Can you have insight into delusions?

DX'd - Sz/SzA
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I’m having these lingering delusional type thoughts from when I was full blown psychotic 5 years ago.

Like once in a while I’ll have paranoid thoughts that my father wants to harm me.

Are these paranoid thoughts true delusions?

I mean I have insight into them and I don’t find them to be true really.

Can you be delusional and have insight?

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My stance is YES. Yes, you can.

It happens to me a lot. Intellectually I know the delusions aren’t real while they’re happening, but they feel so real, i can’t “believe” they’re not. So much so that repeating “they’re not real, they’re not real” doesn’t even help…
In fact, saying “I wish this delusion would stop,” indicates you know it’s a delusion, but it still terrifies you enough to want it to leave your mind.

How is it different from knowing you have schizophrenia, while still being psychotic?

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Maybe. Are you taking an AP? If so it means the med or the dosage need adjusting

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Not necessarily… maybe @Wave is just having a bad day? Those happen sometimes, no matter what.

Give it a few days. If it persists, have med check from doctor.

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Thanks @Sue_Bee

Yes I’m on 4mg of Risperdal and I don’t plan on increasing my dosage @CoCo

More meds just means more side effects for me.

Thanks @CoCo but these paranoid thoughts can be dismissed.

They are not constant and right now I have power over them.

But I will mention these to my pdoc.

I am open to anything she has to say.

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That’s a good plan, i think.
@Wave did something happen in your life that might’ve upset you?

For me, old delusions and feelings come up when I’m experiencing extra stress. But that’s just me, and I also have C-PTSD, so that my be a factor in my recovery you don’t experience. Still, I know stress or lack of sleep, etc will do that.

Make sure you take care of yourself.
Do you have an anchor for yourself? Like a friend or family member (in your Covid safe bubble), that might help you remember what IS real when you’re having these thoughts?

I want to make sure you’re safe.

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Yes @Sue_Bee
There is more stress in my life right now and my sleep has not been the greatest.

Thanks

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I’m glad it’s not causing you any problems. That’s great. So I get why you don’t want an adjustment.

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I’m sending support and positive thoughts.
You will get through this.
You’re tough.
You’ve done this before.

I hope it gets better.

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I get lingering delusions too such as telepathy. Some times it’s worse than other days.

But I think it could still disappear altogether

Last December the telepathy was pretty intense and now it is just more of an irritating kind of strength, if that makes sense.

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I have this wonderful new therapist whom I trust.

I have no else I can talk with really.

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Thank you so much @Sue_Bee!

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We’re all here for you, though I know it’s not the same.

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Thanks @CoCo

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It just sounds like a bit of temporary paranoia. Obviously you are aware it’s not true, so it’s no longer a delusion

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Thanks @anon83141956 and @Cragger

Yeah I realize they are not delusions.

Just some paranoid thinking.

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I know they’re called delusions, I can call them delusions, others do too, but I still have my questions.

When my insight tanks on me, I forget they aren’t real.

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I get insight into my delusions quite a lot but they still very real to me, so I guess you can yes

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Absolutely. I find that I have insight with my repeat delusions. Just enough to help me sort things out.

I recommend making a list of recurrent delusions. Pull that list out when they pop up.

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Thanks @Ooorgle @Hadeda and @JustTrish

@JustTrish yes I will bring them up with my doctor and therapist.

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