I see and hear things sometimes and I want to know if that can be cured?
I have been seeing things that aren't there especially at night, at first it started off (roughly about 5 years ago) as these black shadowy type things that made me feel sick with fear, I honestly thought they were demons trying to hurt me or my partner, but they make no sounds and eventually go away, when it first started happening I couldn't tell a soul because of the embarrassment etc and I thought eventually it would stop, but I had these shadowy creature thingys and night terrors so I thought maybe I had unresolved issues and if I addressed this it would go away, but it hasn't and more recently within the last couple of months I have had large animals like bears or insects like spiders trying to bother me, but the thing that is really scaring me now is that I'm hearing yelling or saying my name in a mean way that I KNOW for a fact there is no one there, I have been shouted at and told to kneel down and I'm really freaked by it. I took myself to a mental health place and have seen a psychiatrist, she put me on anti psychotics (resperidal) and anti anxiety anti depressant (citalopram) but it's not making a difference except I'm putting on weight now too. My psychiatrist prescribed this without a diagnosis and she won't be back for a month, can someone please tell me if they know what is wrong and if there is hope that I will be able to go back to normal soon? I feel anxious all the time as well as these feelinga of dread or like adrenaline feelings for no reason and I'm finding it increasingly hard to go out or go to places where a lot of people might me,and have chosen to virtually isolate myself so people won't laugh at me.
Last edited by Kiwi chick : 02-07-2011 at 07:51 AM.
I'm sorry you're experiencing this, it sounds very distressing. I don't think anyone here would be able to tell exactly what is wrong, but there is hope. I think for a lot of people (including me) these things can be alleviated by a combination of medication and therapy.
I used to see and hear things, I had psychosis at the time and it was treated with therapy and medication. You did well to see a psychiatrist, how long have you been taking the medication? Sometimes it takes a little while for it to take effect.
Antipsychotics (of which Risperidone is one) can take several weeks to have an effect. If it's only been a month since you were prescribed it (you dont say how long you have been taking it for) the chances are it's still too early for it to work. Psychs like to put you on a lower dose to begin with, and then increase it.
The best bet is to ask for an appointment (you mention your psych is on holiday) as soon as he/she gets back, and discuss with her then. Things may be better when your appointment comes around, or alternatively you may need an increased dose.
As for risperidone, unfortunately nearly all antispsychotics increase your appetite and make you increase weight. The chances are given a couple of weeks time, it will die down, or alternatively again speak to your psych as some are better than others. Risperidone made me gain weight horrendously, whereas changing to another antipsychotic may make the weight gain less extreme (or none at all!). But changing to another antipsychotic has to be done with the agreement of your psych.
As for the diagnosis, or rather lack of, I wouldnt worry about it. Some diagnosis (such as schizophrenia) have to be there for months before your psych makes it an official one, if you are new to her she may feel she doesnt know you yet. Having a diagnosis doesnt mean that it wont change in the future: I have had about 8 different ones shoved onto me, and I feel my current one (schizophrenia) is the only one that fits.
The main thing is not the diagnosis, but finding the right type of medication (such as in your case antipsychotics) and the right brand (such as risperidone) and the right dose (such as 5 mg a day) for your case. Which is the thing both you and your psych should be focussing on.
Wannabe CPN : -)
"He who is tired of Weird Al is tired of life." - Homer Simpson "I hear those voices that will not be drowned" Sanity is a nasty disease. The world would be a happier place without it. - Rilic
RIP Kat 4th July 1987- 11th June 2013
Thanks for the feedback just knowing that there is hope and that I'm not alone in this does help, yes I have only been taking these for a month so hopefully by the time she comes back I might see some improvement. Till then I have to remind myself and hopefully anyone who is reading this, that it's not anything to be ashamed of because it can't be controlled by yourself and by shear will alone and it's not anyone's fault anymore than what the colour of our eyes are. I just take each day as it comes and I think I'm going to start writing down what's happening so it gives me some semblance of control. I was feeling very deflated before I read your responses so,thank you so much for taking the time to help a stranger. It really touched me ;o)
It might take a little while to increase the dose up to something that suits you, I found that was the case when I was on anti-psychotics. You're right it's nothing to be ashamed of.
Taking each day as it comes sounds wise, tomorrow always comes soon enough so there's no sense worrying about it now. I realise however, that it's easier said than done sometimes.
I think writing can be very helpful, jotting down when you start medication, when it's increased, side effects experienced etc can help when seeing a psychiatrist. But also, as a creative outlet for emotions, I often think I would have gone totally mad without having writing as an outlet.
I have been seeing things that aren't there especially at night, at first it started off (roughly about 5 years ago) as these black shadowy type things that made me feel sick with fear, I honestly thought they were demons trying to hurt me or my partner, but they make no sounds and eventually go away, when it first started happening I couldn't tell a soul because of the embarrassment etc and I thought eventually it would stop, but I had these shadowy creature thingys and night terrors so I thought maybe I had unresolved issues and if I addressed this it would go away, but it hasn't and more recently within the last couple of months I have had large animals like bears or insects like spiders trying to bother me, but the thing that is really scaring me now is that I'm hearing yelling or saying my name in a mean way that I KNOW for a fact there is no one there, I have been shouted at and told to kneel down and I'm really freaked by it. I took myself to a mental health place and have seen a psychiatrist, she put me on anti psychotics (resperidal) and anti anxiety anti depressant (citalopram) but it's not making a difference except I'm putting on weight now too. My psychiatrist prescribed this without a diagnosis and she won't be back for a month, can someone please tell me if they know what is wrong and if there is hope that I will be able to go back to normal soon? I feel anxious all the time as well as these feelinga of dread or like adrenaline feelings for no reason and I'm finding it increasingly hard to go out or go to places where a lot of people might me,and have chosen to virtually isolate myself so people won't laugh at me.
