that could be a few different things. It could also be Paranoid Personality Disorder, but what I know of you doesn't really fit that bill; or it could be something on the Anxiety spectrum.

also it's funny you should say that; I was just chatting with someone else about how we get paranoid about friendships, that people are just pretending to be our friend for whatever eff-ed up reason. I thought I was the only person who ever had thoughts like that.

Sorry to hijack, Sim.

What a great post.
Well done for your bravery in holding up your hands and saying this is me.
So many people with mental illness are ashamed and try to hide their illness or hide themselves.
There is no need of course, it's not a crime, IT'S AN ILLNESS.

It's only through people like you (and myself, ahem) that the stigma has any chance of being reduced.
Hopefully, one day, gone completely.

I am cyclic myself, a relatively mild bi-polar type.
I'm on a fair whack of medication for the depressive side of it, though I'm coming off it because I've been moving house a lot and it's hard to keep on top of it.
Not a good idea, I know, but we'll see how it goes.

My point is, like you I'm open and honest about it.
I don't shove it down peoples throat but if it does come up in conversation, someones daughter/brother has it for example and they are at a loss what to do or expect, I'm more than happy to ''confess'' and offer advice.
The relief on peoples faces once they realise they are not alone can itself be quite overwhelming.
It's incredible just how many people approach me once it's ''out there'' for advice and support.

They are usually shocked too.
I have a very good sense of humour and sometimes that can be hard for others to comprehend.
Depressed yet funny and laughs a lot, ???


I'm so pleased you are happy to discuss this and I hope you continue to do well.
WELL DONE!!! xXx


P.S. I hope this makes sense to you, my head's a bit fuzzy just now.
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There was only your post when I started to reply so I hope it still makes sense?
I take ages to type, sorry. x

Thank you for posting this Sim, you've enlightened me. There was hardly anything I knew about this illness till now, glad you posted this info

@Rattie:

Thanks very much! I'm glad I am not the only one with such problems here! if you feel like it, let me know more about your condition!

And I hope all of us will soon be able to meet an understanding and aware audience.

what do the voices sound like? does it sound like your own voice, or someone else?

I never heard these voices, but I was told they are like strange voices who often insult the one hearing them. But I guess every concerned person will perceive it differently.

Isn't skitsofreniac or w,e isnt that were you hear voices or see things that arnt there?
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do you have the asme thing dale gribble off king of the hill has?

becasue he is always relaly paranoid

I don't this "king of the hill" character, so I don't know.

But in my initial posting, I attempted to describe the symptoms, both during a psychotic phase (which I had only once, for about 5 weeks) and the calm period thereafter.

I am completely "normal" and that was the point of my posting. Schizophrenics, unless in an acute psychosis, are "normal". They don't deserve being singled out or considered "crazy". They are just more sensitive than others, when it comes to mood shifts and external events, to different degrees.

Since that psychosis, and under medication, I am not paranoid at all. On the contrary, sometimes I think I am maybe too trusting and don't realize when people have bad intentions. If I didn't tell people about it as I do here, I don't think anybody would consider me somehow not normal, they wouldn't even know.

The only thing I have to deal with are the mood swings I described above; sometimes, when I have a bad day, I just tell girls "I am about having my menstruation", tongue-in-cheek, because I think that's something many girls can relate to. ;)

So basically, the only thing that's "not normal" about me is that I have to take meds and that I have mood swings, and sometimes feel a bit anxious, especially in loud environments. That's all.

you may have noticed that dale gribble is a cartoon character.