I just found out that my dad was schizophrenic, I'm afraid that I might get it too. I'm 17 and I'm starting to feel different. It takes me hours to get to sleep and once I'm asleep it's really hard to wake up. Lights seem too bright and I'm starting to have headaches all the time. Some times I don't want to go to school and just stay home and sleep. It's been harder to concentrate lately and I find myself saying things that make sense in my head, but when I say them out loud, I realize that it makes no sense. I'm starting to do worse in school because it's harder to do the work, I get frustrated and end up just siting there zoning out. I've started to become clumsier and have trouble controlling my emotions. I'm really scared and I don't know what to do, I'm thinking about going to the school psychologist but I'm afraid, I need advice.
Q: Should I be Worried?
Hello,
Please talk to someone. Your school's guidance guidance would be a good person to talk to. Be honest with him or her. If it turns out you have schizophrenia, that's OK. People with this illness can have full, productive lives if they get help right away and begin medication therapy. I cannot diagnosis what is going on with you as I'm not a medical professional; there could be any number of reasons why you're going through what you're going through, not the least of which is your shock and worry on finding out about your father. This could be a response to that news or it could be something else. You need to get an evaluation by someone trained to help you overcome this. I would also recommend you see a therapist who talks with teens in your town. A local mental health clinic might offer services on a sliding fee scale, meaning their fees are based on your income level or ability to pay.
I hope you find some relief. I wish you to have some peace of mind. So please talk to someone you trust, and like I said, the school guidance counselor would be a good person to talk to.
Regards,
Christina
The best move you can make is to see your school counselor now. And if you don't get the attention you need there, then see a psychiatrist.
As Christina said, there are plenty of reasons for these symptoms, one of the major reasons being stress. Stress of being a teen, of having to "perform" well for school, the news of your dad's having schizophrenia, and whatever other stresses are going on in your life. You might also look into participating in a class on meditation or yoga which are often available at local community centers. Whether you have schizophrenia or not, moderating your reaction to stress is always a good thing.
Best wishes,
Carolyn
P.S. Please report back to us after seeing your school counselor. This is a good site for support.
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I agree 100% with David. The sooner you see a professional the sooner you can get help. I understand your concern but with modern medicine and newer medications in the works one can lead a normal life even with schizophrenia. We are all different but some people on the site are quite successful in their careers and I firmly believe it is a result of the medication. If you are schizophrenic it may take time to find the correct medication if you need it so please do yourself a favor and be brave in seeking some sorta of professional help.