Is derealization/depersonalization a symptom of Schizohprenia?
If you suffer from DR/DP can it turn into Schizophrenia?
Hi...... I have a question. I have asked this before... here goes..
Here is some background info...
21 year old female
Diagnosed with Panic Disorder/Anxiety
I have been having panic attacks and bad anxiety since I was about 17... I went through a period of extreme panic attacks, like every day. I went to the emergency room twice during this period and that is how I got my diagnoses. I went to a trained counselor at a Mental Health place and he also agreed with the diagnoses.
I wouldn't drive because I was afraid of having panic, I had the classic symptoms, racing heart, fear of going crazy, flushness, wanting to "get out" etc....
Now, I havn't had a lot of panic attacks lately and feel the best I have felt in awhile.. although I still have my days. Except I have been having an extreme fear of developing schzophrenia. I am not delusional (at least I don't feel like I am), no hallucinations.......
I work at a day care 5 days a week, have a wonderful relationship with my Fiance' and my parents...
The only thing that really "runs" in my family is depression and anxiety. My dad was diagnosed with depression, but thats about it. I went to college, did well in school. I don't drink, smoke, or do drugs. (i never have).
Any opinions? I would REALLY appreciate it. I need some reassurance please
Re: Is derealization/depersonalization a symptom of Schizohprenia?
Hello, MissAngela. I have had my share of both derealization and depersonalization issues in the past. Although both CAN be a symptom of Schizophrenia (even though it is a symptom of anxiety), not all have problems with it. And a lot with them don't show any signs of Schizophrenia at all.
Derealization or Depersonalization turning into schizophrenia isn't too likely though. More than likely, if you had Schizophrenia they would be a symptom and not the root of the problem.
Considering you have no positive (hallucinations, delusions) symptoms of schizophrenia, I don't see why you suspect this particular issue.
I have to ask this though, does your anxiety and panic attacks have anything to do with not being able to carry out a certain routine or ritual? What causes your panic/anxiety?
Certain anxiety issues (i.e OCD) can cause you to worry about things like this (developing Schizophrenia). With your current symptoms, I wouldn't suspect Schizophrenia. Rather than a symptom of worry/anxiety.
SGH
Last edited by SuchGreatHeight; 01-30-2006 at 09:35 PM.
Re: Is derealization/depersonalization a symptom of Schizohprenia?
Yeah. I have pretty much the same consensus. I suffer depersonalization and feeling removed from reality as a symptom of my illness but then again, so do my friends, one is bipolar, one has bad anxiety. She says she feels it most when her panic attacks get out of control. She also has OCD and when she's in an obsessive or compulsive (or both) place, she gets the panic attacks. So short story long, it can be a symptom of many things.
Schizophrenia has some hallmark symptoms. Hearing voices or seeing visions that no one else can coroberate. Other types of hallucination like feeling tactile sensations that aren't "really" there, smelling or tasting strange things. (Like this one time, I had hot chocolate and when I drank it, it tasted like feces.) There is also often delusional thinking. That the CIA are tracing you through a chip in your head, that you control the weather, that you are famous, etc. You're suspicious of those most would consider harmless. That sort of thing. And it's not just worrying or being a little paranoid. You KNOW this is happening the same way you know Wednesday follows Tuesday.
There's also a lot of confusion, memory interruption, sometimes there are thoughts you have or things you say that no one can make sense of. A feeling of being enlightened is common. This was, and still is to some extent, my experience. Though some was very bad, this, above all else, was always there. The feeling of heightened awareness, the feeling of discovery.
Anyhow, I'm getting off track. If you're suffering depersonalization at all, you should bring it up with your doctor. It's a reallyscary, surreal feeling and it's stressful. But unless you're having (or are being told you're having) hallucinations or delusions, don't worry yet about a worse case. But do see your doctor, if you can.
Re: Is derealization/depersonalization a symptom of Schizohprenia?
Derealization and Depersonalization are most commonly a symptom of Anxiety. Decrease your anxiety and it decreases your DR/DP. If you're not already on any, go see a doctor and recieve medications. Since you have a diagnosis, it shouldn't be much trouble. Also try to relieve stress and fatigue which can make anxiety worse.
Re: Is derealization/depersonalization a symptom of Schizohprenia?
If they're telling you every time you go to the emerg that it's just anxiety, try this trick. The next time it happnes to you, repeat over and over "This is a panic attack. I'm not having a heart attack, I'm not going to lose my mind... I'm okay.. everything's okay." Also distraction is the best medication, from what I've experienced. If I'm having a panic attack but I'm not in episode, often distraction will work beautifully. Funny distraction is the best kind. I always have a tape of the Simpsons handy or I've got a bunch downloaded. Whenever I feel panicked, I pop it on and watch it until I start to calm down. Usually if I really concentrate on the show, I start to feel better. I also find music very theraputic. I'll listen to it or play it. I'll pick up the guitar or sit at the piano until I'm feeling better or I'll listen to music and just lie there and practice the feeling of being at peace.
These sound like chiches but they do work if you work them (Does that make sense? It sounded funny *lol*) There is also medication that can help calm panic attacks almost instantly but you'd have tospeak toyour doctor about those as they're not over the counter or anything.
Re: Is derealization/depersonalization a symptom of Schizohprenia?
I took Lexapro for almost 2 years. Due to weight gain, I decided to taper off of it. I have been off of it for almost 8 months. Now I take Vistaril 25mg before bed and 25mg of Lopressor in the morning.
Thanks everyone. Everyone elses's comments are appreciated!
Re: Is derealization/depersonalization a symptom of Schizohprenia?
Quote:
Originally Posted by MissAngela
I took Lexapro for almost 2 years. Due to weight gain, I decided to taper off of it. I have been off of it for almost 8 months. Now I take Vistaril 25mg before bed and 25mg of Lopressor in the morning.
Thanks everyone. Everyone elses's comments are appreciated!
-Angela
Hmm, you are on two sedative type meds, maybe that's why you feel a little out of it??(DR) It makes sense that when one is on a depressant or two they might feel a bit strange perhaps, for example, it said that Lopressor has side effects of mental confusion, headaches and short term memory loss so maybe you need a smaller dose or something if it really makes you feel out of touch.
Re: Is derealization/depersonalization a symptom of Schizohprenia?
Quote:
Hmm, you are on two sedative type meds, maybe that's why you feel a little out of it??(DR) It makes sense that when one is on a depressant or two they might feel a bit strange perhaps, for example, it said that Lopressor has side effects of mental confusion, headaches and short term memory loss so maybe you need a smaller dose or something if it really makes you feel out of touch.
Really? I was not aware of the side effects of the medication! That would make sense then....
Re: Is derealization/depersonalization a symptom of Schizohprenia?
Quote:
Originally Posted by MissAngela
Really? I was not aware of the side effects of the medication! That would make sense then....
Where did you find the side effects?
Thanks
Angela
On the internet by typing in the name of the drug...several sites show up but if you investigate several you will run into one that lists the side effects, usually it's the site from the drug company but others also may have listings.
IMHO, a psychoactive drug is a psychoactive drug. Just because it is regulated vs. passed on the street doesn't change that. The only real difference is the control factors like amounts legal to prescribe or dosages that are controlled to prevent OD'ing. But, it's still a drug. For example, a benzo (tranquilizer) is a benzo whether your doctor gives it to you or a pusher does. It may be safer to have a prescription vs. buying on street, but it won't be free of unwanted side effects no matter.
Re: Is derealization/depersonalization a symptom of Schizohprenia?
Quote:
On the internet by typing in the name of the drug...several sites show up but if you investigate several you will run into one that lists the side effects, usually it's the site from the drug company but others also may have listings.
IMHO, a psychoactive drug is a psychoactive drug. Just because it is regulated vs. passed on the street doesn't change that. The only real difference is the control factors like amounts legal to prescribe or dosages that are controlled to prevent OD'ing. But, it's still a drug. For example, a benzo (tranquilizer) is a benzo whether your doctor gives it to you or a pusher does. It may be safer to have a prescription vs. buying on street, but it won't be free of unwanted side effects no matter.
Yes, I understand what you are saying. But is the feeling of derealization/depersonalization itself dangerous? That has always been my biggest concern.
I just don't want these feelings to turn into Schizo or any other mental illness.
Re: Is derealization/depersonalization a symptom of Schizohprenia?
Quote:
Originally Posted by MissAngela
Yes, I understand what you are saying. But is the feeling of derealization/depersonalization itself dangerous? That has always been my biggest concern.
I just don't want these feelings to turn into Schizo or any other mental illness.
Thanks
-Angela
I really don't think you have to worry about it turning into Schizo or even getting any worse but side effects like DP and DR could get worse in time if dosages are increased due to tolerance.
For some reason, when people develop tolerance to drug effects(tolerance is a well-known occurance) they usually blame the original condition rather than the obvious and well-known fact that the brain can and does develop resistance to many psychoactive drugs over time. And of course, upping dosages will add to possible side effect occurances.
So what I'm trying to say is you are probably ok now as your dosages are not extreme, however, apparentely you are suffering from some side effects on your current dose and should do something.
Now, I'm not a doctor so I can't tell you to lower your dose but I think you should at least express your concerns to your doctor about a lower dose or something....I don't think they realize that there are some people who simply are not as able to handle certain drugs/dosages. I mean, just because most of their patients can do well on one particular drug, one particular dose doesn't mean there won't be a person or two who might just plain be more sensitive to the drug.
We are all different in our reactions to chemicals. Why, even food, look how that girl in the news awhile back actually died from kissing her boyfriend who had just eaten some peanuts! Of course, that's an extreme allergy but it shows our bodies vary greatly in what we can tolerate in them!
So above all, do not worry about the Schizo. The other posters told you the symptoms are quite noticable and they gave you the details so you obviously only have some anxiety and most likely some side effect/reaction to the medications. Hope you can talk to your doctor and feel better soon!
Re: Is derealization/depersonalization a symptom of Schizohprenia?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jennita
I really don't think you have to worry about it turning into Schizo or even getting any worse but side effects like DP and DR could get worse in time if dosages are increased due to tolerance.
For some reason, when people develop tolerance to drug effects(tolerance is a well-known occurance) they usually blame the original condition rather than the obvious and well-known fact that the brain can and does develop resistance to many psychoactive drugs over time. And of course, upping dosages will add to possible side effect occurances.
So what I'm trying to say is you are probably ok now as your dosages are not extreme, however, apparentely you are suffering from some side effects on your current dose and should do something.
Now, I'm not a doctor so I can't tell you to lower your dose but I think you should at least express your concerns to your doctor about a lower dose or something....I don't think they realize that there are some people who simply are not as able to handle certain drugs/dosages. I mean, just because most of their patients can do well on one particular drug, one particular dose doesn't mean there won't be a person or two who might just plain be more sensitive to the drug.
We are all different in our reactions to chemicals. Why, even food, look how that girl in the news awhile back actually died from kissing her boyfriend who had just eaten some peanuts! Of course, that's an extreme allergy but it shows our bodies vary greatly in what we can tolerate in them!
So above all, do not worry about the Schizo. The other posters told you the symptoms are quite noticable and they gave you the details so you obviously only have some anxiety and most likely some side effect/reaction to the medications. Hope you can talk to your doctor and feel better soon!
Thank You I appreciate your input!
I will mention it the next time I am at the doctor.
I suffer depersonalization and feeling removed from reality as a symptom of my illness but then again, so do my friends, one is bipolar, one has bad anxiety. She says she feels it most when her panic attacks get out of control. She also has OCD and when she's in an obsessive or compulsive (or both) place, she gets the panic attacks. So short story long, it can be a symptom of many things.
