I got diagnosed with schizoaffective years ago. Then it changed to schizoaffective bipolar type. I’m doubtful I was ever bipolar but I guess my psychiatrist knew better than I did.
I was diagnosed with schizoaffective but now I’m told it’s schizophrenia. I’m a little confused with the constant shuffling of labels my whole life. My first label was paranoid schizophrenia, so that may be why he chooses that one. I was more honest about my history and brought my dad to an appointment. My mood does limit me. I go through episodes of depression, mania, psychosis. But I think because I react badly to anti-depressants is why he wants to keep it at schizophrenia, so that would limit the types of meds I can be put on? The issue is I am seriously wanting to be put on Prozac, but I think it would likely do what it did to my mom or make me worse. It would be really nice if I Could be put on a medication that helps. There are lots of people who get worse on anti depressants, makes me think of all the shootings with schizophrenics and they find out they were put on anti-depressant drug cocktails before it happened. I’m not the violent type but I could become psychotic again. I get confused about what it means to have schizophrenia. Because I don’t have hallucinations all the time, but I am constantly battling this disease. Fear/paranoia/nightmares/conspiracies/being niave and gullible/drug addiction etc. I am 100 percent certain that schizophrenia is what caused my addiction. I never used drugs before I had schizophrenia. Although sometimes I speculate severe trauma and assault triggered my first episode, I still have schizophrenia. Even if I was roofied and raped and don’t remember it; hospitalized and forced medications until I became catatonic, I’m sure the system did not create my chronic illness.
It’s good that you are able to accept your label though. I wanted to believe I had Bipolar because of the stigma of Schizophrenia. The truth is I know I have Schizophrenia, but I’m constantly in denial of it to where I can convince myself and others I’m fine. But I continue to take the medications which are helping a lot. Having consistency is important. Thanks for replying and not being offended about this. I have just been reliving my first episodes, trying to make sense of it and wanting clarity. I know it will be ok though. I have a good support system.
Same here. Is that common for people with schizophrenia? For awhile it seemed like it was ok for someone with schizophrenia to be on an anti-depressant. My doctor will only prescribe me anti-psychotics, nothing for my anxiety or depression. I also used to have ADHD as a diagnosis, Adderall helped me learn to drive a car. I kept failing the test and as soon as I was put on it I passed. Maybe it was because it boosted my confidence though more-so than memory and attention. I do feel pretty unmotivated and blah all the time.
Yeah I have Bipolar symptoms also sometimes, but I don’t know if I have schizoaffective or schizophrenia. I think just calling it schizophrenia avoids confusion. Moods can definitely be affected by the illness either way. I cry easily at movies, sometimes commercials lol and my mom will look at me funny.