Is bipolar disorder considered a psychotic disorder or just sz and sza?
Bipolar can be accompanied by psychosis (just like depression can), but is not always. What’s up?
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Yep, like Rhubot says.
Bipolar 1 with psychotic features: Mood episodes that include psychosis.
Psychotic Depression: Mood episodes that include psychosis.
Schizoaffective: Mood episodes and also psychotic episodes that occur independently from each other.
Schizophrenia: Psychotic episodes
(in a nutshell)
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Hey @Rhubot, not too much. I can’t get a read on my psychiatrist. I just had a Skype session with her and every time we talk she calls it something else. Today she called it a psychotic disorder last month it was bipolar disorder, who knows what it will be next time. Plus to make matters worse she requested my records from this cushy hospital that I went to about five years ago. I know the treatment is all that matters but I was hoping it would be a mood disorder so I could come off latuda. Whatever it is its serious though and I’m really bummed out. 
I have psychotic depression, and the psychosis only comes when the depression is out of control.
As long as I keep the depression under control, my doctor doesn’t want me on APs. It might work the same for you - treat the psychosis, then get the bipolar under control, and if you can stay stable and you take the maintenance of your BP seriously, coming off APs might be possible.
It takes a lot of self-awareness and insight, though, and a willingness and ability to get mania and hypomania beaten down as soon as the symptoms start.
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It can be confusing, Over the years different Doctors have had different opinions of whats wrong, Really comes down to having seen a few Pdoc and related professional, the forum and chat room talking to other people, reading articles on mental health, one kinda has to figure out on their own what they think. I know for me it’s still a mixed bag, combination of Schizophrenia, Bi-polar and depression.
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Ahh I see. Initially she told me something similar to what you’re saying but without complete certainty that coming off the AP would work. It was with the catch that if symptoms returned I would definitely have to go back on it. That being said, it’s been about six months it took to get titrrated up on lamictal, get the Prozac in place(still working on that one). And now, when my life is going and I’m active(which I haven’t been for two years) only then can we think about touching the latuda.
I don’t mean to whine but lamictal is no walk in the park as far as side effects go. And the APs I’m sure we all can agree are terrible. And like you said it takes a lot of insight and willingness to cooperate if mood swings occur. Im starting to realize that this is a serious mental illness and the treatment is a way of life not just a fix for the problem.
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Thank you @Mountainman I know what you mean.
I’ve been at this for 15 years now, and I’m 39 years old. I guess I don’t fit the criteria for sz but I also don’t really fit bipolar either. It looks like substance induced psychotic disorder but I don’t use substances anymore so it can’t be that one.
I had one dr tell me that I damaged my limbic system with drugs. Not having an accurate diagnosis proposes a problem. How do you treat something that you don’t know what it is? I pay this dr well to tell me what’s wrong and correct it. Unfortunately this isn’t a case of the blues or anxiety like it used to be back in the day.
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Latuda is actually commonly used for Bipolar disorder now so even if she diagnoses you with that she could still keep you on Latuda.
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I hope you get the answers you’re looking for mg.
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Thank you @anon84763962. Hope you’re feeling good today.
Everything turned to liquid this morning then smoke this afternoon. Weird day.