[cashart10]

I have become, in the past, extremely psychotic but only for a short time (although my bizarre delusions can last for months). Is that enveloped in my bp diagnosis? Are other types of psychosis diagnosed only if you have symptoms outside of a mood disorder (I have read something of the sorts)? I have always been curious about this. Why are some people who are psychotic during episodes diagnosed as BPI, some as BP with psychotic features, some as scizoeffective, and some as scizotypical. I've even wondered if my psychosis is actually psychosis and not actual occurrences and if my delusions are actually legitimate beliefs. Is it normal to wonder that long after psychosis has occurred? I saw a thread along these lines but I didn't want to high-jack that thread with a bunch of my own questions. Thoughts?

[lilypup]

I have psychosis when I become very very depressed. But I have BP 2. I doubt your delusions are true. If you have paranoia, try to wait till your meds r working before you judge. Or ask a trusted friend.

[Disorder7]

I really don't know all of the differences. I'm sort of new to this.

I have wondered many times if my psychosis is really psychosis. I used to think my husband and pdoc had conspired to get me medicated. The fact they had never met or spoken to each other, the fact that I was the one who chose the doctor didn't matter.

I noticed you are on 30 mg of Abilify. That's a fairly high dosage, I think. Hopefully you aren't still experiencing psychosis on 30 mg.

[Nightside of Eden]

Originally Posted by cashart10

I have become, in the past, extremely psychotic but only for a short time (although my bizarre delusions can last for months). Is that enveloped in my bp diagnosis?

The answer depends on whether you continued to have mood symptoms during those months when the bizarre delusions persisted. If yes, then Bipolar does cover all your symptoms. But if your mood was stable and the delusions continued anyway, then you're starting to fall outside the established BP symptoms.

Are other types of psychosis diagnosed only if you have symptoms outside of a mood disorder (I have read something of the sorts)? I have always been curious about this.

They're only diagnosed if you have psychotic symptoms outside of a mood episode, meaning when you aren't depressed, mixed, or manic.

Why are some people who are psychotic during episodes diagnosed as BPI, some as BP with psychotic features, some as scizoeffective, and some as scizotypical.

Well, Bipolar Disorder with psychotic features is still Bipolar Disorder (type 1 or 2). The "with psychotic features" thing is just an additional coding number doctors add to denote that feature. It's not a different diagnosis. Schizoaffective is a different diagnosis, given when psychotic features persist outside of mood episodes. Schizotypal is a personality disorder marked by persistent bizarre beliefs and behaviors but without the positive psychotic symptoms (ie hallucinations) that mark the actual psychotic disorders (hence it being classed as a personality disorder). I know you can't (or at least certainly shouldn't) be diagnosed as both Schizoaffective and Bipolar, because each diagnosis requires that the other be excluded. However, I don't know of any reason a person couldn't have both Schizotypal Personality Disorder and Bipolar.

I've even wondered if my psychosis is actually psychosis and not actual occurrences and if my delusions are actually legitimate beliefs. Is it normal to wonder that long after psychosis has occurred?

This is completely normal. I've wondered the same thing many times and so has everyone else I know who has experienced psychosis.

[newtothis31]

Maybe an example would help- One of my delusional beliefs from my BP psychosis was that the Obamas controlled Hollywood- and gave celebs strict guidelines on their behavior. And that the celeb magazines were written by people with a psych background to help people encountering similar issues in their daily life (not finding the right person, drama from the ex, ect). I can sorta laugh about it now, but it doesn't seem that far fetched to me. Its just not worth my time to think about it.

[cashart10]

Thank you night side of eden for the wonderful information and for taking the time to explain it.

[cashart10]

As an example of my psychosis, because I have a printed email account of it, I have included the following attachment. It is long so I understand if you choose not to read it but I am always looking for someone to read it (I obviously don't share it with many) and tell me it was a miraculous spiritual experience (as I often believe it was) and not insanity. Most of my psychosis is related to this post: hearing the voice of God, following his sometimes nonsensical (to many) plans, etc.

img009.jpg

Some exapmles of delusions have been that someone could read my mind, that all of my prayers are answered by God because I am special (out of the ordinary special), that I have special powers through the holy spirit and can cast out demons or lay my hands on people for healing, etc.

[cashart10]

If you open the attachment using the paper clip on the main bipolar forum page, you can actually read it.

Originally Posted by cashart10

I have become, in the past, extremely psychotic but only for a short time (although my bizarre delusions can last for months). Is that enveloped in my bp diagnosis? Are other types of psychosis diagnosed only if you have symptoms outside of a mood disorder (I have read something of the sorts)? I have always been curious about this. Why are some people who are psychotic during episodes diagnosed as BPI, some as BP with psychotic features, some as scizoeffective, and some as scizotypical. I've even wondered if my psychosis is actually psychosis and not actual occurrences and if my delusions are actually legitimate beliefs. Is it normal to wonder that long after psychosis has occurred? I saw a thread along these lines but I didn't want to high-jack that thread with a bunch of my own questions. Thoughts?

I hear you. It confuses me as well. I was diagnosed with bp 1 w/psychotic features and PTSD. I asked my psych nurse about it. Like what the difference is between bp 1w/ psychotic features and schizoaffective disorder. She explained it, but I'm still confused.

Wish I could have been more help.

Originally Posted by newtothis31

Maybe an example would help- One of my delusional beliefs from my BP psychosis was that the Obamas controlled Hollywood- and gave celebs strict guidelines on their behavior. And that the celeb magazines were written by people with a psych background to help people encountering similar issues in their daily life (not finding the right person, drama from the ex, ect). I can sorta laugh about it now, but it doesn't seem that far fetched to me. Its just not worth my time to think about it.

You were diagnosed on my bday, lol.

[Victoria'smom]

W/ psychotic features means psychosis only when in (hypo)mania, depression and / or mixed episode. Some drs like mine attribute some psychotic like behavior to other disorders like anxiety. My doctor also rarely uses scizoaffective disorder because there's such a stigma to it.

[newtothis31]

Originally Posted by sunshine1995

You were diagnosed on my bday, lol.

Happy almost birthday, Sunshine! Hope you make it fun.

Originally Posted by Nightside of Eden

The answer depends on whether you continued to have mood symptoms during those months when the bizarre delusions persisted. If yes, then Bipolar does cover all your symptoms. But if your mood was stable and the delusions continued anyway, then you're starting to fall outside the established BP symptoms.

They're only diagnosed if you have psychotic symptoms outside of a mood episode, meaning when you aren't depressed, mixed, or manic.

Well, Bipolar Disorder with psychotic features is still Bipolar Disorder (type 1 or 2). The "with psychotic features" thing is just an additional coding number doctors add to denote that feature. It's not a different diagnosis. Schizoaffective is a different diagnosis, given when psychotic features persist outside of mood episodes. Schizotypal is a personality disorder marked by persistent bizarre beliefs and behaviors but without the positive psychotic symptoms (ie hallucinations) that mark the actual psychotic disorders (hence it being classed as a personality disorder). I know you can't (or at least certainly shouldn't) be diagnosed as both Schizoaffective and Bipolar, because each diagnosis requires that the other be excluded. However, I don't know of any reason a person couldn't have both Schizotypal Personality Disorder and Bipolar.

This is completely normal. I've wondered the same thing many times and so has everyone else I know who has experienced psychosis.

Thanks night. you explained it well.

Originally Posted by newtothis31

Happy almost birthday, Sunshine! Hope you make it fun.

Thanks, I haven't really celebrated it in yrs. But my sister from Eugene is coming so I think I'll be celebrating this year.

[Tucson]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

W/ psychotic features means psychosis only when in (hypo)mania, depression and / or mixed episode. Some drs like mine attribute some psychotic like behavior to other disorders like anxiety. My doctor also rarely uses scizoaffective disorder because there's such a stigma to it.

GAD causing psychosis? That is a new one on me.

[Victoria'smom]

Not proper psychosis but behavior that look like psychosis.

[Tucson]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

Not proper psychosis but behavior that look like psychosis.

TY for responding to my post.