Hi,I am Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (Psychiatrist). I will be looking into your question and guiding you through the process. Please write your question below.
I have a 1st cousin that her family has decided she is Schizophrenic. While she exhibits many of the symptoms I believe they are not considering her addition behaviors. Nicotine, diet pills (speed?), sex, that I know of. She exhibits many of the attitudes I see in addicts when confronted with their maladaptive behaviors. Blaming, extreme insecurity (paranoid?), living in a fantasy world that varies slightly at times then contradicts itself. She had written an entire book about her life as a dowser and talking to the spirits which contradicts not only what the family remembers but contradicts itself sentence to sentence. She was admitted to hospital talking to Angels . Quickly given medications (which she refuses to take)and discharged. To my mind she was under the influence of something and when she came down she was rational again. There was no tox screening before diagnosis of Schizophrenia. As the only member of the family she still speaks to openly I do not want to make a mis step that will put me on the them list. Under the heading of a little information is dangerous, I am a student of addition science. When I discovered SMART Recovery(.org) I found the data that supported all my thoughts which made AA not only a bad fit form me but harmful. So I may see a AOD under every rock.
You did not mention the age of your cousin. She may have underline personality disorder. For diagnosis of schizophrenia, we need certain symptoms in patient like delusion, hallucination etc. The way you have explained the symptoms, these are more towards personality disorder. In that case, you need to consult a psychiatrist for proper evaluation and diagnosis. If you need further help, you can ask.
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Suggest Treatment For Schizophrenia
HI Thanks for using healthcare magic You did not mention the age of your cousin. She may have underline personality disorder. For diagnosis of schizophrenia, we need certain symptoms in patient like delusion, hallucination etc. The way you have explained the symptoms, these are more towards personality disorder. In that case, you need to consult a psychiatrist for proper evaluation and diagnosis. If you need further help, you can ask. Thanks