![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by starlight on May 21, 2003, at 15:19:47
Hi Folks,
I want to know what your experiences are with hallucinations. I've had several but realized that they weren't real. I asked my husband a question the other day, and he very clearly answered "no." Then I went to see him and found out he was actually downstairs the whole time and it was impossible that he could have anwered me. The other one was that I saw a person walk past me, and then looked back and realized there was no one there. I've had several of these types of incidents over the past week.Since I realize that they're not real, supposedly they're labeled "pseudohallucinations" which pisses me off because at the time, they have a very real quality, not an overactive imagination.
I've also found myself to be depressed more as of late. It's allergy season and I'm having a hell of a time controlling my allergies - The eyedrops and nasal sprays have made me sleepy, but I've also had some suicidal ideation over the past few weeks. I'm not actively suicidal, but rather just sometimes think it would be a pleasant alternative. Big difference.....
starlight
Posted by dave1 on May 22, 2003, at 12:06:52
In reply to Hallucinations Depression, posted by starlight on May 21, 2003, at 15:19:47
Hi,
I've been having a similiar problem related to my depression. I feel somewhat disoriented alot of the time. I can't remember where I am, etc. Sometimes I think I'm going insane, but my pdoc says I just think that I'm going insane but am really not. But, it still scares the hell out of me.
Dave
Posted by xjs7 on May 24, 2003, at 22:02:32
In reply to Hallucinations Depression, posted by starlight on May 21, 2003, at 15:19:47
I have had a lot of hallucinations. Some of these, but probably not most, could be classified as pseudohallucinations. If your hallucinations significantly impact your life, then I would recommend trying an antipsychotic medication. In my experience APs work for many pseudohallucinations (I do not know if that is typical).
Suicidal ideation is very serious and may be partly a result of a psychotic process. Usually, however, suicidal ideation is a part of depression. Sometimes depression is part of the psychotic process and sometimes the psychosis is part of depression. I don't think it is really all that useful to determine which is the predominant feature. If you are seriously psychotic then it won't be too hard for a psychiatrist to tell. People show certain signs, ranging from formal thought disorder (derailment, verbigeration, perseveration, vorbiereden, etc.) to abnormal affect. This is in addition to Schneider's first rank symptoms (the classic, core symptoms of schizophrenia, such as auditory hallucinations and thought broadcasting).
Anyways, it does not appear that you have schizophrenia, but you may benefit from an AP. If it helps you could take it for a couple years and then discontinue it if your disorder is not chronic.
xjs7
Posted by starlight on May 25, 2003, at 16:35:57
In reply to Re: Hallucinations Depression, posted by xjs7 on May 24, 2003, at 22:02:32
Thanks for your insight. I wouldn't say that it significantly impacts me. I just notice it and let it go, realizing that it's not real. I'm what my Pdoc calls, high functioning, even when I'm suffering on the depressive side, I can still go to work and put on the happy show and put my real feelings to myself. Sometimes I think I'm mixed - can be manic and depressed at the same time. I'd like to avoid the AP's as long as possible due to the side effects. Any idea on what the best AP is (with the least amount of side effects?) I appreciate your input.
Starlight
Posted by xjs7 on May 26, 2003, at 19:56:32
In reply to Re: Hallucinations Depression, posted by starlight on May 25, 2003, at 16:35:57
If I was going to start taking an AP, I would first try Abilify. Abilify is supposed to have a very mild side effect profile. I take Geodon which is also a good med but it has a higher probability of causing EPS. Neither of these two meds cause weight gain--all the other atypicals do, to some extent. I hope you have insurance, because these are expensive meds. Good luck.
xjs7
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.