Shrink thinks I'm going schizo

[TheGman6072]

So I saw a shrink a couple months ago and I heard my mom say the shrink said I was developing schizophrenia. ????????

[tlehmbecker]

Dude, you aren't developing schizophrenia. You have to be very careful when talking to psychiatrists/clinical psychologists about HPPD. If you use the word hallucination, most will immediately jump to schizophrenia. You need to say they're visual disturbances, not hallucinations. You also need to describe the associated non visual symptoms (DP/DR, anxiety, etc.).

 

I made that mistake, but luckily I have a psychiatrist that doesn't immediately jump to the schizophrenia conclusion when he hears the word "hallucinations" (especially when I described the visual symptoms in detail, he said they could be attributed to anything, stress, anxiety, sleep deprivation, etc. He didn't attribute them to HPPD until I told him about it the 2nd time I saw him and gave him some literature on it).

 

If you do/did use the word "hallucinations" make sure you describe them in agonizing detail so that your shrink (I kind of dislike that word because of the negative connotations) understands they aren't schizophrenic hallucinations.

[trip into hell]

a schizophrenic wouldnt worry about becoming schizophrenic...a schizophrenic is strongly convinced that his/her hallucinations are real without doubt...its what my psychologist says..she immediately recognized my true problem.

[TheGman6072]

The shrink never heard of it and I never used the word "hallucination". But my doctor knew what HPPD was. I forgot the conversation but he knew what HPPD was. I don't have his contact info though