Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Illusions and OCD or schizophrenia?

I've been diagnosed with OCD for 2 to 3 years now and on Zoloft. My initial fear used to be I was becoming a murderer and now it is that I'll develop schizophrenia. Im constantly paying attention to my perceptions and senses, making sure I'm not hallucinating hearing or seeing something. For awhile now I've had optical illusions where I'll see something out of the corner of my eye and think it's something else. For example, I'll see a standing object but think it's a person and then look and see it's actually just an object. I don't know if this is a sign I'm developing schizophrenia or if it's my OCD making me overthink and have anxiety.
Best Answer
Avatar universal
First question would be, do you in fact have OCD?  It is a very much overdiagnosed condition and if often confused with obsessive thinking alone, which is common to everyone with mental disorders as well as many without them.  It only matters because the next question is, are you in therapy?  The treatments for OCD would eventually involve not doing the compulsive behaviors it entails and hopefully with repetition realizing nothing awful will happen, whereas the therapy for obsessive thoughts is somewhat different.  But taking a drug doesn't eliminate trying to see if a therapist who specializes in anxiety treatment might be able to help you.  There's no guarantee therapy will work, but if it does, great.  The last thought is that the Zoloft isn't working very well if you're still having this much anxiety about things.  
3 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I'm no expert, but you're born with that disease, it doesn't "develop."  It does, however, manifest itself at different ages.  When you have it, though, you usually don't know it -- it's a psychosis -- and I don't think you have it.  I think you're just suffering from anxiety, and finding out if there's a why or, if not, learning how to think differently is the answer if there is one.  Good luck.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yes, more of the pure-o OCD without the compulsions and yes I am in therapy. My first fear used to be that I was becoming a murderer because I would have violent intrusive thoughts. And then studying mental illness in my class created the fear that I'll develop schizophrenia. The Zoloft has worked and shown improvement but now with these illusions I'm scared I'm developing schizophrenia. Do you know if that's an early sign of schizophrenia?
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Anxiety Community

Top Anxiety Answerers
Avatar universal
Arlington, VA
370181 tn?1595629445
Arlington, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out what can trigger a panic attack – and what to do if you have one.
A guide to 10 common phobias.
Take control of tension today.
These simple pick-me-ups squash stress.
Don’t let the winter chill send your smile into deep hibernation. Try these 10 mood-boosting tips to get your happy back
Want to wake up rested and refreshed?