I’m 25 years old, and this has been going on for about two to three months—maybe even longer. It started off subtle, but lately, it’s become a major issue. I believe the blood in my stool was bright red, though honestly, I'm not entirely sure how to tell if it's fresh or not. Also, whenever I stop walking, it takes me ten minutes or more just to get my strength back. This isn't my normal baseline, and I don't have any swelling in my legs. For now, I have enough set aside to get my thyroid levels checked, but after that, I need to schedule some tests for my lungs and heart. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good specialist for that? Thanks.
I’m looking for some guidance regarding my symptoms. Even minimal physical exertion—we're talking a simple ten-minute walk—leaves me completely exhausted. I feel this deep muscle weakness, general malaise, shortness of breath, and moments where I feel like I might actually pass out. To make matters worse, about a week ago, I noticed traces of blood in my stool on two separate occasions. This constant fatigue is seriously interfering with my daily life. On top of that, I've been feeling incredibly unmotivated and perpetually drained lately. Since I have a history of anemia, that was my first thought, but I just got my blood work back today and everything came back normal, including my iron levels. Because I don't currently have health insurance, I'll have to pay out of pocket for everything. I need to know which tests I should prioritize, as my budget won't allow me to run a dozen different panels all at once. I was considering starting with a thyroid screening. Is there a doctor here who can advise me on my next steps?
Essentially, you’re still dealing with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, just a different flavor. Instead of the textbook cases involving germs or cleanliness, your focus shifts elsewhere. The fact that it centers on things like aliens is purely coincidental, likely because you've spent so much time reading up on them and investigating paranormal phenomena. Since these symptoms have been surfacing for years, it’s perfectly logical that they’ve begun to dominate more and more of your behavior. When you mentioned symptoms that feel similar to schizophrenia, it’s highly probable you’re actually experiencing extremely intense obsessive thoughts. Some people with this disorder manifest only compulsions—like repetitive actions, such as tapping a desk a certain number of times—while others deal solely with obsessive thoughts. Some struggle with both. In your case, those intrusive thoughts might be so overwhelming that they disrupt your daily life, making you feel like you're losing control or going insane, which leads to that fear of schizophrenia. That massive surge of anxiety that forces you to perform an action just to make it stop is a hallmark characteristic of OCD. I am convinced this is OCD. Don't feel pressured to disclose the specific nature of your thoughts if you aren't comfortable, but I suggest reading through other people's experiences on this topic; check out the OCD threads on this forum to realize you aren't alone. Best,
Paul Thomas9, at first glance, this seemed to be about you dealing with OCD, but things have clearly escalated because you haven't sought professional help. When someone struggles with OCD without proper therapy, the disorder tends to creep into more areas of their life, leading to a significant decline. It is critical that you start therapy immediately and take any prescribed medication as needed. You need to see a specialist right away to get an official diagnosis; knowing exactly what you're facing is the first step toward getting the right medication and feeling better. As for your interest in the paranormal or aliens, that isn't necessarily "dangerous" unless you've reached the point where you believe you're actually communicating with them. But then again, one can never be entirely certain. I didn't quite catch everything you meant, so please clarify your symptoms. If you do, I can try to give you a better idea of what might be going on. Regardless, seeing a mental health professional is non-negotiable. I'm not sure what your financial situation looks like—do you have the means to see someone privately?
stormylynx23, I’d argue that what you're describing was pure neurosis. Creating an imaginary sense of superiority is a classic defense mechanism when someone feels fundamentally inadequate. The problem is, when you're just a kid, nobody sits you down and explains that your perception isn't the absolute truth—or that your mindset can actually be changed. Without that realization, you never even consider the possibility of growth. This feeling likely traces back to your childhood because, to you, it felt like reality; it wasn't a sudden loss of confidence, but rather a baseline state you were stuck in. I don't know if I'm overstepping here, so correct me if I'm wrong.
That was my mistake—I thought you were worried about what everyone else would think of you. That’s basically the defining trait of Silicon Valley! I know I’m being a nuisance, but they really didn't teach us much at university. For instance, I had no idea that social phobia (which falls under neuroses) could actually escalate into psychosis. Best,
Can I ask one more thing? When you felt intimidated by people or society, was it because you were afraid of being embarrassed—specifically regarding how others would react to the subject matter (which is a classic trope in sci-fi)—or was it driven by something else entirely?
Holstain, did you experience social phobia first and then develop psychosis? I've honestly never heard of anyone dealing with both. Are you still struggling with SF?
Anna, I’m sharing some information regarding AvPD because it shares significant overlap with Social Anxiety Disorder. Since you didn't mention your tendency to retreat into a Fantasy World, your psychiatrist likely diagnosed you with Social Anxiety Disorder based solely on what you disclosed. While those two conditions share many symptoms, you'll notice that retreating into a Fantasy World is actually a specific symptom of AvPD. I'm not sure how comfortable you are with English, but try reading this to see if it resonates with your experience.
Avoidant personality disorder (sometimes abbreviated APD or AvPD), or anxious personality disorder, is a personality disorder characterized by a pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, extreme sensitivity to negative evaluation and avoiding social interaction. People with avoidant personality disorder often consider themselves to be socially inept or personally unappealing, and avoid social interaction for fear of being ridiculed, humiliated, or disliked. They typically present themselves as loners and report feeling a sense of alienation from society.
People with avoidant personality disorder are preoccupied with their own shortcomings and form relationships with others only if they believe they will not be rejected. Loss and rejection are so painful that these individuals will choose to be lonely rather than risk trying to connect with others. · Hypersensitivity to criticism or rejection · Social Anxiety Disorder · Extreme shyness in social situations, though feels a strong desire for close relationships · Avoid interpersonal relationships · Feelings of inadequacy · Low self-esteem · Mistrust of others · Extreme shyness/timidness · Emotional distancing related to intimacy · Highly self-conscious · Self-critical about their problems relating to others · Problems in occupational functioning · Lonely self-perception · Feeling inferior to others · Chronic substance abuse/dependence[3] · CREATION OF A FANTASY WORLD
Try searching for more information online; it might provide some clarity.
Anne, there’s really no need to worry. When you mention struggling with social phobia, the tendency to construct an imaginary world actually makes perfect sense. Plenty of people resort to this when life gets overwhelming, especially if they feel isolated or worthless. Creating a fantasy world is simply a mechanism to escape the pain; it’s a way to dull the suffering. In the real world, the ache is often too much to bear, and everyone looks for an exit. This is just one method—others choose drugs or alcohol. It’s all fundamentally the same thing. Furthermore, inventing illnesses or playing the hypochondriac is often just a way to cast oneself as a victim to secure attention and acceptance from others; after all, nobody wants to be cruel to someone who is sick. Ultimately, it’s about adopting a new identity because who you truly are doesn't feel good enough. I assume there is a massive, underlying drive to become someone better or more beautiful. Have you actually sat down for a consultation with a psychiatrist or a psychologist?
First off, you aren't taking these regularly and you haven't built up a tolerance. Second, taking 10mg of Xanax is absolutely reckless. The maximum recommended daily dose of Xanax is 4mg. That is an enormous amount of medication; do not ever do that again. And if you’re mixing this with other drugs, I have nothing left to say to you except: STOP IMMEDIATELY! If you are using other substances, it is highly likely that such a combination is what triggered your hallucinations.
So you’re acting surprised by the hallucinations? I’m not. The main thing is that you’re stable now. If you really want to clear up any lingering doubts, try reaching out to a decent psychiatrist—someone who will actually take you seriously. But my take is that you don't have Sch. If you did, without the right medication, the hallucinations would probably be constant, making it impossible to function properly.
I was asking about glue because a psychiatrist mentioned during our internship that it leaves behind some of the most devastating consequences. It’s hard to say why you specifically would experience those kinds of side effects; for some people, it won't happen regardless of how much they use.
All of those symptoms can absolutely be triggered by drug use. Believe me on this. I have a friend who spiraled into a full-blown psychotic episode after just two trips. He wouldn't leave his house for an entire year, convinced he was having direct conversations with God and such. He's doing fine now—he made a full recovery—but you need to understand that what substances can do to the brain is extreme. It can throw your entire system into such a massive imbalance that it triggers terrifying hallucinations.
When it comes to obtaining definitive anatomical proof that you have Sch, it’s simply impossible. Everything mentioned regarding differences in brain anatomy remains largely uncharted territory. Even if someone were to point out one of those structural variations to you, no one could tell you with any certainty that you definitely have schizophrenia. There are far too many potential causes and competing theories to make any kind of absolute claim.
stormylynx23, you're taking the words right out of my mouth! There isn't just one single cause for schizophrenia anymore; there are countless different theories on what triggers it today.
You claim your hallucinations didn't just start out of thin air, so obviously they were triggered by drug use. As for why your friends didn't experience the same thing, I can't give you an answer for that. Everyone reacts differently, and you just had the misfortune of dealing with much harsher consequences. You aren't an outlier; psychiatric wards are full of young people who suffer psychotic episodes due to substance abuse. The human brain remains a massive mystery, and its capacity for recovery is truly incredible. In your case, drugs caused a chemical imbalance—specifically, opiates acting on the neurotransmitter receptors mentioned above—but once you stopped using, your brain recovered and regained its equilibrium. You should actually consider yourself lucky!! I'm a psychologist, but neuropsychology was always my favorite subject in college because the brain is such a phenomenal machine.
A much more pressing question is why you're so desperate to be diagnosed with schizophrenia. Most people would be incredibly relieved if their psychiatrist told them they *didn't* have it!
You were most likely taking the MMPI, which is the standard tool used for personality assessments. Schizophrenia is just one single scale on that test, alongside depression, hysteria, social introversion, and several others. If all your other scores are within the normal range and only the Sch scale is elevated, you almost certainly don't have schizophrenia. A high score on that specific scale doesn't equal a diagnosis; it merely points toward certain eccentricities in thought patterns. It is never sufficient grounds for a clinical diagnosis on its own—especially since you claim everything else is normal. Honestly, you’re probably more stable than most of us. 😁 Whenever someone experiences psychotic episodes or hallucinations triggered by drug use, we're dealing with an area that remains difficult to pin down. Clinicians rarely hand out a definitive diagnosis immediately because it’s hard to distinguish whether the symptoms are purely substance-induced or indicative of an underlying condition. Furthermore, there is a very high probability that these deviations disappear once the substances leave the system. That is likely why you avoided a permanent label. In my experience, I have seen plenty of cases just like yours. For individuals in this situation, the emphasis is always placed on the fact that the hallucinations were a product of drug use. Psychiatrists view those symptoms much differently than they would if a young, healthy person started hallucinating without any clear external cause.