[superwolf]

Occasionally when I've been drinking heavily I start experiencing delusions and hallucinations - thinking there are people trying to kill me, hearing voices shouting and possibly visual hallucinations (I tend to get memory loss too at these times, so it's hard to know exactly what I've experienced). The symptoms never last into the next day, and have only happened when I've been drinking.

What I'd like to know is: does the fact of this happening to me increase the risk of my developing later on some non-alcohol-related psychotic disorder?

[Sabertooth]

I read a couple of articles out of interest about this and found that it tends to occur in alcoholics more than occasional drinkers. But also one mentioned that it might indicate an underlying psychotic disorder where repeated neurological activation might help the disease come out. I found that rather interesting.

Dunno about this, but perhaps it might be worth mentioning to your psychiatrist? Obviously make sure to make it very, VERY clear it only happens when you drink a lot, because I think a psychiatrist will have more answers than anyone on here.


For what it's worth, I've never had this happen solely from alcohol.

[superwolf]

Yeah I think I probably will tell my psychiatrist. Hoping he won't want me on antipsychotics, as I'd really rather avoid another med change at the moment.

[BeanofJelly]

What you describe is a psychosis, albeit a drug-induced one.

I think it is more likely your psych will advise you to stop drinking rather than alter your meds if you are happy with them. Either way, he can't make you do anything unless you actually become psychotic and need to be sectioned.

If I were you (I'm presuming here you have or have had some mental illness, which is why you see a psychiatrist?) then I would be worrying that the alcohol could aggravate/trigger my illness, and would probably stop drinking, or certainly cut down.

EDIT: Either way, you should tell your psych, because if they did see it as a sign you were becoming unwell, then you could then work out a way to prevent that from happening.

EDIT: But don't let me alarm you in any way! It might be normal for some people, I don't really know much of what I'm talking about

[Sabertooth]

(Original post by superwolf)
Yeah I think I probably will tell my psychiatrist. Hoping he won't want me on antipsychotics, as I'd really rather avoid another med change at the moment.

If it's just from alcohol with absolutely no symptoms at any other time, I can't see that he would get you to take antipsychotics for it (just make sure you stress the lack of symptoms when not drunk).

I'd also agree with the person above, perhaps drinking that much is a bad idea.

[SnoochToTheBooch]

come on man, that's a red flag. continuing heavy drinking might not be a clever thing to do.

[superwolf]

(Original post by BeanofJelly)
What you describe is a psychosis, albeit a drug-induced one.

I think it is more likely your psych will advise you to stop drinking rather than alter your meds if you are happy with them. Either way, he can't make you do anything unless you actually become psychotic and need to be sectioned.

If I were you (I'm presuming here you have or have had some mental illness, which is why you see a psychiatrist?) then I would be worrying that the alcohol could aggravate/trigger my illness, and would probably stop drinking, or certainly cut down.

EDIT: Either way, you should tell your psych, because if they did see it as a sign you were becoming unwell, then you could then work out a way to prevent that from happening.

EDIT: But don't let me alarm you in any way! It might be normal for some people, I don't really know much of what I'm talking about

Yeah I know, but I find the idea of developing another kind of psychosis (that could appear at any time, not just when drinking) more worrying than just having it occasionally (rarely more than twice a year) and with a very clear link to alcohol. I do try to be sensible and not get too drunk most of the time because of this, but I do have the occasional slip up like last night.

I think I will tell my psychiatrist, thanks. Think I just needed to talk it through with people to make myself see that it's clearly a good idea.

(Original post by Sabertooth)
If it's just from alcohol with absolutely no symptoms at any other time, I can't see that he would get you to take antipsychotics for it (just make sure you stress the lack of symptoms when not drunk).

I'd also agree with the person above, perhaps drinking that much is a bad idea.

True. Unless if you can take them as a sort of preventative measure against developing another type of psychosis? Although if that is possible, I guess that's a way better option than ending up with full-blown psychosis.

Like I say, I try not to (I used to be much worse with getting too drunk), just obviously still need to get better at knowing my limits.

[Sabertooth]

(Original post by superwolf)
True. Unless if you can take them as a sort of preventative measure against developing another type of psychosis? Although if that is possible, I guess that's a way better option than ending up with full-blown psychosis.

Like I say, I try not to (I used to be much worse with getting too drunk), just obviously still need to get better at knowing my limits.

Hmm, interesting that you mention taking them as a preventative measure. The DSM V is thinking of including a diagnosis called psychosis risk syndrome, which is when kids/adolescents are judged to be in the prodromal stages of psychosis - ie. showing some warning signs - then they're given antipsychotics to keep them from going on the develop psychosis. There's quite a lot of opposition to the idea.

[BeanofJelly]

(Original post by superwolf)
True. Unless if you can take them as a sort of preventative measure against developing another type of psychosis? Although if that is possible, I guess that's a way better option than ending up with full-blown psychosis.

Anti-psychotics are used as a sort of treatment/prophylaxis, but only in those who already have relapsing psychotic illness, who would very probably become ill if they didn't take them.

They're not the cleanest drugs (that is to say - they're associated with a lot of side effects) - I don't think your doc will be in any rush to give them, or is indeed likely to give them to you at all.

[superwolf]

(Original post by Sabertooth)
Hmm, interesting that you mention taking them as a preventative measure. The DSM V is thinking of including a diagnosis called psychosis risk syndrome, which is when kids/adolescents are judged to be in the prodromal stages of psychosis - ie. showing some warning signs - then they're given antipsychotics to keep them from going on the develop psychosis. There's quite a lot of opposition to the idea.

Sounds a bit risky (thinking of potential future health problems associated with long-term use of antipsychotics). Hope they at least get to make an informed choice about it.

[superwolf]

(Original post by BeanofJelly)
Anti-psychotics are used as a sort of treatment/prophylaxis, but only in those who already have relapsing psychotic illness, who would very probably become ill if they didn't take them.

They're not the cleanest drugs (that is to say - they're associated with a lot of side effects) - I don't think your doc will be in any rush to give them, or is indeed likely to give them to you at all.

Thing is I've been on them before (tried quetiapine but had a severe reaction and stopped after a week, but later was on olanzapine for over a year) for treatment-resistant depression, and my psych also mentioned putting me on aripiprazole a couple of months ago when my depression was particularly severe and I started having some strange thoughts related to restricting my eating (although those thoughts went away when my depression lifted). So I think there's more of a possibility that he'd consider putting me on them than with other people. I know he can't force me, but he seems pretty good with prescribing meds, so I probably wouldn't want to go against his decision. Ah well, just have to wait and see I suppose.

[BeanofJelly]

(Original post by superwolf)
Thing is I've been on them before (tried quetiapine but had a severe reaction and stopped after a week, but later was on olanzapine for over a year) for treatment-resistant depression, and my psych also mentioned putting me on aripiprazole a couple of months ago when my depression was particularly severe and I started having some strange thoughts related to restricting my eating (although those thoughts went away when my depression lifted). So I think there's more of a possibility that he'd consider putting me on them than with other people. I know he can't force me, but he seems pretty good with prescribing meds, so I probably wouldn't want to go against his decision. Ah well, just have to wait and see I suppose.

If you've had severe depression (sounds like maybe bordering on psychotic depression?) then your psychiatrist is really going to tell you off for drinking I'm sure you'll get a lecture from them, so I shouldn't, but alcohol is a depressant and it will make you worse, it can trigger your illness, and it reduces the efficacy of your drugs (by working against them), bla bla bla..

Do you have trouble with drinking, stopping drinking I mean? Because there should be services that can help you with that? I know it must be pretty ****ty when you're young and its what everyone is doing, and depression can drive you to it even more... But I think it's likely your doc will pick on that. Sorry!

I don't really know what to say, I'm at the end of my limited knowledge. Yep I'd think it's more likely you'll be prescribed them if you've had them before, but then you're not actually depressed at the moment.. so your doc may think it's unjustified.

EDIT: Actually I have to go to sleeeep. But gd luck with seeing them.

[superwolf]

(Original post by BeanofJelly)
If you've had severe depression (sounds like maybe bordering on psychotic depression?) then your psychiatrist is really going to tell you off for drinking I'm sure you'll get a lecture from them, so I shouldn't, but alcohol is a depressant and it will make you worse, it can trigger your illness, and it reduces the efficacy of your drugs (by working against them), bla bla bla..

Do you have trouble with drinking, stopping drinking I mean? Because there should be services that can help you with that? I know it must be pretty ****ty when you're young and its what everyone is doing, and depression can drive you to it even more... But I think it's likely your doc will pick on that. Sorry!

I don't really know what to say, I'm at the end of my limited knowledge. Yep I'd think it's more likely you'll be prescribed them if you've had them before, but then you're not actually depressed at the moment.. so your doc may think it's unjustified.

EDIT: Actually I have to go to sleeeep. But gd luck with seeing them.

Yeah I know. Although for myself I've found alcohol doesn't really impact on my depression, from what I can tell at any rate.

Nah, I sometimes go for months at a time without drinking (just lose interest in it at times), also I pretty much never drink on my own, only when I'm with other people. So I don't think there's a problem in terms of frequency, and I probably get wasted quite a bit less often than your average student, it's the occasional times where I do get really drunk and things start going wrong that's the problem.

Thanks for the advice, I'll post an update when I've seen the doctor (not got an appointment with him for a couple of weeks though).

[Anonymous]

(Original post by superwolf)
x

Just thought I'd tell you that I've had similar experiences with alcohol and legal highs Hearing people talking about me outside the bathroom door, seeing shadows/animals that aren't actually there, smelling burning/seeing smoke which no-one else can smell/see. Will be interested to hear what your psych says because I'm considering mentioning these things to my GP but don't want him to think I'm just being paranoid.

[superwolf]

(Original post by Anonymous)
Just thought I'd tell you that I've had similar experiences with alcohol and legal highs Hearing people talking about me outside the bathroom door, seeing shadows/animals that aren't actually there, smelling burning/seeing smoke which no-one else can smell/see. Will be interested to hear what your psych says because I'm considering mentioning these things to my GP but don't want him to think I'm just being paranoid.

Sorry to hear you're having similar troubles - I'll be sure and keep you posted on what my psychiatrist says.

[Profesh]

My (depressive) ex-girlfriend experienced similar episodes; the transformation was Hyde-esque, and to say the least, profoundly distressing for those around her – myself included. I'd strongly recommend limiting your intake.

[almosttrue]

(Original post by superwolf)
Occasionally when I've been drinking heavily I start experiencing delusions and hallucinations - thinking there are people trying to kill me, hearing voices shouting and possibly visual hallucinations (I tend to get memory loss too at these times, so it's hard to know exactly what I've experienced). The symptoms never last into the next day, and have only happened when I've been drinking.

What I'd like to know is: does the fact of this happening to me increase the risk of my developing later on some non-alcohol-related psychotic disorder?

well we had a patient who had long term psychosis after he had abused drugs etc. You can get psychosis off the immediate effect of drugs but since his carried on for years after he had stopped taking the consultant thought that the drugs had caused organic brain changes which cause it to be chronic. Im not sure about alcohol but Id be careful.

[superwolf]

(Original post by almosttrue)
well we had a patient who had long term psychosis after he had abused drugs etc. You can get psychosis off the immediate effect of drugs but since his carried on for years after he had stopped taking the consultant thought that the drugs had caused organic brain changes which cause it to be chronic. Im not sure about alcohol but Id be careful.

Hmm, that doesn't sound good. Thanks for the warning.

[Noodlzzz]

If it makes any difference, as someone with psychosis, drink doesn't effect my symptoms in anyway. This is either a pointless post, or shows that psychosis and alcohol aren't too closely linked.

One thing however, DON'T DO DRUGS. Seriously. If you have any vulnerability to psychosis, drugs won't only make you have the worst trips ever, but can actually induce a long term pattern of psychosis.

[superwolf]

(Original post by Noodlzzz)
If it makes any difference, as someone with psychosis, drink doesn't effect my symptoms in anyway. This is either a pointless post, or shows that psychosis and alcohol aren't too closely linked.

One thing however, DON'T DO DRUGS. Seriously. If you have any vulnerability to psychosis, drugs won't only make you have the worst trips ever, but can actually induce a long term pattern of psychosis.

I used to smoke weed a lot a few years ago (which at the time had no noticeable effect on my mental health, except helping me cope with my depression slightly), but I very rarely smoke now, and don't do any other drugs, so yeah, I'll definitely think twice before picking up any more bad habits.