I initially had a diagnosis of depression at 18 with my first contact with the psychiatric services followed by a florid psychotic episode which was treated with flupenthixol. I am awaiting for my psychiatrist to allow me to take abilify. My question is why do doctors persist you have schizophrenia - is it for adherence to medication? I am currently taking sulpiride 800mg and 60mg paxil for anxiety.
Are you concerned that you have been misdiagnosed as having schizophrenia and instead have bipolar? If so, what has your psychiatrist said about that? If you do disagree with his/her diagnosis perhaps a second opinion would be a good idea?
From what I understand there are many cross-over symptoms between these three illnesses (depression/bipolar/schizophrenia). One can have a psychotic episode in all three for instance. Sometimes we do not fit exactly into the "official definition". As a patient trying to understand what we are going through that can be confusing.
Myself, I have been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder by my pdoc, but when I was in the hospital the pdoc said I had bipolar. I spoke with my pdoc and he explained it is best to think of some depressions as being almost in a spectrum of bipolar disorder. I spend most of my time in a major depressive state, but I sometimes will wake up and I have cycled really high up.
I don't quite hit hypomania...but the cycles affect me a great deal. I take on more, think I am suddenly well, my mind races, I become over-the-top exhuberhant, loud, boisterous, almost raucous. I become driven. A few days later...never lasts more than a few days...I crash and cannot conceive of feeling well again.
Do I have bipolar?, major depressive disorder? I think the line between them in my case is extremely fine. In fact, the only meds that worked on me have been mood stabilizers (used for BP)...so go figure.
About the adherence to meds question... I would expect my pdoc to be truthful about my diagnosis either way. Seems to me it would be pretty underhanded to try to enhance someone's med adherence by suggesting they have schizophrenia if they didn't. In fact open discussions about the difficulties with remaining on meds would seem to me to be more helpful.
I hope you get the opportunity to be open with your pdoc about this. ...Aqua
I am currently on 30mg abilify, 400mg amisulpiride and 225mg venlafaxine. I still seem to cycle into depression quite frequently and would prefer a shot at lithium. I understand the importance continuation therapy once lithium is started. My problem is that my current psychiatrist(s) diagree a)with the diagnosis and b) the meds I would like to take.
I have been reading about all three disorders too, and it sure is hard to tell one from the other. Especially, speaking from my own experience, when I used to be afraid to talk to the docotr. and couldn't talk to the doctor, I was all upset, and mumbo jumboly. With this new p-doc, I have decided to open up as best I can, and ask questions. even show him my journals. I have nothing to loose, and may even find the right meds. Love, Lynn
If people offer their help or wisdom as you go through life, accept it gratefully. You can learn much from those who have gone before you.- Edmund O'Neill
Differentiating between Bipolar and Schizophrenia
Posted - 06/07/2005 : 11:39:21
