[Nixi]

I had my appointment today with pdoc. She said when I was in hospital they thought I was suffering from a psychotic disorder!!! This is the first I've heard of this!! What does she mean - I know this sounds thick but is bipolar classed as a psychotic disorder? I know I was psychotic but hearing it like that has just floored me!!!!

[LiteraryLark]

Well gee, pyschotic could mean ANYTHING! Bipolar, schizophrenia, multiple personality disorder, adhd...any of those things could cause pyschotic like reactions...

[Nixi]

Really!??? OMG I stand no chance!!!

Lots of people with bipolar experience psychosis, some lots, others rarely, and others never at all. What do you mean by you stand no chance?

[bipolarmedstudent]

bipolar is not classed as a psychotic disorder, but you can have bipolar with psychotic features.

[missmorganxo]

Originally Posted by bipolarmedstudent

bipolar is not classed as a psychotic disorder, but you can have bipolar with psychotic features.

I was just going to say this. I have pyschotic features, but yeah, bipiolar isn't a pyschotic disorder. Good luck.

[argv]

Originally Posted by Nixi

I had my appointment today with pdoc. She said when I was in hospital they thought I was suffering from a psychotic disorder!!! This is the first I've heard of this!! What does she mean - I know this sounds thick but is bipolar classed as a psychotic disorder? I know I was psychotic but hearing it like that has just floored me!!!!

So you're just surprised to actually HEAR that you have a psychotic disorder, but always knew you were? Sounds familiar.

[larakeziah]

I have bipolar with psychosis. I was a little numb when I was diagnosed and couldn't really handle it (still can't if I'm honest) even though I've suspected it for years!!

[Nixi]

Thx guys - maybe she meant bipolar with psychosis? I really don't want another 'label' even though I know I experience these things it just makes it more of a reality I suppose.

To those of you who have Bipolar with psychosis do you mind my asking how does it affect you? How often do you experience the psychosis and what's your experiences?

Thx xx

The height of my psychosis is while I am manic or mixed. Visual and audio, I also have tactile hallucinations from time to time, usually when I am stressed. Tactile includes thing Luke feeling bugs crawling in your skin, sensations and smells. I smell really foul smells and sometimes feel saws running across my face. The saw feeling really bothers me, but I try to put it out of mind, knowing it is just a sensation.

When the psychosis is bad I try not to go to the hospital. My pdoc works with me on meds very closely. I try to use distraction, puzzles or other things like that. I also use my awareness and deductive skills. Like finding out it is not real by comparining to what reality would be. This usually helps me feel less afraid. Just knowing what it is.

[Nixi]

Thx Anika for sharing. BTW when I said I stand no chance I meant of figuring out what my pdoc meant! I also sometimes get smells and feelings that aren't there but I don't always know if it's reality or not. I'm so sorry about your saw experiences!! That sounds really scary! It sounds like you've got some good strategies in place!

When I was in hospital I was seeing 2 Demons and the devil was telling me to kill my self. There were specific reasons but I can't seem to remember it very well. That wasn't nice and another time I was convinced that my sister had plotted with everyone and turned them all against me- even my son!! I was gutted!! It all seemed so real at the time tho! I don't know if I was manic, mixed state or what!? All I know is that I was poorly!