[Caduceus]

As the resident board physician, I empathize with both you and your family and friends. This is a very difficult disease to control.

One of the biggest problems I see with patients, when I was in medical school in psychiatric wards and as an out-patient clinician now, is denial. Patients will ignore symptoms that they know perfectly well are returning symptoms when either they stop taking their medication (usually because they feel better off them or their psychoses/delusions have resolved) or the medication needs to be adjusted in some way.

Contact your psychiatrist/physician early. If things aren't right for a few days, let them know. They may do nothing, schedule a follow-up or see you in the office.

The point is, nobody (family, friend, yourself, your doctor(s)) want you doing something to yourself or someone else when you truly are not in your right mind. You are your best advocate.

This holds true for other illnesses - depression, diabetes, etc. Take ownership of your problem, keep a journal, write episodes on a calendar, take that to your visits and sessions to talk about.

Paranoid schizophrenia may be a lifelong disorder, but you shouldn't give up.

PM if you need more info.

Chris McWhorter, M.D.