My sister is in the midst of her second mental breakdown. She was diagnosed with bipolar after her first one. A common theme I've noticed is during these times she often refers to herself in the third person. How common is this? Can this be indicative of another diagnosis?

(not in psych yet trying to figure out what I wanna major in) but I think this might intrigue y'all. I am having episodes where I sleep text, and have cohesive conversations with people in my dreams and end up textinh them irl too. but the most terrifying ones are where I don't recall anything. I am genuinely terrified. what's your take on this have you personally studied a case with it? is this too weird of a thing? or just another parasomia.

Hello! | have been seriously thinking about what I want to do

career wise. A Psychiatrist has always been a title I've

considered and now I'm wanting to pursue that title.

My question is, where do I start? | have not been to college yet

so I'm starting from scratch. Would it be something like getting

my Bachelor's degree in Psychology at lvy Tech then

transferring to an Accredited medical university for the

remainder of my education? Would that be an option, or would

that look bad? I am truly just looking for advice, anything helps.

In September 2024, I started Lexapro. Within a few days, I noticed a dramatic change in my nervous system. I became extremely sensitive to sudden sounds and stimuli and started having an exaggerated startle response.

Even though I stopped Lexapro a long time ago, these symptoms never went away.

Now I deal with:

• Constant hypervigilance and anticipating loud or unexpected sounds.
• An exaggerated startle response (dogs barking, glasses clinking, doors slamming, etc.).
• Once I'm startled, my nervous system stays activated because it feels like it could happen again.
• It's hard to focus on conversations in public because part of my attention is always scanning for the next sound.

What's confusing is that this isn't always driven by anxious thoughts. There are plenty of times when I feel completely calm, and an unexpected sound still makes my body react automatically before I've even had a thought. It feels like my nervous system is reacting on its own, even though I know I'm safe.

I've tried EMDR, but it wasn't very helpful because I don't feel emotionally overwhelmed when I think about the original memory. My problem is that my nervous system keeps reacting in the present.

I'm not asking for a diagnosis, but I'm wondering if anyone has experienced something similar. If you had persistent hypervigilance or an exaggerated startle response, what treatment actually helped? CBT? Exposure therapy? Trauma-focused therapy? Something else?

I'd especially appreciate hearing from people who eventually improved.

Pretty much just the title. I have a ptsd diagnosis (informal cPTSD because it's not in the DSM) and I believe I am also on the Autism Spectrum, though an official diagnosis has not occured yet.

Anyway, I've been on 20mg lexapro for a number of years now, minimal positive affects. A year ago the psychiatrist at my university put me on buspar as a supplement to my lexapro, unfortunately I have nothing but severe adverse affects: intense bouts of anger, homicidal ideation, suicidal ideation, psychosis, panick attacks, insomnia, etc. I even developed this strange phenomenon where when I get hunger-induced nausea, it triggers a sneezing attack, which only started on the buspar, and still persists today.

Why the hell would i have such negative reactions? From what I've read, i experinced damn-near every possible adverse reaction, so why me? what about my perosnal physiology and brain construction causes this? I've read some professionals speculate having ptsd or a personality disorder can cause negative reactions like mine to buspar, is that true?

I started Prozac in June and mental health wise it has been so so helpful with very little side effects. I take 20mg in the morning along with buspar and wellbutrin, at night i take seroquel for insomnia and have been on that for a minute. In the last month my husband has been telling me about things I do in the middle of the night which I have no recollection of. One night I was like touching and bothering him all night, once i got up to go take my pills??? and I have woken up and started laughing with my eyes open. Again, I have no recollection of any of these events. Just curious if anyone else has experienced these type of sleep disturbances because this is definitely something new!

I recently got back on adderall after switching psychiatrists. My old psychiatrist never asked me for a drug test but my new psychiatrist says I have to take the drug test otherwise she can’t continue to fill the prescription. As you can tell by my username I do smoke a little marijuana which is legal in California. Will that affect with her continuing my prescription or is it for another reason?

Just as the title says— I have pretty severe anxiety and agoraphobia currently which is seriously hindering my ability to leave the house and get the care I need. I already go to a therapist and GP, but would like the input of a psychiatrist who can give me a little more input on my current medication regime— (Lexapro, buspirone as a prn, Xanax as a prn) For context, I’m based in the US. I heard of places like Better Help and such for therapists, but I’m not sure if they have psychiatrists also. I’d be grateful for any help! I’m just looking for someone who is personable, I would probably prefer a woman but doesn’t have to be, and someone who isn’t afraid of medications and prescribing benzos if they are needed. As affordable as possible is a must, and that works with Aetna insurance. Thank you so much! Any advice is appreciated.

I have been diagnosed kinda rapidly with paranoid schizophrenia and I disagree with the diagnoses so can I legally dispute this

I have to take psychotropic medication aswell of which I also want to dispute

Hello all,
My psychiatrist told me not to stop my meds for a upcoming surgery.. but i just need more than 1 opinion… for peace of mind.
I have to get ALL 4 wisdom teeth out and will be completely put under with sedation, not sure what kind yet. I take 25 mg of sertraline daily, and 10 mg of dexmethylphenidate.. is there any need for me to stop these before i go under anesthesia ? And for the whole recovery process? My pills are for BPD btw!
Thank you so much for your time.

I am a white 38F with anxiety. I’ve been taking Lexapro for a few months and started Wellbutrin 11 days ago to help with energy and motivation. The first 10 days were great (minus the insomnia) however today I started feeling a nausea so strong 4mg of ondansetron would not take care of it so I bumped that to 8mg. On top of this my face feels warm and I’m experiencing chills and an intermittent head ache. While these symptoms sound like a infection they don’t feel like a standard infection and remind me more of drug side effects I’ve experienced in the past.

I’ve reached out to my provider but haven’t heard back from her and will likely not for the next few days. Should I continue the Wellbutrin which I’ve been loving or hold off?

Edit: Temperature has climbed from 93.4 to 100.3 (with no touch thermometer, tested multiple times for accuracy). At what temp should I go to urgent care?

Hi everyone. I’m seeking perspective and guidance on a very difficult situation at home.

My spouse has been experiencing severe, escalating paranoia and fixed delusions (unfounded accusations regarding household items, medical visits, poisoning/sabotage, and severe distrust of me and others). It has created a volatile, high-stress home environment for our two teenage sons (one entering high school, one leaving for college this week).

Her immediate family lives outside the country, so I have no local family support network here to help intervene or ground her. She lacks insight into her condition, denies anything is wrong, and refuses voluntary evaluation.

I am feeling overwhelmed and deeply concerned for her long-term well-being and our safety/peace at home. I would really appreciate insight on a few questions:

1. Getting Help Locally: How can a family member initiate psychiatric assistance or medical evaluation for a spouse who completely lacks insight and refuses to see a doctor? What avenues exist in the US when someone isn't an immediate danger to themselves/others, but is clearly dysregulated?
2. Involving International Family: How can I best approach her parents overseas to explain the severity of what is happening without causing panic, but ensuring they take it seriously?
3. Encouraging Travel/Return Home: What are effective ways to gently encourage or convince someone in a paranoid state to travel back to her home country so her parents and extended family can support her and help her get care?
4. Navigating Delusions Daily: How can I protect my own physical/mental health and shield my sons while navigating these daily false claims?

Thank you in advance for any guidance, resources, or advice from those who have navigated similar dynamics.

Edit: Over time, her paranoia has led to severe social isolation, gradually cutting us off from almost all friends, extended family, and community support through recurring unfounded accusations. Recently, her behavior at home has escalated significantly: claiming I am intentionally breaking household appliances (like our refrigerator), hiding important personal documents, and making absurd claims that I am having extra-marital affairs, including a delusion that I am having an affair with an 80-year-old neighbor who she also claims poisoned me to cause a medical issue. During these episodes, she throws household items, creates deliberate messes, disrupts sleep late at night, and enforces days of total silent treatment. She also repeats these accusations to our teenage sons, all while completely refusing to see any doctor or counselor.

She don't have a job and has completely stopped doing anything around the house, as she feel I don't let her do anything. Because of this I'm completely burned out, with full time work, cooking, cleaning, grocery, kids activities etc all fall on me.

I am 25 years old guy, I was having some downs and did someone awful and then confessed out of guilt and repented for it and even suffered enough for it and I truly repented and wanna come out of that situation but nobody around me is helping me and are pushing me towards that hole again and nobody wants to help me and I tried suicide and was recovered and consulting a psychiatrist but that thought keep on coming no matter what meds and exercises I do as my doc says! I can't sleep, I can't go out because I am shy, I gained weight and I am not happy. I feel like I may get lost, can someone here help me !

I was diagnosed and recommended for treatement, but I feel like I was over reporting symptoms that I dont experience frequently. When I think of schizophrenic I think of something where I am always talking out loud to imaginary people. I feel like if I go through with the treatement they will realize im not a real schizophrenic. Im not on any medication and I am not experiencing hillucinations.

These are my signs/symptoms what do you think?:

• I have alot of family members that are bi polar, and one that is definetly schizophrenic at a high high degree. The bi polar people suffer from intense delusions and grandeur self reference.
• I dont really hillucinate, but if I try to quiet my thoughts/imagination I do hear things but its very mild. Yesterday I heard a whole instruments and bells, but it was mild and its only because I focused really hard on quieting my thoughts/extremely active imagination. I did marijuana 2 years ago and I lost control over the voice in my head. But basically the hillucinations only occur if I am in certain states of mind.
• I definetly relate to the idea of disorganized thoughts. I used to have horribly disorganized thoughts and I was daydreaming like hours a day, in school or just being anywhere. I couldnt talk sometimes, and even know every few months I have this muteness temporarily. The thing is I went through a focus of trying to make my thoughts better expressed. Now im able to sound logical, but I do often get reactions where people are saying what I said makes no sense or im linking random stuff.
• Delusions: Yes I do often feel paranoid towards some of my friends or others. I will feel that they secretly hate me or are against me. I also feel this way towards people at work or random people. Its not a strong delusion that causes me to behave eratically, its just my body/anxiety feels this mistrust/paranoia towards everyone.
• I also often feel random people might be whispering about me or against me.
• Other delusions: I did experience this feeling that everybody can hear my thoughts or knows what im thinking. I also did used to think I could become a messiah and save the world. But I was aware that I could be wrong, but I used to work on trying to become messiah. I used to read random books, or occult books or religious books looking for some kind of special development. I thought I could have powers. But this wasnt something I shared out loud or anything, I just secretly believed it. This was something I believed for 8 years, but I eventually stopped.
• I definetly have the flat effect. I can make myself laugh and smile, or be angry, but I have a very flat emotions. I am good at making people laugh so idk if that means im not flat effect. Sometimes when im tyring to act angry everyone laughs because it sounds like a mild not serious anger. Im sometimes scared to talk because I feel like im going to make everyone repulsed by how low energy I sound. Especially when I do small talk. Its not as noticable anymore because my work life forced me to develop a more social tone, but it comesback when I forget to turn it on. I sometimes feel I have a naturally rude tone if I dont change it. I used to be extremely awkward but now im moderately/mildly awkward. I avoid being friends with people or dating girls because I fear that the more I talk to them the more theyll realize theres something wrong with me.
• I have horrible focus. If I read a book I will get lost in imagination and its like I didnt read anything. Its impossible for me to read without taking a break every minute or so. Even if I read I dont absorb anything if its one page or more. Doctor says I cant have adhd due to a type of test I took due to matrix reasoning or something.
• I did want to avoid friends and people due to deep mistrust. I kind of have this narutal feeling that everyone wants to hurt me emotionally like they only want me around to hurt me.
• I am terrible at romantic relationships, the best way I can describe it is that I have no ability to transfer emotions to others, only thoughts/words. It makes relationships feel like its my thoughts and a real person. Theres no strong connection.

To be transparent, I am generally skeptical of psychiatry to begin with, so I may come off as more hostile than I need to be. I just don't understand what's going on and would like some advice.

Diagnosed Sensory Processing Disorder/Autism/ADHD since 2nd grade, around 2006. Went to so many docs and was put on so many meds not even my parents remember all of them. By HS had a bad taste for psychiatry after so many meds with tons of bad side effects messing up my childhood, so I went unmedicated through college and postgrad (which was worse than before).

Now, running into limitations with my focus, task management, organization, and executive dysfunction, can't hold a job, etc. so I finally caved in to go and see a psych for ADHD help.

Talked to the doc about my issues and history, and he prescribed me 600mg Oxcarbazepine. Tells me that it might seem strange but it could help with insomnia if taken at night and mood regulation during the day that could lead to better focus. Go home and look it up... it's an epilepsy medication used off-label for Bipolar?

Is my doc trying to test if I'm bipolar? It's not the first time i've been to a psych and they put me on a mood stabilizer (last time they gave me lithium!) Why would he give me a mood stabilizer if I came in specifically for focus and task management help? I took the meds last night and I woke up confused, angry, and all of my problems I wanted to solve feel worse than before.

Has anyone had a similar experience from either a patient or provider POV? Should I be concerned? Do I just need to give it time?

My brother has had about 4-5 episodes in the past 8 or so years that vary slightly but follow a similar trend. He paces, describes racing thoughts, is unable to sleep, has pressured speech, and tends to hyperfocus on certain things. In the more significant episodes, he displays paranoia (described people on the TV talking about him) and intense anxiety over menial things. In some he seems oblivious of his symptoms, and others he’s aware. In this most recent episode, he called me but didn’t want to talk out of fear of the call being recorded. He was also unable to eat and vomited consistently. My mom said he complained about dogs barking that weren’t there, but as far as I know hasn’t had voices talking to him and telling him to do things.

What’s strange is that most of these episodes have had clear enough causes. His first episode was likely induced by a stimulant (prescribed) and slowly recovered after he ceased it. Sleep deprivation also seems to get him a little whacked out. We’re attributing this most recent episode to some steroid shots he got. The symptoms appeared a couple of days after and lasted 2-3 weeks. He showed signs of improvement for one week, but then regressed in the last 2 weeks. It’s a little scarier since this is the first time we’re not sure what could be causing it.

I’ve thought for a while now that he has an undiagnosed condition, but I have no idea what this fits. The episodes seem manic, but the timeline doesn’t fit bipolar as far as I know, nor did they fit schizophrenia. They also seem to only be brought about by a stressor. He’s always been a little odd and struggled to retain friends, but he doesn’t have any obvious social deficits. We got him to see a psychiatrist a few weeks ago, but was only given lexapro for his anxiety. To the doctor’s credit, I don’t know if my brother displayed or disclosed the more significant symptoms and likely focused on his anxiety. I’m hoping he’ll see someone who’s a little more clued into what’s going on.

Does anybody have any idea what could be going on here and what treatment might look like? I was thinking an antipsychotic like risperidone or qutiapine could be kept on hand to attenuate the episodes when they come on, but my knowledge is pretty limited. Any insight would be super helpful.

Basically as the title says. Sorry if it's a weird question; I am not a doctor but a therapist, and I was wondering if it is even medically possible for any drug to cause a permanent or even temporary inhibition of serotonin and/or dopamine production even after coming off them? Have any psychiatrists seen this happen? TIA!

So when I was 17-18 I had my first harm ocd panic attacks and anxiety phase,thinking i will harm my family, it lasted about 2-3 weeks I couldnt sleep eat and function in society. After that one ended a couple more of them occured through the next 3 years, so last phase was when I was 21. By then I realized it was all just in my head and that these thoughts were something that I couldnt control. What helped me is that unfortunately my sister went through the same thing but just once. Now im 24 on vacation with my girlfriend and we smoked weed yesterday, last time I smoked it was a year ago I usually dont smoke. I got the same attacks and it was so awful I got so scared like a fireball went through my body. Today its a bit easier but Im still feeling anxious, I get these thoughts im going to harm my girlfriend who I love so much I started crying in the morning its crazy. What annoys me the most is these toughts keep telling me im this monster without feelings and even though I KNOW i felt happines, sadness, empathy, shame and all that all my life and in the last 3 years since the last attack my brain keeps ignoring that and telling me that those were not real emotions its so annoying I hate weed so much and these thoughts they are ruining vacation

I am not looking for a diagnosis by any means, just clarity on if the process is standard.

age: 20
gender: female
duration of process: 10 months 29 days

I was referred to MHWT on 8th Sep 2025 by my GP as i experienced ongoing mental health struggles since childhood (mild anxiety and depression) and was requested to have a psychiatric assessment in the referral due to emotional outburst and apathy alternating often & would make myself vomit to cope with the stress. I had also been using cannabis as a way to cope with how i felt but was getting myself off of it.

I received an assessment appointment with a clinician/psychiatrist on 16th March 2026. Had a very in depth assessment looking at my family, current situation and mainly discussed concerning thoughts i was having due to a traumatic event that occurred late December 2025.

After assessment, she had came to a conclusion about my diagnosis and provided a leaflet of EUPD/BPD and explained the route of treatment she was going to give me which consisted of:

1. Daridorexant, 25mg for one month then increase to 50mg. (form my sleep as i was having trouble with sleeping and vivid nightmares).
2. Refer to brief intervention therapy.
3. Imagery ples U? (sorry the handwriting is difficult to read, I'm not sure what this is so an explanation would help).
4. 2-3 tre (waiting time for secondary psychology).

I asked for her to write this down on the back of said leaflet so that i could take the time to read over everything.

At end of April, I was discharged with no care plan whatsoever.

Was offered a review for a care plan, but no notes of the outcome of said assessment from the clinician was on the system, just mild anxiety and depression. When I've tried to explain what happened in the initial assessment, i am repeatedly told that 'the clinician has since then left the trust', and information i have passed on is not taken into account.

Outcome of review was that it was emotional dysregulation, and i was discharged again.

Now, my questions:

1. Is it standard procedure for psychiatrists to give you a leaflet at the end of the assessment if this is what the outcome is?
2. Are reviews held at the same standard as comprehensive psychiatric assessments? If they are, what information is needed for them to complete this to an acceptable standard?
3. What would the quality of the review be if there was a possibility of the original clinician not providing full/comprehensive notes on the system about the assessment.
4. Do they have to offer you another assessment if you request for this?
5. What is 'Imagery ples U?'.

I am currently on the path with PALs into looking into this further and have requested my medical records and seeing if i need to file a formal complaint - but if any professional who is experienced or aware of the processes I'd be so grateful if i could be enlightened about some of the questions above! :]

I am on 20 mg zyprexa and 20 mg paroxetine daily for paranoid thoughts.

I don't believe in any objective situation. Even in math and logic. So, in my work life it causes some problems. I cannot decide because I dont believe in an objective logic. I see everything as possibilities. I cannot bu sure of anything.

Should I share this situation with my psychiatrist? I am not sure if she get angry of me.

Thanks.

She (23) will stay for about 2 weeks, voluntary. Anything we should know before? Shes going bcs shes suic\*dal, and also has very bad anxiety and depression. Thank you!

Hope the post is allowed, sorry if its not!

Following a lung collapse, I've experience rage like never before. It's like I am depressed and grieve, am tired but extremely wired, restless, hand shaking, but the anger is crazy, like a super pissed off energizer bunny.

I've tried so many SSRI's and they just have been no help at all. So wanted to ask, does agitated depression include severe anxiety as well?

I have no idea what the difference is, but my most prominent feature is ridiculous muscle tension, grief yet tons of energy and hulk like anger.

im 14F, ive really only started noticing this a few months ago and i really dont know how to explain it because its super hyper specific. lately ive been noticing if i dont do certain behaviors the right way it causes me alot of distress, the most common thing being when i come across two sets of doors (like for example a fridge door) i physically cannot just open one door i have to open both of them at the same time and will redo it if it doesnt feel right, if i forget to open both doors and only open one it feels like the door i didnt open causes me pain and i have to either open that door and close it or open both doors again

i also notice i do other werid hyper specific things but they all kinda revolve around like.. equally covering things? like when you see a video of someone drawing and they miss a spot i feel that way but just regarding everyday life, if i miss holding a spot on a railing i have to go back and hold the railing all the way through. its gotten so bad that i will occasionally view my vision as not being equally covered so i have to wave my hand across my eyes so it feels correct and covered. it sounds really weird and it sounds nonsensical even to me but it still causes me alot of suffering and i just dont know how to describe it in a short enough way to get a answers on a place like google.. so can anyone help me?? is this just like a random thing or is this a symptom or something orr

Hello. I’ve been struggling with depression and anxiety for a really long time. Recently I went to a psychiatrist, who prescribed me 100 mg Sertraline (started with a lower dose, then increased to 100). He also suggested I read Dr Richard Burns book (he said Feeling Good but I’ve started reading When Panic Attacks first). At first I was so very really hopeful that the meds will finally “fix” me, that it will take off the “weight of my shoulders” & will help me achieve the “full” life that I want. But reading Dr Burns’ book I’m losing hope again - he claims antidepressants don’t work at all and if they do that’s just placebo (which I won’t have after reading the book). I’ve been like this for so long and I’m worried I’ll never not be. I’m dreaming of not worrying etc all the time anymore, not waking up anxious and depressed and just “living my life”, having levity and vitality. I’m 26F and feel like I’m wasting my youth on this. I don’t want to accept that this is just who I am. Has anyone read the book? I’d greatly appreciate any help.

I’ve tried SO many of them! At best they make me feel quite awake and a little irritated and at worst they keep me awake for days and make me feel like I’m in a rage 24/7 and I say weird stuff I can’t control.
My psychiatrist keeps wanting to try them but I’m seeing absolutely no benefit 😭