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Psychosis, Aspergers, Schizophrenia??

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
I was wondering, whether you could have psychosis, Aspergers and Schizophrenia and what this means. I know some of them interlink but I don't understand how. Anyone out there who has similar diagnosis that can shine some light on it?

Would this diagnosis mean that the mental health teams have to give you a fair assessment or to provide sufficient help? Also what are early intervention teams?

*hug*

Comments

  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Yes you can have different diagnosis but a through assessment would be needed to make sure it's the correct diagnosis as many disorders over lap one way or another. A diagnosis of schizophrenia would generally be given over a period of observation and contact through various mh teams or ip however it varies on areas as well but they like to ensure a progressive assessment is done I ensure correct treatment and diagnosis.

    Early intervention teams are those who assess you and provide support to prevent relapse if you've had your first psychotic episode or more they are a specialist team with specialising practitioner similar to a cmht. If you look on the rcpsych website there is a lot about ei teams and also on the nhs website gives you details.

    I noticed you had an assessment would your thoughts be linked to this question? Do you know what's happening regarding support etc?




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  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Psychosis is not an illness on its own, just worth pointing that out. It's part of another illness.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Hi BlondeLiz,
    Thanks for your message. I had previously been assessed for having my first psychotic episode but they'd found nothing then for a personality disorder which I didn't have so again I have had an assessment of my needs by a psychologist last week and she said I need a self help book. I already have Asperger's syndrome but there's not a lot that can be done about that just that I have to learn to adapt properly in some ways. Although the NHS wanted a clearer answer to whether I even had this or not so they sent me to have further tests and I spent the day there on Friday it was very thorough and I got told that I have or I am going through a psychotic episode and have schizophrenia and that the psychiatrist who diagnosed this will write to my local mental health team etc. I don't know what they will say, as I've already had an assessment earlier in the week and that was quite awful. If someone else thinks I've got other problems then the issue is why my local area doesn't believe me. Neither does my GP. I'm waiting for the report which will take 1-2 weeks and then take it to certain people. I have been hearing things and the doctor told me that I am quite poorly in that sense. Really don't know what to do. Should the responsibility lie with them or me? Or should I just leave it because I don't know of what I have is really what I have. :/
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Thanks BrokenAngel- I'm guessing its part of schizophrenia? Not sure.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Sonia if you feel that you need the support then I would continue to push for support via gp until the assessment comes through or you can self refer to cmht. The responsibility will generally lie with you. You should definitely push for the support if you are feeling unwell and require support. It's hard sometimes to get things moving when you can't be fully understood I think you should definitely keep at it (I've had to do that)

    A psychotic episode could be part of any mental illness as well as drug or alcohol induced. It depends on the other symptoms to whether it's schizophrenia etc but it is worth asking for a explanation of all these so you can clear it up for yourself and understand it.

    Have you looked into local support groups for yourself? As they can be very good in helping understand things.

    Have you looked at the hearing voices network? They are a great support and helped me understand things that have been going on.

    Maybe speak to your gp about medication it could help with your voices but doesn't always if you finding it extremely difficult to cope with them but medication isn't for everyone and therapy is idea alongside it.

    Hugs x



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  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Thank you. I had an autism assessment on Friday and they not only found Aspergers but other things to. Don't really know what will happen with it now. I have been pushing for help. The complaints I had made is a result of this assessment. I am on medication but its not really working. I have made another GP appointment to hopefully see if they can increase this. I will keep you posted. I want to help my self but its really difficult to access things when people aren't listening to me as much as I would like them to.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Why are your assessments so quick? An autism assessment is supposed to be over a period of weeks, not on one day. I think you should discuss with your support team about why they are rushing through. It doesn't sound like they are giving you the care and attention you need.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Why are your assessments so quick? An autism assessment is supposed to be over a period of weeks, not on one day.

    This isn't true.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Sonia1 wrote: »
    Thank you. I had an autism assessment on Friday and they not only found Aspergers but other things to. Don't really know what will happen with it now. I have been pushing for help. The complaints I had made is a result of this assessment. I am on medication but its not really working. I have made another GP appointment to hopefully see if they can increase this. I will keep you posted. I want to help my self but its really difficult to access things when people aren't listening to me as much as I would like them to.

    Glad to hear you've booked another gp appt :) have you looked into local support groups they may be a good start with yourself to help you move forward with a little support :)


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  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    This isn't true.

    Under my mental health team it is, because I asked on behalf of my boyfriend. Maybe it is different over the country but it doesn't sound like Sonia is getting enough information and support.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Under my mental health team it is, because I asked on behalf of my boyfriend. Maybe it is different over the country but it doesn't sound like Sonia is getting enough information and support.

    Okay :)

    Yeah, I agree with you.

    I hope you're okay Sonia *hug*
  • AuroraAurora Posts: 11,722 An Original Mixlorian
    Why are your assessments so quick? An autism assessment is supposed to be over a period of weeks, not on one day. I think you should discuss with your support team about why they are rushing through. It doesn't sound like they are giving you the care and attention you need.

    Two friends of mine, who have been diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome, had their assessment over a day. Which was around an average of 2-3 hours. It was more to do with their communication use however, and a Psychiatric would then be able to decide on the right diagnosis for them, to explain communication issues, etc, as well as being unable to notice facial expressions, etc. However, that's just with CAMHS, it could vary from places depending on the time and stuff.

    However Sonia, it's great to see you pushing for support, that's an amazing step, as you do deserve the support, it sounds like you're struggling a lot at the moment, medication often takes a few weeks or so (Average 2-4 weeks) to adjust, but can often take longer (8 weeks), how long have you been on your current medication? However, shall respond later :heart: Sorry about the short response!

    Best wishes,
    Angel
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Wow my psych nurse said an autism diagnosis is 12 hours over a number of weeks, with at least two psych workers present! Shocked by how quick all your diagnosises are!
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Wow my psych nurse said an autism diagnosis is 12 hours over a number of weeks, with at least two psych workers present! Shocked by how quick all your diagnosises are!

    Mine was nothing like that. It was 2 appointments, which lasted a total of around 1.5 hours. Psych was the only professional present for both.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    even if the part of the autism assessment that you attend in person is a single appointment, the chances are that the whole assessment process will have been a lot longer in terms of collecting information from other health and social care professionals, schools, colleges etc.

    psychosis can be a symptom of some mental health conditions and it means that you have experiences that are out of touch with reality, like hearing or seeing things that are not really there. having a psychotic experience or a psychotic episode does not mean that you have schizophrenia, and there are other symtoms of schizophrenia apart from psychotic experiences, including paranoia. schizophrenia is classed as a psychotic illness but psychosis may also be due to a different condition such as bipolar affective disorder or depression with psychosis.

    in terms of your original question, Aspergers and autism are neurodevelopmental disorders, which means that something goes wrong when your brain is developing (probably before you are born). even though you might not realise you have it until you are a teenager or adult, it's not something that you can 'get' - it's something that you've always had and it might be more obvious at some points in your life than others. you can't be cured from autism or grow out of it, but the signs tend to be less severe in adulthood, probably because people have developed ways to manage.

    a person could have a mental health difficulty in addition to autism, just like they could have a physical health difficulty. you might be more vulnerable to certain mental health issues than people who are not autistic, but that doesn't mean that it's a certainty or that you can't get better and move forward.

    I'd have a look at Rethink for information about psychosis if you are worried. i know you already know quite a lot about autism but there are loads of really good factsheets on the NAS website's Aspergers page.

    it's a really stressful time going through assessments and appointments but it helps the professionals to get all of the information they need to help you best. make sure you ask them plenty of questions, they shouldn't be throwing around terms like psychosis without explaining them. it's ok to ask if you don't understand what they are talking about.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Thanks for the links etc. I'm just going to wait and see what happens. Apart from Aspergers I don't really know what my diagnosis is and I have to wait and see what happens next. I doubt there is point telling professionals. They don't even want to listen. I have a continued assessment on Wednesday and will tell her about the voices. Although she stops me when I'm talking and tells me that I'm just too dependant on the nhs and should do it myself. That's what they always do anyway. When they seek a second opinion it doesn't make sense when they don't actually listen to it. That's why I don't have any high hopes with anything at the moment.. :-/
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Seeing the GP tomorrow to increase meds hopefully.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Just wanted to update this thread, went to see my GP but I won't be given an increase of meds so stuck with 20mg for now. Don't really know how to get rid of the voices. :nervous:
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