[Anxiousvalkyrie]

I briefly touched on this in my post about Zyprexa but my mom has me worried that I might have some schizophrenic symptoms in addition to my bipolar disorder. I go see the psychologist at my Pdocs office on the 27th of this month to do comprehensive testing to see if I have anything else going on that needs to be addressed and treated. But I know pretty much nothing about schizoaffective disorder.

I do know I'm extremely paranoid. Before I moved into a high rise building I would never open the curtains in my house because I was constantly afraid people were watching me even if I logically knew that was ridiculous. I also get convinced that people are following and am almost constantly sure people are always staring at me when I'm out and about. I get....I don't know if you'd call them delusions....but spells where I'll be convinced someone is doing something horrible to hurt me...like my husband cheating on me, even though there's no logical reason for these beliefs.

I've also experienced some mild auditory hallucinations. Like I'll be out in the woods walking and I'll be certain I hear footsteps behind me. When I was a little girl I'd sleep with my clock radio on really low because would hear things I knew wasn't there. At this point I don't remember what they were but it happened a lot in my childhood. I also had horrible night terrors.

These are just a few examples....I'm assuming I should tell the psychologist about all of this. But I'm just not sure my mom is right, or maybe I'm just scared that she is.

Anyways....I just needed to get this out. These thoughts have been haunting me and the psychologist appointment is looming over me like a jail sentence.

[Kuras]

Do you experience psychotic symptoms only while manic/deeply depressed or have they been pervasive outside of mood states?

[Anxiousvalkyrie]

Originally Posted by Kuras

Do you experience psychotic symptoms only while manic/deeply depressed or have they been pervasive outside of mood states?

Yes, I have experienced them, especially the paranoia outside of manic and depressive episodes, though the episodes do make them exponentially worse.

[Kuras]

IIRC my psych waited a couple months of psychotic symptoms devoid of mood state to initially confirm schizoaffective. Definitely be up front and honest with your doc.

[Anxiousvalkyrie]

Originally Posted by Kuras

IIRC my psych waited a couple months of psychotic symptoms devoid of mood state to initially confirm schizoaffective. Definitely be up front and honest with your doc.

It's kind of hard because I've hid all of these things with everyone I had for all these years and how it's all coming out. When it would get bad I would just not see anyone and how they're all shocked when I tell them about my hardships when it comes to my mental health and I sometimes feel like they don't believe me, or don't want to believe me.

[Kuras]

I feel you. Your own well-being is obviously top priority though. Having your doc fully understand your situation is conducive to being treated most effectively.

[Anxiousvalkyrie]

Originally Posted by Kuras

I feel you. Your own well-being is obviously top priority though. Having your doc fully understand your situation is conducive to being treated most effectively.

Thanks very much for your thoughts and incite on this. It's very much appreciated. Kind of feeling like an open wound with all of this stuff finally coming out.

[Kuras]

Letting things out that you've hidden away for a long time can be difficult. It was rough when I finally started to become open about being sexually abused as a kid and how that would be perceived. Just take it a day at a time.

[Victoria'smom]

My official dx is Bipolar with psychotic features but yes I do get spells of delusions. I get really paranoid. Tell your psychiatrist and psychologist so they can help. The treatment is the same so try not to stress about the dx.

[raspberrytorte]

I get psychosis symptoms outside of episodes too and it really makes me mad. I'm getting them now and I'm not in an episode. Why am I getting them outside of episodes?! It makes me so frustrated.

[Kuras]

A question to ask your psychiatrist if your diagnosis doesn't involve schizoaffective disorder.