Fear of psychosis/schizophrenia

[Jh186]

Hi all, I am new to this site. I have suffered from anxiety and depression since I was 17 years old (now 23). I have an older sister who has schizophrenia. Lately, I have become paranoid about developing it. My sister was this age when she developed it. I will frequently do things like check my ears to make sure I am not hearing voices. I have even thought i heard my name being called when my anxiety was sky high, which only fed into my fears. I go so far as to ask ridiculous  questions to myself that i know a psychotic person would say yes to but that I dont to assuage my fears (e.g. Do I believe the government is sending signals to my brain?). Please help. Has anyone with anxiety ever had these kinds of fears? Any help would be much appreciated.

[RubyWitch]

Scientists have long known that schizophrenia sometimes runs in families. The illness occurs in less than 1 percent of the general population, but it occurs in 10 percent of people who have a first-degree relative with the disorder, such as a parent, brother, or sister.

I can understand your fear, especially if you already deal with an anxiety disorder.........which is VASTLY different than schizophrenia.

When patients have active schizophrenia symptoms, they truly believe in their delusions and hallucinations, and will deny that they are sick. Untreated patients often lack insight into their illness. ... .

The fact that you question your "state of mind" is an excellent indication that you do NOT suffer from schizophrenia. Your sister DOES hear voices and doesn't question that. YOU, on the other hand, will stop what you're doing and check to make sure you're NOT hearing voices. Same thing with asking yourself what you've termed "ridiculous" questions.........like "is the government sending signals to my brain?" Your sister does NOT ask herself this question, she simply believes the government IS sending signals. A long time ago a well know psychiatrist said that if you ask yourself "Am I going crazy,?" you can be SURE you're not. A crazy person does not know they are crazy.

I think you would benefit tremendously by seeing a psychiatrist and discussing these issues with them. I'm guessing that after living with a close relative who suffers with schizophrenia that it's really normal to fear it happening to you. I'm sure at the end of your first session, you will receive the reassurance you need and it will be from a person extremely well trained to diagnose the symptoms of this disorder far, far better than I am. I am NOT a doctor and am certainly not a psychiatrist, but I'm going to say that the mere fact you've written to us about your fears is proof positive you do not suffer from this horrible disorder.

Any of us who have dealt with anxiety or panic disorders has no doubt asked ourselves if we are going crazy. I know I sure as hell did. But 30 years later I'm still sane. Well, I'm as sane as I want to be in this world we live in.

Please consider talking to someone. Your fear is only robbing you of your peace of mind. And you deserve to have that.

I wish you the best.
RubyWitch