I have been diagnosed with Psychosis since 17, and then it was changed to Paranoid Schizophrenia when I had more episodes around 23.
Now I have been diagnosed with Autism, I want my Sz Dx looked at again by the mental health services.
This is a legit website: https://www.autism.org.uk/about/diagnosis/adults.aspx
and it says this: it may correct a previous misdiagnosis (such as schizophrenia),
I think you need to investigate for sure. Iâm not sure what the difference would be if you still need to take meds but may open up other treatments/resources for you. Thereâs more clued in people than me on your system and Iâm sure @firemonkey knows what the deal is.
I appreciate your input.
I have been obsessing over this since I found out about the Autism Assessment.
My CPN says there is no chance of a change, and the doctor also told me this.
My mother keeps telling me off because of this, but I really just want them to sort it out.
This website is my evidence for why they should look at it again
Yeah had a quick look but Itâs out of my realms. Iâm sure others will pick up on this thread. @shutterbug might be able to give you some advice. That there are others here who are diagnosed with Autism as well shows it could be valid but you also need to listen to the medical advice in the long run?
I have trouble believing in psychiatry when it comes to things like this, as even my old doctor said itâs trial and error.
I wonât quit my meds without their approval, I just need them to think outside the box
Itâs nice to finally know my chances of connecting with anyone who hasnât known me since birth are basically â â â â â â now.
All that effort I put into trying and I was on a loss every time
Uh, thereâs no doubt that Iâm schiz. The last time I went off my meds I ran up credit cards big time buying copper to turn my home into a Faraday cage. Didnât want aliens reading my mind. Mrs. Squirrel was NOT impressed and we have agreed that I will not be going off my meds again without her input.
Anyhow, congrats on the new label. Wear it with pride, baby!
I am hopeful about it and see it as good news as dealing with mental health workers has been challenging to say the least, so hopefully it will lead to better treatment. Apart from that doesnât really make much difference I think unless you think I am wrong about that
Chisholm_et_al_Association_between_autism_and_schizophrenia_2015_Post_Print.pdf (294.2 KB)
Schizophrenia and Aspergers.pdf (53.1 KB)
Diagnosed are really difficult to determine. For me, I was at first diagnosed with drug induced psychosis, then paranoid schizophrenia and then schizophrenia with depression. I think my correct diagnosis would be paranoid schizophrenia with episodic manic depression
Which is another way of saying schizoaffective, bipolar.
On the flip side, having psychosis also makes it difficult to DX autism, especially when youâre medicated for the psychosis. Psychosis is also not that hard to diagnose in many cases, pretty obvious when someone is in a bad way and canât pass reality testing. If youâve been DXed with psychosis since such a tender age itâs likely because youâve demonstrated profound symptoms.
Sorry man, I know you donât like the label that much. Bottom line is what symptoms you have and if you can get them treated well enough to restore optimal function. Labels are secondary to that.
Wishing you luck no matter what.
Does it really matter whether you have schizophrenia or autism, if the treatment is the same? Itâs not like you would ever tell anyone outside of your treatment team your diagnosis anyways.
I never thought of getting an ASD diagnosis as a means of getting rid of a mental illness dx. For me it was about knowing that the severe MI didnât fully explain things. It was good my current pdoc switched the dx back to schizoaffective . I have peaks and troughs of uncertainty about being mentally ill , but do try and reality test the situation through a âThese medications arenât given out like smarties despite what people opposed to psychiatry would have you believeâ reasoning .
The letter about my last psychiatric appointment mentioned âbreak throughâ symptoms . The long standing one being an irrational fear at bedtime that people are going to get in my flat and hurt me. That comes and goes , but has never gone away for long periods of time.
The other thing being what sounds like people talking when the toilet flushes and when the washing machine is on . My depot nurse was a little concerned when I said they were getting more like I could actually make out distinct words.
Mine was kind of accidental. I was trying to explain that the anti-psychotics were reducing the positive symptoms, but not the synesthesia I experience when I hear things or listen to music. Thatâs where the, âyou might have Aspergerâs if youâre experiencing thatâ conversation started. I guess I just do everything the wrong way? Iâm the only person I know who quit smoking by accident.
It sounds like you had a 1st rate psychiatrist/other mental health pro . I wouldnât say itâs about doing things the wrong way , but about doing them your way.
This might explain why they spent more time talking to my mother than me. The assessor was only interested in my life from 0 to about 5 - then some slightly later stuff. He said the forms I filled in gave him enough info for later life experiences.
My query is wether the psychosis is triggered by Autism or not? I seems based on the source I posted that psychosis in Autism may be possible.
I am being heavily medicated at the moment, and I am not happy about it at all. If there is any chance of reversing the direction weâre going in, I would appreciate it.
Thanks @shutterbug
It does because the psychologist I work with can teach me coping skills rather than failing miserably at getting me to be a social butterfly
Psychosis is not a diagnostic criteria for ASD. It is possible though to have ASD alongside having a schizophrenia spectrum disorder.
The good thing is youâre still fairly young and this new dx helps to give a fuller picture of what affects you. That can hopefully lead to better treatment , and improvement in your well being .