[Jalita98]

Hi,
I read in some of my records from my psychiatrist that my chronic medical condition is/was Bipolar disorder with psychotic features. I was wondering what that meant. Of course no one has ever told me I have that, and I have never asked what my diagnoses are. I don't feel I have psychotic features and have never been hospitalized for anything in my life, mental or physical. It is my understanding that psychotic features can include hallucinations. The only time I have hallucinated and reported it to the psychiatrist is when I was taking Sonata and Ambien; which were side effects from that med.
I'd appreciate any feedback regarding this subject.
I'm sorry if there are other posts regarding this. I don't have the patience to search through all the posts.
Thanks.

[BNLsMOM]

I have the same diagnosis. I just found out last week, in fact. In my case, the "psychotic features" are limited to paranoia and delusions that come from that paranoia.

I hope that helps a bit. I am sure others can chime in and give you good feedback as well.

[Jalita98]

Thanks. I guess I was experiencing paranoia for awhile. But I think the Seroquel has helped with that because I have little to know paranoia. I'm not sure about delusions, though. What exactly does that mean?

[gravyyy]

Welcome to PC Jalita. I wasn't clear from your post whether or not you are being treated for bipolar disorder. Psychotic features are like hallucinations or delusions and can come from bipolar disorder, but unlike schizo-affective disorder or schizophrenia they aren't ongoing. Essentially the psychotic features part of the diagnosis defines how you were at that particular visit rather than how you are all the time. The distinction comes with the Bipolar diagnosis (is it cyclothymia vs. Bipolar II vs. Bipolar I) though that doesn't even make much difference as the treatment is essentially the same. You're right about the fact that if the hallucinations were a side effect of the medication it wouldn't necessarily fit that you had psychotic features from bipolar disorder. Either way, I wouldn't get caught up in it. If you have bipolar disorder, that's the important thing to know and go from there. Hope my explanation kinda makes sense! Take care and again, Welcome!!!

[Jalita98]

Who knows what I'm being treated for. I have yet to ask my psychiatrist what he is trying to treat. But I read in my records that he put Bipolar Disorder w/ psychotic features as my chronic medical condition.

Thanks for the explanation, it helped a bit.

[VickiesPath]

I am not a psychiatric professional but "with psychotic features" to me (from what I've heard and observed over the years) could mean that occasionally you have had delusional thinking, hallucinations whether auditory or visual, or some other type of experience which was not within the realm of reality.

"Manic episodes can also have psychotic symptoms present. Psychosis is a state in which a person is unable to tell the difference from reality and unreality. Psychosis symptoms include hallucinations, false beliefs about having special powers or identity (such as superhuman strength or X-ray vision). Psychotic symptoms indicate a severe mood episode that requires immediate medical attention and treatment." - PC website

These could specifically include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior, detachment.....I'm sure there's other things I don't know about.

[Anneinside]

Delusions are beliefs that are strongly held but untrue. When delusional, friend of mine believes her ex-husband can listen to her thoughts through the telephone wires. Sometimes she thinks everyone is staring at her and talking about her. My nephew won't use a phone or wireless on his computer because he believes that it lets other people see his thoughts.

[Jalita98]

Originally Posted by Anneinside

Delusions are beliefs that are strongly held but untrue. When delusional, friend of mine believes her ex-husband can listen to her thoughts through the telephone wires. Sometimes she thinks everyone is staring at her and talking about her. My nephew won't use a phone or wireless on his computer because he believes that it lets other people see his thoughts.

Thanks for the explanation. I have shared with the dr that i think people are staring at me or thinking bad things about me. I thought that was paranoia, though.

[Anneinside]

Originally Posted by Jalita98

Thanks for the explanation. I have shared with the dr that i think people are staring at me or thinking bad things about me. I thought that was paranoia, though.

Yes, you are right, they are paranoid but they are paranoid delusions. There are delusions that are not paranoid like thinking you are the most important person in the world, or that you can cure people by touching them.

[Jalita98]

Originally Posted by Anneinside

Yes, you are right, they are paranoid but they are paranoid delusions. There are delusions that are not paranoid like thinking you are the most important person in the world, or that you can cure people by touching them.

Thanks, you have definitely helped!

[Ascension]

Here is a link that explains a bunch of the symptoms of psychotic features associated with Bipolar Disorder. I suffer from catatonia, delusion of grandeur, negativism, paranoia and psychosis.

http://bipolar.about.com/od/psychoti...r_Disorder.htm

[BNLsMOM]

This article is very good too:

http://www.healthyplace.com/bipolar-...oc/menu-id-67/