If someone is under more then normal stress can this cause them to go into a schizoprenia episode? but when not under stress and after the situation causeing stress the episode and systomps of schizoprenia go away.
When put understress i shut down and show symtoms of this including thinking of killing myself how can it be detrimed if it's a stress problem and depression vs. schizoprenia as both are in my family.
Hi Bluebunny,
Stress is a well known trigger for a psychotic event, even relatively 'mild' levels of stress can be damaging. Schizophenia is associated with difficulties in filtering incoming information - so the person is effectively bombarded with information that they are unable to effectively discard or process in a meaningful way. This is partly why people with sz seem to misunderstand or misread information around them. People with schizophrenia 'feel' stress both physically (increased heart rate, higher blood pressure) and psychologically.
Stress can also cause damage to the brain. Cortisol, which is released as a result of stress, can damage an area of the brain known as the hippocampus. People with sz often experience problems with memory and coordination - two processes controlled by the hippocampus.
Like anyone else who is prone to stress you should take on board stress reduction techniques such as relaxation, or meditation, or yoga, etc.
Hello bluebunny,
With the history of SZ and depression in your family, you need to consider carefully what's going on in your own life. How often do you cycle in and out of stress-provoked schizophrenic episodes? How quickly do you bounce back into a well state after each episode? Are you able to function to the degree that you would like? Are the schizophrenic episodes disabling? I don't see how any schizophrenic episode could be a good thing, and if I had the choice, I'd rather not have a schizophrenic episode at all, then to keep riding them out when they come and go.
There is a diagnosis, "Brief Reactive Psychosis" that psychitrists give a patient who has undergone extreme stress, and I agree with everything Jerry, the other expert, wrote. He said that even mild stress could provoke a schizophrenic episode in someone who has a tendency towards SZ.
You have to be honest with yourself about the level and intensity and frequency of the stressors that set off your schizophrenic episodes. One major life stressor could cause a brief reactive psychosis; everyday irritants that cause a similar reaction are another story. Be honest with yourself: do you want to keep having psychotic episodes when medication could possibly stop them, or at least alleviate their severity and frequency?
The point is, stress can cause schizophrenia. From what you've said, you haven't been able to control, stop or halt your stress. You seem to be suggesting that if the stress is out of your life, the schizophrenia will be gone too. Again, you need to be honest about your history of having symptoms.
I know others [and I myself had stress-induced schizophrenia] who decided to stop their medication once they got better, and this resulted in the SZ coming back in full force. It's like playing Russian Roulette: you don't know when the last episode will occur that will send you permanently over the edge, and that could happen if you just keep letting stress "pull the trigger."
If I had the choice between having symptoms or having an episode every so often, and being on the medication and not having symptoms or being able to control the symptoms so that I didn't have a psychotic episode, the choice is clear to me.
My break with reality was sudden, total and irreversible. Even though the stress was out of my life, when I stopped taking the meds, I relapsed.
I believe you owe it to yourself to consider taking some kind of SZ medication. Having a schizophrenic reaction every time you're under stress is not healthy, and you deserve peace of mind.
Respectfully,
Christina
I am glad that you have had two answers to your specific question from the experts on the forum.
I would like to comment, as a non expert, hopefully constructively, but less specifically to your query., more responding to the anxious distressed 'flavour ' of your post. There is suffering here. Do seek help. You will be understood.
From reading your post it seems that you definitely are experiencing significant severe negative mood , with ideas of self harm, triggered by external stresses.
As Christina suggests, that surely warrants urgent thorough assessment by a sympathetic psychiatrist so a plan towards relief, can be put in place.
You owe it to yourself....
The plan might well be a combination of de-stressing meds , tailored to your needs and some listening therapy for example. You have great insight . It seems likely with your FH that you may have sz/ bipolar spectrum tendencies under stress.
Best to avoid the trauma of a full blown flare and have some defences in place.From my understanding this approach can sometimes avoid a big guns approach of crisis management and reqire lower dosage of meds.
Good luck,
Chris
UK
retired doc (non psych)
Family member has untreated episodic psychosis
Hi there,
I'm keen to share my experience. I was diagnosed with schizophrenia 20+yrs ago (I was 26yrs approx). I describe it as mild as I have never been hospitalised and have been on stelazine 2mg for many years now. I find I live as normal a lifestyle and work in the health profession. When I am in my family gatherings, these stress me out, then I get symptoms of stress, no apetite, can't sleep, a sudden lack of motivation, can't face people, paranoia. Unfortunately its when I feel I need to play the big sister role to show I can do it, and if I can't do this my attack of paranoia and stress start. I can't organise or help the family on the big event day-such as funerals, weddings because I'm stressed out to the max-whereas in normal everyday living I am very capable. I have found that when i'm helping my husbands family or its another family its fine. But when I'm with my own family (ie:my parents, and their families, my sis's and bro's that my stress symptoms arise). When the event is over such as a wedding or funeral, my symptoms ease and I carry on as usual in a happy and normal/motivated. I have a feeling that I get paranoid when I'm expected to fulfil my big sister role to the best, I also feel because my late mum was such a role model that her many people looked up to, I need to be like that. So when I feel I can't display such standards like my mum thats when symptoms just click in -its so frustrating. Is there any one out there in a similar situation? I would like to find a cure. I have had both my sons 21st birthdays and I was stressed out to the max and I didn't enjoy it - organising was fine, but come to the day -I was a mess - I put on a face but I wasn't myself!! Can anyone help me - how do I click out. I believe that stress can cause a scizophrenia episode and it go's away. I'd like to know how can we click out before symptoms carry on.Thank you, Betty Boo
Hi Christina, Thanks for sharing your experience and advice. I wondered if there are others who experience situational episodes like me. I know people who have schizophrenia but are quite unwell. I have never spoken to someone whith mild or have 'situational' episodes. I will look into finding out more on cognitive therapy and yes my GP has advised I increase the stelazine if these episodes occur more frequently.
Cheers,
Betty Boo.
uh just take a hell lot of antipsychotics?
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Hello Betty Boo,
I'm not certain I have a specific answer related to your question however I will try to answer it in the way I feel I can.
I have a similar thing where I would worry what people thought of me and started to get anxious. I was also on stelazine for 20 years until it stopped working and I was prescribed Geodon which has been like a miracle drug.
The first thing that comes to my mind is that maybe your dose could be elevated to 5 mg if you've been on 2 mg for 20 years. I can't tell you to do that becuase I'm not a psychiatrist you would have to consult your own doctor.
Otherwise what you describe appears to be situational. What happened for me I recall vividly was at the rehearsal dinner for my brother's wedding. My mother catered it at her house and I sat at the dining table across from a woman who was in the bridal party. I was worried all night what she thought of me so kept a smile plastered on my face.
Recently I had 10 sessions of cognitive therapy which helped greatly.
I would suggest for you cognitive therapy and also like I said a possible dose change. Cognitive therapy worked wonders for me.
Regards,
Christina