Terrified of being schizophrenic?

Question

I'm so stressed, I feel like I'm just going to pass out shut down. I'm afraid I have schizophrenia.

I've always been a hypochondriac, thinking ive had aids and cancer, but never had. And it usually drives me nuts. I'm living in france right now, I've been here for 6 months with absolutely nothing to do but think about my past. Just before I came my 4 year GF broke up with me and destroyed me. Two weeks later I came to france and all I can do is sit around the house and think. I can't go to school, work or interact because I don't speak the language\

I came here questioning my personality because of my breakup, and its ALL IVE BEEN doing. it started to wear off the other day and i felt like myself again, but then read up on schizophrenia. I fit some of the symptoms (no dillusions or anything like that), but feel depressed, anxious, worthless, and guilty. Since reading I've had a nonstop panic attack. Do I have this? or just too much time on my hands and a hypochondriac problem

I also feel empty though, like a slight emotional flatness, and I feel like I'm going crazy. All i think about is my personality or being crazy. All I did today was sit in my room and think and be afraid, and shake...

I just feel like I need to shut down and stop thinking...and i tell myself its irrational but i cant escape it. i feel trapped

But I feel like I'm going crazy!! I feel so lightheaded some of the times and sicks or something. Are you guys sure?

And what prodominal symptoms?? I have some of those.

I feel great relief but at the same time disbelief, do you guys know for sure what your talking about? I know the delusions dont occur until later in the disease

Answer 1

Definitely a hypochondriac problem. Schizophrenia is characterized by the delusions. If you don't have any of that, you don't have schizophrenia. What you DO have is an anxiety disorder and depression. You could benefit from some antidepressant/antianxiety medication, but of course you're in France (what the heck made you do that???) and treatment will be difficult since you don't even speak FRENCH. (Why did you move to France when you don't speak French????) You need to move back home and get yourself some help before you become a recluse and ruin your life.

Answer 2

I know a lot of people with schizophrenia. So take it from me: people with schizophrenia don't know they have it. They are absolutely sure what they are seeing is real, and it's everybody else that is crazy. You do not have the symptoms, and if you're worried you have it, you don't have it. OK, so, with that out of the way: clearly you are extremely anxious, agitated and depressed. I've lived in foreign countries (including France) and not known anyone, and I know what it's like, the isolation, nobody to talk to, not even any possibility of anybody to talk to. That can be really debilitating. Being alone with your own thoughts can be really distressing. Ideally, you will move away--I don't know how you're affording it, but it's not doing you any good. If for some reason you can't move, then take a French class! You can pick up the language really fast living there. Also, France has great socialized medicine, and many if not most doctors there speak English. See one, tell them to recommend something for this anxiety! It's not healthy! You shouldn't have to endure a nonstop panic attack with no assistance. There's got to be an English language something where you live--a bookstore, a consulate, an embassy, something.

Answer 3

First off I want to say I'm not in France or even Europe. But I am schizophrenic and have been so for over 40 years. It was frightening to me at first but you get used to it and I have lived a fairly normal life. Having said all that I want to say self diagnosis is usually wrong and I don't think you have it.

The people who say you have to have delusions and hallucinations are wrong and they are also wrong that those who have it don't know they have it There are many types of schizophrenia only those who are schizophrenia paranoid have hallucinations. Many have delusions but then so does most of the rest of the world population. I suggest you are mostly depressed and that the best way to overcome that is to get outside of your self and your little world and think positively not hypochondriac. Find a French girl many know English; she'll teach you French!

Good luck in recovering from your breakup, good mental health, peace and Love!

Answer 4

If you're not having having delusions or hallucinations, then you don't have schizophrenia. It sounds like you are feeling depressed, anxious, worthless, and guilty because of your breakup with your girlfriend. I suggest that you take a class to learn french, so you can get out and start living a productive life. The sooner, the better. Sitting around with alot of idle time on your hands, is only going to increase your negative feelings.

Answer 5

Nope! you have anxiety. It's not schizophrenia without the voices and dillusions. You're paranoid, anxious, and a hypochondriac...hey! Just like me! I suggest you see a doctor. Soon. The breakup had a huge thing to do with it, I'm guessing.

Answer 6

If you are in or near Paris dear, you can get psychiatric help in english. Also in some cities outside Paris

You should not stay alone and wait hopping to get better. It's not going to work.

Here is a link (From the American CItizen Services of the US Embassy in Paris) that will give you a PDF document with a list of english speaking Doctors in France.

Do get better and enjoy France dear...

http://www.amb-usa.fr/consul/acs/guide/doc.pdf