they have been crawling all over me at night, and when I was getting dressed this morning.

Glad that you have less hallucinations. Just remembered that when I was in hospital they did not medicate my visual hallucinations at all. They just tried to sort out my mood.

About spiders, you sound like my friend who has spider phobia. Everything has to be cleaned and clothes checked before she could wear them.

How are you katkins1 now?