Hallucinations Are Driving Me Crazy!

[Heather]

I'm still having auditory and visual hallucinations and they are making me feel like I am completely and totally nuts!

The psychiatrist in the hospital said that I could double up on the Risperdal from 1 to 2mg and that's what I did. But the medication is supposed to be taken at night. What am I supposed to do until then? It's only 1 o'clock in the afternoon? It helped take the edge off. I feel like a lunatic.

I put a call into the nurse that I see where I go for counseling hopefully she will call me back soon. Psychoses is NOT fun!

 

[Sazza]

Heather firstly you are not nuts, you are unwell hallucinations does not mean you are nuts even though they may make you feel that way. I don't really have any advice as such hope nurse rings soon and can help you out.

Is there anything that helps with the hallucinations? How have you managed with them before now?

 

[Heather]

Anthony banned me and then I was forced inpatient.

 

[Heather]

I really don't want to go that route again.

 

[Reclusive]

Extreme mindfulness is the only way I know how to cope with them. To focus on doing something so intently that the hallucinations can't distract me. Reading, writing, painting, researching..... If I can't manage to focus I can't do it, though. :(

 

[Ted Moen]

I was taught the one thing we can always take control of is our breathing. When intense events (such as hallucunations) intrude on our current situation, retreat to a safe place, sit in a comfortable but dignified position, rest your hands and forearms on your legs, close your eyes, take deep abdominal breaths letting yourself focus on the air moving in and out, rejuvenating your system. Do a body scan (without moving). Start with your toes, proceed up to your scalp at a leisurely pace. When you feel comfortable give yourself permission to open your eyes.

It has worked for me in the past. The hardest part is learning to monitor the intensity of stuff and using the coping strategy immediately when the intensity of stuff suddenly escalates without waiting to see what the intense stuff is all about. You don't need to see that, it's about old stuff intrudung on your current situation in some way.

Ted

 

[Tinyflame]

Thanks Ted, I just have to remember that, when it counts.