[19F] Experiencing erratic thoughts, depersonalization, and insomnia

Patient Description

A 19-year-old female has been experiencing erratic thoughts, depersonalization, and insomnia for approximately 1.5 years. She describes her thoughts as uncontrollable and negative, which prevent her from sleeping, leading to a disrupted sleep schedule. Additionally, she reports feelings of disassociation, perceiving reality as if she's in a simulation, and occasionally hears voices. She also mentioned having thoughts of self-harm and harming others, which have been present since around the age of 9-10 but have become more frequent recently. The patient is currently on 10 mg of Lexapro and has no other medications or known pre-existing conditions. She recently went through a breakup, which has exacerbated her anxiety.

Show More

Arora's Assessment

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, you may be experiencing:

  • Psychosis: This is a condition that affects the way your brain processes information. It can cause you to lose touch with reality. You might see, hear, or believe things that aren’t real. Psychosis is a symptom, not an illness. It can be triggered by a mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression.

    • Treatment usually involves a combination of medication and therapy. Antipsychotic medications can reduce psychosis symptoms, and psychotherapy can help you cope with this challenging condition.
  • Major Depressive Disorder: This is a serious mood disorder that affects how you feel, think, and handle daily activities. Symptoms must be present for at least two weeks for a diagnosis of depression.

    • Treatment typically involves a combination of medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes.
  • Insomnia: This is a sleep disorder that can make it hard to fall asleep, hard to stay asleep, or cause you to wake up too early and not be able to get back to sleep.

    • Treatment can include improving sleep habits, behavior therapy, and medication.
  • Anxiety Disorders: These are a group of mental disorders characterized by significant feelings of anxiety and fear.

    • Treatment typically involves a combination of psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, and medication.

Please note that this is not a definitive diagnosis. It's important to consult with a healthcare professional for a formal diagnosis and treatment options.

What you can do

  1. Reach out to a healthcare professional: It's important to talk to a healthcare professional about your symptoms. They can provide a formal diagnosis and discuss treatment options with you.

  2. Seek immediate help if you're feeling suicidal: If you're thinking about suicide, get help immediately. Don't try to manage these feelings on your own. Reach out to a trusted individual or professional right away.

  3. Practice good sleep hygiene: This includes maintaining a regular sleep schedule, creating a relaxing bedtime routine, and making your sleep environment comfortable.

  4. Stay connected: Reach out to trusted friends and family. Let them know what you're going through so they can provide support.

  5. If you're prescribed medication, take it as directed: Don't stop taking your medication without talking to your healthcare provider first.

What you should look out for

  • If your symptoms worsen or you start to feel worse, seek immediate medical attention.
  • If you start to experience new symptoms, reach out to a healthcare professional.
  • If you have thoughts of harming yourself or others, seek help immediately.

Remember, it's important to reach out to a healthcare professional who can provide the support you need. You're not alone, and there are resources available to help you.

Show More

2
 Hugs
1
 Comments

Save

6 mo ago


People Also Ask


What are the common symptoms of psychosis and how is it treated?

Common symptoms of psychosis include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and a lack of awareness of reality. Treatment often involves antipsychotic medications and psychotherapy to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.


How can major depressive disorder affect daily life and what are the treatment options?

Major depressive disorder can lead to persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest in activities, changes in appetite or weight, sleep disturbances, and difficulty concentrating. Treatment typically includes a combination of antidepressant medications, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes such as regular exercise and a healthy diet.


What strategies can help manage insomnia effectively?

To manage insomnia, it's important to maintain a regular sleep schedule, create a relaxing bedtime routine, and ensure a comfortable sleep environment. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and, if necessary, medication can also be effective.


What should someone do if they experience thoughts of self-harm or harming others?

If someone experiences thoughts of self-harm or harming others, it's crucial to seek immediate help from a mental health professional or contact emergency services. Reaching out to a trusted friend or family member for support is also important.

1 Comments


Anonymous#19741

6 mo ago

24 yo was my first full blown psychosis, it was a mixed episode, I would hear my dead granparent's voice, feel like people could see and hear me in my room, that everything I was chatting with a guy was being made public on social media, that the apocalypse and therefore Jesus was coming, that the bible was telling me to go to Turkey on a religious mission. At night I couldn't almost sleep because of tactile hallucinations like punches in my back, feeling like my soul was being sucked from the top, feeling multiple large tubes sucking at my skin (back) and the worst one were hands all over my body specially in my intimate area (female) it was awful. Oh and one night I could hear witches or random women laughing and screaming at me things I can't remember.

About my childhood besides depression I remember seeing a black shadow that looked like death with a scythe when I was a toddler during daylight.

Funny thing is I used to hear chairs being moved at night too but idk if those where from the upper floor, who knows. I also thought there was a old man in a white robe with large hair and beard waiting for me in the living room.

1
 Hugs
Reply

Share your feedback

All Stories


Experiencing symptoms?

Our AI will conduct a medical interview and assess what might be happening. You can also make a post afterwards.

Share your feedback