Does anyone have Psychotic features

[Solomon's Portico]

Hello everyone im new to the forum and my diagnoses is Bipolar with Psychotic features. I don't get Manic in the classic sense but get highly anxious with lots of panic. my depression is pretty classic how it presents itself. The problem i struggle the most with is delusions. I usually have these fantastic ideas on things like jobs. ive started many business in my life time that have failed because I think i can do more than i actually can. there others like books have feelings. theses are just examples. my question is how can you tell if your idea is good one or if its a delusion? Often i have to ask someone who is"normal" to get direction. does any body else have this problem and how do you solve it
thanks

 

[mandyangel]

My ex-boyfriend was bi-polar and skitzophrenic. He was fine until he stopped taking his medication, then everything went down hill and it was very bad. Being his care taker for a long time, I could see how much the medication helped him.

Prayers on the way. Don't worry, the stuff in your head isn't as crazy as you think. love, mandy

 

[Solomon's Portico]

Thanks for the prayers Mandy. Im on meds too, they are a blessing but using the scriptures to keep yourself straight help a great deal. Amen

 

[Darling Deedee]

I don't have delusions as you describe them but I hallucinate when I'm not medicated. I suppose if we left me unmedicated for very long I'd start believing what I see. Its hard.

Sorry I don't have more to offer you... just wanted to let you know that you're being thought of right now.

 

[Solomon's Portico]

Thank you Darling Deedee for your thoughts. I hallucinate also if im not on my meds i can understand what you mean. Being mentally ill is very challenging. I see your mood is crappy. Ill pray for you for better mood. God bless

 

[dabro]

Yes I have shcizoaffective disorder and when it really began was in 05. I had a psychosis. Then I thought God chose me for a great plan. I thought I was the next Billy Graham. I was high for like two yr's trying to prepare myself but I was always feeling like I was coming up short. I have voices and OCD is what I deal with today. It was so heart breaking to find out that I had a disorder other then God choosing me but I didn't let that get in the way of my relationship with God.

 

[Solomon's Portico]

Hi Dabro,

That must have been very difficult for you. I'm glad that your relationship with the Lord is still good. Do you feel up to witnessing or do you feel it to difficult now?

 

[dabro]

I witness here and there but, nothing like I was when I first believed I would be the next super star of teaching. My fervent desire was crushed under the pressure of sin. Whether ppl would find out litl secrects about me or I would just plain give up. I was in class getting my GED when I came across a book about mental disorders. I started to read it and everything I went thru in 05 was described in this book. It was crushing to see that all my effort all the desires I had for the Lord where all in vain, or where they? Was it all for a greater purpose to humble me. I think so! Now I just go on about my days pondering if I'll ever gather that much strength again and seek the Lord with all of my heart.

 

[Solomon's Portico]

I will keep you in my prayers dabro. Do you still work or are you disabled, i hope i'm not being to forward? Im disabled because of my mental ilness for 4 years now. I must say what helps me is studying the word and reading books about the scriptures. I serve in my church as a evangelist. Hang in there brother. I know the meds have helped me with hearing things. Do you take meds? If you don't it's something to think about.
Well God bless I'll talk to you later

 

[dabro]

Yes I'm on medicare and no, you fine! It's okay to talk about this. Ummm, Yes I take meds and I want to work but I'm afraid I will lose my disibilty. Other then that life is peachy. I still love the Lord with all of my heart, I just guess He's moving me into a new and challenging direction. I will also keep you in my prayers.

 

[Solomon's Portico]

Yes God is Faithful and will move you in new and exciting areas. The Lord moved me into concentrating on evangelism. I go out on the streets and pass out gospel tracts and share the faith with those who will listen. I hope to start doing some open air preaching starting this spring. In 2 about 2 weeks i'll be at a college witnessing the Lord has really blessed me

 

[SinkingShip]

I have psychotic features (both halucinations and delusions) during my depressive episodes. If I'm unsure about whether I'm dealing with reality or if its tainted by a Delusion, I try to mentally challenge the delusional beliefs. Most of my delusions are persecutory in nature (ie God wants to torment me or wants me to kill myself) so with those I take a step back and think "does this make any sense? would it make any sense if I had to explain it to my wife or a friend?". Then I challenge the nature of the delusion its self, ie "ok, I know I'm having a delusional episode, so now use what I know is real (about God and Others) and sort out the facts". That usually helps me identify that I'm being delusional and then I contact my Doctor. Medication can help a great deal (I was put on Seroquel to help fight the delusions/halucinations), your doctor may perscribe based on the symptoms you report.

I hope it helps to know that you're not alone in dealing with these issues. Delusions can be very hard to deal with because they permeate your thinking and perception of the world, but the more you challenge them, the easier it is to find your way through them and see the reality of the situation.

 

[Solomon's Portico]

Thank you for sharing SinkingShip it means a lot. My delusions are that of grandeur so im very cautious to set goals for myself my history is a lot of crash and burn goals that don't work. I have meds that work real well I just have to, as you say, challenge the delusion.