I understand the signs and symptoms and how to properly become diagnosed. Can a person that has not been clinically diagnosed with schizophrenia realize that they may have a problem or would they be unable to realize that they may have a mental health issue?
Hello cknight96,
It is possible that someone can have the insight that something isn't right or that they're not themselves. They may be paranoid and have the awareness that this is something out of the ordinary. However, I believe most people with SZ do not have this insight when they first get sick. The symptoms could come on suddenly without warning for someone, and totally take over, as they did with me. I was one of the lucky people who realized within three days of her symptoms that she had to take the medication. Other people won't ever see the connection between their symptoms and their illness, so will refuse meds, thinking they are not sick. This is a symptom of the SZ called anosognosia, when a person lacks the awareness that he has an illness.
Regards,
Christina
This is what happened to me! For a while I noticed to that I was moody and would get mad very easy. I would even get enraged over nothing. I started to eat and sleep less losing a reasonable amount of weight. My parents noticed I had drawn back from some of my favorite activities and seemed almost depressed. I have heard people talking and yelling at me. I have felt very overwhelmed mentally and have had a hard time the past week. I go to the doctor tomorrow. I have not been diagnosed officially yet, although I have talked online to a psychiatrist who seems to believe this is what I do have.
Hi,
Feel free to post SharePosts here to get support for what you're going through.
Regards,
Christina
Further:
There is a point where if you wait too long to resume taking your meds, you cross a line and are no longer able to separate fact from fiction. This happened to me when I discontinued the Stelazine. Right now I'm on the SZ meds and because I'm on them I'm able to have the insight when something is wrong and tell my doctor if a new symptom crops up. Not everyone who takes medication finds symptom relief though and they may still have paranoia or hear voices and believe what is going on.
So in case you were thinking you could go off the medication and at some point be able to tell when you need to go back on, that's very risky because it doesn't often work out that way.
Regards,
Christina
A person off their meds maybe able to recognize that they are having and episode, but usually do not put the problem on sz, they generally blame those around them and the voices. dont get off your meds, its not fair to those around you, your family and friends, its one thing to help someone who has no control over their symptoms, but it is a whole new playing field when my son deliberatly gets off his meds, he is in his own world, and everyone one around him has to watch and suffer, I explained to him the last time after recovering from a 3 months episode, if he ever got off agian, the next time, he would see why there are soo many people with sz living on the streets.maybe that sounds cruel, but at this point, he has control, he just needs to continue his therapy and taking his meds. thats all I ask
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Since my symptoms started at age 10, I did not realize then that something was wrong or that I needed help. A cousin told me she had the same symptoms, so I just assumed that everyone heard voices and saw visions. I certainly never thought I had schizophrenia, even at age 37 when I finally saw a psychiatrist for the first time. It shocked me to hear his diagnosis. And even after that, it took me several years to admit I needed medication every day, even when the symptoms kept cropping up and I was hospitalized several times. I was used to denying problems and I guess this was just another problem I thought I could "wish away." But it was not until I finally started taking an antipsychotic and antidepressant that I began to recover. Now, I have recovered to the point where I can live alone and take good care of myself.
Carolyn