Is this schizophrenia or mild psychosis?

romantic rose · Jul 19, 2018 at 03:18 AM

I know I had a form of psychosis, because I was hearing voices and there is no evidence it was real people.. as of yet. But is it possible with schizophrenia to be able to 'tune out' completely from the voices by talking to people/engaging one's brain or listening to music on headphones? Would voices not bleed through the conversation/music?

Just interested to know as I feel it isn't schizophrenia, just mild psychosis..

Findingreason · Jul 19, 2018 at 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by romantic rose

I know I had a form of psychosis, because I was hearing voices and there is no evidence it was real people.. as of yet. But is it possible with schizophrenia to be able to 'tune out' completely from the voices by talking to people/engaging one's brain or listening to music on headphones? Would voices not bleed through the conversation/music?

Just interested to know as I feel it isn't schizophrenia, just mild psychosis..

I know a number of people that will use headphones to try and blank voices out as best as possible; myself included when my voices were more persistent. Now as far as tuning out while talking to someone, that can be a little more difficult, for me anyway. Sometimes they distract me and make it hard to focus my attention on someone or something.

For a diagnosis of schizophrenia the symptoms (i.e. delusions, paranoia, hallucinations, etc) must be present for a minimum of 6 months. Before that it is possible to be diagnosed with either a psychotic disorder, or another disorder such as depression or bipolar with psychotic features. Other possibility is schizophreniform; which is a disorder having similar features as schizophrenia, but lasting only one to six months, and being less detrimental on one's life in terms of societal function.

All that being said, were you diagnosed by a psychiatrist for having psychosis? We can't really give or know what you are dealing with, as that has to be determined by a medical professional.

romantic rose · Jul 19, 2018 at 04:38 PM

Yeah.. I have had psychosis once before, after coming off an antipsychotic prescribed for a neurotic disorder. It lasted about 5 months but maybe only because I was put on another antipsychotic.

The psychosis only lasted about 6 weeks this time.. but on a high dose of antipsychotics now and I managed 8 months without any with no problems in between. So maybe it isn't schizophrenia.. I don't know..

Findingreason · Jul 19, 2018 at 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by romantic rose

Yeah.. I have had psychosis once before, after coming off an antipsychotic prescribed for a neurotic disorder. It lasted about 5 months but maybe only because I was put on another antipsychotic.

The psychosis only lasted about 6 weeks this time.. but on a high dose of antipsychotics now and I managed 8 months without any with no problems in between. So maybe it isn't schizophrenia.. I don't know..

What antipsychotic did they have you on? What dosage, and how quickly did they wean you off? If done too quickly, a person even without a psychotic history can end up in psychosis because of too quick of discontinuation of the med.

I would definitely consult with a pdoc and see what they say or think of the situation.

romantic rose · Jul 20, 2018 at 08:34 AM

It was Seroquel. 200mg to 0. I had reduced by 200mg every month. I think I came off it too quickly and that 5 years previously on a high dose of the antipsychotic has made me more vulnerable to psychosis. On the other hand I do think I am a bit schizotypal. People with that are vulnerable to psychosis.

At the time I had no idea that coming off it too quickly could cause psychosis.

It depends on the doctor what they say; I was told that you couldn't be well enough for the time I was before the 'relapse' and have schizophrenia, and now another doctor says it is schizophrenia.

Sometimes psychotic · Jul 20, 2018 at 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by romantic rose

It was Seroquel. 200mg to 0. I had reduced by 200mg every month. I think I came off it too quickly and that 5 years previously on a high dose of the antipsychotic has made me more vulnerable to psychosis. On the other hand I do think I am a bit schizotypal. People with that are vulnerable to psychosis.

At the time I had no idea that coming off it too quickly could cause psychosis.

It depends on the doctor what they say; I was told that you couldn't be well enough for the time I was before the 'relapse' and have schizophrenia, and now another doctor says it is schizophrenia.

You can have psychosis that recurs with bipolar....I was off meds 9 months then it came back....it’s periodic....something to consider....

HALLIEBETH87 · Jul 24, 2018 at 09:20 PM

I have either bipolar with p features OR schizoaffective bipolar type....ive been dealing with stupid tactile hallucinations for two weeks now and anti psychoics arent helping much.

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HALLIEBETH87 Legendary Member Since Oct 2004 Location: usa Posts: 11,196 19 2,739 hugs given	Jul 24, 2018 at 09:20 PM #7 I have either bipolar with p features OR schizoaffective bipolar type....ive been dealing with stupid tactile hallucinations for two weeks now and anti psychoics arent helping much. __________________ Bipolar 1 w/psychotic features or schizoaffective bipolar type PTSD generalized anxiety OCD celexa, prazosin, Lybalvi and prn zyprexa and klonopin
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