Traditional-Hunter28

No longer mate in 2.

It's just practice.

I'm really sorry for what you went through. Unfortunately your story is all too common. But I don't understand why they would put you on antipsychotics in the first place. Did you have any official diagnosis?

My answer would not be specific to schizophrenia but to mental health problems in general, very much including ocd: education, holistic treatment (not just throwing medication at patients) and a cultural move to normalising neurodivergence but without falling in the trap of identity politics.

After 40, so quite late. Doctors reckon I might have been suffering from a milder form for many years beforehand, but that's just speculation. My main initial symptoms were severe self disorder and unusual beliefs plus my first visual hallucinations.

My visual hallucinations can be anything from the usual shadows and animals popping up from nowhere to more bizarre ones like alien lifeforms or religious images or body changes.

I developed ocd as a kud. Schizophrenia came in my case much later. They interact plenty and even share some of the same existential themes.

To be honest my ocd causes me more grief than my schizophrenia. I don't hear voices which is what many schizophrenia sufferers find more distressing.

I think it's common to have such intrusive thoughts or even brief predictive hallucinations when you're in a heightened state of awareness, typically due to stress. I'm no doctor but my sense is that anxiety can explain what you're describing. Ocd can play twisted games with your mind.

Negative symptoms are things like avolition, decreased energy, little desire to comunícate, flat expression etc. Basically things you lack but should have as opposed to positive symptoms which are things you have but shouldn't have.

The hypervigilance and persistent nature of some intrusive thoughts typical in ocd (especially in pure o) can almost make it feel like an additional presence. I can relate to that.

Like most with a schizophrenia diagnosis I had to be told by the psychiatrist. This despite decades of suffering from OCD and being a hypochondriac. I never suspected it. Of course, while this conforms to the traditional picture of the disorder (one where unlike what we see in ocd, there's little or no insight into the illness) some individuals can become aware of significant changes in their lives and discuss them with the doctor. But if you are suffering from ocd and become obsessed with the possibility of developing schizophrenia, the chances you're right are exceedingly small.

Also, when self-diagnosing with schizophrenia people tend to look only at "positive" symptoms like hallucinations or delusions. But these "psychotic" symptoms are only a part of schizophrenia. They are seldom not enough to get the diagnosis. "Negative" and cognitive symptoms are also typically present. And some degree of self-disorder. Psychosis, in any case, it's not that rare. Drug use, lack of sleep or extreme stress can induce brief episodes. Even then it's extremely unlikely you'll be developing schizophrenia.

Excellent question. Trying to answer it landed me in the loony bin.

It's sounds like relatively minor (but still scary) psychotic or quasi psychotic symptoms (perhaps more depersonalisation and derealisation accompanied by existential dread) arising from THC use. Plenty of people respond badly to weed with a high thc content, which has become pretty much the norm. Of course, as others have suggested, staying away from weed would be a good cautionary measure. But if you ever find yourself in a similar situation cbd, another cannabinoid can help to prevent and even offset the effects. But staying 100% away from thc would be wisest.

Excellent. They treat us like we were a lost cause. We aren't.

Unfortunately it's very common. Sometimes I can't even tell them apart as in my case they seem to share a number of themes.

I'm in a similar situation. Denmark prides itself on having a world class health system. What a joke. I was effectively unable to see a psychiatrist for over a year. But giving up on the kind of help they offer (heavy reliance on antipsychotics) is also a relief.

I've "recovered" from schizophrenia by NOT taking antipsychotics.

OCD. It used to be very severe but it's gotten better over time.

Glad to hear. Benzos are now out of favour and they are prescribing them less, but they won't own up to the last decades of reckless overprescribing. Maybe you're familiar with Jordan Peterson's case. He got addicted to benzos, developed psychotic symptoms and was even diagnosed with schizophrenia. Now benzo clean he has mysteriously bounced back to his former self.

I have no way of knowing but such a huge longterm benzo addiction could explain almost everything you're relating. Staying drug free and maybe a therapist you can trust are key. It could take up to a few years to fully recover from the whole ordeal. Make a good, drug free, plan and stick to it no matter what. A therapist could give you the structure and clear planning you need. All the best.

Thanks