how does it begin?

hey all,

ive been dealing with depression for a year now, and just last week a consultant mentioned that it might lead me into schezophrenia ... now i want to know how it begins, what the earliest symptoms and how i can handle it..
i have some family history too (hallucinations mostly).

i talk to myself most of the time, i also believe that we're all living a pre-programmed life, like sleep walking or something ..i sometimes get paranoid, i seek control in allmatters of life... and i get depressed easily. ive started to give up on things too.

i dont know why the doctor mentioned it.

please help. thanks

i wouldn't let someone's suggestion scare you. I think that is bad practice/medicine. Alot of the things you named are normal - talking to yourself, being somewhat paranoid (especially when you are depressed).

My brother who was initially diagnosed with schitzophrenia had a three week long delusion. It wasn't gradual for him. It was debilitating. I'm not sying that it is like that for everyone. But really..why worry yourself when you don't yet have the symptoms and if you are older you most likely won't develop it as it usually shows itself in the early to mid 20s. I'm not sure if I helped at all. But I think of this one wisdom which says basically says .. What good does worry do? Can it add one day to your life? Instead trust.

Easier said than done.. yup.. but I truely believe this situation applies because you seem to be going through depression and encountering some of the negativity that comes with that.

Hmmm. I know there is some symptom overlap between schizophrenia and major depression, but I've never heard of one leading to another.

me either. I know that children as young as 4 and 5 can have schitophrenia and not have depression. In fact a friend of mine was recently allerted by her headstart teachers that her son was saying he was hearing voices that told him to hurt the other children when he is playing with them. He is seeing a psychiatrist now. She has been told he does not have depression.

hi all,
thanks for the responses.

the problem i have is that i have a lot of negative thoughts that dont have any logical basis ... like life on earth will near its end in my lifetime, the number 11 has a special message for me, there is something unknown thats creating all these problems in my life/blocking my positive energy, etc ... these thoughts depress me and they are delusional too... i dont know, i am confused

http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx31.htm No, depression doesn't cause schizoaffective disorders. I think you might have confused what the doctor said? Welcome to psychcentral, btw, Rudy. Hope your stay is a good one!

thanks for the response sky, i am on medication for incoherent speech for 3-4 months now ... i think the doctor said there is a chance that i might have schizophrenia (not caused by depression) ... anyhow, i'll be seeing him next week, i shouldnt worry about this right now ... already enough things on my mind, thanks for welcoming me :-)