I was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder 4 years ago, but have not been?

Question

responding to medication. For the last 4 months my mood has not been high or low, but I have been feeling emotionally flat and unresponsive to others. I have also been hearing voices, feeling paranoid and suspicious of others. I am now too scared to leave the house in case I am being followed. I saw a new psychiatrist and CPN last week who have diagnosed me with schizophrenia. I am really not sure what to think and don't even know if the diagnoses is correct. I have been started on 15mg of Ambilify. I know very little about this illness and wondered if there was anybody out there who has schizophrenia and knows if this sounds like a correct diagnoses.

Answer 1

In my experience bi-polar and schizophrenia can be very closely linked.. I'm also somewhere in the middle, I have very high and low mood swings, 'thought disorder' and also have experienced voices, paranoia and delusions.

A lot of doctors also see the overlap of experiences.

Don't worry about the diagnosis, its just a label.. What matters is that your receiving the help you need in response to your particular symptoms.

You might not know about schizophrenia- but your an expert on yourself.

Keep seeing your doctor and CPN, talk to them about what's going on and any changes. Give the medication time to work and If it doesn't work after they are supposed to kick in- ask for a change.. try and be patient- I know its hard.

Do you have a plan for crisis? If things get bad- try using that.. or if you don't- ring your GP or NHS direct and try to explain that you need help right now..

Don't give up and don't worry, just like being bi-polar: if things are managed well with schizophrenia you can get your life back and enjoy it..

Answer 2

I don't suffer, but i did a bit of psychology at a-level and know a bit about it. It does sound to me like it could be the beginning of schizophrenia. Personally, i would try to look it up on the web and see what treatments are out there. it might be good for you to try to see someone - i.e. therapist or someone to talk to, instead of just staying inside and taking the pills. The more you retreat and feel paranoid, the worse you'll become. The psychiatrist surely must have some therapy they can put you through instead of giving you the easy route - pills. As long as you stay in touch with reality and don;t listen to the voices, you'll be fine. Try to push them to the back of your mind each time they appear. Know that they are just voices and not what people really think. if you let them take over your life it will only get worse. Good luck and i hope things get better, i am sure they will.

Answer 3

Just listen to your psychiatrist and CPN, hearing voices is a sign of schizophrenia, so they are most likely correct, take the medication, they will keep a eye on you, if you have any problems you can call them anytime, at night they have an after hours service just like the doctors, just ring your normal mental health telephone number, you will be given the number or automatically be re-directed.

Don't be afraid to ask questions if you are worried or have doubts, they will help you.

Answer 4

being paranoid and suspicious, are classic symptoms of schizophrenia, however, some people with bi polar disorder also can get paranoid, when they are in their manic stage. either way, the medications you are on, will most likely diminish your symptoms of paranoia. keep in touch with your doctor, to see how your new medications are working for you. if they do not relieve your symptoms, then tell your doctor. if you find your mood changing dramatically , or you feel you are getting to down or up, then again keep in touch with your doctor. i have worked with a lot of bi polar people, and people with schizophrenia. diagnosing is not an exact science, but the more the doctor knows about you, the better he can treat you. good luck , hope things are better for you.

Answer 5

Rebecca. Yes your symptoms sound like Schizophrenia. Because of an imbalance in brain neurotrasmiters you are able to herar voices, feel paranoid and suspicious of others. It is important that you and your doctor find the right medicine to improve the quality of your life. I think you have a combination of Schizophrenia and Bipolar disorder

Answer 6

Schizophrenia is a disorder of thought & emotion, there are several different types of schizophrenia but from what you have said i would say you have paranoid schizophrenia. People with this illness tend to suffer from delusions (fixed false beliefs), hallucinations (seeing, tasting, hearing, smelling things which are not really apparent), disorganized thinking, confused thought pattern, paranoia & many other psychological symptoms which vary considerably from one person to the next. If you are concerned you can email me i am not personally someone with experience of this condition but i do study a lot of mental health.

Answer 7

Hi.

Heart goes out to you darling, I too have Bipolar but not had any experience of "The Voices" as yet anyway. Please go back to your Doctor and get the meds re-assessed. They may be having an adversed effect. I have been on tabs for a few years now and at the beginning of this year decided in my infinate wisedom that I could come of them with no problems. two weeks later I realised almost straight away to get back on then. They proved to me that they work, and I definately do need them. It may take a while to get meds in order for you but eventually you will get there and be right as rain.

Answer 8

It's probably the medication that is screwing you up:
http://www.cchr.org/index.cfm/8771
http://sntp.net
http://breggin.com