...new symptoms

[fuzzy_sweets]

Well i have suffered with Psycosis for about yr and 1/2 now and things had been okay until a few days ago. I suddenly started experienceing new symptoms. Like I feel asthough when the radio or music channel is playing people are trying to talk to me (and not in the normal way presenters speak to their listeners). I feel asthough their words are trying to enter my mind and control me so I have been avoiding listening to the radio or music channels. I wish I could pin point something triggered it but i really do not know what caused it to be honest. I just woke up a few days ago feeling really low and it went from there.
I am really scared to tell my support worker encase she suggests i take meds as the last time i took them (Aripiprazole) i suffered really badly with muscle spasms in my eyes and I do not want to go through that again. I know I could try other meds but the fatigue you get when you first get used to them really puts me off of them.
Do you think my support worker can make me go on meds? I dont feel asthough i am a danger to myself or anyone else for that matter. These symptoms are just really upsetting and distressing thats all.

[whirlpools]

If you're not a danger to yourself or anyone, I imagine your support worker would leave the choice up to you. But maybe keep an open mind about trying different meds as some may work for you much better than others. I've always struggled with drowsiness from meds, but on my current meds I found out that after the first few weeks the drowsiness was barely noticeable and my quality of life had improved. I'm sorry the new experiences are frightening you so much, I can relate in that I had the same experience as you some years ago. But it can get better.

[Shenanigans]

Hi there,
I'm sorry you're experiencing this and I hope you are staying safe.
I think speaking to your support worker is a good idea. I know and understand that you dislike medication and think you should mention this to them as well, but it's important that the people supporting you know what's going on for you and how you're feeling.
I hope you feel better soon, take care of yourself
x

[fuzzy_sweets]

well i told my sister what i was experienceing as i always feel it is good to let at least one person know ur struggling encase anything bad happens.

If i wasnt starting a new job soon then i would consider meds but the drowsyness would make it impossible for me to function - its a nursing assistant job which means i cant really be drowsy on shift. And also there is a min 6 week waiting list to see a psychiatrist at the moment and he is the one which percribes meds. Altho I am sure in a more desperate circumstances they would simply have to perscribe me something sooner. but at the moment i do not feel 'desperate' but at the same time do not want to reach that point though.

[Ami]

I understamd what you mean about tv and music giving messages?

With antipsychotics i usually got really drowsy with stiff muscles, or and restless with agitated and sort ofstand up sit down but they generally are not drowsy. So ive found a few that were not drowsy; haloperidol, amisulpride, aripiprazole.

I dont think your support worker can 'make' you go on meds. Are you coping without meds? Do you thinkit would be easier with the 'edge' taking off your symptoms? Hope you get sorted and things dont get worse x

[roiben]

I know you say you do not know what led to these symptoms, but is there anything you think may have led to the low mood? - Have you been sleeping, have you changed routine in any way?

I ask - as I know my psychosis comes back when I am stressed or very tired and that these can also exasperate my depression symptoms. Ergo, on the days I am at my most depressed, I am also more likely to experience the psychosis side.

In terms of letting people know, I am glad you have told someone, I agree with what others have said - it is a good idea to let your care team know, so that they can be the most up to date with how you are right now and can offer the best support. This does not always mean medication, although that is an option and one worth discussing with them. It may be they can recommend a way around the drowsiness or avoid ones which may cause the spasms? It may also be that it is possible to address the trigger areas - such as lack of sleep or depression first and in doing so improve the symptoms that way.

Do be gentle with yourself, I understand how disturbing such things can be, but that is all the more reason to allow yourself that little bit of slack.

Roiben x

[fuzzy_sweets]

well I have been feeling low lately as I have been waiting for Council to re-house me for over four months. I am staying with family at the moment and things are a little cramped and I fear I am begining to overstay my welcome. I also had the sadness of a breaking of breaking up with my fiance in Feb and we were meant to be getting married next Monday. It makes me feel sad when I think about it so I try not to think about it.

[not_so_insig]

well I have been feeling low lately as I have been waiting for Council to re-house me for over four months. I am staying with family at the moment and things are a little cramped and I fear I am begining to overstay my welcome. I also had the sadness of a breaking of breaking up with my fiance in Feb and we were meant to be getting married next Monday. It makes me feel sad when I think about it so I try not to think about it.

The council often dont see you as a priority sadly - I had to wait years because I was a low priority. This was despite a letter from my social worker and psych. I also had an assessment but I was in the psych unit but my parents basically persuaded the person doing it that I was fine because they were severely opposed to be me going. If I didnt have temporary supported housing I would still be waiting. Sadly asylum seekers or single mothers have priority over someone with mh problems.

Can I ask what your parents have done? Do you feel it is them or have they actually been in contact with your council? Have you tried housing associations?

If your parents has just made you feel you want to go out, or you want your own space (I know I wouldnt be so good if I didnt get out of my parents), then I would ask your parents to write a letter. The most important thing is to say they want you out by a certain date. That will bump you up by a certain date, because you are seen as "homeless". Otherwise unless you are severely overcrowded (say 6 people in a 2 bed house) you will be waiting forever. I know from bitter experience, and I think it is sad that people with mh problems are not taken as a priority.

Even with that letter (take it to your local housing dept) I would still (if you havent already) fill in forms with local housing associations. The council can recommend you to an housing association, which will bump up your application with them too, and make securing a flat a greater possibility.

Of course, it is not guaranteed and even with the letter you could be waiting several months, but the waiting list will be at least shorter than if the above is not done. They may suggest temporary housing (such as a hostel or b&b) in the meantime after the "throwing out" date, but it may be better than being stuck in the parents.

If you have a social worker I would talk to her about it too.

[fuzzy_sweets]

excuse my idiocy but what is a housing association please?

And I have tried the whole 'my family say i cannot stay any longer' excuse with the housing and they just say for me to go into a hostel instead, which really scares me coz some people are really rough in them places and I fear being in that environment will make me more ill.

My family just say they cannot afford for me to stay with them (i only pay £20 pw board as i dont work) and if the council knew i was staying here (its a council property) they would get into trouble. And i guess they imagined i would only be here 6 weeks tops and it has now been over four months so what they are saying is reasonable.

[not_so_insig]

excuse my idiocy but what is a housing association please?

A housing association is very similar thing to an council's housing department - basically it's a scheme with lots of houses and flats of varying sizes spread over a certain area to rent. Their criteria is similar to an council and like a council, you apply by filling in application form. Rules etc, are more or less the same as a council.

Their rents (depends on the area and what property you are in) are generally a little higher than the council, but a lot lower than if you were renting from a private landlord. Unlike a private landlord, you can always claim housing benefit if you feel you need to (some private landlords wont allow anyone on housing benefit to occupy any of their properties), as housing associations are meant for people who are on a low income.

Most houses from an housing association are rented by people, however in some areas they build affordable housing (unlike the council they do that more often) so that families or couples who cannot afford a normal house buy it off them for a cheaper price. However they dont own the house outright - the housing association owns a share, so when they move out, they cant sell it for it's true market worth (unless they have bought it outright off the housing association which takes years), but less so that other people in a similar situation can afford to own a property.

So I would check out local housing associations and apply, as it gives you slightly more of a chance. For example when I moved out nearly 2 1/2 years ago I applied to the council, and three housing associations. In the end I got offered a flat by the housing association before the council, but due to various reasons concerning my mh, I had to refuse. So sometimes they are quicker. They can also sometimes be nicer than a council flat (but then again, they can be horrible - the one I got offered was nasty and way too small) - this is due to the fact that the housing association can claim more money off the government than the council can to maintain the cost of repairing their properties. They run on a "not for profit" scheme meaning that any extra money goes to maintaining/improving properties rather than the council who can (not all councils do, but some do) divert any extra money into other areas - for example to their schools department.

A good link is here:-

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/Councilandhousingassociationhomes/Housingassociationhomes/index.htm

[fuzzy_sweets]

thanks well i went to one today to get an application form but they said they not taking applicants anymore coz they not got enough properties and to go thru the bidding system...grrr

On a more positive note I found out today that the reason i not got housed yet is coz there was an error on my application and i was given the wrong priority status, but my support worker is taking me to housing on tues and hopefully things will change and things will be set in motion.