[kdslf]

The short of it is my mom has had psychotic episodes (possibly others unknown) starting, supposedly, in 1973; following a long "respite", 1994, 2003 and 2016. To be clear, that's 4 known psychotic episodes within 43 years. Enigmatic - yes. Strange - very. The episodes have always been no more than 4, possibly 5 days long, at which time she gradually becomes more herself. Oh, and she's a Christian Scientist, which means she doesn't go to doctors; so that's why this remains an enigma. Incidentally, "Christian Science" is Latin for "neither Christian nor science"......

Her affect is energetic. She has a very strong personality - that was fun growing up. She hasn't ever displayed anything I would remotely attribute to depressive symptoms though. This suggests the possibility of unipolar mania, which is under-researched, but on paper this diagnosis might fit. The apparent rarity of the episodes, assuming less severe episodes don't occur with no one-the-wiser, presents some enigma I would think. A study has been published on unipolar (no depression) mania, and it indicates the DSM lumps it with Bipolar 1...even though it's just "one pole", apparently. It apparently isn't getting much respect

My dad has beared the brunt of her episodes, having to make sure she doesn't get herself into trouble, etc. Poor dad She hasn't had "manic" episodes necessarily - though I'm not sure that pure psychosis doesn't "count" as manic. I'm quite confident I'm less enlightened on this topic than many of you.

Any thoughts on this would be interesting. It's an unusual presentation of symptoms so no responses at all would be unsurprising.

[Sunflower123]

I'm glad these psychotic episodes didn't interrupt your childhood or cause you psychological harm. It could be a few things and since your mom won't go to a pdoc for a diagnosis it will continue to be a theory as to what she actually has. I'm glad it doesn't happen more often and hasn't caused harm to you or your dad.

I'm glad her episodes are far between and that she doesn't have the depression beast to contend with. Psychosis is terrifying though and even though it's only been a few, that's a few too many for any person. Your poor mother, father and you. If it's hard to be witness to, imagine it actually happening to you.

I'm not a doctor, a Christian or a scientist so I'm unqualified to make any claims of knowledge pertaining to your Mothers symptoms. I'm not even sure that is what you are asking. My heart goes out to you all and I hope you receive the answers you seek.

[Coconutzo]

I suppose for diagnosis you would need more info about those acute episodes and how they present. Mania alone can justify a diagnosis of bipolar. That's what every psychiatrist I've ever seen has said. It's just whether those psychotic episodes qualify as mania

[Victoria'smom]

My son would never know I'm depressed I hide it well. She needs to go to a psychiatrist or psychologist for a dx. You can have episodic psychosis but that's rare. I would bet she's hid the depression.

[kdslf]

Thanks your replies and sentiments! My mom offers a window to the "irregular" psychiatric genes I inherited, She likely has ADHD and I've had anxiety and secondary depression with or because of the ADHD.

I believe she uses "Christian Science" (cs) as a coping mechanism. She will read CS every day for an hour of something. An escape. Instead of drugs. The substance of the religion is nonsense, but that"s another matter.

As far as hiding depression, I do believe that's possible. I research the brain and psychiatry a lot. Maybe I'll take the time to figure her out after I figure myself out

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by kdslf

The short of it is my mom has had psychotic episodes (possibly others unknown) starting, supposedly, in 1973; following a long "respite", 1994, 2003 and 2016. To be clear, that's 4 known psychotic episodes within 43 years. Enigmatic - yes. Strange - very. The episodes have always been no more than 4, possibly 5 days long, at which time she gradually becomes more herself. Oh, and she's a Christian Scientist, which means she doesn't go to doctors; so that's why this remains an enigma. Incidentally, "Christian Science" is Latin for "neither Christian nor science"......

Her affect is energetic. She has a very strong personality - that was fun growing up. She hasn't ever displayed anything I would remotely attribute to depressive symptoms though. This suggests the possibility of unipolar mania, which is under-researched, but on paper this diagnosis might fit. The apparent rarity of the episodes, assuming less severe episodes don't occur with no one-the-wiser, presents some enigma I would think. A study has been published on unipolar (no depression) mania, and it indicates the DSM lumps it with Bipolar 1...even though it's just "one pole", apparently. It apparently isn't getting much respect

My dad has beared the brunt of her episodes, having to make sure she doesn't get herself into trouble, etc. Poor dad She hasn't had "manic" episodes necessarily - though I'm not sure that pure psychosis doesn't "count" as manic. I'm quite confident I'm less enlightened on this topic than many of you.

Any thoughts on this would be interesting. It's an unusual presentation of symptoms so no responses at all would be unsurprising.

People can have psychotic episodes for many reasons, reasons which don't include mental illness.
Just for example, low blood sodium can cause psychosis. It's one of the many suspects when someone has no history, or a very unusual history of psychosis. My pdoc has told me about his having been a resident, called to the ER for a psychotic patient and the tests he would run before suggesting mental illness, simply because there are many other potential causes of psychosis.

Low blood sodium, for instance, can cause sudden psychosis. It can be caused by the use of other drugs/supplements which cause low sodium. It can be caused by trauma --surgeries and other "traumas." There are additional causes.

Low blood sodium is just one example of many potential causes.
Unfortunately, since your Mom won't see a doctor, it's impossible to do the work-ups to discover potential causes for her episodic psychoses.


WC