schizophrenia

In 2000 I was diagnose with schizophrenia because i heard voices and was taking resperdal but quit taking it haven't heard voices in long time but have ups and downs highs and lows alot.I would feel euphoric then get all depressed and sometimes suicidal. what do you think is the problem?

Maybe you are bipolar?

Todd - are you currently seeing a psychiatrist and/or a psychologist or other therapist? What diagnosis have they given you currently? That small bit of info you gave us isn't enough information even for a professional to make a diagnosis let alone we fellow "nuts"

What symptoms are most troubling to you in getting your everyday tasks done? I think you are in school now, right? What impacts getting though classes, and homework the most? What affects your relationships the most? How about keeping your apartment clean, and laundry, and groceries? Are you able to keep up with those things?

emmy

I am still living with my parent and i sometimes get too depress to concentrate in class while other days i get hyper and talk too fast and have trouble concentrating.i seeing a psychologist weekly and will see a psychiatrist right before thanksgiving holiday.

Todd - Here's emmy's personal philosophy of diagnoses. It's pretty rare that someone fits a single diagnosis completely 100%. It's more accurate to say we are maybe 3/4 of a cup of this and a tablespoon of that and a teaspoon of something else.

You can click on the "disorders" button up on top of this screen and read about all of them. The list of disorders are not solid rules for diagnosing...sorta more like guidelines. What I'm trying to get at here, is that the label is just not all that important. I know it's sometimes comforting to say, Ah HA! That's what I have!! But it's also sometimes misleading.

For instance, if I said, Hey Todd, you have Schizophrenia, Disorganized Type, you could go look that up and begin to believe that about yourself. You might even change your behavior accordingly. Yikes.

That's why I prefer to just think about the symptoms in your life which get in the way of you improving your life. Work on those. Make a list of what your goals are, like finishing school, getting along better at home, etc. Then list what makes that harder for you. Those are the things to work on. To heck with what your diagnosis is. We'll care about you and help you achieve those goals whether your diagnosis is Poohbear or Grasshopper!

There....more than you EVER wanted to know about emmy's philosophy on diagnoses!!

Aren't you sorry you asked? Oh yeah, you didn't ask....

emmy

It must get pretty frustrating and confusing. I'm really glad you have a therapist to talk to about it. And I'm glad you talk to us too.

Are you on meds now, or is that what you are seeing the psychiatrist about?

How about bringing a list of all those troubling symptoms with you? Like the difficulty concentrating in class, etc. And the changing mood states? It might help the doc if you could think about how often that happens and how long it lasts. Maybe even write it down? Maybe your psychologist could help you with this?

I think I've had too much coffee....I can't stop typing! Maybe I'd better tell MY psychiatrist!

emmy