Questions about Pychosis and if this is related to it?

Question

I was diagnosed with Depression and Psychosis last October. I've had the problem every since I was younger. I also have other episodes. I get them everyday. I don't know if I'm trying to create my own little world or what. My husband thinks it's serious, but I don't see a problem with it...

It happens everyday. I'll have conversations with myself and pretend other people are there, friends, family. I'll go on for a few minutes to a couple hours at a time. I'm pretending these people are having conversations with me, or I'll ask questions and they'll respond back, or sometimes it's even heated arguments. Most of the time they respond with something I want them to say (I pick the words/converstation topic) . I never see anything, any people when this is going on. I was just wondering if this was linked to the Psychosis, or if it's something totally different? I've had this ever since age 7. I'm 21 now. (No, I've never done any drugs so I know it's not brought on from that.)

Anyone else have/had similar problems?

Answer 1

It sounds like you are having auditory hallucinations not visual. Most definitely a sign of psychosis.

Answer 2

I don't know. As I read I was wondering if the "people" you talked to responded in the way you wanted them to, and then you said so. I think sometimes, people are trying to deal with their difficulties by doing this. I often wonder if people who hear voices are hearing what they want to hear or re-hearing things that were said to them in the past which are coming up to be resolved.
However, it sounds to me as though you were a lonely kid who made up people to talk to so that you wouldn't feel so lonely.
I hate labels like "Psychotic", "Depressive" "Paranoid" etc. These are misleading labels the psychiatric industry has put on people to mystify everyone into thinking they are the only people who understand emotional distress. (They call it mental illness!!)
These labels just represent the ways that people try to deal with their issues, but all these things are symptoms of unhealed hurts.
Sometimes kids will invent an "ally" to tell their troubles to, if they haven't got someone real to confide in. Have you ever thought about what you and your "companions" are conversing about?
Or is it just a matter of needing to feel that there is someone there for you? Do you answer aloud as well? Have you ever recorded yourself doing this? It might be useful to see what you are discussing and if it has any relevance to your past. (on the other hand it might be completely irrelevant, I just offer it as a possibility). Don't upset yourself about this. Even if other people think it's strange, it doesn't mean you have to. If you are depressed, something is obviously causing it. Have you investigated that with a counsellor? There are some good peer-group counselling organisations you can find on the web (well one or two anyway!) The advantage of them is that they cost almost nothing and ACTUALLY HELP!

Answer 3

Well, I am not a licensed professional, so take this with a grain of salt : But as long as you KNOW these are pretend people, what's the harm? It sounds as if you are spending rather alot of time talking to yourself in a complex way. I would wonder more why you spend so long at this activity, and I would think you might need some counseling so you will prefer the conversations of your actual friends and family. I think this is an issue, but I don't think you are seriously disturbed. I have heard of other people doing this,as well. Good Luck to you.

Answer 4

Yes, I am sorry to say, this is a psychosis and it MUST be treated with anti-psychotic drugs and counseling. It should not be neglected, even if you think it is harmless. Also, it can be very well controlled with medication, though finding the right one may take some time.

All the best. You have a long journey ahead of you, but it is important to take the first step NOW.