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What Causes Schizophrenia?

Posted on Sat, 17 May 2014

Question: I hear voices telling me to self harm and kill myself and I don't know how to ignore them. Can you help me by telling me if there is something wrong with me? I have already been to CAMHS and they say that there is nothing wrong but that was last year and it has changed since then .

Answered by Dr. Praveen (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Suspect Schizophrenia.

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear.
Your history is classical of Schizophrenic disorder.Hearing of voices, being controlled by external thoughts etc are classical of this condition.However nothing to panic since this is quite commonly seen and is treatable.
I would start on a low dose of antipsychotics observe the response and titrate the dose accordingly. Your local psychiatrist will know about this condition and the medication.

Hope this answers your query.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Praveen (5 hours later)

What is schizophrenia ? Is it going to end up making me kill myself because they tell me to a lot and I don't know how much longer I can stop myself. I haven't been so lucky with the self harm and that started last year and I don't know what to try to calm down so that I don't end up doing something really stupid and end up dead or hospital.
Any advice would be very much appreciated
Thank
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Praveen (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear.Thanks for writing back.

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder of a type involving a breakdown in the relation between thought, emotion, and behaviour, leading to faulty perception, inappropriate actions and feelings, withdrawal from reality and personal relationships into fantasy and delusion.

This can be controlled well especially in the initial stages on low dose of anti-psychotic medication. Donot panic since it can be well controlled and further will not inflict self harm.I would suggest to consult a psychiatrist as early as possible so that he shall be able to start the right medication which would free you from this thought process.All the best

Get well soon.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Praveen (58 minutes later)

I already have and they say that it is nothing.
I don't believe them though.
There are 15 in total and they all tell me to kill myself and that every one would be better of without me and that I should never have been born and they say that I know how to kill myself but I don't because I want other people to suffer because of me being alive and by killing myself I would be saving others the pain of having me around. They also say that my only 3 friends stay because they want to take advantage of me but if don't think that is true but they keep saying that my friends and family want me dead so that I don't make their lives horrible.

But I can't say that to anyone face to face or they stop me and the only way I can write it down to tell you is because they say that no one will take me seriously so it doesn't matter but when I day it out loud they will hear the truth in my voice.
They tell me to cut to let them out but when I do they say that they won't leave and then they tell me to keep doing it and when I have done it enough to let them leave they will leave but that could be to the point of death ( depth of the cut - too deep ) I don't think that cutting too deep is an issue cause I don't want to cut but if I want to get rid of them then they say that I have to.

Follow up: Dr. Praveen (22 hours later)

Please can you reply to my earlier message I really need help

Answered by Dr. Praveen (58 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Antipsychotics are not available over the counter

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear.Do not panic.

I completely understand your agony.You are young and dynamic girl and that is the reason why you have made a right decision sustaining and withstanding the false thoughts that you have been getting. In fact I must appreciate you for finding that this is not normal and bring it to the notice of the doctor.

No matter what ignore all that you hear and meet another doctor and tell your complaints.Since antipsychotics are schedule H they are not available over the counter and have to be prescribed by your doctor for your procurement.

Hope you understand me.Get well soon.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Praveen (2 hours later)

Thanks for you reply I will look into finding a new doctor to help me.
The problem is that they NEVER go away and even when I sleep they are still there and eve when I dream they still make me cut ( even though I am dreaming ) and they kill me in the dreams ( more than once they have killed me in my dreams and then I find myself back alive while, still dreaming, and they kill me again anyways the same way. That part never changes the only thing that changes in my dreams are the surroundings ) it is still scary and I often wake up gasping for breath feeling like I am drowning with no air to breath. That is a very scary sensation.
I don't know if that is usual with schizophrenia ?

Answered by Dr. Praveen (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Its schizophrenia according to me

Detailed Answer:
Hi again.

Above history is most suggestive of schizophrenia which is a disorder of thought and I were to start the treatment as early as possible. Donot have any inhibitions in getting treated.I definitely believe that if you can explain this process to your MD, he shall help you.You are a brave, intelligent girl and I wish you a very good health.Take the medication regularly without fail & I am sure you will see the change.All the best.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad