Do I have some form of Psychosis? I have episodes of visuo-spacial or perceptual distortions.?

Question

The episodes begin somatically. I can feel the familiar, "Spacey" sensation within a few minutes prior to the episode. They only last between 5 and 10 minutes and seem to be less frequent than they have been in the past.

I believe myself to be ADHD-I, predominately innattentive and have suffered with boughts of depression in the past. I've been on Prozac for two years now, which has possibly aided to reduce the frequency of episodes.

The distortions often manifest themselves in a visuo-spacial manner, making it impossible to judge depth and distance. Everything looks as if it could be an inch from my face or 50 miles. The only way I can tell it's relative distance is by judging exclusively by the relative size of the object. The closer it is, the bigger it looks.

I often have a slight feeling of dissociation and voices run through my head. Not audible voices, but it's much like someone else is influencing my train of thought. It's spontaneous and sometimes violent in nature.

Has anybody else experienced this phenomenon personally? Does anybody have any insight to where I could look to find information on it?

If you need more details, I would be glad to share anything I can possibly think of, so don't be afraid to ask questions in your responses.

I'm not really concerned about treamtment because the episodes are short-lived, and oftenly spaced very far apart. They don't conflict with my daily activities, although might cause problems while driving or flying a plane.

I really just want to form a better understanding of my characteristics and I'm simply just trying to shine a little light on something that distinguishes myself from others.

I have been to a psychologist in the past and explained them to him. Actually, while I was sitting in his office, telling him about it, I suddenly got the feeling that I was about to have an episode right there, and I did.

I tried to explain the sensations as I sat there with him, fully connected to my logic and reasoning centers. I don't ever lose track of what's real and I know what's going on when it's happening.

He diagnosed me with moderate depression with mild psychosis, but I probably could have figured that much out on my own. Psychosis is a rather general diagnosis and was hoping for a more specific term that I could research and at least build some foundation of understanding.

Answer 1

It sounds more like a mild seizure (epilepsy) than anything psychotic. I have experienced something slightly like this, or rather several different things that each have aspects of what you're talking about. Sometimes I get a weird sensation as if my head has just shifted sideways; sometimes it's the visual distortion where things seem very close or very far away. In the past I had episodes lasting a few seconds each time over a year or so where it seemed as if something bored through my head, like a vibration passing from one side to another, and felt as if I was gripped by some force.

When you say it can sometimes be violent in nature, I'm not sure exactly what you mean, but if it's worrying, do seek some medical advice.

Answer 2

No, no, no. there is not any duality to understanding, it quite is only subjective. We exist completely interior a digital fact, produced from our ultimate guess at what our experience documents skill. the only question is the source of the experience documents. If we settle for Empiricism, purpose fact is perceived 'with the aid of a pitcher darkly' by skill of our constrained senses. If we settle for Rationalism, the information feed is from a collective understanding, God or Mr. Smith the indignant workstation software. Toe stubbing implies Empiricism only using fact we are uncomfortable with paranoia, person antagonistic programming, or the thought God could be a sadist.

Answer 3

As mentioned , sounds like a possible electrical abnormality quite possibly in the temporal lobe region.

it is interesting as their have been studies suggesting a link between temporal lobe abnormalities and psychotic hallucinations such as schizophrenia, the temporal lobes are very much involved in auditory and visual senses . It is confusing though as you cannot have a psychiatric condition such as schizophrenia (i.e cannot be diagnosed as such) if a physical reason for the disturbances can be identified.

Answer 4

(Do you smoke pot or use other street drugs?)

If not, you need to see a doctor and insist that you need to find out what this is and take care of it.

You might be having a Migraine headache. They present them self in a variety of ways.

You might be having seizures. They too present them selfs in a variety of ways.

You might have a brain chemistry issue.

You might need a neurologist or some other sort of specialist. Perhaps a psychiatrist.

These are not symptoms to be taken lightly.

If you can copy what you wrote here and show it to your doctor- please do.

Take good care of yourself.

Answer 5

You would be wise to see a neurologist at your earliest convenience. The symptoms you describe are strongly suggestive of a neurological condition (e.g., sensory seizures).

Best of luck to you in your treatment,
~M~