25 year-old with very unstable mental condition that happened “all-of-a-sudden”, possible Schizophrenia?

[mjmanus2006]

About 4 years ago my brother was in pretty stable condition aside from the fact that he had some very mild depression. My grandmother decided to foolishly put him on some antidepressants to help him cope. He tried a couple different meds but eventually ended up not really needing anything so he got off the meds. Because of an event in his life, he once again became depressed (or so he thought) and started doing drugs. He started using heroin and became a full-fledged junkie. At times he was so desperate to get high that he would grind up random medications or alcohol and shoot it into his veins when he couldn’t get his hands on any heroin. He went through horrid withdrawals many times and when my grandfather found out he got a prescription for suboxone to help him recover from his addiction. At times of desperate need to get high he would even grind up the suboxone pills and inject them. He eventually stopped Heroin use for good but continued taking the Suboxone. Now here is the weird part….My brother told me that one day about 2 or 3 years ago he was watching TV when all-of-a-sudden it was like something “clicked” in his brain and he felt really weird and saw the world in a completely negative and distorted way..he said it just happened all at one time within a second.

I will list his symptoms since that moment and keep in mind that all these symptoms I am about to list have been getting worse ever since that moment. Here are the symptoms: Irritability, Anxiety, depression, hopelessness, sick to stomach (“oh my god” feeling), major regrets, disorganized thoughts, poor judgment, sensitivity, fatigue, distorted view of the world/philosophy, very irritable sensitivity to sounds, paranoia, less social, hard to talk to, irrationalized thoughts, distraction, blank mind, and very serious considerable suicidal thoughts. In fact I am surprised that he has not committed suicide yet..he even went to the lengths of buying a handgun, which I took and hid from him.

thanks

[realtomatoe]

This does not sound like  schizophrenia. My mother has it. What you are describing is more along the lines of severe depressive disorder, episodes of anxiety with likely some dementia. I am not going to touch on the addictive aspect of his personality. I don't have any experience with that. The doctor who answered above is correct in that time is of the essence. Your brother will get progressively worse.
Note- I am concerned about people "getting" medications for him.  Medications need to be prescribed and monitored by HIS doctor.
Take Care

[mjmanus2006]

Not exactly the answer I was hoping for (but expected) but I understand you are probably a busy man and I appreciate the advice.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

I wouldn't be concerned with the diagnostic label, the point is that your brother is very disturbed and desparately needs professional help...the extreme addiction behavior is a good measure of his personal hell..his desparation that he has no way of understanding...find a psychiatrist who will talk to him and treat him with appropriate medicaitons....time is not on your side, the sooner the better.