It’s hard to accept the sz bit although I don’t totally dismiss it . Psychotic symptoms -yes . Severe enough to be sz? -Not so sure. Apart from socially which is quite severe I see other stuff as being mild compared to many others on the forum.
Apparently the functional hallucinations( hearing mumbling voices when the toilet flushes) and olfactory hallucinations (such as smelling cannabis that my step daughter mentioned(have also smelt gas in the past)) are signs of it.
I understand. I have clearly been severly psychotic, and still didnt want the label of schizophrenia. Are the things you describe the only psychotic symptoms? I too would think schizophrenia is quite a heavy diagnosis for that. But I’m no psychiatrist and I dont know you. Arent psychotic symptoms often accompanying autism, cant they be a part of an autistic spectrum disorder? (no clue, just asking)
There’s delusions and faulty memories though those have been under control since being on the Consta . A residual thing is sensing a presence especially at night ,
Ah. Okay. I understand. I have only got delusions, though they can get severe without meds. Several doctors told me my “episodes of normalcy” even off meds and okay-ish overall functioning (appearance) doesnt fit schizophrenia, but deep down I do wonder whether I’m just schizophrenic in disguise… I don’t know…
I’m not really sure whether people like you with milder varieties on the schizophrenic spectrum benefit from a sz diagnosis or not (or anyone really…I’ve heard a doctor argue for getting rid of the word). I have noticed that people, including doctors and nurses, treat me differently when I get labelled “schizophrenia”, even if my symptoms are still the same. They for example are less likely to help me with the other stuff (trauma etc), less likely support me having a job, less hopeful about my future, etc. It’s kind of sad. When they thought I was borderline they thought I was lying all the time, when autism they started to talk to me differently (louder, even rolls eyes). On the other hand, I dont want to be “overestimated” either. A diagnosis is just a man-made word/construct, and I think you should get one that helps you best in life.
Do you want the diagnosis of schizophrenia? Do you think it helps you?
If you had delusions before you went on meds used to treat schizophrenia, chances are you’re schizophrenic even if you have your symptoms under control now.
You seem to be very fixated on diagnoses. Why not try to learn to manage your symptoms instead of worrying about what box they fit into?
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I think it’s just hard for you
because of your age
why now?
though I don’t know your age, but assume like mine, you’ve been here a long time.
Hes 79
15141151
That’s news to me.
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It’s hard because 1975-2005 sz and then sz-a
2005- personality disorder
2018 A pdoc is throwing sz back into the mix.
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We can’t self diagnose though
your family member was there
that doesn’t lie.
Not really but when you’ve had as many diagnostic changes as me you get naturally curious.
Treatment of symptoms may be paramount , but it’s still human nature to want to be identified with a group be it a mental illness one.
I have something. I have delusions and false memories, if that’s the correct term to use.
How many have you had? It’s really all too common to be misdiagnosed. I’ve been through quite a lot of diagnoses, and I’ve been obsessed with them too, but I don’t think it helped me. Not that I’m saying you can just stop wondering about it.
I guess I’m not obsessed anymore because I have one that fits OK and have had it for a while.
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Some are variations on a theme.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia with disorder of gender identity
Schizophrenia with personality disorder
Schizoaffective mixed type/ Bipolar
Personality disorder NOS
Paranoid PD
Recent appointment the suggestion was schizophrenia + ASD.
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This is very much along the lines of what you’ve been thinking yourself, isn’t it? You’ve been unsure about both, but it is at least an affirmation that you know your symptoms well.
I’ve been diagnosed with major depression, recurrent depressive disorder, BPD, bipolar II, drug addiction and schizophrenia (that I know of). The BPD was wildly inaccurate and based on a misadministered test, and for a long time they assumed that drugs could be the cause of my psychotic and mood symptoms, so I’m guessing they also diagnosed me with drug-induced psychosis or something similar to that.
What in the world is ASD?
I had been thinking ASD( traits)+ avoidant + NVLD + schizotypal(traits).
I mentioned schizotypal but he said my symptoms went beyond that . The thing is I can accept I’ve experienced psychotic symptoms but apart from socially,which is quite severe, I see my symptoms as mild compared to many here .
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@firemonkey - maybe you’re searching for an identity, any identity? I (tentatively and respectfully) posit that you may be looking for a definitive label or Dx in order to fill a gap in your sense of identity? Loss of identity is common in cases where a person’s long term episodic memory has been more or less erased.
I think I might have a solution if that’s the case. Spend 10 mins per day recalling as many happy and/or neutral pre-illness memories as you can fit in the 10 mins, recalling family events etc. Over time these memory traces will strengthen greatly and restore a sense of identity.