Anti psychotics :
Risperidone ( was on this for about 2 months ) -
For myself, it hardly helped with the voices/seeing things/delusions. It just didn't help, it made me sleep better though!
Side effects : (TMI) it made milk produce from my nipples (this happens to a large number of people
It caused me to not be able to go to toilet.
I had a slight tic in my eye that lasted for a day or so
Olanzapine (was on this for a year) - Olanzapine is usually used as a temp drug because of the side effects/sedating effects so usually you're on it for about 12 weeks max (what I was told).
It was an excellent sedater! I was asleep within 20 mins of taking it at night, I was on a high(ish) dose of 10mg twice a day, however, I did nap nearly every day for about an hour or two if i could. It helped with the voices/seeing things during the day, but at night it was better but still hard - but like I said, it knocks you out so you fall asleep before you get too scared.
Side effects: THE WEIGHT GAIN. I gained nearly 2 stone in one year of taking it, I wasn't eating alot either - the same as my partner and she's stayed the same. It makes you put on weight like no ones business.
That was the only side effect I had with my Anti- psychotics, I've never experienced the mental dulling sensation people do, I was the same as I am when I'm not in an episode - it was really normal tbh. (Every medication is different for different people though!)
Anti-depressants -
Citalopram (took this for about 2 months) - I only took this for 2 months or so, I didn't think I needed it as I was able to help my external factors which helped the depression. The drug was fine, no side effects. I can't actually say whether it helped or not because at the same time I was getting rid of the source of my depression so.
CBT - (first time)
I was in CBT for self harm and anger issues, it helped - I was able to understand what to do when I was angry and calm down. I had a fantastic psychologist who was lovely so that really helped! It teaches you methods/coping strategies to have. ABC approach I think it was.
CBT - (second time)
this time it was for psychosis - with the same psychologist (she really was lovely) and she taught me how many people actually experienced hearing things and that it wasn't crazy. We worked together to find coping strategies that worked for me. How to make sure I don't cause an episode, and what to do if I have one. It was really good - and helped if you're struggling to cope with the episodes.
Psychotherapy-
Note: psychotherapy isn't usually on the NHS, but it's used in rare circumstances in CAMHS. I was in psychotherapy for around 9-10 months (as I turned 18 so we had to stop). it was VERY hard. it brought up memories I repressed for years and years, and made everything out in the open. You were open to your sub conscience, which was scary. this worked by saying everything that came to mind, you talked about things you didn't even realise yourself. So it is very hard, however, I was doing it to find the 'root' of my psychosis, which helped because it discovered how the things I see/believe come from (presumably). It's very intense though, I went twice a week (some people go three times) you talk about alot of things, you might not even think about yourself. It does work to help you understand your illness, but in my experience, it didn't help with the actual psychosis, only to understand (sorta) why I experience to certain things I do.
Hospital -
I was in an adolescent hospital as I was 17 at the time, It was a building separate from the main hospital so it wasn't a ward as such. I was on a mixed ward of about 8-10 rooms. I had my own room where I had a bed, wardrobes, desk, bed side table and my own bathroom (consisting of a toilet and a shower) it was nice enough.
the ward itself, had a T.V room, a games room, a chill out room, a computer space and an arts and craft room. The nursing desk was in the center, there was also a room for visitors and nurses/doctors to meet with you in there.
There was a outside space which had a football court and a basketball court.
You were made to have a blood test and a pee test, ECG, physical check just to see how you were.
We had a school dinner type system where we went into the 'dining' place and chose out of around 3 options - there was always nurses/assistants in there with you watching everyone eat, there was also another room for supervised eating. you had a choice of dessert if you wanted it.
You were woken up in the morning for breakfast (Around 7) then after that you had some chill out time, then you HAD to go to school and learn things (even if you're not at college/in college), there was other activities like music and arts. You then had a session with whomever you were seeing that day (psychologists, nurse, doctor etc) then you were free to do whatever. Vistors were 3-8 on the week days and 11 - 8 on the weekends (most people went home then though). Dinner then bed really. It was very boring but I read alot and revised (as I had my A level exams in a month or so during this time)
In my experience, I was taken off the drugs I was on (an anti psychotic) to see myself in a 'true' form. I had a very bad time, I had episodes every night and wouldn't sleep. Saying this, the nurses were fantastic! they check on your every hour or so, and there's always someone to talk too. When I had episodes, they'd stay with me for hours, just making sure I wasn't doing anything stupid. It was nice to have such supportive staff.
We wasn't allowed any phones at all. This was very hard, however in some cases they'd allow you to sit on your own in a specific room to listen to music.
I, myself, didn't enjoy/like my experience there at all - it didn't help directly. However, I did see how it can benefit people, and I found myself realising - I don't want to be here. I want to be better, I don't want to kill myself or harm myself. I can get better and carry on in a 'normal life' so yeah it's really good in making you want to recover.
The actual place is very safe, in which there is hardly any ways to hurt yourself - the shower/taps is a timed ones where it turns off and is a certain temperature. The knobs on the door are specially shaped so it's hard to hurt yourself on them. They search your stuff (not too intrusive) to make sure you don't have anything to hurt anyone. Everyone there wants you to get better, and survive. It's quite nice atmosphere (in a sense).
That's all I can really think of.
EDIT: forgot the FAQ's (in terms of psychosis/ seeing/hearing things)
Am I crazy for hearing things?
Answer being: no, 1 in 4 people have reported hearing something no one else did at least once, and a study found 39% of the gen population have experienced regularly hearing things. It's a coping method a brain takes on when under a lot of stress.
Am I schizophrenic ?
Answer: there are so many diagnosis'/reasons for seeing/hearing/believing things - there's other disorders apart from schizophrenia (however it could be that). Sometimes, hearing/seeing/believing things isn't a psychotic illness at all but a depressive or emotional illness.
Will they section me/think I'm crazy?
Answer : no, unless you're a direct harm to yourself or others it's VERY unlikely. You'll be given a care plan and medicated in some situations. Care professionals want the best for you, they're not out to section you or think you're crazy.
Will this be forever?
Answer: no one can say for sure, it really depends. However there's a widely used statistic that 33% of people who experience these things recover and never have another episode. The other 33% may experience multiple episodes but they are under control and does not affect their lives to a large extent (in terms of school, jobs, relationships). there's been cases of people waking up (usually after having therapy for a while) and not having these experiences. Conversely, many people find the right medication and are able to cope and go on their lives and be okay. It'll be okay.