Schizophrenia relapse - advice needed please

Beautifully_Sinned · 01-03-2015, 03:07 AM

Have no idea where this should be posted, but am in need of some advice.

Been off meds for coming up a year after finding out I was pregnant and have been dealing ok. But last few nights I have been really struggling. Voices keep me awake saying things about my little one and I'm super anxious. This makes little one unsettled too which makes her cry and fuss. Which is reinforcing what the voices are saying.

I'm trying not to completely loose touch, but having less and less luck. I've tried meditating and the techniques I've learnt through CBT that have helped until now. But am finding nothing is helping. I'm scared that this is it and I'm relapsing. But I'm also more scared that it isn't a relapse and that these things are actually happening.

Anyone have any experience with this? Is there anything else I can do other than call my mental health team? I don't want them to take my baby. I don't want anyone to take her.

Pi.R^2 · 01-03-2015, 01:44 PM

Sorry you've found yourself in this position.

It sounds like you've done everything you can to manage this yourself, trying all the strategies and techniques that you've been taught, and since these unfortunately don't seem to be working, I think it is time to call your mental health.

In terms of worrying about your baby being taken away, remember that seeking help early and working with services is much more likely to enable you to continue to look after your baby than ignoring this and things getting worse and potentially reaching the stage where you don't have insight and aren't able to engage well with services.

Wishing you the best of luck!

Aurora1 · 01-03-2015, 03:09 PM

*Big hugs*

1. Cuddle your baby, cuddles always help. Have skin-to-skin contact. The oxytocin it releases, may not stop the thoughts but it will hopefully help to reduce your stress levels and help you to feel a bit calmer.
2. Are you breastfeeding?
3. Don't be afraid to ask for help, it is much more important that you get the help you need in order to be the parent you want to be.

4. Keep talking, and keep posting on here xx

blacks81 · 01-03-2015, 04:30 PM

Firstly, i think u are bound to feel extra pressure having a new baby. There are lots of fears that are complety natural, and its perfectly ok to have concerns. Maybe u feel worse because of ur worries about ur mental health and ur concerns of her being taken if u seek help, plus the natural worries with a new baby. All of this combined could be why ur feeling extra pressure. Keep this in mind when makin assumptions about urself. Maybe you can speak to a family member, before you make a decision about getting proffesional help, maybe thjs would help ease ur fears. Also taking some time.... a day or 2, will give u time and space for you! And give you a break, so u can work on u without distractions. We all need time for ourselves!

Beautifully_Sinned · 01-03-2015, 09:06 PM

Thank you for your replies. Really appreciate it!

I'll be calling my mental health team tomorrow and seri what they suggest. But I just know the first thing will be going back on medication and that's something I want to avoid. Purely because I think it will affect my ability to look after baby, both when reintroducing it and once it's established.

Aurora1 - I'm not breast feeding, no. And any excuse for more cuddles is fine by me! X x

Ballerina123 · 02-03-2015, 01:57 PM

2 good books ive used are "overcoming paranoid thoughts" and "overcoming distressing voices"
They are cbt based books but have worked very well for my schizophrenia symptoms. They are quite cheap second hand on amazon.

Aurora1 · 02-03-2015, 06:06 PM

Do you have any family or support nearby who could help out while you adjust to the medication, if you decide that is the right step for you to take? Do you go to any baby groups? Sometimes getting out and about can help, maybe you could discuss therapy with your GP rather than meds?