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Mental Health Not sure if I'm diagnosed

Specified

Specified

Ex-Bluelighter
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hello,

I've been doing some reading and not sure if what I've got is Agoraphobia or not.

Because on one site is says to be diagnosed with agoraphobia, your symptoms need to meet certain criteria listed in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The DSM is a manual often used by healthcare providers to diagnose mental health conditions. On another site it doesn't say that.

You won’t be diagnosed with agoraphobia if your symptoms are caused by another illness.

it also says They also can’t be caused by substance abuse or another disorder. <---Now How do they determine if agoraphobia is caused by substance abuse or not?
 
Specified said:
How do they determine if agoraphobia is caused by substance abuse or not?
Click to expand...
Your doctor or psychiatrist will ask you questions about your lifestyle, if you use/abuse any substances, if you have any other psychiatric diagnoses etc.

Do you think you have agoraphobia? Honestly, imo it doesn't really matter if your agoraphobia symptoms are caused by substance abuse or something else, if the symptoms are debilitating and disrupting your everyday life, you should seek help. Similarly it doesn't really matter if you get an official diagnosis as per the DSM, you should seek help if you need it regardless.
 
Seconding n3ophy7e/how debilitating is it? When I received exposure therapy in my teens for agoraphobia, I ended up having someone come to the house. You aren't in that state yet are you? You doing alright?

COVID has brought some of that back for myself, sad to hear you are going through it but know you aren't alone.

EDIT: I was using at the time and got treatment all the same if that puts you at ease.
 
ok going back on a different topic because I've been diagnosed Schizophrenia.

It says this on one site that's laughable and I don't believe it. Your all having a laugh at me eh?

This - Medication is important for treating schizophrenia. However, some individuals with the disorder may want to consider complementary medicine. If you choose to use these alternative treatments, work with your doctor to make sure the treatment is safe.

Types of alternative treatments used for schizophrenia include:

  • vitamin treatment
  • fish oil supplements
  • glycine supplements
  • diet management
 
The thing with agrophobia is it really depends on how it effects you or your loved ones.

Can you leave the house to do regular tasks?

Are you afraid of leaving the house to go out of your comfort zone?

Agrophobia seems like its personal to you. So whether someone decides whether you have agrophobia or not doesnt mean much. If its affecting you then you should seek help/treatment.

You say you have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, can you tell us how long you have been suffering with this for?

Do you recieve any medication for this illness?
 
Bare_head said:
The thing with agrophobia is it really depends on how it effects you or your loved ones.

Can you leave the house to do regular tasks?

Are you afraid of leaving the house to go out of your comfort zone?

Agrophobia seems like its personal to you. So whether someone decides whether you have agrophobia or not doesnt mean much. If its affecting you then you should seek help/treatment.

You say you have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, can you tell us how long you have been suffering with this for?

Do you recieve any medication for this illness?
Click to expand...
Been suffering about 7 years.

Im on.depot injection every 2 weeks and oral meds every night..

Will.they ever stop my meds
 
Your meds are for life mate. What you are prescribed and amounts will invariably change as nothing is static with schizophrenia, new medications are coming about and may be a better fit.

Im not sure if "substance use" includes your prescribed medication. If agoraphobia is a known side effect then maybe ask your quack to look into alternatives.

Do you think lockdown has made agoraphobia worse?

My friend who I lived with in Cairns is schizophrenic, she does not have agoraphobia and is on clozaril.

Your agoraphobia seems to be constant and present for a long time. Do you have family that can make you get out of the house daily, even for a short walk in a quiet time of day?

I doubt occasional use of drugs would affect this but not sure.

Youll have to go to your quack and get it on record and monitored for a while before being diagnosed, there will be a treatment plan and you'll have to follow it.


Stay on your meds, diabetics need Insulin and you need your meds just the same. It might suck dog balls but better than your schizophrenia talking over yeah?


Hope you are doing okay buddy, thinking if you.

:)
 
✿Dai₷y✿ said:
Your meds are for life mate. What you are prescribed and amounts will invariably change as nothing is static with schizophrenia, new medications are coming about and may be a better fit.

Im not sure if "substance use" includes your prescribed medication. If agoraphobia is a known side effect then maybe ask your quack to look into alternatives.

Do you think lockdown has made agoraphobia worse?

My friend who I lived with in Cairns is schizophrenic, she does not have agoraphobia and is on clozaril.

Your agoraphobia seems to be constant and present for a long time. Do you have family that can make you get out of the house daily, even for a short walk in a quiet time of day?

I doubt occasional use of drugs would affect this but not sure.

Youll have to go to your quack and get it on record and monitored for a while before being diagnosed, there will be a treatment plan and you'll have to follow it.


Stay on your meds, diabetics need Insulin and you need your meds just the same. It might suck dog balls but better than your schizophrenia talking over yeah?


Hope you are doing okay buddy, thinking if you.

:)
Click to expand...
Yeah I knew this was full of shit

Types of alternative treatments used for schizophrenia include:

  • vitamin treatment
  • fish oil supplements
  • glycine supplements
  • diet management
 
Specified said:
Yeah I knew this was full of shit

Types of alternative treatments used for schizophrenia include:

  • vitamin treatment
  • fish oil supplements
  • glycine supplements
  • diet management
Click to expand...
Mate she took the effort to write you really helpful and thoughtful reply. Please don't be rude.
You need to speak to your psychiatrist about your meds.
 
Yeah a simple google search would show you that there are some "complementary" or "alternante" treatments for schizophrenia.

Treatment usually includes antipsychotic medications. It may also include group or individual therapy, psychoeducation, and rehabilitation. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments are another option that people like to explore.

The terms “complementary” and “alternative” are often used interchangeably. But these words actually describe two different types of treatment. The term “complementary” refers to nonmainstream treatments used along with traditional treatments. An “alternative” treatment is when nonmainstream approaches are used instead of traditional medicine.

Medication is important in managing schizophrenia. Complementary treatments should not replace the care of a doctor. Talk with your doctor before using any CAM treatment to see if it’s safe.

Takeaway​

If you have schizophrenia, complementary and alternative treatments may be an option for you. But it’s important to speak with your doctor before trying any new treatments. Vitamins and natural supplements can interfere with some medications. Some alternative treatments are not based on solid evidence. They may also be dangerous. Be sure to ask your doctor about the safety of any new treatment you are considering.

Source https://www.healthline.com/health/schizophrenia/alternative-treatments#takeaway
 
n3ophy7e said:
Your doctor or psychiatrist will ask you questions about your lifestyle, if you use/abuse any substances, if you have any other psychiatric diagnoses etc.

Do you think you have agoraphobia? Honestly, imo it doesn't really matter if your agoraphobia symptoms are caused by substance abuse or something else, if the symptoms are debilitating and disrupting your everyday life, you should seek help. Similarly it doesn't really matter if you get an official diagnosis as per the DSM, you should seek help if you need it regardless.
Click to expand...
What sort of questions?

Yes I think I have agoraphobia.
 
autist said:
Seconding n3ophy7e/how debilitating is it? When I received exposure therapy in my teens for agoraphobia, I ended up having someone come to the house. You aren't in that state yet are you? You doing alright?

COVID has brought some of that back for myself, sad to hear you are going through it but know you aren't alone.

EDIT: I was using at the time and got treatment all the same if that puts you at ease.
Click to expand...
It's debilitating as it stops me functioning in society.

No i'm not in the same state as you but I think I will be soon once I see a psychiatrist.
 
n3ophy7e said:
Yes you are correct, they are some alternative treatments for schizophrenia.
Click to expand...
I wasn't asking if "I" was correct. I was asking if the site was correct lol jesusfuckingchrists ay.......and there not some of the treatments so no the sites wrong.......ay :)
 
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Bare_head said:
The thing with agrophobia is it really depends on how it effects you or your loved ones.

Can you leave the house to do regular tasks?

Are you afraid of leaving the house to go out of your comfort zone?

Agrophobia seems like its personal to you. So whether someone decides whether you have agrophobia or not doesnt mean much. If its affecting you then you should seek help/treatment.

You say you have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, can you tell us how long you have been suffering with this for?

Do you recieve any medication for this illness?
Click to expand...
I can't leave the house to do regular tasks,

Yes i'm afraid of leaving the house to go out of my comfort zone.
 
✿Dai₷y✿ said:
Your meds are for life mate. What you are prescribed and amounts will invariably change as nothing is static with schizophrenia, new medications are coming about and may be a better fit.

Im not sure if "substance use" includes your prescribed medication. If agoraphobia is a known side effect then maybe ask your quack to look into alternatives.

Do you think lockdown has made agoraphobia worse?

My friend who I lived with in Cairns is schizophrenic, she does not have agoraphobia and is on clozaril.

Your agoraphobia seems to be constant and present for a long time. Do you have family that can make you get out of the house daily, even for a short walk in a quiet time of day?

I doubt occasional use of drugs would affect this but not sure.

Youll have to go to your quack and get it on record and monitored for a while before being diagnosed, there will be a treatment plan and you'll have to follow it.


Stay on your meds, diabetics need Insulin and you need your meds just the same. It might suck dog balls but better than your schizophrenia talking over yeah?


Hope you are doing okay buddy, thinking if you.

:)
Click to expand...
Nah they can't be for life isn't there something you can say or do like just bullshit and say your noit hearing voices or something?
They aren't gonna get away with it. I'll make sure of it.

I will ask my quack.

Nah lockdown hasn't made it worse it's the same.

So your mate can take drugs after about 2 days?

Yes I have a family member that can take me for a walk.

What will I have to get on record and monitored for a while?
 
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