I'm not really sure what my official dx is. Six years ago I had a major depressive melt down. Long story short, I was treated for depression for a few months, then the psychiatrist began treating me for bipolar disorder. I felt like the meds were making me 'crazier' and that the doctors weren't really listening. So I stopped going. I recently felt like I needed to start back with help. Somehow I feel like I've been slipping again. This time I intend to not crash and burn before getting help.

It's been so long since I went to doc. that I don't remember their names and places. I moved four hrs away from that area four years ago. So my new attempt is very new. I've started all over.

I guess I should get to the point of why I feel like this post belongs in this forum. I just watched an amazing movie based on a true story on Lifetime. It was about a sister who had to begin caring for her sister who had Schizophrenia. It just got me curious and I did some research. I took a test that says that I may possibly showing early warning signs. I'm scared that it may be possible. My mom has two brothers who have both been diagnosed with a schizophrenic disorder, so it does run in my family.

How do you know if you are experiencing symptoms. I mean, if it's delusions how do you know. When should you see a doc or what do you say. Do you have to say anything? Or do they just somehow know, is it that obvious? I don't know, this just makes the thoughts in my head race.

[Wayfarer25]

Originally Posted by Tru_Butterfly

How do you know if you are experiencing symptoms. I mean, if it's delusions how do you know. When should you see a doc or what do you say. Do you have to say anything? Or do they just somehow know, is it that obvious? I don't know, this just makes the thoughts in my head race.

Not every schizophrenic knows they're experiencing symptoms. The fact that you could take a test means you have some idea of what you're experiencing, so you could always start the conversation with a new psychiatrist with the test you took. The psychiatrist will likely take it from there and ask a bunch of questions.

As far as when you should see a doc, I think you already know the answer. You said yourself that you're determined not to crash and burn like before, so now is probably the best time.

As far as what to say, usually you'll go through a guided interview called an initial intake interview where you're basically asked a bunch of questions. I know you said you're scared of schizophrenia, but the best thing you can do is tell the truth as you see it, and not give them answers you think they want to hear.

It's not always obvious. Psychiatry isn't as concrete as something like getting a blood test to tell if you're diabetic. You have to remember that psychiatric professionals ONLY have as much information as you're willing to give. And the information they have at the end of each session is only as good and true as you give it. But even still, professionals will differ in opinion sometimes as far as a diagnosis. People are misdiagnosed a lot, but that's because a lot of symptoms can mimic other disorders. Don't be surprised if you don't have a solid diagnosis after only one session. It could take several sessions before they have enough information to make a solid diagnosis. In some cases, however, it can be very obvious, and they only need the initial intake interview to diagnose.

Good luck. I hope you find the help you need.

Thanks so much for your reply. I have been seeing a gen. physician for about three months now. She seems to think that it's depression. I can't see a therapist or psychiatrist unless she sends me to one and even then my insurance will cover so little of it that I really couldn't afford to go. Hell, I barely afford the copay for her and my meds. She hasn't seen me long enough to make that recommendation.

I guess I just worry that it could happen to me. I know I struggle with depression that's not really in question. But, when I started looking into Schizophrenia I came across info saying that depression can actually be part of the bigger issues with schizophrenia. I found the test on another site but it is the same as the schizophrenia screening test on this site.

I know that I sometimes hear sounds like tones, beeping, clicking, maybe a jingling of keys kind of sound and I have asked others and no one else hears these things. I don't recall ever hearing voices, although in crowded public places, I often get this weird intense feeling that all the people are looking at me and talking about me. I also tend to feel like I hear more of their thoughts than their voices.

People seem awkward around me. Like I don't react to ppl 'right' or something. I'm terrified of the government. I know they watch everything everyone does. They know our every move whether ppl want to believe it or not. Though sometimes think I'm a governmental experiment. Everyone and everything else is fake. It's here to 'push" me to do whatever they want done to me. I don't think I hallucinate.

I just wondered what it was like in the early stages for others. I mean are these the thoughts that start this. I know others don't think like I do and I have other more detailed fears, mostly related to the government.