I think i have OCD, SAD, and i have some fears and other anxiety problems, so being schizo has been a fear. Recently i have seen faces in my peripheral vision, and when i turn to look, no one is there. I have recently smelled a really strong smell that brings back a memory, but it isnt like i have inhaled and smelled the scent, more like i just felt like i could smell it, like i felt it in my nose, and i got a flashback. But there wasnt really any odor or scent. I have gotten really depressed, and mad lately. I havent cried in like 2 years, but the past week i cried because my hair was not cooperating, because i couldnt play soccer, and because i talked to the guy i liked. And i get mad easily lately. Usually im really kind and i dont start anything, and if someone bothers me i ignore them, but i have been blowing up in people faces. Someone took my paper today and i got extremely mad, and i said "give me my paper, you piss me off, and you annoy me, just give me my fricken paper now!" and i just get angry for the dumbest reasons. Also, i have lately just had trouble organizing my thoughts or even thinking. At lunch, im known for being really loud and obnoxious, but now the kids i sit with are getting mad at me, because i sit there, in the same postion, and i dont move, or talk, and i stare into space, and i dont even think about anything. then i will for no reason get hyper, excited, and talkative, and this repeats sometimes, and i go back to lifeless. When i do talk, nothing makes sense, and i usually end up speaking to fast, combining words, or completely not saying half my sentence. I have had trouble lately relating to people, and speaking with people, i get really nervous, and i worry about what i am saying, and i cant start conversations, i used to be very talkative, now i am paranoid of what other people think of me, and i have irrational thoughts of how they judge me. When i do think, i feel as if people can read my mind, and i get paranoid and review everything i recently thought to make sure if someone did read my mind, they heard nothing secret or important, or that i am speaking out loud instead of in my head also review thoughts. I heard people with schizo have a weird gait, and lately everyone says i stand weird, and walk weird. No one ever noticed, but now i walk and stand pigeon toed. lately i have begun to not like my friends. I nit pick tiny things and i have no desire to hang out with them.
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This sounds more like Bipolar Disorder to me. I can relate to you as well since I went through a lot of the same symptoms you have mentioned (depression; anxiety, paranoia, mania, irritability, hallucinations/distortions in perception -not just by sight, social withdrawal, word salad, catatonia, etc). I was worried around age 17-18 that I too may have been developing Schizophrenia or Schizo-affective Disorder as that is the onset for them, but it is for Bipolar Disorder too as well as a lot of mental disorders; though it is more likely to be bipolar than the prior as they are more rare.
What makes me think you aren't Schizophrenic is that you are going through some emotional-behavioral symptoms which Schizophrenics lack more of, not saying that they don't experience them at all but its rather more of a blunted affect. Which leaves us to some very important questions since differentiating Bipolar Disorder from Schizo-affective Disorder can be quite difficult depending on what state and its severity the individual is in.
For starters: people with Bipolar Disorder go through episodes of depression, mania, and mixed (which feature symptoms of both depression and mania), separated by periods of normalcy. An episode has to have the present symptoms of any of these three mentioned on a daily basis for MINIMUM one-two weeks. Depending on the severity of the episodes psychotic symptoms can present itself which can be the result of you being left untreated (from as simple to not talking to someone about your problems to not taking/stopping your prescribed medication), on another note if suffering from a mixed episode you are more prone to experiencing psychotic symptoms even if the severity is less than compared to a depressive/mania episode(s) where none were present (a mixed episode hits you A LOT harder, and is considered the most difficult to go through). The last and a very important note i have to make on Bipolar episodes is if left untreated during those one-two weeks and continues to be left untreated it can last anywhere from several weeks to months (I'm talking up to six months even -I've been through similar circumstances)
Now the similarities between Bipolar and Schizo-affective Disorder can be very similar as i stated earlier, they both go through the three listed episodes (depressive/mania/mixed), and both have many cases with present psychosis. The MAIN difference between these two are that people with Schizo-affective Disorder don't really go through "pure" phases of "normalcy" like people with Bipolar Dis. do; when they are not suffering from depression/mania/or mixed episodes they are STILL experiencing to some degree, whether minor or major, symptoms of psychosis/distortions in perception - and not just visual (to put simply: psychotic symptoms are present 24/7 almost in people with S.A.D., its just how severe is it).
So what is my conclusion of all this? I think, again, you are Bipolar and suffering from a mixed episode which is featuring psychotic symptoms (which is normal). My advice to you is to see your family doctor and talk about it (maybe even print out this conversation for him/her as an example/opinion) and get a prescription of a mood stabilizer and antidepressant (same combo what i take). Another piece of advice I have for you is to let loose your stress, emotions, etc. into something productive and/or creative (I find it helps a lot once you get it out of you, its kind of like self counseling if you don't want to go to a therapist at points, what i do is either draw, paint, read (philosophy/psychology books mostly), write, etc. (to put simply: channel it through your interests)
Hope you get/feel better as soon as possible, email me if you have any more questions.
this does not sound like OCD or schizophrenia, but a lot more along the lines of depression. Recommendations: do not think that medication is the first thing that you need, in fact, this should be a 100% last resort. Because it has just developed recently there is no need to freak out and go to extrememes. Try simple things, if you don't like hanging out with your friends try to meet some new people to hang out with. Don't sit at home alone though, this is pointless and won't help anyone. Talk to your friends, tell them that you are going through some personal stuff and that you are sorry if you seem rude or short. There is NO POINT in alienating your friends because of how you are feeling. Also, do things you enjoy, painting, being outdoors, photography, reading, etc. things that make you happy. Also, your school probably has a counselor, go talk to them! Everything you say is confidential and it's nice having someone to talk to about stuff to just get off your chest. Plus, if you have an issue with a friend you can talk to them about it and not risk hurting your friend. They help a lot! I hope you feel better soon!!
Obviously, you and your peers are involved, so anything is occurring. You're definitely describing signs that propose schizophrenia, however there are different probabilities, comparable to anxiousness or a response to a couple treatment you are on. You will have to definitely see a therapist and psychiatrist now, seeing that you're at an age while your mind is bodily nonetheless exchanging, so you've gotten the satisfactory shot at keeping a prime fine of lifestyles. Adult schizophrenics have a rough time seeing that it is incredibly problematic to pay attention when you've got a couple of voices speaking even as and are are seeing matters which are frightening, so get support now.