Resurgence of symptoms

I’ve been hearing voices saying bad things about me (embarrassing personal things I wouldn’t like to repeat) again after not having it for a while. There’s been an intermittent scratching and high pitched cry, like a bunch of cats crying in unison, but no voices.

In addition, the dreadful sensation that my arms aren’t mine has returned. It’s like someone else is in control of them and they’re not really a part of my body.

I don’t understand why it’s come back. Nothing big has happened. I just increased my dose of lamictal for depression but I don’t see how that would cause it. The voices especially have been making me feel guilty and worthless, like all the things I’m doing to feel better aren’t worth it and I don’t deserve to feel better. I haven’t been taking an antipsychotic for probably a year because I’m trying to manage it without, and it seemed to be going all right with the exception of the crying sounds.

So does anyone have thoughts on why hallucinations would suddenly get worse without provocation?

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It probably wasn’t a good idea to stop the AP.
My advice is to see your psychiatrist and resume treatment.

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I asked her about APs a few appointments ago and she was very reluctant to resume them. She doesn’t seem to think I need them. I will be telling her next appointment about all this, and go from there, but I think you’re right. Thank you for responding.

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Without APs, sooner or later it would happen.
Right?
Unless you are totally recovered. Are you?

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My pdoc and therapist seem to think something stressful needs to happen first to trigger it. It is worse under stress, but I’m not stressed about anything now except the hallucinations. So I guess they’re wrong.

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Stress exacerbates symptoms.
But in my case it’s totally random.
You can’t predict episodes

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Thanks, appreciate the perspective. I felt like it couldn’t be right that something has to happen for hallucinations to worsen. I’m innately distrustful of doctors, so I’ve been actively practicing trusting their judgement. It’s hard to tell when my concerns are warranted or paranoid.

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