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Do I Have Schizophrenia ?
I think I have schizophrenia. I'm a 16 year old girl who has suffered abuse and bullying as a child. I've struggled with on and off undiagnosed depression for three years now and it turned me into a compulsive liar, and I think this is when I began to loose touch with reality. My mind began to lie to even me.
When I am stricken with fear or anxiety of even medium degrees I quickly become overwhelmed and then I hear voices in my head, telling me that I am worthless, that I should die, etc. I cry hysterically and pace around my room trying to get away from it. At night sometimes when I fall asleep I have terrifying hypnogogic hallucinations that involve me being hurt by things I can't see, and only recently during them am I able to tell they're hallucinations and I snap out of them within minutes. I don't want to get medication for it, though. I have a friend on schizophrenia medications and it drives her even more insane. What should I do? I don't want the fact that I have schizophrenia to hinder my future career by being diagnosed, but I don't want to suffer from it either.
When I am stricken with fear or anxiety of even medium degrees I quickly become overwhelmed and then I hear voices in my head, telling me that I am worthless, that I should die, etc. I cry hysterically and pace around my room trying to get away from it. At night sometimes when I fall asleep I have terrifying hypnogogic hallucinations that involve me being hurt by things I can't see, and only recently during them am I able to tell they're hallucinations and I snap out of them within minutes. I don't want to get medication for it, though. I have a friend on schizophrenia medications and it drives her even more insane. What should I do? I don't want the fact that I have schizophrenia to hinder my future career by being diagnosed, but I don't want to suffer from it either.
Mon, 20 Jun 2011
Hi
First of all, from the coherence of your language, from the use of technical words like hypnogogic hallucinations, hallucinations etc, from the presence of insight that the voices that you hear are not real but hallucinations etc......I do not see the cognitive changes, the decline in functional capabilities and the distortion of reality that I would expect from a Schizophrenic patient in acute illness phase.
If the symptoms describe someone else that you know of, who you are describing, then yes, voice experiences could be part of schizophrenic illness. But from what you are describing, they may be something called as pseudohallucinations.
Third, people DO NOT "go insane" with medication for schizophrenia but yes there are side effects from the medication, most of which are manageable.
Finally, it has been proved that whatever might be the stigma and consequent diminished social/occupational opportunities, a patient not treated for schizophrenia pays more price than a patient who gets treatment, in terms of direct and indirect costs of living with the illness.
My advice for you will be to have a consult with a local psychiatrist to try and assess your problem.
First of all, from the coherence of your language, from the use of technical words like hypnogogic hallucinations, hallucinations etc, from the presence of insight that the voices that you hear are not real but hallucinations etc......I do not see the cognitive changes, the decline in functional capabilities and the distortion of reality that I would expect from a Schizophrenic patient in acute illness phase.
If the symptoms describe someone else that you know of, who you are describing, then yes, voice experiences could be part of schizophrenic illness. But from what you are describing, they may be something called as pseudohallucinations.
Third, people DO NOT "go insane" with medication for schizophrenia but yes there are side effects from the medication, most of which are manageable.
Finally, it has been proved that whatever might be the stigma and consequent diminished social/occupational opportunities, a patient not treated for schizophrenia pays more price than a patient who gets treatment, in terms of direct and indirect costs of living with the illness.
My advice for you will be to have a consult with a local psychiatrist to try and assess your problem.
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User's Response
prkkkd's
Response
FEAR-It is the main problem that is causing you the disturbances.
. A SOUND MIND IN A SOUND BODY:
1.Take Nutritious Food: Take Plenty of seasonal Fruits such as watermelons,Grapes,Apple,Banana etc.
One glass of good quality of milk per day.
2.Exercise : Brisk walking in Fresh Air/Jogging/Aerobic exercises/Out door games such as Shuttle etc. which ever is interesting to you.
3.Sound sleep : Put off TV/computer/after 7.30PM.Take shower head bath.Take dinner.Add plenty of Buttermilk.Read good interesting books.
4.Prayer before going to sleep any divine personality/NATURE of your Interest.Think of instances that gave you happiness earlier.
Wishing you all the Best
If not solved ,Post your answer for simple natural remidies.
. A SOUND MIND IN A SOUND BODY:
1.Take Nutritious Food: Take Plenty of seasonal Fruits such as watermelons,Grapes,Apple,Banana etc.
One glass of good quality of milk per day.
2.Exercise : Brisk walking in Fresh Air/Jogging/Aerobic exercises/Out door games such as Shuttle etc. which ever is interesting to you.
3.Sound sleep : Put off TV/computer/after 7.30PM.Take shower head bath.Take dinner.Add plenty of Buttermilk.Read good interesting books.
4.Prayer before going to sleep any divine personality/NATURE of your Interest.Think of instances that gave you happiness earlier.
Wishing you all the Best
If not solved ,Post your answer for simple natural remidies.
User's Response
Hi, Welcome to Healthcaremagic!
Dear, whatever may be your past, & your present symptoms, you MUST appreciate that you have NOT lost touch with reality. I.e. "LACK OF INSIGHT" (of your illness) is absent; you are AWARE of your problems. This will usually not occur in schizophrenia. So you should yourself not diagnose as schizophrenic.
I also agree with Dr Raghevendra that "whatever might be the stigma and consequent diminished social/occupational opportunities, a patient not treated for schizophrenia pays more price than a patient who gets treatment, in terms of direct and indirect costs of living with the illness".
Please consult a psychiatrist for timely evaluation & treatment.
Good luck.
Dear, whatever may be your past, & your present symptoms, you MUST appreciate that you have NOT lost touch with reality. I.e. "LACK OF INSIGHT" (of your illness) is absent; you are AWARE of your problems. This will usually not occur in schizophrenia. So you should yourself not diagnose as schizophrenic.
I also agree with Dr Raghevendra that "whatever might be the stigma and consequent diminished social/occupational opportunities, a patient not treated for schizophrenia pays more price than a patient who gets treatment, in terms of direct and indirect costs of living with the illness".
Please consult a psychiatrist for timely evaluation & treatment.
Good luck.
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Go by dr raghvendra's advice....what u r describing may be pseudohallucinations because schizophrenics cannot make out whether it is real or hallucination.they consider hallucinations as real voices.and they wont be posting questions like u.it can be part of other psychiatric illness...may. Be depression....go and consult a psychiatrist....u will be amuch happier soul
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1 Doctor agrees with this answer
User's Response
Dr. Puneet Vir Singh,
Diabetologist's Response
Diabetologist's Response
I think you should go for a complete psychological checkup for schizophrenia.only then we can be sure about the diagnosis. Also dont hesitate to consult the local psychiatrist.Best of luck!!!!!
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