[Bridget11]

Within the last six months or so, I've been having what I can only describe as a nightmare while I'm wide awake. I can't help but imagine horrific things happening. Like, I'm sitting in the car, and see someone about to cross the street. I suddenly imagine them getting hit by a car, causing a big, gory mess. But, I mostly have these thoughts about my family members. This morning I had a particularly bad episode: I usually get up around ten during the summer, but I abruptly woke up at 7. My dog was lying next to me, and I had the sudden thought that he was dead. I shook him and he didn't respond. I felt like I was having an anxiety attack; my hands were trembling pretty bad, and my heart was beating really fast. Then, I realized that he was just sleeping heavily. After that, I heard the television on in the living room, but I didn't hear my parents. I fantasized that I went to the living room and found their bodies, bloody and mutilated, sitting on the couch. This is really disturbing to me, because I don't want my parents or my dog to die; I'm really quite afraid of that happening. But, I really can't control these horrific, random fantasies.
There is a history of mental illness in my family, mostly depression and bipolar disorder, but I do have a great uncle that has been in and out of hospitals with schizophrenia for thirty years. I also have a history of anxiety, particularly social, dermatillomania, and self injury. But, I don't self injure anymore. I've just become really concerned with my thoughts that I can't seem to control.

[deliquesce]

it sounds a lot more like anxiety to me - thoughts about catastrophic events happening to our loved ones is quite a common anxious worry .

do you have a therapist or Dr who helps manage your conditions? i think it would be worth talking over with someone who is a professional in the area - i personally don't think it sounds like schizophrenia, but someone who knows how to assess it will have a better idea of the full picture and how this fits it.

good luck!

[Sammy Jo]

What you just explain to me is exactly what happens to me. And I see it all planned out in my head, in detailed and it only takes a few seconds, minutes. My thoughts are usually about me. I'll be sitting in the car while my husband is going into the gas station, I'll see a man walking over to me asking me for money, then jumping into the and taking me and my son with him somewhere. I don't know how to explain it but I understand you completely. What you said about your dog..that often happens to me with my son. I constantly have to feel his stomach to make sure he's breathing. The one that really scared me was last week. I was driving and I was about to drive over a bridge, with water on both sides. I imagine me driving off the bridge and how I would get out. I looked over to see how far my window was rolled down to see if it was enough for me to get out. I imagine my husband at home wondering where I was and how my family would see it on the news. All those thoughts happen in about 20 seconds. I turned around and took another road home. This has been happening to me for awhile. It's getting worst. I thought it was also schizophrenia. I joined this a few days ago and actually posted something under schizophrenia. I set up an app. with a psychiatrist for Thursday. I don't know what it is. The people on here have been very helpful. Alot of them think maybe it is post traumatic stress disorder. I called some hospitals and told them my story and they also believe it may be PTSD from being raped as a teenager. I also have extreme anxiety and Bipolar. Mental illness runs in my family also. These thoughts are really starting to get to me because they're getting worst and scary.

Maybe you can call and try to set up an appointment to see somebody. I don't much about Schizophrenia to help you but maybe a doctor can. I hope the best for you. If you ever want to talk feel free to message me!! Good luck!

[Joanofarc]

I have similar sometimes.....:]

[billieJ]

I have had this before with severe depression/anxiety. I have it a little all the time, and I don't drive out of town anymore because of it. I am afraid I will drive into oncoming traffic or something. billieJ

[TheArdentSavage]

This is familiar. i thought everyone had these. i always assume that about things though! You should talk to a doctor if it causes you to be worried enough or to impact your life. schizophrenia is more than just one way of having symptoms-more than delusions and hallucinations and thoughts. i mean im sure you know that! but i mean that, this one thing you have described does not point to 'schizophrenia'. even if it did none of us on the internet could really tell you for sure that you have schizophrenic traits. only doctors can. hopefully you find some answers you are looking for!!

[lostandscared54]

I agree with the above. Your symptoms do not point to schizophrenia. They sound similar to general anxiety disorder. But, as most have said, you need to consult an expert in order to truly figure out what is going on. Good luck.