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Mental health

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Original poster

Has anyone experienced psychosis

14 replies

Balloonsandroses · 12/01/2023 10:22

I’ve been unwell with depression for a few months and had just about got my head round that. But over the last few days I’ve got really agitated, can’t sit still, can’t sleep, keep feeling like I hear people laughing or muttering especially in the night and feel like my whole family is af risk especially if I go to sleep. I also feel really worried about food and drink before harmful and have got rid of everything in the house that’s past the best before date (ashamed to say this is quite a lot of tins / chocolates / biscuits etx!). Psychiatrist reckons I might be getting some paychotic symptoms. Has anyone else had anything similar? I was hoping it was just sleep deprivation and meds side effects but it feels so odd - I’ve never had anything like this before and it feels really scary and muddling - there ade so many thoughts in my head about pretty much everything I look at or see which is Almost the opposite of a week ago when I could barely think / move.
please tell me I’m not on my own and this is going to go away, I’m so so scared!

OP posts:

Olimar · 12/01/2023 14:24

I've had psychosis a few times but I now take an antipsychotic medication. Has your psychiatrist recommended you take anything for it?

Original poster

Balloonsandroses · 12/01/2023 15:16

@Olimar yes I’ve got some olanzapine and temazepam for night times and diazepam for the day which is helping to take the edge off a bit - seeing him again tomorrow. It’s so scary though

OP posts:

Humphplumf · 12/01/2023 19:27

DH has bi polar and has had a few psychotic episodes. What you are saying sounds similar to what he describes.
It was impossible for him to sleep. Once awake for 12 days and nights in a row. Imaging lots of things. For example that the government were trying to capture his family as he was going to unearth a big scandal (it wasn’t a scandal, it was equivalent to finding a new pothole in road). He also thought the hospital were trying to conspire with me to lock him up, as a cover up. I was having an affair with the doctor etc.
It was scary. He was prescribed Olanzapine which did take the edge off…

all I can say is, keep engaging with the mental health team. DH now takes medication every day (not Olanzapine now though) and is happy and stable and in the best place he’s ever been.
take care and good luck

Adviceneeded200 · 12/01/2023 20:02

Last October I had (or was very close to) a breakdown.

I was thinking the police were outside my house going to arrest me (there had been a minor accident to the wall and there were highway signs up until it was repaired which kept getting knocked over). I dreamt my boss was coming for me (because I was off sick) and that various other people were after me. I sort of believed it and sort of didn't, so not sure if I was not quite at the "psycosis" hurdle.

It was scary. I engaged with GP, a private therapist, I walked, and I worked (despite being on sick) but with some arrangements.so I was left in peace and quiet a lot.

I'm.not fully well.now but I'm.making positive steps to improve. I will soon have worked my notice on one stressful part time job I have and will soon have more time to look after myself. Therapy was really useful. GP got me out of a tight spot but I never took to the medications as the side effects were horrific, so stopped as soon as possible

Original poster

Balloonsandroses · 12/01/2023 21:09

Thank you all. @Humphplumf im trying really hard to engage with mental health team, part of the problem is I feel really suspicious of them and hate letting them in the house. I do trust my psychiatrist though I think so that’s something

OP posts:

Humphplumf · 12/01/2023 22:23

I’m so sorry you are experiencing this OP.

TBH honest DH struggles with trusting the mental health teams and care coordinators etc. It’s challenging because when he is well he has good insight and so then they sign him off. And as soon as he gets a tiny bit unstable he’ll start the mistrust again. He also thinks I’m conspiring to lock him up and all sorts.
what I would say is that it took a good 9 months to get his meds levels right and the right anti psychotic. Then we hit jack pot and he was like a new person. Same personality, dames likes and dislikes. Same sense of humour. Just without the unnerving edge. Made me realise he’s been on the brink of this for many many years and explained a lot of previous behaviour. The problem is he feels great so then stops taking his meds. Starts getting unwell again within days and then we’re back into a battle to get him to take them again.

it will be hard work for you. I don’t underestimate how difficult is it to trust people who sometimes seem to think they know your mind better than you do. But please try to engage.

we have been on a waiting for for step 4 therapy fiancé Dec 2020 so it’s a long wait for therapeutic treatment. And honestly DH medication has given him his business, marriage, friendships back.

Ineedtosleep79 · 12/01/2023 22:27

What you described reminded me a bit of anxiety related OCD?

Kiwistar · 13/01/2023 14:16

OP sorry that you’re going through this. How horrible and scary for you. Depression can occasionally lead to psychotic symptoms. This sounds like it’s what’s happening to you. Olanzapine is a very fast acting and effective antipsychotic medication. Once you get some into your system you will hopefully start to feel a bit better. Lack of sleep can drive psychotic symptoms but it can also occur as a result of psychosis and is a very common symptom, so the sleeping medication will really help you to rest and restore some balance. I hope you feel better soon.

Gillbillz · 05/02/2023 20:40

I had very similar symptoms to you after third baby. I was put on high dose of olanzapine and sertraline. Now when those symptoms start again I take very low dose of olanzapine (2.5 mg)

Novita · 05/02/2023 21:01

I have had similar psychotic symptoms. When full psychosis comes I don't have any clue anymore that something is wrong with me. I am on antipsychotic medication so full on blows do not happen anymore.

LemonSwan · 05/02/2023 21:18

Yes I had a full on psychotic episode resulting in a month long section. The fact you think your psychotic means your probably not that psychotic so it’s a good thing.

One off event, fully recovered now. Stopped meds after 3 months.

cheerypip · 05/02/2023 21:22

LemonSwan · 05/02/2023 21:18

Yes I had a full on psychotic episode resulting in a month long section. The fact you think your psychotic means your probably not that psychotic so it’s a good thing.

One off event, fully recovered now. Stopped meds after 3 months.

If you don't mind me asking, were you able to identify what caused the psychosis?

LemonSwan · 06/02/2023 01:14

@cheerypip

Yes I was. Very exactly actually. It’s quite personal so I don’t really want to mull over it but it was a trauma event causing anxiety and fight or flight and my head just couldn’t compute where the actual legitimate danger stopped and the fantasy danger began IYSWIM. Once that line was crossed it was just a free for all in my head.

Sunriseinwonderland · 06/02/2023 01:20

Yes I heard people whispering to me in the night and saw shadowy figures going up and down the stairs. I live in a modern house not over a graveyard or anything so it turned out to be temporary psychosis due to stress.
Its quite common.
I just take anti anxiety meds and it doesn't happen any more.

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