Help! Physcosis!

[crazydingoman]

I am very sad. I was diagnosed with physcosis yesterday and while I'm sitting in class I see and hear very negative things and it scared me to death and (tell me) it seems impossible to ignore and I panic for no reason and start screaming or hide under the teacher's desk. Whats worse all the students make fun of me and thats all they talk about and they call me names. Now I am afraid to go to school because I only have episodes when I'm in school. I feel extremely depressed.

1. how do I get thru physcosis episodes and stay in class and pay attention to the teacher?
2. need support

 

[jenniferma]

Hi-- has your Doctor recommended any type of support group for you? My former boss had the same problem in college and is doing great now. She has been taking Paxil for years and has panic attacks from time to time, but has learned how to cope with them. She used to hear voices and was unable to drive because she would think she ran over people with her car. She now is married to a wonderful guy, has an awesome job and is a Mom to a one year old beautiful baby girl.

Hang in there, at least now there is both help and medication to help you. These types of attacks are way more common than you know-- your school should also be educating your classmates about them and about COMPASSION. Many of these types of illnesses don't show themselves until the age of 19-- this could happen to any of them. (I am assuming you are in high school?)
jen

 

[Sparx]

What IS physcosis? I've heard the term before, but what does it do to you? I agree with the support group idea too.

 

[Aidensmom]

Did they not prescribe you medication when they diagnosed you? The medication will take a few days to build up in your bloodstream and start working.

 

[EdiePA]

I think he meant psychosis -- mental illness, sounds like schizophrenia with the visual and auditory hallucinations.

Find a good doctor -- medication and talk therapy can be a big help!

 

[Sparx]

I think he meant psychosis -- mental illness, sounds like schizophrenia with the visual and auditory hallucinations.

Oh. Ok. thank you.

 

[poohandwendy]

I am very sad. I was diagnosed with physcosis yesterday and while I'm sitting in class I see and hear very negative things and it scared me to death and (tell me) it seems impossible to ignore and I panic for no reason and start screaming or hide under the teacher's desk. Whats worse all the students make fun of me and thats all they talk about and they call me names. Now I am afraid to go to school because I only have episodes when I'm in school. I feel extremely depressed.

1. how do I get thru physcosis episodes and stay in class and pay attention to the teacher?
2. need support

I don't think you should be in school if you are experiencing psychotic episodes. Mental illness is a very hard disease to deal with and I think you should really talk to your doctor about your concerns. Only the know your history, your medications (etc).

I wish you well, it is very tough, but you can get through this. It will take some adjustments and sometimes setbacks, which are very difficult. (I have a family member who has struggled with it for 17 years and is doing really, really well)

 

[crazydingoman]

Thankyou for all your support guys. Well - I've been mentally ill for a long time and they're trying to get me a normal life so I have to go to school. hmmm....I'll have to look for a support group! Great idea! Thanks.

 

[jenniferma]

p.s.-- whatever you do, if you are on the medications-- don't ever just suddenly stop taking them! Make sure if you ever go off the meds you do so with a Doctor's help.

I am sure you know this.. but just wanted to add it. And seriously-- you would be amazed at how many people are affected by exactly what you are going through. I have a best friend from HS that told me that her older sister (one of those women that everyone worships) was teaching a college class and suddenly felt the world was just dropping from underneath her. She had to be admitted to a hospital and is also now on meds and doing great too. You are SO NOT ALONE!

hang in there and definitely get some support! Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help!

 

[poohandwendy]

Thankyou for all your support guys. Well - I've been mentally ill for a long time and they're trying to get me a normal life so I have to go to school. hmmm....I'll have to look for a support group! Great idea! Thanks.

Oh, ok. Actually, there are great support groups. It sounds like public settings are stressors for you.

My sister just got a job, so I am sure she could totally relate. What she does to help herself is this: she puts herself in stressful, but controlled, situations to practice getting through it. Like go to a crowded store (which is a stressor for her) and then do controlled breathing, mental image work and other things that distract you from your delusions (perhaps your doctor could come up with some suggestions?) Since you can leave when you want, you can gradually learn to adjust to stressful situations for extended periods of time.

I think this helps her feel empowered in a way. It doesn't make it all better, but it seems to help her. Just a thought. {{{HUGS}}} I know it is very tough. I hope you have family/close friends support.

 

[poohandwendy]

I was also going to suggest talking to your teacher about it. Maybe letting them know that there may be times when you need to excuse yourself for a while. The teacher may even have some suggestions....

 

[minkydog]

I was also going to suggest talking to your teacher about it. Maybe letting them know that there may be times when you need to excuse yourself for a while. The teacher may even have some suggestions....

My son is bipolar and this is how he dealt with his anger. Sometimes the rage would just overcome him and he learned to get up and go to the nurses office. She would provide him a quiet place to "get it together" and after awhile he'd go back to class. One day he had a really bad episode(turned out to be his first psychotic break) and she knew him well enough to be concerned; she called me and we were able to get him some immediate help.

I can't stress enough how important medications and therapy are. Its a lot to handle and both can make things go better. If you don't know where to get help, ask your guidance counselor--they live for this stuff.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Thankyou for all your support guys. Well - I've been mentally ill for a long time and they're trying to get me a normal life so I have to go to school. hmmm....I'll have to look for a support group! Great idea! Thanks.

What is your diagnosis? What medications are you taking?

I would say if you are experiencing psychosis, then you are unmedicated or it is not working. You need to get different meds and take them daily, even if you feel "well".

 

[LuvN~Travel]

I don't know if this would apply, but are you in high school or college? If you are in high school, you could apply for the homebound program and see if it went through to help you until things 'settle' down so to speak. If you are in college, do they have an online program? That could be used until again you manage to settle the worst of the anxiety issues with your problem.
Good luck with your new meds, and definitely seek a support group.
Kim

 

[dcentity2000]

Hey,

First off, hugs

Now, deep breaths...

Serious mental derangement characterized by defective or lost contact with reality.

Psychosis has a certain stigma associated with it - people don't know too much about psychosis and so they fear it. However, with 1.1% of the population suffering from it, it's not as unusual as you might think.

Typically there are three types of 'classical' psychotic disorders:

• Cannabis induced psychosis
• Schizo-affective disorder
• Schizophrenia

With the help of an antipsychotic and some cognitive psychotherapy, I promise that your symptoms can be managed, if not totally blasted away. For instance:

• Risperidone - one of the newer types of antipsychotics ('atypical' antipsychotics), risperidone is famous for it's low side effect profile and it's ability to deal with apathy and hallucinations
• Aripiprazole - a very new drug on the market and a stimulant, this drug also has a fairly strong antidepressant effect. It's getting a lot of attention at the moment
• Olanzapine - the 'chemical kosh', olanzapine is sedative but reliable as heck. There is no better medication to turn to if you're freaking out.
• Trifluoperazine - one of the older antipsychotics, trifluoperazine is neither stimulant nor sedative. Very much tried and tested, this drug is also cheap, being out of copyright

With the proper medication, your psychotic episodes will diminish or even vanish, allowing you to lead a perfectly normal life.

If you need any more information, try checking out my write up on psychosis here:

http://www.cocoa.uk.com/dolphin/

If you need any more specific support or help, do drop me a line and I'll do anything and everything I can to help.



Rich::

 

[crazydingoman]

I started Risperidone last night. I'm seeing how it will effect me over the weekend. The homebound program sounds nice.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Of course everyone is different but my MIL is on Zyprexa and she is doing the best she has ever done in her life!!!

Since you are starting a new med it is going to take you awhile to get used to it. The secret is to contact your doctor and tell him you are having psychosis.

 

[dcentity2000]

Risperidone is good, very good - it's by far the most prescribed antipsychotic on the market and for good reason too. The only downside is the taste

At this point, all I can do is wish you good luck!



Rich::

 

[crazydingoman]

Update - Yay! I'm feeling better - no visions, sounds or feelings for a whole week! And...I'm getting my work done in school. Hugs to all! Thankyou for your support! Hmm... I tried tasting risperidone (chewing it in my mouth) and YOU WERE RIGHT!!! HHHHOORRRIIBBBLEEE!!!! I felt like I could puke!

 

[momof2inPA]

Typically there are three types of 'classical' psychotic disorders:

• Cannabis induced psychosis

I never knew that was actually a condition, but I knew a guy in college who had this. The few times he smoked pot, he had hallucinations and thought people were out to get him. Anyway, he just avoided the stuff. Weird.