A few weeks ago I asked the question: "Mania or Something Else?"... Well, I got an answer to my question, plus some!
I visited my doctor a couple of weeks ago and he confirmed I was experiencing "hypo-mania," which is what fellow blogger assumed I was experiencing. To my understanding hypo-mania is similar to mania however not as extreme where incidents lead to harsh consequences like arrests.
When I was in this state of mind I was obsessed with working on my laptop, I blogged more frequently than usual, and I felt like I was on an upward swing, which was a little unusual, this lasted for about a week and then quickly spiraled down into irritability. After sharing how I was feeling with my doctor we tweaked my medication...
I am glad I have a better understanding of myself, now I know how to identify my hypo-mania moments!
However, my discussion with my doctor lead to another indept discussion- I shared previous moments of hypo-mania which as a result made him believe I may be living with schizoaffective disorder, which is bipolar disorder and schizophrenia combined. The incident that put me into jail a few years ago may have been the result of my experience with mania.
To catch you up on why I went to jail- I took a sitting pickup truck with the keys in it from the airport because I believed it was a blessing from God and my escape to get back home across the country, which I thought was my emotional refuge. I was not thinking rationally at the time because I heard a lot of criticizing voices and had strange beliefs like I was Jesus Christ, everyone was demon-possessed, and I had an outer body experience in that I felt something or another spirit was controlling my body and driving the truck. I later discovered that the pickup truck was a military truck and I was facing serious charges including a felony.
Fortunately, I was diagnosed with schizophrenia, which woke me up to the fact that these symptoms were not going away, after receiving treatment and learning more about my diagnosis.
Now, a few years later I am wondering whether I have an accurate diagnosis... I do not think my doctor changed my diagnosis however it is something to think about.
For individuals living with a mental illness, do you believe you have an accurate diagnosis, why or why not?
To learn more about schizophrenia visit Embracing My Mind, Inc., NAMI, Choices in Recovery, or Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia (Canada).
I visited my doctor a couple of weeks ago and he confirmed I was experiencing "hypo-mania," which is what fellow blogger assumed I was experiencing. To my understanding hypo-mania is similar to mania however not as extreme where incidents lead to harsh consequences like arrests.
When I was in this state of mind I was obsessed with working on my laptop, I blogged more frequently than usual, and I felt like I was on an upward swing, which was a little unusual, this lasted for about a week and then quickly spiraled down into irritability. After sharing how I was feeling with my doctor we tweaked my medication...
I am glad I have a better understanding of myself, now I know how to identify my hypo-mania moments!
However, my discussion with my doctor lead to another indept discussion- I shared previous moments of hypo-mania which as a result made him believe I may be living with schizoaffective disorder, which is bipolar disorder and schizophrenia combined. The incident that put me into jail a few years ago may have been the result of my experience with mania.
To catch you up on why I went to jail- I took a sitting pickup truck with the keys in it from the airport because I believed it was a blessing from God and my escape to get back home across the country, which I thought was my emotional refuge. I was not thinking rationally at the time because I heard a lot of criticizing voices and had strange beliefs like I was Jesus Christ, everyone was demon-possessed, and I had an outer body experience in that I felt something or another spirit was controlling my body and driving the truck. I later discovered that the pickup truck was a military truck and I was facing serious charges including a felony.
Fortunately, I was diagnosed with schizophrenia, which woke me up to the fact that these symptoms were not going away, after receiving treatment and learning more about my diagnosis.
Now, a few years later I am wondering whether I have an accurate diagnosis... I do not think my doctor changed my diagnosis however it is something to think about.
For individuals living with a mental illness, do you believe you have an accurate diagnosis, why or why not?
To learn more about schizophrenia visit Embracing My Mind, Inc., NAMI, Choices in Recovery, or Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia (Canada).
Comments
Thank you for reading my blog, I am glad you can relate to me and find understanding in your own diagnosis.
About the spiritual world and schizophrenia- I've thought about this on many occasions. First, my faith enables me to believe in a higher power and the existence of a spiritual world that lives among us. I do believe that some individuals can tap into the spiritual world, meaning communicate with spirits and get messages from God.
However, I do not think my experience was on a spiritual level tapping into that world because of the confusion and chaos it led to.
But I can say, my experience was a miracle in the end because I learned what I was dealing with- my illness and symptoms- and discovered how to cope and to share my story with others so they will have a better understanding of illnesses like mine.
Moreover, I was not charged with a felony, I received a misdemeanor instead. And today, I am able to maintain and to grow in my recovery, which is a blessing from God.
I hope I answered your questions, if not please clarify and I will respond.
Thank you, Josh.
Ashley Smith
I hope that you are getting enough support, and learning and practicing great coping skills, to compensate for the lack of therapy you need and desire to help cope with your illness. I appreciate your willingness to share your frustration and reality about the challenges of living with mental illness.
Thank you, Krystal Lynn!
Ashley Smith
I believe I am correctly diagnosed with Schizoaffective Disorder. I had periods of hypomania, and full blown mania, as well, and I also took a sitting car with keys in it once because I thought I was Jesus and I thought the car was meant for me as it was a Chrysler (as in, named for Christ), and I was very lucky not to get arrested for that. I can relate well to your story, and it would not surprise me at all if you have Schizoaffective Disorder. It's important to know this because there are mood stabilizers and antidepressant medications that can be useful in Schizoaffective Disorder which aren't always prescribed for Schizophrenia. Schizoaffective Disorder isn't a less serious disease than Schizophrenia either. Some people seem to think it is but they are wrong. It is really a form of Schizophrenia, mixed with the additional problem of bipolar disorder, so it is a complicated illness. But it is not impossible to deal with if you are getting the appropriate treatment. I think you are a great advocate for yourself, and you stay educated on your illness, so I'm sure you will do well.
Thank you for very much for the support and information! My doctor has considered putting me on a mood stabilizer and we are working together to find out what works best.
Ashley Smith
It took me years to get the right diagnosis and treatment, partly because I didn't understand that I was ill and partly because I was never taken seriously by doctors and psychiatrists. I started having symptoms in 2006 and was finally diagnosed in 2011. I have psychosis and anxiety, but officially am only diagnosed with psychosis. Whether this will change in the future I don't know.
I think the eating disorder diagnosis are correct but I'm not sure about the depression
I'm on a lot of meds and I really don't think I need to be on them all
It seems in this country doctors provide a pill for every ill
I like your blog
It's honest and real
Best of luck for the future x
I think the public hold stigmas and misconceptions because of a lack of understanding of the condition, because of what the media portrays and perhaps fear. Also because people wouldn't really have the chance to interact with individuals who have been diagnosed. I personally have never. What we learn from books can't be compared to interacting with an individual who has the illness, and movie portrayals really don't help a positive understanding.
I particularly loved a sentence from your post 'A New Culture of Recovery'. It says that you are not your illness, and that you are Ashley living with an illness called schizophrenia. That is so empowering; your entire outlook on life is inspiring and worthy of admiration.
You go girl! Looking forward to your new posts, take care and don't forget to chase your dreams :)
Bob Barker- Thank you for the encouragement, you said 'remember you are more capable than you think!'
Anonymous- My family has a history of diabetes too, it is interesting how your physical health can effect your mental health.
Ruby-Tuesday- Thank you for your interest in my blog! I hope you discover what treatment is needed and what best works best for you.
Ang- I hope your relative gets the treatment he needs in a speedy manner... Recovery requires more than medicine it is a new lifestyle of be aware of self and mental health.
Miss Gladys- I am so proud of you for getting "bolder" in your recovery by disclosing to others, however, remember you have full control over who needs to know about your diagnosis. I share my story online because I want to give back to the mental health community and to inspire people to be aware of mental illness and to know that there is life after diagnosis.
Victoria- You most definitely have my support in attaching my blog and story to your project!
Anonymous- Thank you very much for the encouragement!
Jennifer- Please email me again. I have a new email attached to this blog.
AladdininJapan- I hope you stay encouraged too. Thank you!
To all- Thank you for your feedback, I really appreciate! Please continue to read this blog for more info about my experiences with mental health related situations and more. Thank you!!
Warm regards,
Ashley Smith