Schizophrenia Diagnosis

Hey there @Tieapple ,

Welcome to the forums. Thank you for sharing a little about what's been going on for you. I'm glad you will be contacting your GP tomorrow.

I personally have not been diagnosed with schizophrenia, but I know people who have. Most often than not, they are not really aware they are experiencing psychosis and feel it's 'normal'. It is the comments of other people that may trigger someone to seek professional support.

For others, it may be a time when they come to the end of themselves because they find it very difficult to hold down a job or to socialise with people. Then the warning signs appear.

Whatever it is, we wish you all the best when you speak to your GP tomorrow.

I'm sure others will be able to share their experiences in line with psychosis or schizophrenia.

Hey @Tieapple ,

Welcome 😊

I too have been diagnosed with Schizophrenia, and it is great that you are seeking support from your General Practitioner. Speaking of which - have you been able to see them yet? If you feel comfortable sharing, please let us know how you went when you saw them.

I must admit, I am really glad that I saw your post. I can't speak on behalf of other people who have been diagnosed with Schizophrenia, but I personally was diagnosed with the chronic condition by a team of forensic psychologists, whilst staying at a secure psychiatric unit when I was 21. I had since sought treatment from a brilliant psychiatrist, after seeing so many duds, who was proactive and explained to me in detail HOW I developed Schizophrenia, instead of just discussing the trauma I went through on repeat.

For example, my prognosis (following my diagnosis), as an almost twenty-seven year-old, is community engagement (i.e. applying for university, volunteering for three different organisations (in order to expand my social capabilities), undertaking a psychological rehabilitation program through my local mental health clinic, going to my local doctor clinic to have my Depo medication administered to me, and getting assistance to apply for the NDIS (I also have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder).

I was severely unwell when I was last hospitalised for mental health, so I have virtually no memory of what the process was in order to gain a diagnosis of Schizophrenia. However, whilst being detained at the psychiatric unit, I spoke openly and honestly with the nurses and psychiatrists. Honestly is the best policy, that's my advice.

I hope this helps!

We, at the SANE Forums, look forward to hearing from you soon 😁

Take care,

JPEG1998

@Tieapple hey Tieapple i got diagnosed late in life with schizoaffective disorder which is schizophrenia with a mood disorder. it took years to finally get the right diagnosis and many changes of medications. now i am pretty much settled BUT in saying that i still get my fair share of hallucinations.

@Tieapple Hello there. I sometimes wonder if i have schizophrenia? being diagnosed with psychosis myself over 30 years ago,and still on some meds, i never realised so much goes under that umbrella. I didnt ask. I wasnt capable of anything really. I know I suffered from thoughts of unreality (ie the whole world, universe, idea of life was just not really happning)...except for me. I was the only real thing alone in nothingness. Terrifying. What was that? Atm im struggling thru the opposite....the world and everythng around me is real, but im sometimes not here living in it. Terrifying as well. What is this?I havent returned to a GP. Am thankfully dealing with it and progressing. Got very depressed and anxious during both episodes. I dont really know what schizophrenia symptoms are?

I was diagnosed with schizophrenia a few years ago, but now I try to "disidentify" due to the stigma and misunderstanding with such a diagnosis. I won't let this diagnosis be my identity.

Thank you for that post @Tranquillity . Your post was a speaking to me as well as probably for many others. We are NOT the some of our diagnosis. We ALL have stregnths. We ALL have things we are good at and things that motivate us. It about being able to embrace these.