Okay, don’t lose heart. A majority of psychotic episodes happens due to mood disorders, not schizophrenia. I’m not questioning your psych’s diagnosis, only want you to know that your doubts are valid. Also, schizophrenia can be treated. With medication it can be stabilized, no further episodes. I’ve recently seen some report from Norway or other Scandinavian country claiming that more than half of young people recover from schizophrenia. Again, I’m not saying this to back up your psych’s diagnosis, only to change your perspective a bit. It’s not black and white. I suggest you visit another psychiatrist for a second opinion.
It’s true that using substances may worsen certain conditions. Taking into account that you already had OCD, I would not exclude misdiagnosing this episode.
Did your doctor ever mention schizophrenia before during your sessions?
Well, smoking weed MAY increase the dopamine in the brain, and people with schizophrenia have higher dopamine levels. Antipsychotics are prescribed to lower / stabilize those levels. My only advice is, stop smoking. Should be evident by now. I’m not against smoking on principle, I just know that all drugs have a negative effect on mental well-being, and I can’t think of a good enough reason why anyone would want to exacerbate their mental health issues for getting some short-lived pleasure.
I would at least ask your psychiatrist to explain why he prescribed you two antipsychotics at once. Usually it’s only one at a time. These meds are prescribed for different mental conditions, it’s not dangerous, but I wouldn’t risk taking both at the same time…
@RadicalTruthAD Actually, it’s the first time I saw this psych. I previously went to another one, and no he never mentioned anything but OCD. He did once ask if I was hearing voices or seeing anything, but I suppose those were typical questions to make the correct diagnoses. I was prescribed an antidepressant for my OCD which I took for five months, I stopped taking it right before the new year.
@Nervous dawg In that case, I would opt for a consultation with another specialist. To my knowledge, schizophrenia should be tested before settling for a certain diagnosis, it’s not diagnosed in 15 minutes like OCD or anxiety disorders.
You probably already know the answer. Weed can intensify your psychosis. Honestly is it worth it? I’m sure you can think of other ways to have fun and relax.
@Nervous dawg I’d like to point out that your decision to stop taking antidepressants wasn’t a wise one, especially if you did it without consulting the psychiatrist who made the prescription. Quitting abruptly may cause withdrawal symptoms and have other long-term side effects. You need to lower the dosage gradually before giving up on taking them. Also, seriously, give up weed. I’m pretty sure you’ll notice improvements to your mental health once you stop damaging it with unreasonable actions.
My opinion: don’t panic and go see another doctor. Smoking and taking drugs absolutely can temporarily cause paranoia and hallucinations, you’re right about that.
It’s not my business, but I hope that your situation will cause you to stop drinking and smoking, especially on a regular basis.
In order to receive an official diagnosis of schizophrenia, the symptoms need to persist for at least a month. So it may very well not be that, I’d get a second opinion if you can. And, even if it’s not schizophrenia, it’s worth considering that this episode might be an indication that you have a certain predisposition that could be triggered by substances like weed.
In rare cases people with OCD may also experience psychosis which involves hallucination and delusion and might look like schizophrenia. Symptoms of OCD and schizophrenia can ocassionally overlap. Thoughts or beliefs that are disconnected from reality can happen in both so the first step towards sorting out symptoms might involve chatting with psychiatrist who would use screenings and indepth assessments to help you figure out.
Despite their superficial similarities there are ways to assess if you are suffering from ocd or Scizophrenia or both:
Your psychiatrist will also also do do some physical exam and test. toxicology screen can help your doctor see if any substance in your body could have led to your psychotic symtpoms. these symptoms can happen when you are intoxicated or abruptly stopped your medication.