Psychosis

[roiben]

I was wondering whether others have a similar reaction. When I see things/experience phases of psychosis, I also find I have a lot more headaches and get tired more quickly than I would otherwise.

I find it hard to tell, whether the psychosis has caused the tiredness, or if the tiredness has caused the psychosis and I think that in my case, both can be true.

Does anyone else get this? Or am I rambling rubbish?

Sorry for the dumb question - I have just been thinking about it is all....

Roiben x

[Rhuben]

It's a self perpetuating cycle. When you experience psychosis your quality of sleep is reduced/you sleep less, in turn you feel more tired, your mental state deteriorates, psychosis worsens, then your sleep worsens, cycle continues.

I take sleeping meds because otherwise I go days without sleeping and my psychosis gets worse.

It's a pretty well documented link that poor quality sleep worsens psychosis, and that in turn worsening psychosis will cause further deterioration of sleep. It is especially well noticed in people who suffer from Mania.

[roiben]

Thank you, Rhuben. I have zopiclone as a PRN for sleep - and I know that helps a lot at those times when I am feeling run down and more in need of good quality sleep.

I worry about becoming dependant on them though - and am always very aware of those times when I am more tired, as the psychosis begins to creep back in and get worse.

Then, yes, the cycle rebounds.

Do headaches also factor in for other people?

Roiben x

[PinQ]

Hi Roiben, in times of pyschosis for me headaches are a huge factor! Often dizziness and just a general feeling of being dazed afterwards accompany the headaches. Migraines sometime preceed the pyschotic episodes that I have but almost always follow. I find this especially true when I have been knocked out by medicine in order to control the psychosis. Hope that helps.