Posted by xjs7 on May 24, 2003, at 22:02:32
In reply to Hallucinations Depression, posted by starlight on May 21, 2003, at 15:19:47
I have had a lot of hallucinations. Some of these, but probably not most, could be classified as pseudohallucinations. If your hallucinations significantly impact your life, then I would recommend trying an antipsychotic medication. In my experience APs work for many pseudohallucinations (I do not know if that is typical).
Suicidal ideation is very serious and may be partly a result of a psychotic process. Usually, however, suicidal ideation is a part of depression. Sometimes depression is part of the psychotic process and sometimes the psychosis is part of depression. I don't think it is really all that useful to determine which is the predominant feature. If you are seriously psychotic then it won't be too hard for a psychiatrist to tell. People show certain signs, ranging from formal thought disorder (derailment, verbigeration, perseveration, vorbiereden, etc.) to abnormal affect. This is in addition to Schneider's first rank symptoms (the classic, core symptoms of schizophrenia, such as auditory hallucinations and thought broadcasting).
Anyways, it does not appear that you have schizophrenia, but you may benefit from an AP. If it helps you could take it for a couple years and then discontinue it if your disorder is not chronic.
xjs7
poster:xjs7
thread:228114
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030520/msgs/228944.html