Hi all, I am 16, female, and was just partially discharged from the hospital for my first episode of psychosis so apologies if this sounds tangential.
I’m on olanzapine and aripiprazole currently and it is somewhat helping, but the negative symptoms are disabling to say the least.
I have no formal diagnosis of any chronic disorders right now but I am fairly sure I will receive one given the length of my symptoms (around 5 months). I think I am mourning my life before this living nightmare.
I’m not sure what else to say except that I would really appreciate any advice or encouragement at all. This is a terrifyingly lonely condition.
oh my you’re 16, well welcome to the forum, you’re in the right place…it can be hell when first diagnosed. My journey was very hard in the beginning…just stay on your meds and trust your psychiatrist…work with him if you have unwanted side effects and work on being happy on your meds…it takes a while to fine tune someone when first diagnosed…good luck…
Welcome to the forum. I hope you can find advice and willing people to listen to your struggles and provide comfort and advice. This site has made me feel less alone while I’m going through the thick of it.
Thank you and thank you to everyone else who responded, I appreciate you all very much. I’m very wary of meds but they force me to take them here at the hospital so I have no choice but to stay on them. I don’t know if it’s the drugs or the illness but I feel like I am a stranger to myself.
When I was first put on meds it was a nightmare. It took me a good 3 years before we found the right medication. Medication comes with side effects. You and your doctor can discuss side effects verses benefits of each medication. Sometimes if a medication makes you feel good mentally you might have some undesirable physical side effects.
Thank you for your reply. My primary care doctor told me it’s probably schizoaffective (bipolar type) so far. I’ve been restraining myself from reading too much and going down a rabbit hole.
my advice is stay consistent with treatment taking the meds, therapy, etc. have hobbies, dont isolate yourself socially, try to stay active and resist the dulling effects of the meds and best case scenario is that you wont have to be on the meds for life and one day doctors could taper you off of them. ive been posting here since my first episode when i was 15 and now im 24 and ive made a lot of unwise decisions that took much time to get to a good place mentally
@MisterApple@cigarino Thank you. I have delusions about mind control and poisoning so meds are quite distressing for me. I will stay on the meds though.
Well, to be blunt: Don’t do drugs. They may seem like they help but they just make things worse.
I’ve had schizophrenia for 45 years. I guess I would repeat what others have said: Take your medications and cooperate with whoever is trying to help you.
I had my first psychotic break as a teen also, but I made it more difficult for myself in the long run and I failed to heal properly because I was not honest with my care team.
My advice is to please be honest with every thought you have, and they will be able to get you the correct diagnosis and hopefully the right combo of meds to help you.
Many of us were young when it first happened to us. Still I feel for you. You still have a bright future ahead ~ never give up, see a therapist, and know the worst is behind you.
May not be the right thing to say right now, but everyone alive has some sort of big physical problem, even if it comes later. This is just ours
Thanks for being here. You are in a good place… we are all friends and support each other. I’m glad you are here too
Welcome to the forum! I find it to be a nice, judgment-free zone.
As others have iterated, it’s important to follow through with treatment. Medication and therapy have helped me lead a decent and happy life.
And, as @77nick77 mentioned, stay away from drugs. Schizo diagnosis or not, it seems that you have a genetic predisposition to psychosis. Drugs will do nothing but mess with your brain chemistry and exacerbate your issues.
I’m glad that the medications are helping some with your positive symptoms. Sorry to hear about your negatives. One thing that gives me hope and hopefully will give you some too: pharma companies have finally made some recent breakthroughs with new treatments. Namely, the drug Cobenfy and others like it.
Welcome to the forum @maiden , I am 70 and doing well. Lived with schizophrenia all my life. I journal a lot. It really helps. I also take my meds as instructed. We are here to support your recovery. Hang in there. You’re getting treatment now. Things will get better.
