Psychosis question

[Bumblebeedotty]

Does psychosis exist on a scale?

I have lost reality completely, whole other world before. No insight at all, very argumentative that I was completely fine & everyone else was the problem.

But heard a voice of my own thoughts the other night, but only very occasionally hear voices.
Do have a particular delusional belief at the moment in certain mood states (bipolar) but it’s not an alternate reality.

But I’m not overly worrying about the voices especcially, as I know I’ve not lost reality completely, I see them as just breakthrough symptoms, not psychosis, but is that wrong?

please contact your gp and any friends and family. you are you and a really valuable and worthwhile person. never feel bad about yourself. but you need help and you need it fast. please reach out.

I would mention it to your mental health team OP.

Could be nothing, but could be something starting again so best to give them a call x

Do you have a mental health team you can talk to?
I can only tell you my own experiences. When I’ve been psychotic I’ve not had any insight and totally believe the voices are real. I have irrational beliefs that people are dangerous and I need to harm them.

Sorry to derail but I commented on a thread of yours previously and I am so pleased to see your name pop up and know that you’re ok x

Ah thank you. I ended up in hospital earlier this year and at the time my account was suspended. I was allowed back when I was better. Things have been ok, I’m not hallucinating or hearing voices but my anxiety and depression are bad. Sorry for the thread derail!

I am so pleased to hear that you’re better than before, and really hope the depression and anxiety become manageable soon. You’re an absolute warrior, and hopefully an inspiration and some support to the OP.

Take good care of yourself x

That’s ok guys.

It does scare me as I was in my alternate reality for two years & wouldn’t go near MH services. I wasn’t a risk to myself or anyone though, was very enlightening when I did have help as the meds kicked in & the world came back! MH is so scary.

I don’t want to go back to that, but I don’t think I will as I’m still on the mood stabiliser that bought me out of that. It’s just hard when you don’t actually realise when you loose reality.

I’m not worried, think it’s ok, but it also makes me question myself, & worry, but I think if I’m questioning myself I’m ok?

Could it be something as simple as your meds need tweaking?x

Thanks Don’tBiteTheCat, I am in the middle of a meds change, so coming off an antipsychotic, but still on the mood stabiliser that stops me loosing it completely, so I am in an episode of sorts, so guess getting few symptoms is to expected? I don’t know

When I came off my anti psychotic earlier this year, things unravelled very quickly despite me being on a mood stabiliser so be wary of that.
Have you a MH team you can chat with?

Hi, OP. I'm a mental health nurse. This really depends what your early warning signs are.

Some medicated people continue to hear voices/experience delusions, but they might be insightful, or it may not bother them, or distress them/impact their quality of life. At the moment, it sounds like you're aware of your symptoms for what the are, which is positive.

For others, it may be a sign you're starting to relapse.

Either way, mention it to whichever team you're under.

Oh I know, I’ll relapse into mixed state very quickly (3days) if I reduce it anymore than I have, tried few weeks ago & it got put back up fast. Not sure this next stage is going too well. Psychiatrist thinks more PRN will work, me not so sure!!
My mood stabiliser will stop me loosing reality completely but that’s not going to stop me doing something dangerous because of lack of capacity at times (agreed by some), or getting arrested or hurt because I get so argumentative (I never argue normally, can’t be doing with it) but in this state I will start an argument with anyone. Not violent, aggressive or rude at all, but I do argue! Last time it was reduced put myself in danger with this. Or getting into a too much energy & loosing control. Really don’t want to go through this, but got to come off this med before can start new one.

No idea if I’ve done this quote thing right.

Thank you, I’ve been thinking maybe it’s just sleep deprivation, (although don’t always get it when tired), but my old care co did what I’m like when well & symptoms of being unwell & you saying that made me remember auditory hallucinations is a “what I’m like when unwell” symptom. Had forgotten about that so thank you.

I’m very lucky my bipolar is very responsive to meds. Very reactive to lack of meds, but I am lucky I get stability

It sounds like you don't have a whole lot of experience in identifying the first signs of an episode so I would look on this as a learning experience and get yourself monitored by the community mental health team. You can't know how things will develop but by doing this, you will have successfully put help in place if you need it and you will be able to do so again.

Just worked out how to do this. Did try to reply to you above but now I know how to do this quote thing it’s easier.

Thank you

Thank you. I have no idea. Normally it’s adjust meds & wham full on mixed state. Had different symptoms this time.