What are the symptoms of schizophrenia?
Patient: Do i have schizophrenia I was diagnosed with schizophrenia after being somewhat paranoid in a psychologists office and telling a psychiatrist that i felt as if i was somewhat high after i woke up and kind loopy, she put me on meds for schizophrenia but it got worse, all started when a friend asked me if i was gay when i was on e and i forever thought he was going to tell the world . Now three years after being on meds when i try to come off of them two or three weeks later i will be fine until something substancial sets me into a mode of being crazy Doctor: Hi, thanks for the query. Based on the symptoms you described; its not possible definitely rule in or rule out whether you are suffering from schizophrenia. Can you describe in detail what do you mean by feeling paranoid? As per ICD-10 (a diagnostic system to diagose & classify all diseases designed by WHO); a person is said to have a definitive diagnosis of schizophrenia when he has 1 months of continuous symptoms of 3rd person auditory hallucinations of commenting, discussing variety, delusions of thought insertion, withdrawal, broadcast, thought being spoken aloud (thought echo), bizarre delusions, persistent hallucinations coming from a body part/other modality; apathy, social withdrawal, severe difficulty articulating thoughts properly (formal thought disorder) etc. Some substance intoxication like amphetamine, cannabis etc. also mimic schizophrenia symptoms temporarily. Hence, we need to rule out these things before coming to any conclusions. What medications you are on? are there any side effects? Please revert back to me for a more definitive diagnosis & further management. Good Luck