Why won't they tell me what is wrong with me?

Question

For the last three months I have had bad anxiety, strange ideas about aliens or supernatural beings, wierd sensations like seeing monster heads on people, hearing buzzing noises. I see patterns everywhere, faces inserted into innocent objects that look at me, monitor me. I get the idea occasionally that people are influnced by these things to torment me.

I've been to see doctors, psychologists and others trying to get treatment. I've been put on antidepressants for anxiety and I'm getting counselling. But no-one tells me what is wrong with me. All I am told is that I'm "sensitive", "vulnerable to stress", "having some psychotic symptoms". The closest thing to a diagnosis I have had is "psychotic anxiety" but I can't find any description of that...

I get the feeling they are not telling me something. Why won't they give me a diagnosis, even though I have demanded more information many times?

Obviously I am worried about schizophrenia being the diagnosis. But what I am asking about is why they are so evasive, rather than saying something like: "we need to do more tests". I'm interested in the RH factor problem Benice mentions - I did have this as a newborn, so bad I was expected to die. How would that cause later issues?

Answer 1

Maybe they don't want to scare you or it might hinder your progress somehow. These are just guesses that I might have heard in movies or something. It doesn't make it right, though.
I went through this once, too. I had some similar symptoms that were also labeled psychotic. I finally got a diagnosis after what seemed like forever and that was only because I saw the doc write it down. After a few months my insurance ran out - because of my age I was no longer eligible to be on a parent's policy. I saw a different, cheaper doc. And got a different diagnosis. I didn't like that doc for other reasons revolving around ignoring what I was saying and got a different one. This one says he doesn't know what my diagnosis is. Honestly, now I'm happy leaving it at that. But it won't stay that way, I figure. Through all this and my studies into psychology I learned that there is a fine line between one disorder and another. Well, if there's a line at all. Many share symptoms. For example, if you look into the symptoms of bipolar, they are the same for both the depressive and manic states. Not all, but most. Finally, it takes time to figure out what is going on with a person psychologically because the manifestations are behavioral. I think it is best to be accurate rather than hasty with diagnosis.
Did I say finally? Sorry, there's more. The symptoms can be treated without the 'neat' package diagnosis gives.
Good luck and keep with your treatment!!

Answer 2

I think they have and you are adding a little paranoia to the mix as anyone would. We would all get paranoid especially if we had psychotic episodes. I am wondering if anyone has tested you for schizophrenia.

You might want to ask your mother or close family members if there were any problems at birth or while she carried you. You could even be having an RH factor problem. This is why your doctor should be running all kinds of tests on you. I know you are upset. Stay as calm as you can and find the place where you feel safest.

You also need a doctor you trust. If you think they are hiding things from you there might be a better doctor for you. You do need treatment and steady medication suited for you personally. There are many going through what you are now. You are not alone. Peace.

Answer 3

Most likely, you keep on thinking, worrying, and over-analyzing everything.
I'm not sure if psychologists would be able to help you or tell you what's happening. Take a look at people everywhere, everyone has problems, everyone needs psychologists, For God's sake, psychologists need psychologists.

You should get busy and try not to think too much or analyze everything. And don't use so much of antidepressants, because they can turn you into an addict. If you have been taking them for a long time, do not just stop. Take less and less each day that goes by, until you don't take any at all.

And stop thinking of aliens, if they exist, they're not here (they'd be far more intelligent than us. If they don't, hurray!!!
Last but not least, Please USE LOGIC.

Take a good care of yourself, because those psychologists' eyes turn into dollars when they see you, and they keep on coming up with diagnosises and make you feel like the only one with problems, just so they can suck out more money from you. Ignore them, talk to your friends, but don't nag. Keep yourself busy and you'll soon discover it's just your imagination.

Answer 4

It is very rare for a mental pathological condition to be "pure" - a disorder is usually corroborated with another. The most common pairs you've probably heard about are "obsessive-compulsive" or "manic-depressive".

Psychosis is usually manifested through paranoia (which might be one of the reasons you believe you're being lied to, or not being told the whole truth). Fact of the matter is, a lot of psychiatrists don't really have the patience to explain throughly the condition to their patients, especially if they are not 100% sure themselves on a diagnosis. From your short description, and the diagnoses you described, it appears pretty accurate that you have a psychotic condition that is probably associated with anxiety. To understand more about this condition, you can research them separately since they exist as separate disorders that can appear at the same time.

By doing a google search on "psychosis" and "anxiety" you can find detailed answers on every aspect of these disorders, which will help you get a better understanding of your condition, and treatment options. A complete psychiatric evaluation and, why not, second and third opinions, can help you get a good treatment (both medication and therapy). You are put in the position of coping with a difficult situation that affects your life, and will need family and friends to help you improve your condition and enjoy life to the full.

Answer 5

It definitely could be some form of schizophrenia. You need to get a different doctor so that you can be properly diagnosed and receive the appropriate treatment. Sometimes it's best for the client to receive information only when your doctor is able to give you a full explanation of what's going on rather than "it could be this, or it could be that". Don't worry, I'm sure they'll figure everything out. Just remember to be open to any sort of treatment so that it will best benefit you. When you see those awful things, remember, they are not real. Just close your eyes for a few seconds, take a couple of deep breaths and tell yourself to "stop seeing those things, they are NOT real". You sound like a really intelligent person, you will be okay. Just remember to be open to suggestion. You will probably be on meds but that is okay. They will help you. The more control you have now, the better you will respond to therapy. Feel free to email me anytime if you would just like to chat. Take care, you'll do fine :)

Answer 6

My best friend takes pills for depression and schizofrenia. And if I was you I would take the package of the pills to a pharmacy and ask what they are for, if you have the package of course. Doctors normally do not tell a patient if there is something wrong with them, in case of psychological illnesses. If it is very serious they usually hide the truth.

But the symptoms you have may not be signs of an illness at all! You know how doctors make mistakes very often, especially psychologists!
The illusions you experience could even happen because you watch a lot of horror movies or because you are very stressed these times! If you are young then these are more likely to happen! And I know this feeling of someone watching you all the time and controlling you because unfortunately it is so true these days!

Remember: whatever is happening to you it is not your fault, IT`S THEIRS!

P.S.= If those useless doctors keep on hidding the truth from you, go to others!

Answer 7

It may be that the feeling that they are 'not telling me something' is just another paranoid tendency. You say you've been to see doctors and pyshologists. They put you on antidepressants for anxiety. You get counseling. Both of those things are good but there are many varieties of counseling and many varieties of meds. You are looking for a definitive diagnosis and maybe even in the most stable, well-adjusted individual, a definite diagnosis is hard to come by (my relative has been 'diagnosed with Alzheimer's but I think he's just extremely forgetful and may have dementia - there was no 'turning point' when it became Alzheimer's!)
Get advice from the best neurologist you can find and keep a good list of the meds you are on. And take your meds faithfully - sometimes it takes time for them to 'kick in'.
I have had trouble getting information from doctors many times - even when dealing with a vet when my cat was sick - and I think sometimes they just try to deal with symptoms until they get a clearer picture. That is why the more experienced the doctor, the better. Look into their resumes; ask them what their specialties are.
I hope you find that you are getting better. It has to be something you struggle to understand - and I wish you good luck in the future!

Answer 8

Paranoid schizophrenia exhibits in the following: Preoccupation with one or more delusions (a delusion is a false belief held firmly in the face of disconfirming evidence or logic).

Undifferentiated Schizophrenia is when a person's behaviour shows prominent psychotic symptoms, but doesn't meet the criteria for the other types of schizophrenia.

It doesn't really sound as though you have any of these symptoms. Also, you are aware of the fact that your thoughts are not real.

From your email, it sounds as though the anxiety is feeding itself through your unchecked thoughts. The fact that the doctors seem stumped as to what is wrong with you is probably leading them to seem as though they are not telling you everything (they are probably not wanting to reveal that they're as puzzled as you are).

Do you have schizophrenia in your family? There is a definite hereditary factor, although you can have the predisposition without actually ever getting it (it requires a lot of stress as well as the biological prevalence in order for schizophrenia to develop).

If you are willing to try, I would suggest a bio-feedback method of getting rid of the anxiety. Basically, this is a fancy term for a method that helps you to monitor your heartrate, and help yourself to relax.

Take your pulse when you feel the anxiety starting to build. Then breathe deeply, pushing your stomach out from just below your belly-button. Hold the breath, and 'roll' the air from your stomach to your chest. Then exhale. Do this 5 times, and take your pulse again. Repeat this until you find yourself relaxing and your pulse slows down.

Once you have learned to calm yourself, you will find yourself naturally becoming less anxious. I would recommend doing this before you sleep, and when you find your head is racing with thoughts as you try to sleep, picture yourself in a beautiful scenery - on a field, by a river, by the sea, wherever you think is a nice place to be. Picture yourself doing an activity that is calming and repetitive, like walking along, picking flowers, something that is not too active, but still pleasant. Try to hold onto this thought as you fall asleep.

How long have you been on the antidepressants? They do normally take a couple of weeks to start working.

I hope that this helps!

Answer 9

When it comes to the mind sometimes things can be hard to say this is what you have. You may have multiple things going on. Or you might just be going through a hard time. Make sure you are seeing a good reputable doctor. You should be in counseling. also from your description you seem to have a bit of conspiracy theory going on there. You need to keep in mind that your doctors are there to help. Don't worry so much about having a labeled disease or disorder. Worry more about how to help yourself get better.

Answer 10

Get a good physical first of all because when people get sick they can get very disoriented. It could be schizophrenia but if it is it is not the end of the world. A psychiatrist is the one to go to and medication should take care of it. Hey, you are not using naughty drugs are you. Sounds like a "trip". Have a good day and God bless. Mmm