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Newly Joined
Member Since Mar 2018
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 2
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#1
I was diagnosed Bipolar type 1 back in 2008 after a manic episode. Which subsequently landed me in the psych ward. In 2012, my girlfriend at the time came back from a trip to Mexico and told me that she cheated on me. We broke up and a few days later, I attempted to end my life while laying in bed. I laid there for a couple days before my father found me. Back to the the psych ward I went.
The thing was, that I thought I was dead and living like a ghost. I was catatonic. Numerous ECT Electroshock therapy sessions I began responding to people and realized I am alive. I've never had hallucinations, auditory or visual. I was then diagnosed with Schizoaffective Disorder and put in a group home, with disability benefits (I'm in Canada). I'm on Lithium and Olanzapine and it's working, minus daily digestive issues. So my question is, without hallucinations of any kind, just the delusion of thinking I was dead 5 years ago qualify me for the Schizoaffective diagnosis? Or am I just Bipolar 1, that had a psychotic episode brought on by stress? I don't expect experts to diagnose me, I'm just looking for opinions from others with this condition. I now live in a upper floor of a house with a roommate, life is okay. Last edited by CANDC; Mar 19, 2018 at 06:50 PM.. Reason: omit details of end life |
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Elder...and a bit Older
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Member Since Nov 2013
Location: My Own Orbit
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#2
Hi Lucidity
For those who feel alone, or simply wanting to reach out for a chat without judgement......Psych Central is the place. There are many good listeners here... we're a pretty good bunch. I have been an active member of this site for 4 years. In that time I have received some really constructive feedback and connected with several others with similar challenges to myself. I have also found hanging out in the Games Forums to be a welcome distraction in times of stress... a great way to clear my head, meet like minded others, and have some well needed fun. New members benefit greatly from perusing the many forums available here...lots to explore. Also after 5 approved posts members have the option to join the chatrooms..or chat one on one with other members. Should you have any questions on navigating this site, please don't hesitate to private message me or any of the other Community Liaisons who will be more than happy to help. Just click on the screen name above my avatar. Please be kind & generous to yourself Lucidity, and welcome to P.C __________________ The devil whispered in my ear, "You cannot withstand the storm." I whispered back, "I am the storm." |
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Anonymous45390
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#3
I don’t know, but feel free to come over and post in the bipolar forum if you want to. We’re pretty active over there.
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Grand Member
Member Since Jan 2018
Location: I wish they all could be California gurls...
Posts: 992
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#4
Jeepers. I’m not sure that we who have been diagnosed as schizoaffective disorder can really diagnose someone else based upon three paragraphs of experiences!
Some folks have a diagnosis of Schizoaffective disorder Bipolar Type. Others (including me) are diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and Schizoaffective Disorder separately. I have continuous schizophrenic symptoms — maybe you’re the same? If I were you, I wouldn’t expect anyone here to be able to offer an informed opinion that could help you — you should ask the professionals. Good luck ***I love the way you lie*** __________________ amicus_curiae Contrarian, esq. Hypergraphia Someone must be right; it may as well be me. I used to be smart but now I’m just stupid. —Donnie Smith— |
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Poohbah
Member Since Apr 2016
Location: NY
Posts: 1,168
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#5
Can you seek a second opinion? I have schizoaffective but I don't hallucinate very much. Only very occasionally. So it's possible to be schizoaffective with just delusions.
__________________ dx: schizoaffective bipolar type; OCD; GAD rx: clozapine, clonazepam PRN |
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New Member
Member Since Jan 2018
Location: Brunswick
Posts: 4
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#6
Quote:
I was recently diagnosed, about 3 months ago, with Schizoaffective disorder-depressive type. I was hospitalized after experiencing a severe episode of psychosis. I am also on Olanzapine and it works wonders for me. I say this to say that my hallucinations are very mild, and that's when I do hallucinate, which is rarely. I have more delusional thinking than hallucinations. I definitely can't diagnose you, but I can say that having Schizoaffective disorder seems to not be as severe as Schizophrenia (I don't know if that makes sense), even though you have the symptoms. If you mix mood symptoms with hallucinations or delusions, no matter how mild or severe, you get Schizoaffective disorder. |
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Legendary Wise Elder
Member Since May 2013
Location: Chicago
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#7
Basic diffences are these....bipolar with psychosis means you have all your psychosis as part of a mood episode, sza means you get psychosis like your living dead thing outside of a mood episode. If your mood was stable and you still thought you were dead, sza is likely.
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New Member
Member Since Feb 2018
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 5
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#8
Finally, after 6 months I was able to get in to see pdoc. My primary doc already diagnosed me with Bipolar affective disorder. After the pdoc finished talking with me, I asked her what my diagnosis was. She said, "Have you ever heard of Shizoaffective disorder? That's what I am thinking. I am still not sure, though. I will study it further." Then after seeing my online chart it says 'psychosis'. So I still don't understand if I have schizoaffective or bipolar with psychosis. Will ask her next visit. I have many delusions and a few auditory hallucinations. I also have bipolar disorder. I am nearly 60 and it seems like every forum is filled with younger people. I feel like an outcast. Why are there so few older people that have schizoaffective?
I was given Risperidone to add to my other meds: lamotrigine, tegretol, and lorazepam. I am kind of leery of the Risperidone. Do people really have rapid weight gain with that? I sometimes get delusions that my pdoc is trying to kill me. I think she works with the CIA. |
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Super Moderator
Community Support Team Community Liaison
Chat Leader Member Since May 2014
Location: Northeast USA New England
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#9
Hi midnightwriter77. Welcome to Psych Central. Sorry you are uncertain of your diagnosis yet but your pdoc seems to be on the case. They are the ones to confirm a diagnosis,
A friend that had bipolar went into a psychotic episode and their diagnosis was changed to schizoaffective disorder so your suspicions may be right. Only the pdoc knows for sure. It is not unusual with psychotic episodes to imagine people are working against you but if the meds do have severely adverse side affects definitely tell the pdoc. You have a caring pdoc from the sounds of it. Keep them updated on how the meds are working in a week or two if you notice changes. __________________ Super Moderator Community Support Team "Things Take Time" |
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Junior Member
Member Since May 2018
Location: Levittown, NY
Posts: 12
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#10
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CANDC
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New Member
Member Since Feb 2018
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 5
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#11
Is there a blood test for schizoaffective?
__________________ DX:Shizoaffective RX: Risperidone 1mg Lamotrigine 400mg Tegretol 200mg Lorazepam 3mg Flexeril 10mg Ambien 5mg |
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#12
Hi Midnight,
I haven’t heard of blood tests being used. I do know there are some of us over 50 posting (me included) in the bipolar forum, and we have a senior forum here too. It takes a while to figure it out who is older, but you will if you hang out long enough. Welcome to PC!! |
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New Member
Member Since Feb 2018
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 5
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#13
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__________________ DX:Shizoaffective RX: Risperidone 1mg Lamotrigine 400mg Tegretol 200mg Lorazepam 3mg Flexeril 10mg Ambien 5mg |
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Anonymous45390
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New Member
Member Since Feb 2018
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 5
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#14
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__________________ DX:Shizoaffective RX: Risperidone 1mg Lamotrigine 400mg Tegretol 200mg Lorazepam 3mg Flexeril 10mg Ambien 5mg |
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Anonymous45390
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Member
Member Since Dec 2016
Location: La la land
Posts: 331
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#15
What if you have psychosis whether you're depressed or not?
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