Symptoms of Schizophrenia

[ranae1221]

I am trying to do some research on Schizophrenia. From what I have read, the first "psychotic" break usually happens between mid 20's and early 30's for females. I have read what the symptoms are once someone has been dx, however are there ever any symptoms or signs leading up to that first break? Is there any way for someone to notice that they are showing symptoms indicating they may be headed for trouble, and if so can early treatment stop the progression of the disease?

I have recently become concerned about this because I have started hearing things that I know are not there, usually at night (i.e. sounds like someone is talking but I can't make out what is being said, sounding like a TV is on in the other room but nothing is on, hearing very quiet music to where I can't make out what it song it is). Nothing serious, but it has me now worried what this could mean or be leading to.

I am 26, and have been dx with Bipolar II, Boderline Personality, ADD, Recurret Major Depression and PTSD. I have been in treatment and on medication for 5 years now, however don't want to say anything to my new doctor if it is nothing to really worry about. Bipolar runs very strong on both sides of my family, and I do have a second cousin dx with Schizophrenia, so there is some family history.

[historyteach]

Hi, Ranae;

Mark will be here to answer your concerns. In the meantime, why not go over to the mental health forum. Others there may have ESH to share with you.

Shalom!

[Kahlia]

Originally Posted by ranae1221

I am trying to do some research on Schizophrenia. From what I have read, the first "psychotic" break usually happens between mid 20's and early 30's for females. I have read what the symptoms are once someone has been dx, however are there ever any symptoms or signs leading up to that first break? Is there any way for someone to notice that they are showing symptoms indicating they may be headed for trouble, and if so can early treatment stop the progression of the disease?

I have recently become concerned about this because I have started hearing things that I know are not there, usually at night (i.e. sounds like someone is talking but I can't make out what is being said, sounding like a TV is on in the other room but nothing is on, hearing very quiet music to where I can't make out what it song it is). Nothing serious, but it has me now worried what this could mean or be leading to.

I am 26, and have been dx with Bipolar II, Boderline Personality, ADD, Recurret Major Depression and PTSD. I have been in treatment and on medication for 5 years now, however don't want to say anything to my new doctor if it is nothing to really worry about. Bipolar runs very strong on both sides of my family, and I do have a second cousin dx with Schizophrenia, so there is some family history.

Mark will be her to talk to you as soon as possible...I know as an RN, that Bipolar disorder can have psychotic featuresm you are decribing, hearing voices, not ALL out other people talkint to themselves....my brother was a Schizophrenic and he had his ONLY major break at 32. He then was put on a LOT of medicatio because the hallucinations became more vivid to him. I think that you should MOST definately talk to you Dr. about the voices that you hear...if they sound like a whisper , there is a definite difference. I know that I was diagosed WRONG for 7 years as being bipolar and I used to hear someone call my name...very softly...it was very scary to me...I thought I was losing ,my mind...I told my Psych and she told me that the brain does many things espescially when stressed. I agree. I went to a different Dr, as I felt that I NEVER met the criteria for being bipolar and I wasn't, I was Borderline Personality Disorder, ther are very simillar in many ways...PLEASE talk to your Dr. about your concerns and be very open with him/her. It is the only way you will find out the answers that you need to know......PEACE.....kahlia

[ranae1221]

Yes, I know that there are other conditions can cause people to hear voices and things that are not there, such as manic stage of Bipolar and even severe depression. However my depression right now is mild and somewhat stable the last month. I have never really had a full manic episode, so I know that could not be a cause right now. Stress, well I always have stress in my life.

I haven't really talked to my doctor yet because it has only been in the last month or two that this has been bothering me. then I started doing some research, and even took one of those "on-line screening" tests, which came out as 66% positive for early symptoms of schizophrenia. So now I am beginning to worry even more, but if nothing can be done to "stop" the progression of the disease in someone, then do I really want to know if that may happen to me?

[MarkSichelCSW]

I suspect you're not schizophrenic but nonetheless, I urge you to discuss this with your doctor as it takes much more information and active questioning to correctly diagnose or rule out schizophrenia. It true that brief psychotic episodes can happen with bipolar disorder and I suspect you're going through that, but please discuss it with your doc.

[Funnybunny]

definetly talk with your doctor!!! I am bipolar (along with alcoholicand drug addict-samething to me) and I have experienced similar things while being moderately depressed. There is usually more involved in schizophrenia, even early on. But even if that is the case you really want to seek early help and avoid really bad situations. Schizophrenia may not go away, but it can certainly be moderated if you will accept treatment. Good luck to you.

[mendingheart]

What differentiates borderline personality disorder from Bipolar? Could you give a few traits please?

[Butterflys]

Hi,
ya know years ago, i was on wellbutrine, I had the exact same sounds happening. I stopped an was fine.

[upanddownjj]

Yep - I started to go manic on Welbutrin - I have been dx BiPolar II altho my mania so far has only manifested in workaholism and extremely good moods.
I've never had voices tho - mind you I can't really remember a lot of my 4 yrs of DEEP depression....

Hang in Jessica - I think you should always tell your Dr. EVERYTHING and if you feel you can't tell hi/her I'd get a new Doctor...

You are in my prayers sweetie

Janni

[Butterflys]

I hated the way welbutrin made me feel....
I told my Dr I was going off wellbutrin be cuz i hated it, and told her i was going to switch over to St John's wort.
I waited till the welbutrine was out of my system, of corse.
they say it takes several weeks to build up in your system, after a week, i was amazed at the results! I think I took it for a total of 6 mo.
I dont even take it anymore, I stayed on it about a month after i felt better. an i dont even have any bouts of crazyness anymore.
this is just what I did, the doc wanted to use me as an experiment for this drug, but she has no clue how it helped, I got diffrent insurance and then felt better.