Schizotypal Forum

Hi!

So my discovery of the potential that I may have schizotypal began about 3 days ago. My partner has some serious anger management issues and I suspected that she may be suffering from bpd. I went online to find a bpd diagnostic test for her and ran across several different ones. I decided to take one of them just to see what it said. Results: High likelihood for Schizotypal Personality Disorder.

I was diagnosed as having Bipolar type I in 2000. I see my pdoc once every 2 months or so. I am currently on no medication under psychiatric supervision due to pregnancy. On my last visit my Dr. actually brought up the idea of keeping me off my meds because I have done so well in the last year. This terrifies me!

I was brought up by a single mother. She was institutionalized in the state sanitarium (back when they existed) from the age of 14 - 21. Her diagnoses is paranoid schizophrenia.

She had me at the age of 22.

I spent my life going between homeless shelters and foster homes and living with Moms appointed father figures (seemed to be a new one each week).

When I finally came to grips with the fact that I had a "mental illness" I swore to myself I would never be like my mother. I have been adamant about taking my meds, seeing my doctors, etc...yet

I always assumed that it was because I came from such a dysfunctional childhood that I could not form close bonds, maintain friendships, like people, trust government institutions, depend on people to get shit done!!! I am completely self sufficient, not even depending on or having faith in my partner. If you want it done you must do it yourself.

Hmm??? I never suspected these thought processes could be symptoms of an underlying disorder. I thought I just wasn't as gullible as the next person.

With the bipolar diagnoses we can easily explain away the magical thinking as being part of the bp. I do have bipolar disorder, no doubt. Not a missed diagnoses. When I was diagnosed I was wandering the streets naked thinking I had missed the Rapture. I was hospitalized for 3 months. I was floridly manic, one minute I was Jesus the next I was Buddha and I extremely hyper and speaking a million words a minute...Florid!

As for not liking people? I am not sure this can be explained away as bp. Strange dress? Yes I do and I am actively trying to look more normal. I laugh when laughing isn't appropriate. Is that a symptom? I have one person I am close to, my partner. I don't really enjoy my family (drug addicts) and my mom drives me nuts with her constant paranoia and delusions. I don't care to hear it.

And is everyone an idiot? My life motto: Everyone is an idiot till proven otherwise. I did not see this in the diagnostic criteria. I saw the trust issues, etc. But not the "assumes everyone is an idiot" in there.

And now back to getting off meds. I don't want too! As a matter of fact I wish to discuss with doc the fact that I have these issues and I don't want to raise our baby in a dysfunctional home. Problem being that I see a psychiatrist paid for with state funds and so my best interest may not be at heart, ya know? And if the state thinks I am well enough to get off my meds than maybe I should just let them believe that.

I do have private insurance and I can see a different doctor. But this would cause severe financial stress for our family (copays, drugs).

Yikes!

Welcome!

Getting off medication is tough. I tried twice in the past year and it has had lasting affects, so I think it's best to stay on medication unless you are concerned about your physical health.

Ecco.

Tell my doc that! I want to stay on meds. I have an extreme fear of not being on meds and have only been unmedicated because of the pregnancy. At the same time I don't want her to see me as sicker by bringing up the potential for schizotypal disorder because it is a state run facility and if I can stay under the radar of the state...etc. Hence the desire to find a doctor not contracted by the state.

Ecco wrote:Welcome!

BTW, thanks!
I am also actively trying to work on my politeness skills. It wasn't till I was in my late teens that I ever thanked people for gifts or kindness.

Hi creature, welcome to the forums!

Must've been hard being you when you grew up, I am sorry to hear about it. But kudos to you for handling your illness so well. And congrats on the pregnancy

creature wrote:I laugh when laughing isn't appropriate. Is that a symptom?

This is called inapproprite affect and is considered a symptom.

Hi creature,
If you want to stay on meds, then tell the doc that you are worried about postpartum depression.
Women with bipolar disorder have a higher risk of developing depression during the postpartum period.
Here's a decent general source.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_q ... n30992037/

I'm guessing he is worried about breast-feeding with meds and medicating someone who may not require dealing with the side effects.

findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3804/is_200810/ai_n30992037/

in case link doesn't work paste into browser window

What's up with that, hopingforanew - giving a pregnant bipolar woman a link about postpartum depression and BP? It's like painting the devil on the wall.

Sorry, I was trying to help her with the doctor. Also, if problems do develop it might be nice to know they are temporary and that she is not getting worse for no reason.

If I have made anyone angry please forgive me.

I don't mean to scare people, just help and inform them.

Creature please do not be afraid.

Thanks, Hopingforanew, that is excellent advice.

I do plan on breastfeeding at least 6 weeks for the babies immunity. Then I will resume meds.