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swbluto
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31 Oct 2011, 8:37 am

Halligeninseln wrote:
Swbluto,

If you think you have schizophrenia you need to forget about the things schizophrenia and autism have in COMMON and look at the DIFFERENTIATING symptoms. Social withdrawal for example can be due to so many different things that it doesn't really help as a diagnostic criterion in this case.

As far as I know, if someone has the feeling that their mind is being controlled by mysterious forces outside themselves, or that someone else is literally talking to them inside their head ( ie hearing voices) or they think that that advert on TV is directed not just at people in general but just at THEM personally (ideas of reference) then that would be a symptom of schizophrenia. Go through the two lists of symptoms, cross out the ones the two lists have in common, see what you're left with and ask yourself if the residue applies to you.

At least I think that's what I'd do. :roll:


Thanks for the suggestion, but I'm really trying to see which camp I might more appropriately belong to (With schizophrenia being the more noticeable/scarier camp), so I need to see the similarities as well.



swbluto
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31 Oct 2011, 11:13 pm

I feel like I'm becoming schizophrenic as I don't think I'm really keeping things straight enough for rational dialogue and I'm not fully comprehending things, assignments that I could understand 2 years ago I don't seem to really understand anymore, my levels of motivation seem to be varying between nothing to something and my language patterns seem more NT than AS. I also keep having these olfactory hallucinations of smoke and it seems to be happening more often. While I feel slightly depressed, I definitely don't think I'm "depressed" or not nearly as depressed as I was 5 years ago.

I'm also noticeably slower than average in processing my environment as quickly as my lower IQ peers in the classroom, which would seem odd for someone with the pretty high tested processing speeds I had when I was 19.



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31 Oct 2011, 11:23 pm

moved from General Autism Discussion to Bipolar, Tourettes, Schizophrenia, and other Psychological Conditions


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01 Nov 2011, 2:01 pm

I really doubt I have schizophrenia. My doctor has monitored me since March and I think she has ruled it out. The negative symptoms of schizophrenia are very similar to severe depression. Severe depression feels very different to mild or moderate depression and it can be accompanied by mild psychosis and hallucinations. Also, it's hard to describe how you feel when you have severe depression and you might not necessarily describe yourself as depressed.

I felt very blank and had very bad anhedonia. My thoughts were very dark and repetitive and I was detatched from my body. I'd also have mild, infrequent hallucinations. It was like being possessed. However, my condition has ameliorated due to anti-depressants and I haven't needed anti-psychotics. I was just really depressed. I have good insight into my condition, as you seem to.

You might be in the same situation.


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swbluto
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01 Nov 2011, 4:31 pm

puddingmouse wrote:
I really doubt I have schizophrenia. My doctor has monitored me since March and I think she has ruled it out. The negative symptoms of schizophrenia are very similar to severe depression. Severe depression feels very different to mild or moderate depression and it can be accompanied by mild psychosis and hallucinations. Also, it's hard to describe how you feel when you have severe depression and you might not necessarily describe yourself as depressed.


Well, that's good that it's been ruled out.

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I felt very blank and had very bad anhedonia.


I definitely don't have physical anhedonia though I believe I have "social anhedonia". I do "feel blank", though.

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My thoughts were very dark and repetitive and I was detatched from my body.


I don't think I'd classify my thoughts as "very dark", but I suppose it's been punctuated with periodic bouts of pessimism due to repeatedly thinking about the longterm future impacts of developing schizophrenia or actually having autism. (See that, does 'punctuation' fit in that sentence? That almost seems schizo.)

Quote:
I'd also have mild, infrequent hallucinations.


I thought I saw children ducking into the aisles and I keep seeing figures out of the corner of my eye, like some kind of person, especially in dark places. I don't know if that'd be classified as a "hallucination", though, because it seems like it could just be the brain misinterpreting what it sees.

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It was like being possessed.


Really? I've never had that feeling other than a sort-of-similar feeling where it felt like someone was suddenly pushing down on my shoulder in the shower.



swbluto
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02 Nov 2011, 12:16 am

http://www.schizophrenia.com/diag.php#common

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Characteristic Schizophrenia symptoms:

Two (or more) of the following, each present for a significant portion of time during a 1-month period (or less if successfully treated):

Delusions - false beliefs strongly held in spite of invalidating evidence, especially as a symptom of mental illness: for example,
Paranoid delusions, or delusions of persecution, for example believing that people are "out to get" you, or the thought that people are doing things when there is no external evidence that such things are taking place.
Delusions of reference - when things in the environment seem to be directly related to you even though they are not. For example it may seem as if people are talking about you or special personal messages are being communicated to you through the TV, radio, or other media.
Somatic Delusions are false beliefs about your body - for example that a terrible physical illness exists or that something foreign is inside or passing through your body.
Delusions of grandeur - for example when you believe that you are very special or have special powers or abilities. An example of a grandiouse delusion is thinking you are a famous rock star.
Hallucinations - Hallucinations can take a number of different forms - they can be:
Visual (seeing things that are not there or that other people cannot see),
Auditory (hearing voices that other people can't hear,
Tactile (feeling things that other people don't feel or something touching your skin that isn't there.)
Olfactory (smelling things that other people cannot smell, or not smelling the same thing that other people do smell)
Gustatory experiences (tasting things that isn't there)
Disorganized speech (e.g., frequent derailment or incoherence) - these are also called "word salads". Ongoing disjointed or rambling monologues - in which a person seems to talking to himself/herself or imagined people or voices.
Grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior (An abnormal condition variously characterized by stupor/innactivity, mania, and either rigidity or extreme flexibility of the limbs).
"Negative" symptoms of Schizophrenia , these symptoms are the lack of important abilities. Some of these include:
Alogia, or poverty of speech, is the lessening of speech fluency and productivity, thought to reflect slowing or blocked thoughts, and often manifested as short, empty replies to questions.

Affective flattening is the reduction in the range and intensity of emotional expression, including facial expression, voice tone, eye contact (person seems to stare, doesn't maintain eye contact in a normal process), and is not able to interpret body language nor use appropriate body language.

Avolition is the reduction, difficulty, or inability to initiate and persist in goal-directed behavior; it is often mistaken for apparent disinterest. (examples of avolition include: no longer interested in going out and meeting with friends, no longer interested in activities that the person used to show enthusiasm for, no longer interested in much of anything, sitting in the house for many hours a day doing nothing.)

A short summary of a list of negative symptoms are:

lack of emotion - the inability to enjoy regular activities (visiting with friends, etc.) as much as before
Low energy - the person tends to sit around and sleep much more than normal
lack of interest in life, low motivation
Affective flattening - a blank, blunted facial expression or less lively facial movements, flat voice (lack of normal intonations and variance) or physical movements.
Alogia (difficulty or inability to speak)
Inappropriate social skills or lack of interest or ability to socialize with other people
Inability to make friends or keep friends, or not caring to have friends
Social isolation - person spends most of the day alone or only with close family

Note: Only one Criterion A symptom is required if delusions are bizarre or hallucinations consist of a voice keeping up a running commentary on the person’s behavior or thoughts, or two or more voices conversing with each other.

Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Cognitive symptoms refer to the difficulties with concentration and memory. These can include:
disorganized thinking
slow thinking
difficulty understanding
poor concentration
poor memory
difficulty expressing thoughts
difficulty integrating thoughts, feelings and behavior


Social/occupational dysfunction: For a significant portion of the time since the onset of the disturbance, one or more major areas of functioning such as work, interpersonal relations, or self-care are markedly below the level achieved prior to the onset (or when the onset is in childhood or adolescence, failure to achieve expected level of interpersonal, academic, or occupational achievement).

Duration: Continuous signs of the disturbance persist for at least 6 months. This 6-month period must include at least 1 month of symptoms (or less if successfully treated) that meet Criterion A (i.e., active-phase symptoms) and may include periods of prodromal or residual symptoms. During these prodromal or residual periods, the signs of the disturbance may be manifested by only negative symptoms or two or more symptoms listed in Criterion A present in an attenuated form (e.g., odd beliefs, unusual perceptual experiences).

Schizoaffective and mood disorder exclusion: Schizoaffective disorder and mood disorder with psychotic features have been ruled out because either (1) no major depressive, manic, or mixed episodes have occurred concurrently with the active-phase symptoms; or (2) if mood episodes have occurred during active-phase symptoms, their total duration has been brief relative to the duration of the active and residual periods.

Substance/general medical condition exclusion: The disturbance is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition.

Relationship to a pervasive developmental disorder: If there is a history of autistic disorder or another pervasive developmental disorder, the additional diagnosis of schizophrenia is made only if prominent delusions or hallucinations are also present for at least a month (or less if successfully treated).


lol, it appears I already have schizophrenia if olfactory hallucinations are considered "acceptable".



Circle989898
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02 Nov 2011, 12:36 am

Do you crave a lot of water? It is a prodrome for schizophrenia. Read up on some Pathophysiology. It sounds like you are going through the duration that leads to schizophrenia. Which is lowered cognitive abilities.



Lizerina
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02 Nov 2011, 2:27 pm

I think that if you're really serious about this, you need to see a therapist or other sort of doctor. They'll do more than just give you a diagnosis, they'll help you deal with it and give you medication to manage your symptoms. No matter what the diagnosis it, you'll still need treatment.

swbluto wrote:

Quote:
My thoughts were very dark and repetitive and I was detatched from my body.


I don't think I'd classify my thoughts as "very dark", but I suppose it's been punctuated with periodic bouts of pessimism due to repeatedly thinking about the longterm future impacts of developing schizophrenia or actually having autism. (See that, does 'punctuation' fit in that sentence? That almost seems schizo.)


I definitely would not say that that "seems schizo." To me it just seems like a misuse or odd use of the word.

Circle989898 wrote:
Do you crave a lot of water? It is a prodrome for schizophrenia. Read up on some Pathophysiology. It sounds like you are going through the duration that leads to schizophrenia. Which is lowered cognitive abilities.


I don't crave a lot of water. Actually, I've never heard of any correlation between craving water and schizophrenia.

Also, here's a good chart of the similarities between autism and schizophrenia. Autism vs. Schizophrenia



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02 Nov 2011, 3:30 pm

Lizerina wrote:

Circle989898 wrote:
Do you crave a lot of water? It is a prodrome for schizophrenia. Read up on some Pathophysiology. It sounds like you are going through the duration that leads to schizophrenia. Which is lowered cognitive abilities.


I don't crave a lot of water. Actually, I've never heard of any correlation between craving water and schizophrenia.

Also, here's a good chart of the similarities between autism and schizophrenia. Autism vs. Schizophrenia


I'm sorry I can't find the link but I'm sure that what I said had a link.



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02 Nov 2011, 4:23 pm

if i where you i would try meditating and changing your enviroment so it suits you maybe alter your room so you feel comfortable their. also try finding a rythem in your life maybe start doing sports you liked doing again. if you have a reason not a logical one but emotional one to feel and be sane you wil probably return to sanity on a regular level. also maybe watch this it seams somehow conected, atleast to me it does maybe that should make me question my own sanity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDMzvJOu9vQ

also remember not to believe or disbelieve anything accept the ilogicality about the world and live in the way that feels right.



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02 Nov 2011, 4:43 pm

swbluto
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07 Nov 2011, 9:51 pm

Thanks for the replies!

I notice I kept losing concentration and I kept getting a "sense of confusion" (The sounds in the library were like melding into a distracting din that felt like they were surrounding me.) while reading an easy-peasy book earlier today in the library. I also notice that I seem to be scaring people and I'm trying to figure out what exactly is scaring others. I'm planning on cutting my long hair and shaving to see if that'll reduce the reactions I seem to generate.



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11 Nov 2011, 12:46 am

Circle989898 wrote:
Do you crave a lot of water? It is a prodrome for schizophrenia. Read up on some Pathophysiology. It sounds like you are going through the duration that leads to schizophrenia. Which is lowered cognitive abilities.


Wow I didn't know that I've always craved lots of water. I also get a bad taste in my mouth and strange food cravings, especially during times of lowered cognitive abilities. I also noticed that my dyslexia is much worse when I'm a little unstable I'll write letters backwards and that's the only time I do. When I'm fine I can actually remember how to spell words I use everyday correctly. I was feeling like crap last week and for the entire week I spelled the word Caesar as Ceaser, I've been working in a restaurant for 4 years. It's a depressing thing to have to deal with. It literally feels like everything around you is a little different like you drank alcohol and the disorientation doesn't go away.



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11 Nov 2011, 1:01 am

swbluto wrote:
Thanks for the replies!

I notice I kept losing concentration and I kept getting a "sense of confusion" (The sounds in the library were like melding into a distracting din that felt like they were surrounding me.) while reading an easy-peasy book earlier today in the library. I also notice that I seem to be scaring people and I'm trying to figure out what exactly is scaring others. I'm planning on cutting my long hair and shaving to see if that'll reduce the reactions I seem to generate.


Up keeping appearance can always help. My co-worker is in University when he came to pick up his pay check today my female co-worker and I noticed he hasn't shaved for a long while. I think it has something to do with studying for his mid terms. He looked tired too. Anyway when he left my NT coworker shouted to me "Ewwww I can't even look at him, he used to look so cute now he's like an ugly creepy hobo!". I laughed and said the guy with the top marks in your university for Quantum mathematics is hobo now? I majorly LOLed :lol: Anyway schizophrenics aren't the only ones that are bad for not up-keeping their personal hygiene the Aspie men I know are also horrible offenders of that travesty. :?



swbluto
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12 Nov 2011, 12:43 am

Here's an interesting working memory test called the "2-back task".

http://cognitivefun.net/test/4

It's supposedly strongly predictive of IQ and of schizophrenia risk (I don't know if THIS particular test is strongly predictive, but the official 2-back task is supposed to be.). Interestingly, I scored an 81% which was at around the 30th percentile among the scores reported there. This is interesting because my IQ is measured at the 99th percentile, so it wasn't predictive AT ALL, and... also, my measured IQ had apparently decreased from 145 when I was 19 to 132 when I was 24. If I were to assume this test is a good measurement of working memory (And its test norms are representative of the general population), this might suggest that my working memory has significantly declined which might explain the relatively significant IQ drop, which is suggestive of developing schizophrenia.

I'm going to wait for my official WAIS/WMS test results to get back my "official working memory scores" because the norms online might be 'off' a bit.



swbluto
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12 Nov 2011, 1:46 am

Weird. I've been seeing things. I saw a flash, it looked like there was a color square on my hand, I'm seeing various lines suddenly "streak across my visual field"(Usually the lower half), there's been dots and I seem to be "seeing people" in dark areas more often. I know that there's no one actually there but it's an interesting experience.

Maybe it's an overactive imagination because I suspect I have schizophrenia.