What could this be?

Question

I have been diagnosied with PTSD and Major Depression and a couple of other things but those two seem to be the most common. I have been having some syptoms that I am not sure about. I get really paranoid. At times I think people are talking about me but are talking in "code" to try to confuss me so I can't really confront them in talking about me or so I wont know. At times I think that everyone is out to get me and are all teaming up against me but pretend to be my friend. At times I think people are goingf to kill me in my sleep. At times I think that there are camera's everywhere and people are watching me. I get so freaked out that I ca't even sleep. I know how crazy and dumb this sounds but I can't get past it. It seems to be getting worse. I don't feel like this all the time and sometimes are more sever than others. I have experminted with drugs in the past but not a ton and not in awhile. I am 21. What could this be? I really don't think I am syopphranic...

Could it be a borderline symptom or something else like stress.. I dunno???

I ment schizophrenic... I messed the spelling up.. Sorry!!

Answer 1

This would most lilkely be classified as paranoia; however, based on what you have said, it is not schizophrenia. To be schizophrenia, you would have to have two of the following for at least one month: 1) hallucinations; 2) delusions; 3) disorganized speech (e.g., incoherence, derailed speech, "word salad"); 4) grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior; 5) negative symptoms (e.g., flattened affect, avolition, alogia). You have none of these (based on your description). Just to add for clarification - thinking at times that people are out to kill you or are talking about you is not a delusion as delusions are more fixed and permanent.

Paranoia is a form of anxiety and can accompany any anxiety disorder. However, it's probably most common with PTSD. Going along those lines, you should probably distinguish between extreme hyperviglence and paranoia; your symptoms seem to mostly be hyperviglence, though the bit about the cameras sounds more like paranoia (unless you have a traumatic experience with someone spying on you, whether with cameras or not).

There is something called Paranoid Personality Disorder. I won't go into the symptoms as you can look them up yourself, but you again don't sound fixed enough with your paranoia to be this. The fact that you recognize, at least most of the time, that your fears are unfounded and worry about your paranoia being abnormal are what point me away from delusions and Paranoid Personality Disorder.

I work with veterans who have PTSD. Although paranoia such as you describe (assuming it is not directly related to your PTSD-causing trauma) is not listed as a symptom, I see this sort of paranoia sometimes with people who have PTSD. This level of paranoia, where it is not so fixed, is not specific to any disorder as far as I am aware, and while not common, it is not unusual in people with PTSD, either. It's sort of like their reactions to things that remind them of the trauma has generalized and led to a low-level paranoia.

One caveat: Not sure if you're male or female, but either way, you are at the age where schizophrenia emerges (21 is on the older end for males and earlier end for women). If the paranoia becomes pervasive enough to qualify as a delusion, it could be Delusional Disorder or an early sign of schizophrenia. Thus, I would share you concerns with you therapist and/or psychiatrist so they can monitor for this.

Answer 2

I am the same exact way.
I have paranoria with contracting HIV and being murdered/stalked.
I always have been since I found out what those things were.
I know how you feel, and I often go through it, but its not as bad as it used to be, before I got on medication.

I've never been diagnosed with anything, because I've never been to a psychologist, but I'm actually majoring in the field, going for my Ph.D, so I've got an idea.

It sounds like youre a lot like me in those aspects. You have anxiety for sure, and theres not much you can do about that.
Try the medication I'm on, its called Lexapro, its 10 mg, and after a week, you're going to be a lot different, you still have emotions, but things dont bother you as much as they used to!
Seriously, look into it, and see if your doctor think its right for you, higher dosage than 50mg is never nessisary, I was on 150mg dosage for something else, and it did nothing for me, so dont always believe the higher the dosage, the better its going to work.

Other than that, just hang in there. =]. I feel youre pain, along with millions of others.
Eventually you wont have it anymore.

Good luck with it all hun, and take my word, look into it!

Answer 3

I'm just wondering where ur PTSD originated from?
I have suffered from this from witnessing my mates suicide 13 years ago....
If you have been diagnosed with this, it is usually because of a specific event that has traumatised you...I would say this is what is causing your insecurities & paranoia...you must have trust issues with people...others must have let u down in the past...I used to think people were talking about me & I used to worry that I may kill someone in my sleep if I thought about it or something, I also feel like I'm being watched and it stems from having an intimidating step father....I have been diagnosed with OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), you may want to research that....I also saw a Psychotherapist for a bit who helps to find WHY u do certain behavours, WHERE they originated from and HOW to recognise the triggers that set off these thoughts/behavours & how to deal with it...

Answer 4

Sweetie...you're not crazy. If you were diagnosed did your doctor give you anything (medication)? Perhaps you need something like Xanax to calm you down. Depression is an awful thing, and when you're depressed, your nerves are going haywire, so it's perfectly normal to get something to help calm you down.

Several years ago I went through some symthoms that you have described above...and I was self-diagnosing myself with OCP - which I called Obsessive Compulsive Paranoia - I too felt like it was me against the world. I got help and I'm glad I did...I feel much better.

Good Luck sweetie...you'll get better.

Answer 5

It may be a type of anxiety. I suffered from it a few years back when I worked the night shift. I seemed to just grow out of it but with your other problems I think I would mention it to the person you are seeing. It is very easy to misdiagnose a problem when you are first talking about it and then nothing gets done about it, so tell someone who can help you!

Answer 6

If you have already been diagnosed for PTSD and major depression, then these other symptoms are related. You need to work with a therapist to take back control of your life and move forward positively.

Answer 7

No, this doesn't sound crazy or dumb. You asked a sincere question that deserves an honest answer. It sounds like you have already been seeing perhaps a counselor or medical professional. In my honest opinion you need to tell your health care provider about your symptoms. It may be that you need adjustment in your current treatment or something new. At any rate please let your healthcare professional know about your new symptoms. Good luck.

Answer 8

there are symptoms of paranoia that you describe. you probably are dealing with intense stress and anxiety. if you could get these dealt with the anxiety and stress will lessen and you should feel that people are less out to get you. it also sounds like schizo-affective or schizophrenic tendencies.

call a doc immediately. you could even go to the ER right now and get checked in.

there are meds that can help, if necessary.

Answer 9

Paranoid/Delusional.
Delusions of persecution
all psychotic symptoms, more likely a personality disorder.
Since you're borderline, you might just need a bit of attention :)

Answer 10

When you talk to people then you need to look at them in their eyes to ensure they are talking to you. If you are not looking at them then they are not talking to you. I don't mean a glance either, looking at there eyes while you are speaking. Everyone has a life and it doesn't involve you so if you are not engaging with a conversation with someone and not looking into there eyes while you speak then it is none of your business. Also repeat what they are saying to you to make sure you understand what was said so you don't have mixed feelings later.