[tra_la_la42]

Hi, I'm Tra. Recently diagnosed with Bipolar 2, taking lithium etc. However, I get hallucinations (not very nice ones) and I left a message for my therapist telling her my hallucinations were back and she called back and told me to go take a walk. I've already explained to her that when the hallucinations are here I am not safe and likely to jump in front of cars and things like that. Previously my meds doc mentioned prescribing me an anti-psychotic, but that sounds scary and I got her away from that topic. Now I'm wondering if that's a good option. I guess I'm just left wondering what to do, since my therapist wasn't any help. Thanks for reading.

[A Red Panda]

I'd say that if you get hallucinations, that you get psychosis. Anti-psychotics are supposed to help with those, so I'd talk to your pdoc and give one a try

That was rather daft of your T though, to tell you to go for a walk if you both know that your hallucinations can lead you to do dangerous things. Next time you have a session with her you should really talk about how unhelpful that was!!

[wildflowerchild25]

Atypical antipsychotics are not as scary as they sound. They might help with your hallucinations. The biggest problem is that some of them cause a lot of weight gain. I've heard zyprexa and seroquel are really bad for that. However I have been on risperdal, geodon, and abilify with no weight gain.

Now typical antipsychotics are a different story. But most pdocs don't start off with them anymore.

Your T sounds kind of like a dolt btw. She knows you're unsafe during the hallucinations and still told you to take a walk. Grand.

[laurawwrites]

I had horrible hallucinations for years, and since starting zyprexa haven't had a single one. That being said I'm on a very high dose and have gained 55 pounds in the last two years from it. so pick your poison i guess.

I'm on ap's, but it is only PRN. However, I actually have physical symptoms prior to me becoming manic, and I can take the meds before it gets to bad.

You can ask for something that is an "as needed" thing.

[Skittles56]

Using antipsychotics as needed seems pretty strange to me. They take a while to work, about a week for most people, two or three weeks for some.

[~Christina]

I have 2 AP's that I can take prn.. Maybe you need an AP for a short time daily to feel stable and can address ways to handle symptoms?

My hallucination typical do not bother me ..If the do .. than I have Ap's to take for a few days . I am very anti AP for myself. I do not like the side effects nor do I like the feeling of being numbed down.

I personally think your T needs to work on coping skills to help you deal with Hallucinations , ground skills , breathing techniques etc..

I hope you can find a solution

[BlueInanna]

I don't know much about AP's, but sounds like you're really suffering - consider Christina's suggestion of one you can take only when needed.

And the therapist sounds so flippant about your concerns and safety... makes me sad
Maybe find a better one - or maybe she can improve in helping you.

[Mollywisk]

Hi Tra. Do you live with anyone else who can help when you have the hallucinations?

[Victoria'smom]

I take an anti psychotic as needed because my co-morbid disorder flaring up as an AP side effect.