Posted , 4 users are following.
I have had this in the past and it has reared it's ugly head again since my anxiety worsened, I have a fear of psychosis.
I think it is because I am scared of how bad my anxiety is and feel I have no control over it at the moment but I become obsessed with this fear, if I do something to distract myself it goes away but as soon as I am sat still it comes back.
It's worse when my panic is really high, this morning before I went out I was panicky about going out and had the thought that I would get psychosis or that I may even already have it and that made me panic even more especially because I know the mental health team are useless and I don't feel I would get help if I did have it.
Is this a common fear when anxiety is extremely high? More to the point how would I know if I did have it?
My hubby said I am not acting like I have it, just acting like someone with high anxiety and agoraphobia and that I am worrying a lot over everything but I get really scared.
I recently increased my meds, it was supposed to be increased at night and in the morning, I increased the night dose but then read on the internet that diazepam can cause psychosis so I can't bring myself to increase the morning dose because I am too scared now.
I have been on it for years as many of you know so should feel at ease about it but since reading that it's really freaked me out.
I am so sick of being scared, now I have something else to worry about
0 likes, 15 replies
tess33005 BellaLuna
Posted
Bella, you are not psychotic.
You are perfectly able to describe exactly what is happening to you, which thoughvery scary and unpleasant, shows that you are not psychotic.
People who suffer from psychosis live in an unreal world. They have visual and auditory hallucinations. I can assure you I'd have spotted it if you were psychotic.
Believe your husband - he's with you the most and would recognise psychotic symptoms very easily, which he hasn't.
You are extremely anxious at the moment for a myriad of reasons, but you need not fear psychosis.
Love Tess xxx
BellaLuna tess33005
Posted
I seem to be so sensitive at the moment that every worry and scary thought sticks in my mind like glue, as well as that I am mentally and physically exhausted which obviously makes it harder to fight off those worries and thoughts when they come.
Every one I have spoken to in the mental health team and on the various helplines I call have all remarked on the fact that I have a good insight and self awareness of my condition and as you say I am able to describe it very well so I will cling to that and try to stop worrying xxx
tess33005 BellaLuna
Posted
I'm glad i could help, Bella. You're going through hell at the moment but you can definitely cross psychosis off your list of worries.
Keep telling us how you are. You seem to do better when people chat to you.
Love Tess xx
tess33005 BellaLuna
Posted
T.
BellaLuna tess33005
Posted
tess33005 BellaLuna
Posted
It's called 'I feel lost and scared and haven't left my house for 46 days now'
BellaLuna tess33005
Posted
chriselora4321 BellaLuna
Posted
Recognise what you're going through as I am struggling with very high anxiety as
well as depression.
I'm on Venlafaxine XL 75mg in the morning for depression.
I was also prescribed 2mg diazepam tablets. Could take 2, 2mg tablets three times a day.
12mg in total.
Managed to get it down to 8mg total.
Both my GP and CPN want me to come off the diazepam completely.
I feel they don't always understand how difficult anxiety is.
I know it's heightened feelings and awareness but it is scary.
I'm going to ask my GP if cognitive behaviours therapy is available as I feel I need
some professional coping therapy help as well.
BellaLuna chriselora4321
Posted
Hi, you have done really well to reduce the diazepam, anxiety is really tough to deal with and tapering diazepam down is no easy task either so you should be really proud of yourself for that.
I agree though that the health proffessionals do not understand how difficult anxiety is or how much we go through trying to cope with it, my GP has been dreadful to be honest which is why I was almost relieved that she is on holiday this week and I got to see a different one.
At one point last week my husband had requested a call from her, it was one of my worst days, I was hysterical, not eating or even drinking amongst other things and she just said 'Aww it's hard but I don't know what to do really', very dissapointing.
I had CBT, where I live you self refer for it, it's still free and it can actually be quicker than waiting for the mental health team to refer you, I liked it but only got 6 sessions which wasn't enough, they can grant extensions and I really wish I had pushed for it now, hopefully I will be starting again soon but of course there is the issue of how I will get there.
Do give it a go though if you get the chance, it can be very useful to some people and you have nothing tolose from trying it.
lisalisa67 BellaLuna
Posted
BellaLuna lisalisa67
Posted
Thank you Lisa that is very reassuring,I was diagnosed with OCD years ago, oddly that part of my illness was something that didn't used to scare me as much but I do notice than when my anxiety is very high the OCD intensifies and becomes frightening hence the fear of psychosis and dwelling on certain worries,knowing me I will probably go a few days with this worry and then move onto something else.
phil76209 BellaLuna
Posted
Hi
I've had psychosis and it's something that takes time to develop. I was in a very bad state of what seemed like constant fight or flight 24/7. U sound very rational and hypochondrial (is that a word?) You won't suddenly wake up with it even if you do take the increased diazepam.
You worry that you're going to get mentally ill just like hypochondria.
Your hubby knows u best and he's saying you are rational.
Your mind is in a heightened state of anxiety. I empathise totally.
I almost feel like I've had to relearn how to think and feel with the help of therapy.
Anyway the psychosis is still there a bit. But I must be aware when I get a thought so I can deal with it and the condition subsides.
You will be fine. You are NOT going to get psychosis.
Hope this helps.
Feel free to ask if you want to know more.
BellaLuna phil76209
Posted
Hi Phil,
Thank you for sharing your experience with me, in a sense I have been feeling that constant fight or flight feeling but I have had that before with intense bouts of anxiety.
I do get some hypocondria when my anxiety is bad too, it's not so much about physical issues either, more a fear of developing more mental health problems or at least more complex ones.
And I fear medication, doctors seem to think I find it very easy to increase my existing meds but even though I have been on it for years I still get very anxious when there is a need to increase doseage, all part of the hypocondria I suppose.
Thank you for the reassurance, my hubby says I am incredibly anxious, worried and stressed but I am not talking or behaving in a way that is making him concerned that it's anything more than acute anxiety, I am just a complete worrier which is part and parcel of anxiety disorders.
phil76209 BellaLuna
Posted
I understand completely. I too am a worrier.
I wish you well if or when you increase your diazepam.
😃
tess33005 BellaLuna
Posted
He knows you best and I have come to know you through many posts.
No way are you psychotic, Bella. Trust me. I worked in a psychiatric prison as a nurse for two years and almost all the patients/inmates were psychotic.
YOU are not. But I understand your fears - push through them and listen to those who know, either professionally, or personally (Phil) what psychosis is.
Lots of love, darling. xxxx Tess
Join this discussion or start a new one?
New discussion Reply