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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Is this schizophrenia?
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
Is this schizophrenia?
by matt777, Jun 18, 2002 12:00AM
Hi, I recently watched a TV programme about schizophrenia, and the traits I observed resembled something I suffered occasionally at about the age of 10 years old. I'm am now in my late twenties and a happy and positive person.
To describe what I suffered started at night time as I remember. I was never scared of the dark or going to sleep, but I would awake in the night in a panic state. Then whilst fully concious I would be absolutely terrified for no real reason. I would have to get out of bed and pace around the house or do something to take my mind off whatever it was doing. It was very frightening for me. I would have to try very hard at its peek to try to keep calm. It would last about an hour and eventually die off, and then I would go to sleep, and be fine the next day.
I remember hallucinating by seeing a shadow, and I thought it was after me, so I literally crept around quietly so as not to disturb it, terrified of it, but in hindsight it was just something going on in my head I had no control over.
I also remember my mind going silly thinking of the biggest number I could think of. There were other daft concepts but it was just so frightening as I couldn't control it.
I must of endured this horrible experience five to ten times over about 2 years. I had a good upbringing, and I dont think my parents ever knew what to make of it except to realise I was obviously distressed and try to comfort me.
I have wandered what had happened to me, and have never been offered an explanation.
Was this schizophrenia I suffered? Does it mean I'm susceptible to it? Could I develop it again?
Matt
To describe what I suffered started at night time as I remember. I was never scared of the dark or going to sleep, but I would awake in the night in a panic state. Then whilst fully concious I would be absolutely terrified for no real reason. I would have to get out of bed and pace around the house or do something to take my mind off whatever it was doing. It was very frightening for me. I would have to try very hard at its peek to try to keep calm. It would last about an hour and eventually die off, and then I would go to sleep, and be fine the next day.
I remember hallucinating by seeing a shadow, and I thought it was after me, so I literally crept around quietly so as not to disturb it, terrified of it, but in hindsight it was just something going on in my head I had no control over.
I also remember my mind going silly thinking of the biggest number I could think of. There were other daft concepts but it was just so frightening as I couldn't control it.
I must of endured this horrible experience five to ten times over about 2 years. I had a good upbringing, and I dont think my parents ever knew what to make of it except to realise I was obviously distressed and try to comfort me.
I have wandered what had happened to me, and have never been offered an explanation.
Was this schizophrenia I suffered? Does it mean I'm susceptible to it? Could I develop it again?
Matt
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Jun 20, 2002 12:00AM
, Jun 20, 2002 12:00AM
This is definetly not schizophrenia. It is a very common childhood fear response that was part of your development, and not an indication of disease. Just have a good life...this is nothing to worry about.
Member Comments (1)
by Keegan, Aug 02, 2002 12:00AM
go see A Beautiful Mind. He had schizophrenia.
