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Am I Schitzo, paranoid, or something else? Please help!
Hi. I've been going to a psychiatrist for about 4 months now. When I first went, he diagnosed me with GAD and depression. He prescribed me Zoloft (100mg) and Xanax (0.25mg/3x a day), and several weeks ago, he had me get off the xanax. He then prescribed me seroquel (100mg) for the anxiety, and it seems to be helping, but I'm still 'paranoid' and have anxiety. I have very strong/weird fears of people. Every time I leave the house, I feel as someone is watching me and it makes my head 'spin'. I'm afraid of what people think of me, or what they might if they see I'm so paranoid. I kinda cant stand it anymore. I cant do things that I have to do or even what I want to do without feeling like I'm racing and trying not to think about my fears. I also have a fear when I talk. I can't really look them in the eye because I'm shy of what i am going through and I dont want them to think I'm so 'up-tight'. Also, I get this sinking heart and 'glob in my throat' feeling. I also cant keep a conversation going because I'm scared/uncomfortable. I feel like I'm not living my life, only 'racing' through it and avoiding obstacles. I cant stand this much anymore. I have to be able to do what I have to do. Do you have any idea what my condition is? Thanks.
I know where you are coming from. I started wondering if I was bi-polar and going crazy. Talk therapy really helps, but be aware that sometimes you feel worse after the talk session. My therapist told me this was very normal. I think I wanted to walk out of his office and everything would be better. Find someone who has experience in this area. It does get better!!! Also, it takes a while for the drugs to start working, and there are a variety of ones available. It seems like some work for some people and some for others. The mind is a wonderful thing. You will make it through this and you will be able to do what you need to do.
oh man i cant tell you how many times i thought i was a schitzo or bi polar or jsut going crazy...thats wat anxiety is and the difference is that you know in your own mind that the fear is unwarranted...if you were a schitzo or paranoid you wouldnt think that your schitzo..you would think that its normal and that people are really after you...its just another phase of an anxiety disorder..rather than worry about physical health as some people in this forum do ( chest pains, hiv, bumps they think is cancer) your at the time were your worry is about mental health..
Joppa, eh? Invite me over and I'll buy a couple of bushels of Maryland's finest blue fins, so you and I can celebrate your escape from this prison.
But meanwhile, let's go back to what Roger Gould told you:
"I can't make a diagnosis in this forum, and the label itself does not make much difference. It would be very helpful if you ask your psychiatrist to talk to you about your fears and help you sort them out so you benefit from the medication and talk therapy. If he or she does not do that kind of therapy, then ask for a referral. The most important part is the fear, and as you already know intellectually, there is nothing to be afraid of. Now you have to learn that as an emotional truth...that's the way out of this.... "
Did you pay attention to that? THIS PART:
"The most important part is the fear, and as you already know intellectually, there is nothing to be afraid of. Now you have to learn that as an emotional truth...that's the way out of this.... "
The "emotional truth." LEARN THE EMOTIONAL TRUTH. Burn the words in your brain, my friend, because that's where we are going -and the journey, trust me, is life long. I had to do it, and I did do it, with the assistance of a very good psychiatrist. And I'm all better now. Its the way out, Paul, it really, really is. And when you make that appointment for therapy -you'll be taking the first step.
So tell me -when did you first start feeling like this. And...do you know why?
Were with you on this one. Please stick around here and lend a hand with other folks who need some encouragement, OK?
Meanwhile, let's take things one step at a time. I know what you are feeling - a lot of people know. And the fact that you DO know means you are self-aware, and that probably means youe are NOT crazy. With me so far? OK.
So, OK, its tough to talk to people. But you write, and you write WELL. So let's start with that. And let's start right NOW.
But meanwhile, let's go back to what Roger Gould told you:
"I can't make a diagnosis in this forum, and the label itself does not make much difference. It would be very helpful if you ask your psychiatrist to talk to you about your fears and help you sort them out so you benefit from the medication and talk therapy. If he or she does not do that kind of therapy, then ask for a referral. The most important part is the fear, and as you already know intellectually, there is nothing to be afraid of. Now you have to learn that as an emotional truth...that's the way out of this.... "
Did you pay attention to that? THIS PART:
"The most important part is the fear, and as you already know intellectually, there is nothing to be afraid of. Now you have to learn that as an emotional truth...that's the way out of this.... "
The "emotional truth." LEARN THE EMOTIONAL TRUTH. Burn the words in your brain, my friend, because that's where we are going -and the journey, trust me, is life long. I had to do it, and I did do it, with the assistance of a very good psychiatrist. And I'm all better now. Its the way out, Paul, it really, really is. And when you make that appointment for therapy -you'll be taking the first step.
So tell me -when did you first start feeling like this. And...do you know why?
Were with you on this one. Please stick around here and lend a hand with other folks who need some encouragement, OK?
Meanwhile, let's take things one step at a time. I know what you are feeling - a lot of people know. And the fact that you DO know means you are self-aware, and that probably means youe are NOT crazy. With me so far? OK.
So, OK, its tough to talk to people. But you write, and you write WELL. So let's start with that. And let's start right NOW.
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