Delusions, psychosis and paranoia...advice needed - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

kennesaw · 10-17-2006, 01:47 PM

Hello everyone,

I am writing this in hopes of forwarding the thread to my husbands father and stepmother. I thought it might help for them (as well myself!) to read a little about these issues and hear experiences and advice from other people. People that arent connected to me or my husband in any way. It seems as though they believe that my husband isnt ill, that instead he is just stressed and wants out of our marriage. Given the history of paranoid skitz and bipolar in his family....I believe there is something serious happening!

Here is a little history of what is happening here:
My husband and I had been getting along very well for years now. We've been working on the house, we were trying to have a baby. We were happy and talked about the future with great optimisim

Then, this June, one week he became a little impatient and distant for no reason. By the end of that same week he came home from work ranting and raving....totally manic and delusional

He started telling me:
His life was in danger
The FBI had bugged our house and were following him
That he was secretly taped and that the conversation was put online for everyone to hear
That CNN and other tv shows were running stories about him
He thought his life was ruined
To complicate matters.....HE THOUGHT I WAS IN ON IT!

He all of a sudden wanted nothing to do with me. Said we couldnt work things out, that he couldnt trust me since I had been lying to him for YEARS about this conspiracy against him

I was gutted, frightened and concerned

I got him to the ER after days of mania. He was admitted for about 2 days and given antipyschotic meds to take. He was not given a diagonsis since he had pot in his system. He's been a pot smoker for a long time and started smoking a lot when these fears hit him...self medicating. They needed time for the drugs to disapate before they could tell what was wrong

He only took the medicine for a week or so. He thought it was part of 'the plot' The delusions have never stopped. The fear never stopped. HE HAS NO IDEA THAT ANYTHING IS WRONG!!! During this time he has gone back and forth with his feelings for me. One minute he says he loves me and never plans on leaving. He'll feel this way for a few weeks or a few days, and then go back to hating me. His whole life revolves around these delusions and fears

These are the symptoms he's displayed since June
Stopped working
shows no emotion
doesnt think straight....gets distracted..doesnt hear what you're saying
thinks about the past 24/7!
doesnt talk, responds with as few words as possible or not at all
shows no concern for others, doesnt think anything thru
is always angry or frustrated, the smallest things upset him
Doesnt sleep at all.....maybe a broken 2 or 3 hours a night
Shows no interest in anything he used to love or enjoy
Claims he has severe back pain but wont see a dr to get treated...uses it as an excuse not to work
Wants to be ALONE! Spends all his time sitting by himself
He's done some very concerning things trying to confront people about these delusions. Out of fear of being committed again, he has stopped most of this
Bought some weird things that cost a lot of money
One day he is depressed and doesnt move, the next day he is wired and outwardly phobic again
He's spent most of his time searching for evidence of these plots against him.

I am the only one that knows what he has been doing and saying this whole time. He has fooled most others.

Now he is planning on leaving soon because he has been 'unhappy' with me. Though if you ask him, he cant say why he is unhappy, or when it started, or what he wants instead or what he plans on doing with his life. He just yells...."I just want to be alone!!"

Does ANYONE here have experience with something like this? I am so concerned for him. I am gutted he wants a divorce and will be leaving me soon. I fear he will never get better without medication and that he will never see what is really going on. I believe he needs his family and friends to show some tough love at this point and get him medical care!!!

The family doesnt believe me and doesnt seem to want to believe there is anything wrong with him. I dont want to make this longer than I have, but believe me, they wont notice things and he wont ever confide in anyone. He is hell bent on never getting treated and never going back to a dr. He will lie cheat and steal to make sure that doesnt happen

I hope that some of your replies might help the family recognize some of these symptoms and start to truly recognize that the problem isnt me.....its an illness that should and can be treated!!

Thank you!

thejig · 10-17-2006, 04:21 PM

Check out the Mark Sichel Forum....maybe this doctor can help answer some of your questions. I am praying for you.
AA HUGS

meli2005 · 10-17-2006, 04:27 PM

Hey honey,

You are really gong thru a ROUGH time. Bipolars can want out of marriages and relationships during manic episodes. Seen that firsthand. My spouse is bipolar/alcoholic. It's a very hard disase to deal with.

Sounds like all your dreams have been shattered.

Sometimes family doesn't want to see what is going on in their loved one, it is too painful to admit how sick they are.

But them accepting it and seeing it could really help his recovery from these illnesses.

Is he seeing a psychiatrist on a regular basis. You mentioned antipsychotic drugs, but no mood stablizier. It sounds like a very difficult combo to treat. I think the schizo is the hardest to treat and live with.

meli2005 · 10-17-2006, 04:31 PM

I also wanted to say, thinking/praying for you. I know it's not easy from personal experience. My bipolar husband is in the bit of a depressive episode right now. It's really hard. Hard for them and for the loved ones too. Sometimes I ask, why??!!!!

kennesaw · 10-17-2006, 05:04 PM

Oh!! Thank you both so much for answering!

thejig, I will look into that section and see what it offers

meli2005, I am sorry to hear you have gone thru your own set of troubles. Thank you for taking the time to reply

Also, thank you for mentioning that manic episodes often make people want to run off and leave relationships.
From what I have read elsewhere, that is VERY common. I have tried to mention that to his family, but it only makes me look like I am saying anything to get my husband not to leave

He has not seen a dr on a regular basis though he is supposed to be under the care of the county here. He has gone twice, this last time out of fear only. He thought he might get in trouble if he missed his appointment. He refuses to take the medication they give him. He took it only in the very 1st week or so back in June. One is resperidol (sp?) the other is Trazodone for mood

The last time he went they doubled his antipsychotic, but he never even took the bottles out of the bag

BSPGirl · 10-18-2006, 06:17 AM

It does sound like some form of schizophrenia to me. And the problem is those ppl can become extremely paranoid and think meds are only there to poison them and what not.

I dunno what to advice you, I'm no dr and am not aware of the legal possibilities you have either, so I'll just give ya hugs: :hugs:

Marte

kennesaw · 10-18-2006, 06:32 AM

Thank you for the compassion Marte

One of the most hurtful things for me right now is that my husband is totally closed off to me. There is no feeling there, no emotion. It is very difficult to lose your best friend over night like that

I appreciate kindness now more then ever before

kennesaw · 10-25-2006, 07:14 PM

Does anyone else here have experience with bipolar or skitz??

Looks like my husband is moving away for good just before the holidays. And still, there is no concern or remorse for the life he is leaving. No sympathy for leaving me behind to be alone this time of year

We remodeled this house from the bottom up. We have 2 dogs that he LOVES with all his heart. 2 cats that he cares for. Land that he's dreamt of doing something with for 5 years and a business and trade he's established for himself

He shows no shread of concern for leaving any of it

I just dont understand

Waterskier185 · 12-15-2006, 03:34 AM

After reading what has happend to your husband, i find myself as someone who has experienced a very simpler type of psychotic episode. It started with a phone call from the police where i was acused of stalking a girl that wasnt stalking. I became extremlly stressed out over this event for an entire week to the point where i became so paranoid that i thought i had a brain tumour. I was admitted into the hospital where I experienced other paranoias of the police watching me every where i go. I would see a construction site and think the workers were undercover ready to come and get me. A car drives by and i think its a undercover cop watching my every move. The mail man that dilevers mail, undercover cop. The old man walking his dog, undercover cop. The cateror man that brang food into the hospital home, undercover cop. The helicopter, sirons you here from ambulances and police cars and even airplanes. Parked cars. I was sooo paranoid and remember feeling so scared!!

I also too struggled taking the medication, i thought it was poisen, and it was harmful to my body. I times i thought i was dieing from diebetes or even aids.

I stayed in the hospital because i thought the cops would arrest me and come after me.

There was one point where my paranoia got so bad, that i thought jets in sky were exporting people of the country in fear of me!! Everywhere i went i was constantly afraid.

Fortunetly i did take the medication and paranoia finally stopped!!

When your in that state of mind your not really yourself and you dont see things clearly. The most important thing i would say is for him to take the medication. Because it does work!!!! And i bet his whole view and perspective of life will change when the medication does its job.

Castine · 07-25-2007, 03:30 PM

Hi kennesaw, Is your husband ok now? Only just joined the website. Hope he took the tablets and he is ok now and everything is ok between you both. I'm on Risperidol. It's the 3rd I've tried and it's the best I think. Been on tablets for 11 years. Had a similar episode to what you've described. Please reply

historyteach · 07-25-2007, 06:02 PM

Castine,
This post was from October of 2006. It's likely that kennesaw is no longer with us, or has stopped posting on this thread.

There's a movie called A Beautiful Mind. It's the true story of a brillant math professor who was schitozophrenic. (sp?) Kennesaw's story reminded me of that movie. I hope he's taken his medication and gotten help.

Shalom!

10-17-2006, 01:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
kennesaw Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: georgia Posts: 6	Delusions, psychosis and paranoia...advice needed Hello everyone, I am writing this in hopes of forwarding the thread to my husbands father and stepmother. I thought it might help for them (as well myself!) to read a little about these issues and hear experiences and advice from other people. People that arent connected to me or my husband in any way. It seems as though they believe that my husband isnt ill, that instead he is just stressed and wants out of our marriage. Given the history of paranoid skitz and bipolar in his family....I believe there is something serious happening! Here is a little history of what is happening here: My husband and I had been getting along very well for years now. We've been working on the house, we were trying to have a baby. We were happy and talked about the future with great optimisim Then, this June, one week he became a little impatient and distant for no reason. By the end of that same week he came home from work ranting and raving....totally manic and delusional He started telling me: His life was in danger The FBI had bugged our house and were following him That he was secretly taped and that the conversation was put online for everyone to hear That CNN and other tv shows were running stories about him He thought his life was ruined To complicate matters.....HE THOUGHT I WAS IN ON IT! He all of a sudden wanted nothing to do with me. Said we couldnt work things out, that he couldnt trust me since I had been lying to him for YEARS about this conspiracy against him I was gutted, frightened and concerned I got him to the ER after days of mania. He was admitted for about 2 days and given antipyschotic meds to take. He was not given a diagonsis since he had pot in his system. He's been a pot smoker for a long time and started smoking a lot when these fears hit him...self medicating. They needed time for the drugs to disapate before they could tell what was wrong He only took the medicine for a week or so. He thought it was part of 'the plot' The delusions have never stopped. The fear never stopped. HE HAS NO IDEA THAT ANYTHING IS WRONG!!! During this time he has gone back and forth with his feelings for me. One minute he says he loves me and never plans on leaving. He'll feel this way for a few weeks or a few days, and then go back to hating me. His whole life revolves around these delusions and fears These are the symptoms he's displayed since June Stopped working shows no emotion doesnt think straight....gets distracted..doesnt hear what you're saying thinks about the past 24/7! doesnt talk, responds with as few words as possible or not at all shows no concern for others, doesnt think anything thru is always angry or frustrated, the smallest things upset him Doesnt sleep at all.....maybe a broken 2 or 3 hours a night Shows no interest in anything he used to love or enjoy Claims he has severe back pain but wont see a dr to get treated...uses it as an excuse not to work Wants to be ALONE! Spends all his time sitting by himself He's done some very concerning things trying to confront people about these delusions. Out of fear of being committed again, he has stopped most of this Bought some weird things that cost a lot of money One day he is depressed and doesnt move, the next day he is wired and outwardly phobic again He's spent most of his time searching for evidence of these plots against him. I am the only one that knows what he has been doing and saying this whole time. He has fooled most others. Now he is planning on leaving soon because he has been 'unhappy' with me. Though if you ask him, he cant say why he is unhappy, or when it started, or what he wants instead or what he plans on doing with his life. He just yells...."I just want to be alone!!" Does ANYONE here have experience with something like this? I am so concerned for him. I am gutted he wants a divorce and will be leaving me soon. I fear he will never get better without medication and that he will never see what is really going on. I believe he needs his family and friends to show some tough love at this point and get him medical care!!! The family doesnt believe me and doesnt seem to want to believe there is anything wrong with him. I dont want to make this longer than I have, but believe me, they wont notice things and he wont ever confide in anyone. He is hell bent on never getting treated and never going back to a dr. He will lie cheat and steal to make sure that doesnt happen I hope that some of your replies might help the family recognize some of these symptoms and start to truly recognize that the problem isnt me.....its an illness that should and can be treated!! Thank you!

10-17-2006, 04:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
thejig FROG....Fully Relying On God Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: beautiful place Posts: 81	Check out the Mark Sichel Forum....maybe this doctor can help answer some of your questions. I am praying for you. AA HUGS __________________ Live, Love, Laugh

12-15-2006, 03:34 AM	#9 (permalink)
Waterskier185 Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: North Vancouver Posts: 1	Hi After reading what has happend to your husband, i find myself as someone who has experienced a very simpler type of psychotic episode. It started with a phone call from the police where i was acused of stalking a girl that wasnt stalking. I became extremlly stressed out over this event for an entire week to the point where i became so paranoid that i thought i had a brain tumour. I was admitted into the hospital where I experienced other paranoias of the police watching me every where i go. I would see a construction site and think the workers were undercover ready to come and get me. A car drives by and i think its a undercover cop watching my every move. The mail man that dilevers mail, undercover cop. The old man walking his dog, undercover cop. The cateror man that brang food into the hospital home, undercover cop. The helicopter, sirons you here from ambulances and police cars and even airplanes. Parked cars. I was sooo paranoid and remember feeling so scared!! I also too struggled taking the medication, i thought it was poisen, and it was harmful to my body. I times i thought i was dieing from diebetes or even aids. I stayed in the hospital because i thought the cops would arrest me and come after me. There was one point where my paranoia got so bad, that i thought jets in sky were exporting people of the country in fear of me!! Everywhere i went i was constantly afraid. Fortunetly i did take the medication and paranoia finally stopped!! When your in that state of mind your not really yourself and you dont see things clearly. The most important thing i would say is for him to take the medication. Because it does work!!!! And i bet his whole view and perspective of life will change when the medication does its job.

07-25-2007, 06:02 PM	#11 (permalink)
historyteach To Life! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 9,303	Castine, This post was from October of 2006. It's likely that kennesaw is no longer with us, or has stopped posting on this thread. There's a movie called A Beautiful Mind. It's the true story of a brillant math professor who was schitozophrenic. (sp?) Kennesaw's story reminded me of that movie. I hope he's taken his medication and gotten help. Shalom! __________________ IMAGINE

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

10-17-2006, 04:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
meli2005 Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 495	Hey honey, You are really gong thru a ROUGH time. Bipolars can want out of marriages and relationships during manic episodes. Seen that firsthand. My spouse is bipolar/alcoholic. It's a very hard disase to deal with. Sounds like all your dreams have been shattered. Sometimes family doesn't want to see what is going on in their loved one, it is too painful to admit how sick they are. But them accepting it and seeing it could really help his recovery from these illnesses. Is he seeing a psychiatrist on a regular basis. You mentioned antipsychotic drugs, but no mood stablizier. It sounds like a very difficult combo to treat. I think the schizo is the hardest to treat and live with.

10-17-2006, 04:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
meli2005 Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 495	I also wanted to say, thinking/praying for you. I know it's not easy from personal experience. My bipolar husband is in the bit of a depressive episode right now. It's really hard. Hard for them and for the loved ones too. Sometimes I ask, why??!!!!

10-17-2006, 05:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
kennesaw Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: georgia Posts: 6	Oh!! Thank you both so much for answering! thejig, I will look into that section and see what it offers meli2005, I am sorry to hear you have gone thru your own set of troubles. Thank you for taking the time to reply Also, thank you for mentioning that manic episodes often make people want to run off and leave relationships. From what I have read elsewhere, that is VERY common. I have tried to mention that to his family, but it only makes me look like I am saying anything to get my husband not to leave He has not seen a dr on a regular basis though he is supposed to be under the care of the county here. He has gone twice, this last time out of fear only. He thought he might get in trouble if he missed his appointment. He refuses to take the medication they give him. He took it only in the very 1st week or so back in June. One is resperidol (sp?) the other is Trazodone for mood The last time he went they doubled his antipsychotic, but he never even took the bottles out of the bag

10-18-2006, 06:17 AM	#6 (permalink)
BSPGirl Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Nowhere Posts: 889	It does sound like some form of schizophrenia to me. And the problem is those ppl can become extremely paranoid and think meds are only there to poison them and what not. I dunno what to advice you, I'm no dr and am not aware of the legal possibilities you have either, so I'll just give ya hugs: :hugs: Marte

10-18-2006, 06:32 AM	#7 (permalink)
kennesaw Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: georgia Posts: 6	Thank you for the compassion Marte One of the most hurtful things for me right now is that my husband is totally closed off to me. There is no feeling there, no emotion. It is very difficult to lose your best friend over night like that I appreciate kindness now more then ever before

10-25-2006, 07:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
kennesaw Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: georgia Posts: 6	Does anyone else here have experience with bipolar or skitz?? Looks like my husband is moving away for good just before the holidays. And still, there is no concern or remorse for the life he is leaving. No sympathy for leaving me behind to be alone this time of year We remodeled this house from the bottom up. We have 2 dogs that he LOVES with all his heart. 2 cats that he cares for. Land that he's dreamt of doing something with for 5 years and a business and trade he's established for himself He shows no shread of concern for leaving any of it I just dont understand

07-25-2007, 03:30 PM	#10 (permalink)
Castine Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gtr Manchester Posts: 1	Hi kennesaw, Is your husband ok now? Only just joined the website. Hope he took the tablets and he is ok now and everything is ok between you both. I'm on Risperidol. It's the 3rd I've tried and it's the best I think. Been on tablets for 11 years. Had a similar episode to what you've described. Please reply

Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)