Posted by xjs7 on March 14, 2002, at 18:46:31
I was wondering if anyone here could help me with this problem I have. My psychiatrist is not into discussing things like this with me (she just prescribes drugs).
My problem is that I remain awake for 5-7 days before I am able to sleep (fitfully and for a short time). During these 5-7 days I am extremely tense, my eyes are wide open, and my heart is racing. I also have psychotic symptoms, including visual and auditory hallucinations. I also become very irritable at around the 5 day mark and start screaming at people.
I have been diagnosed with panic disorder and schizophrenia, and I take a high dose of an antipsychotic, a low dose of an antidepressant, and a benzodiazepine.
I have never heard of people with panic disorder or schizophrenia staying wide awake for so many hours. I have heard of people who stay awake for so long having psychotic symptoms. Could my sleeplessness explain my psychotic symptoms? If so, is it possible that I do not have schizophrenia? Could an anxiety disorder be so severe that it causes extreme sleeplessness?
I have tried to research this subject on the Internet but have found hardly anything! All I want to know is why I stay awake for so long, and what the best treatment is. I have tried OTC sleep aids and they don't do a thing. My psychiatric drugs make it so I can sleep sort of normally (I still stay awake for too long), but I don't especially want to have to take so many potent medications just to sleep!
Does anyone have any ideas about this situation? Anything would be much appreciated. I have to admit that I am totally baffled by my predicament.
poster:xjs7
thread:98025
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020313/msgs/98025.html