Adjusting to a schizophrenia diagnosis

[Kleiner Angsthase]

So I've recently been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, and I'm finding it rather odd and difficult to adjust to the label - it always felt like schizophrenia was something "other people had".

I've been having psychotic episodes on and off since I was 14, with what I call "background stuff" in between (low-level delusions that didn't really affect my functioning too much, as well as general paranoia), so this diagnosis hasn't come out of nowhere, and I did sort-of expect it.

The psychiatrist did say that I manage the symptoms fairly well, and I'd already adjusted to understanding that my life was likely to include psychosis every now and then. So it shouldn't be a big deal, but I still feel really weird.

I'm not sure what I want from this thread, maybe just seeing if anyone can relate?

[Cacoethes]

Hiya. That must of come as quite a shock!

I'm not diagnosed with schizophrenia any more, but was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia at 15.
I wasn't fully aware of what was going on at the time, but I actually found the diagnosis quite reassuring, because there was an explanation for everything I was going through and I was comforted by that.
I was a bit freaked out by it initially, I think because of the stigma that surrounds schizophrenia generally and it felt like such a serious diagnosis.

Hopefully now they have the diagnosis things will start to get easier for you, having the right diagnosis makes the world of difference treatment wise.

[beatrice1981]

I was recently diagnosed my self 2 weeks ago as having paranoid schizophrenia, I am really struggling myself to come to terms with my diagnosis. but I really hope that you continue to get help from your psychiatrist. the thing that I have found that help me is just try and stay grounded. hang in there it will be ok. hugs.

[Ballerina123]

As much as it isn't nice to be diagnosed with a mental health problem there is a reassurance in being diagnosed because it means that now there is a treatment plan.

I have Schizoaffective disorder and when I first go diagnosed I remember feeling quite upset because it sounded bad but now I'm glad I got the diagnosis because it has allowed my psychiatrist to find the right medications for me and the right treatment which mean I now suffer less with symptoms and manage my life so much better.

It's alwasy hard to come to terms with a new diagnosis but diagnosis does help you get the right care so I hope it will help you know how to take care of your illness now.

[Kleiner Angsthase]

Thanks for all the replies :)

I've actually been discharged back to GP care (though I think a referral's been put in for yet more CBT), as apparently I'm not at risk so don't need full-on psychiatric intervention right now. Or something. But I guess it'll be easier to access that support if I need it future with a schizophrenia diagnosis?

Beckie, I think you're right about the stigma, I feel almost like I'm telling people I have cancer or something from some reactions! I'm also trying to work out who I do and don't need to tell - so far I've only told my family and my support network at uni. I'm a little bit concerned I might lose friends if I tell the wrong person.

[Cacoethes]

Try and make a point of saying that you aren't a different person because you now have a diagnosis.
You haven't changed, you are still the same person you were before.
I remember some of the reactions I got when people found out at school, like I was suddenly this dangerous axe murderer or something! (to be fair, we were all teenagers, hopefully a reaction from adults won't be so extreme!)

It will definitely be easier to access help with a schizophrenia diagnosis.

[Iamcatbug]

Would it even be possible to not tell them exactly what you have? I know a lot of my friends know I have MH issues and have been diagnosed with conditions, but they do not know what I have.

[Ballerina123]

Would it even be possible to not tell them exactly what you have? I know a lot of my friends know I have MH issues and have been diagnosed with conditions, but they do not know what I have.

This.

I do this with new people I meet. I made the mistake once of telling someone I had a form of schizophrenia and they were quite nasty about it.
It's only friends and family that know now. I don't tell new people coz it scares them quite a bit.

[Aubergine]

I have the depressive type of schizoaffective disorder, which I was diagnosed with or five years ago. I remember being terrified, as it meant that everything I thought I knew could potentially have not been quite how I saw it. I think there's so much stigma attached to mental health diagnoses that it's difficult to digest it when you're given one. *hug*

I agree with the others about not needing to tell people you're diagnosis. Not even my family know my official one; they just know that I have difficulties with certain things. It's great if you feel comfortable enough to tell someone and they respond well, but don't pressure yourself to let people know. It's not something that others outside of your support team need to be aware of.

Take care and keep talking about it here if it helps. :)

[Dragon_Smoke]

I was diagnosed with psychosis and put on medication 6 years ago however I am now only using minimal medication as basically a sleep aid and used therapy tools and strategies to stop myself from hallucinating. It doesnt really bother me anymore, but I can definitely say that getting the most treatment you can other then drugs really helps. The NHS run a program called Spaces and I did their Anxiety Management for people with psychosis class it helped alot. CBT and DBT are also good, keeping a journal, meditating, keeping busy, looking after yourself physically, there are many things you can do to help :) Oh! and the Hearing Voices Network is really good, they have groups all over the country.