schizophrenia/bipolar, regarding daughter and family history and symptoms
Hello! I, myself, have bipolar disorder. My daughter is in the process of being diagnosed. She has symptoms that seem related to both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. She recently has experienced hallucinations and psychosis. With my family history..(I am bipolar. My dad has 13 brothers and sister, 9 of whom had depression and alcoholism; another brother was schizoprenic and alcoholic; another sister of his is either bipolar or schizophrenic. My dad's dad also was an alcholic and probable some sort of mental illness, etc. My husband suffers depression and so do many of his family members).
Anyway, I would tend to thiink that the most likely diagnosis in this scenario would be bipolar; however, with the hallucinations and psychotic features along with poor social skils etc, I am worried that this could represent schizophrenia. I know that nobody here is a doctor, but I guess I would like some opinions.
Are there any specific symptoms that would be in one of these two disorders but not the other?
Her psychiatrist is taking a "wait and see" approach, which is driving me nuts...I think she should be treated at this point.
Re: schizophrenia/bipolar, regarding daughter and family history and symptoms
Hiya, I don't have much advice but it sounds as though something is definitely going on & she may need to be started on medication, regardless of the illness, she's still showing symptoms which i'd want treated, it must be distressing for you both. I'd make another appointment with her Psychiatrist & insist they help her, if not maybe a second opinion? I hope you can both get this under control.
Re: schizophrenia/bipolar, regarding daughter and family history and symptoms
Trust your doc, I know it is frustrating...we all know that...but he/she knows what they're talking about. Every disease is different and person specific. I know the wait and see isn't fun but I would hate to see her treated incorrectly for a disease she didnt have.
Re: schizophrenia/bipolar, regarding daughter and family history and symptoms
I know I'm coming late into this thread, but I wanted to share my comments. In addition to bipolar I, it's also possible that your daughter may have schizoaffective disorder bipolar type. Some of the symptoms of schizoaffective disorder include mania, depression and psychosis.
