[19F] Experiencing hallucinations and personality changes

Patient Description

A 19-year-old female has been experiencing hallucinations, where she talks to herself and creates fake memories or events, since childhood. These occur at random times, sometimes when meeting new people, and she pretends these memories are real. She has also noticed periods of mood swings, feeling extremely happy or energized, followed by feeling very sad, hopeless, or empty. Additionally, she reports changes in her personality, ranging from being fun, shy, and nice to being serious and angry. She has had thoughts of self-harm but has not made any specific plans or taken steps towards it. The patient is not currently on any medications and does not have any pre-existing conditions or chronic illnesses. She has not sought medical advice for these symptoms previously.

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Arora's Assessment

What might be happening

Based on the information you have provided, possible explanations for your experiences include:

  • Schizotypal Personality Disorder: This is a mental health disorder marked by severely eccentric behavior and thought patterns. People with this disorder often have difficulty forming relationships and experience extreme anxiety in social situations. They may also have transient psychotic episodes.

    • Treatment typically involves psychotherapy to help manage symptoms and improve social skills. Medication may also be used to treat associated conditions like depression or anxiety.
  • Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID): This is a severe form of dissociation, a mental process which produces a lack of connection in a person's thoughts, memories, feelings, actions, or sense of identity. People with DID often have two or more distinct identities or personality states that alternately show in a person's behavior.

    • Treatment often involves psychotherapy, with the goal of deconstructing the different identities and integrating them into one. Medication may also be used to treat associated conditions like depression or anxiety.
  • Bipolar Disorder: This is a mental health disorder characterized by extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). During a manic phase, you might feel euphoric, have lots of energy, have increased activity levels, and feel jumpy or wired. During a depressive phase, you might feel sad, hopeless, have a decreased activity level, and have difficulty sleeping.

    • Treatment typically involves medication to stabilize mood and psychotherapy to help manage symptoms.

Please remember that these are only possibilities based on the limited information provided and should not be used as a definitive diagnosis. It's important to consult a healthcare professional for a formal diagnosis and treatment plan.

What you can do

  1. Seek help from a mental health professional: It's important to share your experiences with a healthcare professional who can provide you with the support and care you need. They can provide a formal diagnosis and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

  2. Reach out to trusted individuals in your life: Sharing your experiences with people you trust can provide emotional support and help you feel less alone.

  3. Practice self-care: Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and adequate sleep can help manage symptoms of mental health disorders.

What you should look out for

  • If you have thoughts of harming yourself or others, it's important to seek help immediately. You can reach out to a mental health professional or trusted individual in your life, or contact a crisis hotline for immediate support.

  • If your symptoms worsen or if you notice new symptoms, it's important to seek medical attention.

Remember, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional for a formal diagnosis and treatment plan.

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8 mo ago


People Also Ask


What are the common symptoms of Schizotypal Personality Disorder?

Common symptoms of Schizotypal Personality Disorder include eccentric behavior, unusual thinking or beliefs, difficulty forming close relationships, social anxiety, and transient psychotic episodes. Treatment often involves psychotherapy and sometimes medication for associated conditions.


How is Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) diagnosed and treated?

Dissociative Identity Disorder is diagnosed through a comprehensive evaluation by a mental health professional, often involving interviews and psychological assessments. Treatment typically involves psychotherapy aimed at integrating the different identities into one, and medication may be used to treat associated symptoms like depression or anxiety.


What are the signs of Bipolar Disorder and how is it managed?

Signs of Bipolar Disorder include extreme mood swings with emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). Management usually involves mood-stabilizing medications and psychotherapy to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.


What should I do if I have thoughts of self-harm?

If you have thoughts of self-harm, it's crucial to seek help immediately. Contact a mental health professional, reach out to someone you trust, or call a crisis hotline for immediate support. It's important to address these thoughts with professional guidance.


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1 Comments


Leo#3962

8 mo ago

A co-worker is a psychiatric social worker and has told me many stories of young people being able to better control their hallucinations and personality issues as they got older. You are not alone. Usually it is important to get help from a psychiatrist or therapist when you are ready so that he or she can help you develop constructive thought patterns. Also, some medications like SSRIs could be helpful.

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