Ive been gone from the boards for some time now. Lots of things have changed. Some good some bad. Just went thru a horrible couple weeks running out of meds and not being able to get more. The physical withdraw and all the positive symptoms crashing down at the same time was brutal. I was however able to make it thru it all, no meds, no booze. Positive steps im taking it as, thanks to strong “standard operating procedures” ive developed for myself with the help of my wife, helps keeps the delusions in check.
This is the first time ive been without my meds in about 2 years and i totally forgot how loud the audible hallucinations can be. I still deal with them daily but last week was completely out of control, i dont know how i used to deal with them and stay high functional for so long.
I was also surprised how fast the paranoia came back and just snowballed right from the gate. Thanks to some close friends i was able to stay on top of it and not get stuck in hours long fits of hyper vigilance staring at the windows or the doors. I got stuck a few times but i was able to see what was happening and try to intervene.
Overall id say it was a great test of my wills and im pleased with myself and glad all my attempts at mindfulness to gain insight have worked to some degree. I feel im on the right track now at least.
Just wanted to put all that out there and also ask everyone what tricks or methods you use when you know an episode is approaching to stay grounded? I need to add to my bag of tricks and need outside help. Thanks guys!
I definitely can relate to those hour(s) long vigils at the windows and doors.
My ticket to halting those tricks is to simply get up, and walk out the door.
Sounds simple enough, but it works for me because every time I walk out that door- NOTHING happens like I had expected it to, so it squashes the fear fast.
Then I go back inside, and it looks different to me, more real I guess…?
I wish I could offer you some tricks, @Reggie. Once I start down that slippery slope toward a psychotic break it seems there is no stopping it. I’m glad you have managed.
Yeah i fall pretty hard and fast mostbof the time. I would call this just maybe an episode, i dont think was quite on the path of full psychotic break looking back. As my episodes get worse i fall into a break.
Just got thru a a terrible few years of pretty constant psychosis and this has been my longest stretch without a relapse into full blown psychosis. I was pretty out of it over this last episode but i was able to stay cognizant of what was happening and kept it from escalating as i would have done in the past.
Now if i can figure out how to keep the paranoia at bay an episode should hopefully be down graded to just a few bad days and not a ruin my life kind of trouble.
I have managed to stop psychosis on a few occasions by taking medication and sleeping tablet and crewchetting.
Talking nicely to myself like ok go and have some tea now ok sit down it’s ok .
My bf helped me by holding my hand ,giving me dinner and putting me to bed with sleeping tablet.
I can forget what I am doing etc and to stop confusion overwhelming etc I try talk nice and positive encouragement and take care and be extra nice.
It usually works well for me.
Focus on doing little doable tasks like dishes and tick of to do list .
We are different perhaps with what helps …
Be nice to yourself encourage support and avoid those who hate on you etc
If there are others who can just be there for you that could help too.
Some people on this forum have suggested meditation and CBT. I personally can’t do that(at least not now) but, it might be an option for you?
I am constantly coming in and out of delusions and have been close to slipping into to a psychotic break many times. Honestly, my main coping mechanism is avoidance, but that’s no quality of life.
My second coping mechanism is some sort of grounding technique. Being in nature, taking a cold shower, 5 senses exercise, etc. Maybe a little google search “powerful grounding exercises”?
If you find something that works, keep us posted!!!
Welcome back! How’s your wife doing?? It sounds like she’s better if she can help you out again and if so that’s great!
If you know warning signs for your episodes I think that’s the best you can do, is remind yourself that you are heading into psychosis and try to hold on as tightly to that lucidity as possible. Get plenty of sleep. Have a routine meaning regular activity throughout the day, this is very important to stay grounded. Finally keep interacting with your wife, tell her your thoughts as she will also help give you reality checks.
