For seventeen years I have been suffering from auditory and visual hallucinations and the so-called "echo of thoughts". I cannot identify other symptoms on my own. I have never turned to a specialist with these ailments. I was doing on my own. I finished my studies, I am developing professionally. I used meditation techniques, developed the skill of long-term concentration, tried to think positively, not to succumb to hallucinations, not to give them any meaning, I ran away to work. I had two short (one-week) crises when I was on the verge of losing control of myself. For several years, however, I have been avoiding people, I am not in any relationship, I avoid men. I think that due to the too much dullness I have imposed on myself going up the career ladder, I feel "burned out" and tired, I am depressed. I am afraid that I will not be able to do it on my own. However, a stronger fear is the fear of going to a doctor for advice - the fear of "sewing on" the label of a mentally ill person, ie a person who is unreliable as an employee or as an employer. I am also afraid that once I reach for pharmaceutical achievements, I will become addicted to them for the rest of my life. I would like to know what I am losing or risking fighting the disease on my own.
Congratulations on the (so far) successful fight with such symptoms, but I do not approve of the fear of a psychiatrist. It doesn't have to be schizophrenia! It is difficult to say what can be a threat, anyway you know yourself, since you are afraid of it. Why expose yourself to unpleasant episodes that may get out of hand? Nobody needs to stick a "label", drugs that can help you are not addictive, you can learn how to use them depending on your symptoms, they will not hurt you and will give you respite. What is lost? Normal life. Regards!
Remember that our expert's answer is informative and will not replace a visit to the doctor.
Tomasz JaroszewskiSecond degree psychiatrist
More advice from this expert
Belergot [Expert's Advice]No Hallucinations - Paronoid Schzophrenia or Social Phobia? [Expert advice]No dreams [Expert Advice]Morbid Jealousy [Expert Advice]Can drugs for schizophrenia cause type III (secondary) diabetes [Expert Advice]Depression and memory deterioration [Expert advice]Distance from depression [Expert tip]Inheriting manic depressive psychosis [Expert advice]Inheriting schizophrenia [Expert advice]Talking to yourself [Expert Advice]How to help a drinker of alcohol? [Expert advice]Asto cope with anorexia? [Expert advice]How to overcome the OCD? [Expert advice]How Can I Tell Delusional? [Expert advice]How to get a patient with schizophrenia to be treated [Expert advice]Treatment of schizophrenia and the occurrence of a psychotic episode [Expert's advice]Fear of swallowing [Expert's tip]Speaking non-stop, word of mouth [Expert's tip]Paroxysmal high heart rate [Expert Advice]Attacks of uncontrolled laughter [Expert Advice]Neurosis and Dyspnea [Expert Advice]Disturbing symptoms of mother-in-law: hallucinations and psychosis, or schizophrenia [Expert's advice]First visit to a psychiatrist [Expert's advice]The problem with antidepressants [Expert Advice]I'm crying with nerves [Expert's tip]Seroxat and a planned pregnancy [Expert's advice]Fear of mental illness [Expert advice]Fear of death [Expert tip]Neurotic disorders [Expert's advice]