I have for a long time been experiencing several symptoms which are said to be related to various psychological disorders. I have, over a period of several years been diagnosed with, first, OCD, Depression, General Anxiety, ADD, and Bipolar II, which is the diagnosis given to me most recently. However, there are some symptoms I have been experiencing that I am not sure are related to any those disorders. I have a meeting with my psychiatrist soon, but wondered if I should even bring it up, since I feel I am a bit of a hypochondriac. I wanted the experiences of others who are experienced with schizophrenia to see if they feel that any of these symptoms resonate with those who experience this disorder. So, here goes.
Social Anxiety
Social withdrawal
Frequent periods of depression
Frequently experiencing the belief that I have different diseases, such as cancer, or MS. Or the fear that I am going blind.
Thinking that the mailman is deliberately not delivering our mail some days because he has learned through his work things about me he doesnât like.
Homicidal thoughts against others - and the fear that I will suddenly lose control and act them out.
Due to a âsuspiciousâ term the neighbor used for the their WIFI, I harbored the suspicious that they might have some people in one of the large vans in their driveway, monitoring my internet usage.
The frequent belief that I have died and gone to hell.
The belief that I am really asleep when I can physically feel different sensations and interact with others, in a way I typically donât in my dreams.
A feeling of unreality, or being disconnected from what is going on around me.
Thinking that others could read my mind.
Feeling apathy and/or blunted emotions over tragic or traumatic events.
Feeling certain minor âsymptomsâ and thinking I am dying.
Energy with little sleep.
No energy with a lot of sleep.
Inability to stay asleep.
Periods of inattention to hygiene.
Overeating, or in reverse, decreased appetite.
Sudden periods of activity following long periods of inactivity.
Unwarranted anger, or anger stronger than the situation calls for.
Thinking that others are talking about me when they are having a private conversation in another room.
Some of these frequent delusions I have been having, I logically know theyâre most likely not true, but have difficulty making myself fully believe that.
All of this can be explained by your current and previous diagnoses. The only symptom you mention that is clearly characteristic of schizophrenia is mild delusions, and these can probably be explained by your bipolar diagnosis. If you had blunted affect and anhedonia in a way that goes beyond just depression, that would probably have been noticed by your doctor. I see no reason why you should worry about having schizophrenia, and if I were you, I would attribute this to your health anxiety.
All of the symptoms you just added fit with bipolar disorder. Negative symptoms do not come and go, they are long-lasting and often permanent. If you do not experience constant psychotic symptoms for at least a month (and maybe longer, depending on how long your mood episodes last), including at least two of these to a significant degree, then you do not have schizophrenia: Hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech, grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior, and negative symptoms.
To me, it seems that you do not have any of these except maybe delusions. If you still think otherwise, you should bring it up with a doctor. We canât diagnose you here, but I can tell you that this doesnât really sound like schizophrenia, and we get a lot of new members here who are worried about having schizophrenia. They almost never do.
I get what youâre saying. Like I said before, sometimes I can be a bit of a hypochondriac and while I thought that might be the case here, I really thought that it shouldnât be something I just ignored in case it really was true, like I did with my suspicions of being bipolar. I still might bring it up with my doctor just in case, but youâve eased my mind.
People who have schizophrenia are normally unaware of this until they are diagnosed. I can not think of many examples where Iâve read that someone here suspected they had schizophrenia before they were diagnosed.
I had no idea. I was taken by an ambulance in a city 20 miles away to hospital where I was shut in an isolation room for three days because I was screaming and shouting so bad. They had no idea what was wrong with me, and did loads of tests apparently before sending me to the local M. Hospital where I remember coming round after a while.
The above I only know from being told by my family what happened.
I wouldnât worry about the diagnosis. You have issues, and what they have said will hopefully lead to the appropriate treatment.
I said to the psychologist last week I think the âlabelsâ are only maps for doctors to know what medicines to prescribe and she agreed. MH is kinda like a spectrum where loads of things cross over and itâs a â â â â â â â mess to be in as the brain is so complex, as are the symptoms.
Please donât add to your list of problems and worry yourself over this. Itâs fine if you disagree with your Dx, but donât let it influence your care plan etc.