[MtnTime2896]

The title kind of says it. A while ago, Trace posted a thread about misdiagnoses and I didn't answer to my full capacity due to being in a very confused, disoriented and hypervigilant state. It has kept me thinking for some time now; specifically, about a key factor that has caused my multiple misdiagnoses: The presence of intermittent psychotic episodes and patterns of psychotic behavior.

My misdiagnoses have been: Bipolar disorder, intermittent-explosive disorder (IED), borderline-personality disorder and schizophrenia.

Luckily for me, a couple of these were caught before they became official labels on my record (schizophrenia and BPD). Regardless, every misdiagnoses sent my mind reeling from how they could even be possible for me, as I'd never seen myself fitting any proper criteria for any one of them. The common denominators behind each diagnoses has been: Psychotic symptoms (hallucinations and brief -- anywhere from hours to a few days -- delusions), abrupt mood shifts that would last days to weeks (stretching from major depression to a resemblance of hypomania), outburst of uncontrollable anger, self-harming behavior and persistent SI/suicidality.

PTSD is known to cause mood shifts, depression, SI etc.; however, is it relatively understudied and unrecognized to have psychotic symptoms/episodes (at least where I live). It is slowly becoming more well-known, though has only been researched in combat veterans. There may be a study out there that has civilian PTSD sufferers; if there has been, I have not found it during my own personal research. As far as I've learned, the presence of psychotic symptoms is being classified as a sub-type of severe PTSD.

I'll get to the question.

How many of you have experienced or still experience psychotic symptoms and/or episodes? If you do, how do you treat these symptoms?

Thanks to anyone who bothered to read this, let alone answer.

[Trace14]

Originally Posted by Só leigheas

The title kind of says it. A while ago, Trace posted a thread about misdiagnoses and I didn't answer to my full capacity due to being in a very confused, disoriented and hypervigilant state. It has kept me thinking for some time now; specifically, about a key factor that has caused my multiple misdiagnoses: The presence of intermittent psychotic episodes and patterns of psychotic behavior.

My misdiagnoses have been: Bipolar disorder, intermittent-explosive disorder (IED), borderline-personality disorder and schizophrenia.

Luckily for me, a couple of these were caught before they became official labels on my record (schizophrenia and BPD). Regardless, every misdiagnoses sent my mind reeling from how they could even be possible for me, as I'd never seen myself fitting any proper criteria for any one of them. The common denominators behind each diagnoses has been: Psychotic symptoms (hallucinations and brief -- anywhere from hours to a few days -- delusions), abrupt mood shifts that would last days to weeks (stretching from major depression to a resemblance of hypomania), outburst of uncontrollable anger, self-harming behavior and persistent SI/suicidality.

PTSD is known to cause mood shifts, depression, SI etc.; however, is it relatively understudied and unrecognized to have psychotic symptoms/episodes (at least where I live). It is slowly becoming more well-known, though has only been researched in combat veterans. There may be a study out there that has civilian PTSD sufferers; if there has been, I have not found it during my own personal research. As far as I've learned, the presence of psychotic symptoms is being classified as a sub-type of severe PTSD.

I'll get to the question.

How many of you have experienced or still experience psychotic symptoms and/or episodes? If you do, how do you treat these symptoms?

Thanks to anyone who bothered to read this, let alone answer.

Well you know I read it I'm a bit nosy I haven't had psychotic symptoms, but maybe someone else with some experience or advice can help.

[SoupDragon]

Originally Posted by Só leigheas

The common denominators behind each diagnoses has been: Psychotic symptoms (hallucinations and brief -- anywhere from hours to a few days -- delusions), abrupt mood shifts that would last days to weeks (stretching from major depression to a resemblance of hypomania), outburst of uncontrollable anger, self-harming behavior and persistent SI/suicidality.
.

I have experienced, what I guess were delusions, was once convinced that someone was Jesus, perceptual disturbances, although have previously put these down to dissociation type stuff and abrupt mood shifts, that lasted for weeks, as well as the other behaviours.

It has been at times of acute stress / overwhelm. Thankfully, all those symptoms are less frequent and intense now.

[Elusive sensations]

Psychotic symptoms have been a significant part of my trauma issues so I can definitely relate. I'm not sure how to help, but things that have helped me are if I can tell someone/engage socially in some safe way, if I can reduce stressors in my life at that time, and keep trying to allow for that small element of doubt where delusional thinking is concerned.

[MtnTime2896]

Thanks everyone for their replies.

I'll make an attempt at all of your methods, Elusive sensations. And hopefully this will all go away when my more overwhelming symptoms subside, as well. Like you Soup Dragon, maybe this could be acute stress.

Always good hearing from you, Trace

[MtnTime2896]

Right now my mind's in an alright place, it hadn't been for the past two days. Usually it's easier to handle when I first wake up and then steadily gets worse as the day progresses. My therapy days are normally Wednesdays. When I got out of the hospital last week I had an appointment on Friday. I had a bad feeling and was fighting to keep it at bay. I had my friend come into my session with me because of this unease. Out of nowhere this suspicion began rising: My therapist wasn't my therapist. I tried to push it away but the feeling has become more and more unshakable. I had my usual appointment yesterday and couldn't hardly speak because I don't trust him. He's not my therapist. He looks like him and talks like him but he's not him. I know there are people after me and they're likely using "him" as a tool to hurt me. They also want to kill my friend. I feel bad because I keep checking on her and needing her to be around, but it's to protect her. I feel like these people are also going to try and turn my fiance against me by putting thoughts into his head. After a while, I think he's going to hate me. I don't want that to happen so I'm trying to fight them by showing him I love him. These people (who ever they are) want to strip me of the people who've helped keep me together. They're going to take them all away and I don't know if I can stop them. I know how crazy this sounds, trust me, but I can't shake this. They follow me and I think tap my phone. They've placed impostors in my life (my "therapist" and others). I'm also coming to find that my older sister isn't real. She never was.

I guess I'm posting this here because I think I trust this site. I hope I can still trust this site. I can't lose everyone like this. I won't make it long if I do.

[Trace14]

Originally Posted by Só leigheas

Right now my mind's in an alright place, it hadn't been for the past two days. Usually it's easier to handle when I first wake up and then steadily gets worse as the day progresses. My therapy days are normally Wednesdays. When I got out of the hospital last week I had an appointment on Friday. I had a bad feeling and was fighting to keep it at bay. I had my friend come into my session with me because of this unease. Out of nowhere this suspicion began rising: My therapist wasn't my therapist. I tried to push it away but the feeling has become more and more unshakable. I had my usual appointment yesterday and couldn't hardly speak because I don't trust him. He's not my therapist. He looks like him and talks like him but he's not him. I know there are people after me and they're likely using "him" as a tool to hurt me. They also want to kill my friend. I feel bad because I keep checking on her and needing her to be around, but it's to protect her. I feel like these people are also going to try and turn my fiance against me by putting thoughts into his head. After a while, I think he's going to hate me. I don't want that to happen so I'm trying to fight them by showing him I love him. These people (who ever they are) want to strip me of the people who've helped keep me together. They're going to take them all away and I don't know if I can stop them. I know how crazy this sounds, trust me, but I can't shake this. They follow me and I think tap my phone. They've placed impostors in my life (my "therapist" and others). I'm also coming to find that my older sister isn't real. She never was.

I guess I'm posting this here because I think I trust this site. I hope I can still trust this site. I can't lose everyone like this. I won't make it long if I do.

Wow, sounds like you were going through some very hard times. Are you taking your meds? It sounds like something is a little off balance, and paranoia setting in. You need to call the T and talk to him about this. This could take you down a bad path so please call the T as soon as you can. Okay?

[MtnTime2896]

Originally Posted by Trace14

Wow, sounds like you were going through some very hard times. Are you taking your meds? It sounds like something is a little off balance, and paranoia setting in. You need to call the T and talk to him about this. This could take you down a bad path so please call the T as soon as you can. Okay?

Yeah, I've been keeping up with my meds, aside from this morning because I spaced it. I'll get back on track tomorrow with those ones. During my session yesterday, I made it clear that I believe him to be an impostor. He wants to see me again tomorrow, too. I'm going but taking my fiance with me in case this is some sort of trap.

I realize this is all illogical and I'm trying to stick to that realization because I have no solid facts other than these strong feelings. But I still don't trust any of this. I have to protect the people I love. That's all I know.

[Trace14]

Originally Posted by Só leigheas

Yeah, I've been keeping up with my meds, aside from this morning because I spaced it. I'll get back on track tomorrow with those ones. During my session yesterday, I made it clear that I believe him to be an impostor. He wants to see me again tomorrow, too. I'm going but taking my fiance with me in case this is some sort of trap.

I realize this is all illogical and I'm trying to stick to that realization because I have no solid facts other than these strong feelings. But I still don't trust any of this. I have to protect the people I love. That's all I know.

I understand, but I also want you to take care of you. And something sounds a little off balance here. Did they change your meds when you went to the hospital? Maybe they need to try something else, ya know? Take care of you and you know you are safe here.

[MtnTime2896]

Originally Posted by Trace14

I understand, but I also want you to take care of you. And something sounds a little off balance here. Did they change your meds when you went to the hospital? Maybe they need to try something else, ya know? Take care of you and you know you are safe here.

Thanks, Trace. I'll phone my shrink after my appointment tomorrow and see what he thinks.

[Nammu]

I had PTSD with delusions and hallucinations they were normally brought on by the acute stress that interferes with my ability to eat and sleep. It's well known that sleep deprivation and lack of nutrition can cause both. Therapy helped me more than meds, in fact I'm convinced that benzos and antidepressants exacerbated the psychos.

[Trace14]

Originally Posted by Só leigheas

Thanks, Trace. I'll phone my shrink after my appointment tomorrow and see what he thinks.

Good, keep me posted and take care of you.

[SoupDragon]

Originally Posted by Só leigheas

I realize this is all illogical and I'm trying to stick to that realization because I have no solid facts other than these strong feelings.

This sounds a useful thing to hold onto. I think feelings can be helpful in making us more aware, but sometimes they are not based on current facts external to us, but triggered by other things.

Big hugs, hope you have a useful session with your T and can explore your feelings a little more.

[Rheincurve]

Originally Posted by Só leigheas

The title kind of says it. A while ago, Trace posted a thread about misdiagnoses and I didn't answer to my full capacity due to being in a very confused, disoriented and hypervigilant state. It has kept me thinking for some time now; specifically, about a key factor that has caused my multiple misdiagnoses: The presence of intermittent psychotic episodes and patterns of psychotic behavior.

My misdiagnoses have been: Bipolar disorder, intermittent-explosive disorder (IED), borderline-personality disorder and schizophrenia.

Luckily for me, a couple of these were caught before they became official labels on my record (schizophrenia and BPD). Regardless, every misdiagnoses sent my mind reeling from how they could even be possible for me, as I'd never seen myself fitting any proper criteria for any one of them. The common denominators behind each diagnoses has been: Psychotic symptoms (hallucinations and brief -- anywhere from hours to a few days -- delusions), abrupt mood shifts that would last days to weeks (stretching from major depression to a resemblance of hypomania), outburst of uncontrollable anger, self-harming behavior and persistent SI/suicidality.

PTSD is known to cause mood shifts, depression, SI etc.; however, is it relatively understudied and unrecognized to have psychotic symptoms/episodes (at least where I live). It is slowly becoming more well-known, though has only been researched in combat veterans. There may be a study out there that has civilian PTSD sufferers; if there has been, I have not found it during my own personal research. As far as I've learned, the presence of psychotic symptoms is being classified as a sub-type of severe PTSD.

I'll get to the question.

How many of you have experienced or still experience psychotic symptoms and/or episodes? If you do, how do you treat these symptoms?

Thanks to anyone who bothered to read this, let alone answer.

I can share, if you wish. I suffer from complex PTSD (severe physical and mental abuse during childhood) and the anxiety attacks and flashbacks. But, I also suffer from Bipolar type one. When the mania and/or depression get bad, I also have visual and auditory hallucinations, but only when I simultaneously have mood problems and not frequently at other times when I am feeling more well. The flashbacks from the PTSD are really stressful and can provoke symptoms of bipolar disease as can other stressors like physical illness, emotional upset, meds that have CNS activity and shouldn't be given to bipolar patients without a warning....Yes, PTSD is a real issue for me along with hallucinations. I truly hate the hallucinations, but my mood stabilizer, lithium, works and is truly protective. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.

Originally Posted by Só leigheas

The title kind of says it. A while ago, Trace posted a thread about misdiagnoses and I didn't answer to my full capacity due to being in a very confused, disoriented and hypervigilant state. It has kept me thinking for some time now; specifically, about a key factor that has caused my multiple misdiagnoses: The presence of intermittent psychotic episodes and patterns of psychotic behavior.

My misdiagnoses have been: Bipolar disorder, intermittent-explosive disorder (IED), borderline-personality disorder and schizophrenia.

Luckily for me, a couple of these were caught before they became official labels on my record (schizophrenia and BPD). Regardless, every misdiagnoses sent my mind reeling from how they could even be possible for me, as I'd never seen myself fitting any proper criteria for any one of them. The common denominators behind each diagnoses has been: Psychotic symptoms (hallucinations and brief -- anywhere from hours to a few days -- delusions), abrupt mood shifts that would last days to weeks (stretching from major depression to a resemblance of hypomania), outburst of uncontrollable anger, self-harming behavior and persistent SI/suicidality.

PTSD is known to cause mood shifts, depression, SI etc.; however, is it relatively understudied and unrecognized to have psychotic symptoms/episodes (at least where I live). It is slowly becoming more well-known, though has only been researched in combat veterans. There may be a study out there that has civilian PTSD sufferers; if there has been, I have not found it during my own personal research. As far as I've learned, the presence of psychotic symptoms is being classified as a sub-type of severe PTSD.

I'll get to the question.

How many of you have experienced or still experience psychotic symptoms and/or episodes? If you do, how do you treat these symptoms?

Thanks to anyone who bothered to read this, let alone answer.

I am glad you brought this subject up, I am going through the same thing, I have had psychotic episodes, Anger and rage, Major mood swings, Depression, Not being able to sleep, Night terrors, Flash backs, Any way these dictors are telling me I have Scitzoeffective disorder, They say I have a thought disorder and need to be put on Antipsychotic meds, I have tried I dont know how many of these meds and they gave me and made me feel psychotic, Do these Doctors know what they are talking abiut, I dont think so, Thanks for posting

Originally Posted by Rheincurve

I can share, if you wish. I suffer from complex PTSD (severe physical and mental abuse during childhood) and the anxiety attacks and flashbacks. But, I also suffer from Bipolar type one. When the mania and/or depression get bad, I also have visual and auditory hallucinations, but only when I simultaneously have mood problems and not frequently at other times when I am feeling more well. The flashbacks from the PTSD are really stressful and can provoke symptoms of bipolar disease as can other stressors like physical illness, emotional upset, meds that have CNS activity and shouldn't be given to bipolar patients without a warning....Yes, PTSD is a real issue for me along with hallucinations. I truly hate the hallucinations, but my mood stabilizer, lithium, works and is truly protective. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.

What meds are you on, I also have Bipolar 1 with the Cptsd, Are you on any antipsychotics

[OliverB]

I have been diagnosed with psychotic disorders much more times than cptsd. I was in a moderate psychotic state for years. I have had mixed and hypomanic and depressive episodes, but I don't tolerate meds.

I doubt it is a misdiagnosis since the psychosis is not always trauma related, even if it could be stress related. Probably I have a predisposition to it and the chronic stress triggered it.

I just befriend the beings, voices and so. And hide when people spy me. They are there for a reason, I don't panick because of them and I don't care if wonderland or nether are "real". What does " real" mean? They just are. I live with them with normality. I don't consider it pathologic even if I know they are considered psychosis. I hate when they are called hallucinations or delusions, they are complex and have rights too, even if the rest of people cannot sense them.