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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by judy1 on July 23, 2002, at 11:05:15
Grandiosity (thinking I have many talents), at the height I think I am God, I call or post many people at all times of night, I am in fact quite delusional. Can some people understand this? Take care, judy
Posted by mair on July 23, 2002, at 16:20:57
In reply to Some of my symptoms of manic psychosis, posted by judy1 on July 23, 2002, at 11:05:15
Judy
I know nothing about manic psychosis. I do know that the posts I've read have always seemed very thoughtful and reasonable - so in my view you do have many talents.
Mair
Posted by judy1 on July 23, 2002, at 16:48:26
In reply to Re: Some of my symptoms of manic psychosis » judy1, posted by mair on July 23, 2002, at 16:20:57
Thank you Mair, I'm fine now- my purpose in posting this was so that others could be aware of how symptoms of this disease can manifest itself, and that if they see something like this in other posts they will know what it is and maybe be suportive of that person. I don't want to get in trouble or hurt anyone so I am being deliberately vague here- judy
Posted by Dinah on July 23, 2002, at 19:30:43
In reply to Some of my symptoms of manic psychosis, posted by judy1 on July 23, 2002, at 11:05:15
I am thankful that the highest I have ever been is hypomanic, with the worst hypomanias being caused by Wellbutrin and Effexor. I can only imagine what havoc a full blown mania would wreak in a person's life.
I'm glad you are doing ok now.
Posted by judy1 on July 23, 2002, at 22:33:07
In reply to Re: Some of my symptoms of manic psychosis, posted by Dinah on July 23, 2002, at 19:30:43
is the inability to see reason- people can rationally explain away yet you're convinced that you are right and there is something seriously wrong with the rest of the world. I sincerely feel that having a psychotic manic episode is worse than feeling suicidal- having been both- it's the complete loss of control of your mind. Again I'm writing this as an educational type of thing, because I think a lot of people on this forum are not familiar with the symptoms of severe mental illness. I believe at one point we had a poster with schizophrenia who shared some of his symptoms (it was a while ago, maybe I'll check the archives) Take care, judy
Posted by mist on July 23, 2002, at 23:05:32
In reply to Some of my symptoms of manic psychosis, posted by judy1 on July 23, 2002, at 11:05:15
Judy,
It's good you're posting about this, to increase awareness and understanding.
Posted by bookgurl99 on July 24, 2002, at 1:14:35
In reply to Some of my symptoms of manic psychosis, posted by judy1 on July 23, 2002, at 11:05:15
> Grandiosity (thinking I have many talents), at the height I think I am God, I call or post many people at all times of night, I am in fact quite delusional. Can some people understand this? Take care, judy
A few years ago one of my friends showed up at his gf's house carrying a bowling ball, a tuna can, and a book in a bag. They seemed very significant to him. He talked to her very quickly but incoherently about a book he wanted to write, and then proceeded into her bathroom where he started to take a bath and paint his face with her lipstick. She called the police. He was subsequently dx'd with bipolar disorder and prescribed lithium.
is that the kind of thing you mean by manic psychosis?
Posted by Dinah on July 24, 2002, at 7:12:53
In reply to I think the most difficult part » Dinah, posted by judy1 on July 23, 2002, at 22:33:07
I do think you're doing a great service by trying to increase awareness and empathy.
I have a some experience with schizophrenia from the other side. My aunt was schizophrenic, and while she was not at all violent, it was frightening for a little girl to be around her sometimes nevertheless.
What really struck me as a little girl though (she's been stabilized on meds for years and years) is the cruelty with which not only she, but her children as well, were treated. I felt so sorry for her kids. Other children teased and osctracized them. I hope times have changed since then. We've made so many strides in increasing our tolerance in so many areas as a society.
Posted by judy1 on July 24, 2002, at 10:41:43
In reply to Re: Some of my symptoms of manic psychosis, posted by bookgurl99 on July 24, 2002, at 1:14:35
Yes- the book writing especially (I have over 1000 pages written on my Word software- 90% incoherent), the rapid speaking and then bizarre behavior if it goes too far. There's a long lead-up to this, hypomania which a lot of you know can last a few days or months, just depends. Thanks for asking- judy
Posted by judy1 on July 24, 2002, at 11:22:57
In reply to Re: Some of my symptoms of manic psychosis » judy1, posted by mist on July 23, 2002, at 23:05:32
Posted by OddipusRex on July 24, 2002, at 12:43:46
In reply to Re: Some of my symptoms of manic psychosis » mair, posted by judy1 on July 23, 2002, at 16:48:26
Judy, what do you think is the best way to support someone you suspect is delusional or psychotic? I don't think confronting the person with your belief would be acceptable especially not on a forum like this where we're all strangers and the information about each other is limited. I think part of being delusional or psychotic is not being able to recognize that fact. At the same time I don't think it would be right to encourage someone or support their delusions. All I can think of is to try to engage the person in ways that don't involve the apparent delusions but that's not always easy. I'm glad you brought this up.
Thank you Mair, I'm fine now- my purpose in posting this was so that others could be aware of how symptoms of this disease can manifest itself, and that if they see something like this in other posts they will know what it is and maybe be suportive of that person. I don't want to get in trouble or hurt anyone so I am being deliberately vague here- judy
Posted by judy1 on July 24, 2002, at 18:28:13
In reply to Re: I think the most difficult part » Dinah » judy1, posted by Dinah on July 24, 2002, at 7:12:53
You're right- it's difficult for people around the ill person also. Even a shrink I had once for over a year asked me if I was going to hurt him (in genuine fear)- I was horrified. The movie Beautiful Mind, while wonderful in revealing the illness was not very realistic. I think it takes a truly exceptional person to train their mind like Dr. Nash, and most people with mental illness are like everybody else. Take care, judy
Posted by melinda on July 24, 2002, at 18:28:56
In reply to I think the most difficult part » Dinah, posted by judy1 on July 23, 2002, at 22:33:07
I can relate to the symptoms of schizophrenia personally...I have paranoid schizophrenia. I take Zyprexa which has helped eliminate most of the delusions. The paranoia I feel now is generally less intense and is much shorter in duration. That is, for example, I don't feel for months on end that Bill Gates is monitoring me. (Which by the way, was a long-standing delusion I had.) Now I might feel every now and then that Bill is watching me.
A day in the life (for me) is unpredicatable. I can't tell when the paranoia is going to creep up on me. One day I might have no problems at work. The next day I might hear conversations about me and think the IT staff is monitoring my email and IM (Instant Messenger). One day I might enjoy the company of others. The next day I want to hide away in my shell and have no contact with the outside world. One day I might feel safe in my apartment. The next day I might be petrified that someone is going to break in while I'm asleep. And the list goes on...
I've been going to CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) for the past month. The goal of the therapy is to teach me how to "see reason" at the time of a delusion or hallucination. So far it's been a positive experience, though it's rocking the boat a little, as I'm re-learning ways to deal with my delusions.
During a psychotic break, there is a period of time during which I'm fully aware that I'm losing touch with reality...that I'm "losing my mind". I'll admit, that's the scariest feeling I've ever experienced.
Each person who has schizophrenia experiences different symptoms. If you want to learn more about schizophrenia in general or you'd like to read some first hand accounts, take a look at htt://www.schizophrenia.com. The site has a lot of information.
-melinda
Posted by melinda on July 24, 2002, at 18:36:20
In reply to Re: Some of my symptoms of manic psychosis » mair » judy1, posted by OddipusRex on July 24, 2002, at 12:43:46
>Judy, what do you think is the best way to support someone you suspect is delusional or psychotic?
I'm not Judy and I'm not sure what's the "correct" way to to support someone who's delusional. But, personally, I like the way my psychologist approaches my delusions. He's not confrontational at all and he never laughs at my delusions. He asks questions about them and then tries to reason with me to provide an alternate explanation for my particular belief.
-melinda.
Posted by judy1 on July 24, 2002, at 18:36:44
In reply to Re: Some of my symptoms of manic psychosis » mair » judy1, posted by OddipusRex on July 24, 2002, at 12:43:46
I remember a year or so ago when I was obviously hypomanic- Scott (SLS) asked me to e-mail him privately. I did, but apparently made an error and it was returned by Daemon?, I thought Damian and started getting paranoid. No, I most definitely am not open to confrontation when delusional, nor does anything anybody says supports or disputes my delusions- they are there, they are fixed and that's how it is. Maybe expressing concern without saying gee you're acting nuts helps or saying if you would like to talk privately like Scott did or even on another forum- maybe bring up a story of a friend and say how worried you were about them and just genuinely convey your concern. Honestly, I think that's all anyone here can do. I also think by recognizing it earlier (which is really hard since we're laypeople) probably would save everyone a lot of grief. Take care, judy
Posted by judy1 on July 24, 2002, at 18:40:37
In reply to Re: Some of my symptoms of manic psychosis » mair » judy1, posted by melinda on July 24, 2002, at 18:36:20
for your insights. I agree it varies from person to person and I was happy you posted what helps you. Your shrinks approach works for me sometimes, others I'm just too far gone. Take care, judy
Posted by Dinah on July 25, 2002, at 6:33:13
In reply to Re: I think the most difficult part » Dinah, posted by melinda on July 24, 2002, at 18:28:56
Thanks Melinda.
I think it's great that you're using CBT to augment your meds. I remember reading once of an elderly gentleman who had held down a job successfully and appeared on the surface to have no illness. Someone found out he had had strong auditory hallucinations all his life. When asked how he had been able to function so well, he simply answered that he didn't do what the voices told him to do. It struck me as inspirational somehow, although of course I realize that it isn't that simple. But when you spoke about CBT, it made me think that he had somehow managed to self treat himself with CBT even though he probably had no idea what it was. And wasn't what happened in A Beautiful Mind also some form of self-administered CBT?
I was very young (around 3 or 4) when I was frightened by my aunt's behavior. She used to suddenly announce she was someone else (some historical figure) and speak in a different voice. Since then a couple of other family members and one family friend have had problems with psychotic breaks. None of them are at all violent so none of them particularly scare me. If the delusion involves me, I gently correct it as I would if any other person had mistaken the details of my life (at the advice of my therapist - and let me add that none of the delusions were dangerous). If the delusion doesn't involve me and isn't dangerous (and none of them have been dangerous) I leave it up to their medical professional. I'm certainly not trained to challenge delusions.
None of my relatives have tried CBT, but all but one of them is stabilized on their medicatons. The one who isn't still hasn't developed insight into her illness. I think it's great that you have so much awareness of your illness and are working on it so hard.
Best wishes,
Dinah
Posted by oracle on July 26, 2002, at 15:19:31
In reply to Thanks Melinda » melinda, posted by judy1 on July 24, 2002, at 18:40:37
Thanks you sharing, Judy. I suspected much of this
but having a person who really knows express things.Do you think continuing to ask questions of a delusional poster helps. If they tell a long story, does it help to continue asking questions (like it is a real event) or do you think this just supports their delusions.
Posted by judy1 on July 26, 2002, at 20:28:23
In reply to Re: Judy, posted by oracle on July 26, 2002, at 15:19:31
I don't think it helps- not in the sense that you're supporting the delusions, rather nothing you say is going to have much of an effect once a person is truly delusional. My pdoc may be able to get to me (sometimes), but I've worked with him for over 2 years and there is trust there. In situations where a stranger has confronted me it just makes me feel paranoid. I do agree that if there is no audience, then I would go looking for another one (something to consider here). Take care, judy
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