What mental problem do these symptoms indicate?

Question

My daughter's 16, she's been having some mental problems since back in november last year, and she was eventually referred to a psychiatrist for evaluation after she self-harmed so badly that she ended up in hospital. He's already diagnosed her with OCD and Bipolar Disorder, but I think she may also have either schizophrenia or multiple personalities. Here are her symptoms:

- Feels like nothing's 'real' or she's in a cartoon.

- Feels like she's outside her body and she can't control what she says or does.

- Part of her is in control while the other part is commenting in her head on what she's doing or telling her to do things (E.g. ''You should go to a toy shop and buy a children's toy'')

- Anxiety, and she's not sleeping well.

- She's losing weight and can only eat certain foods that have been prepared by herself or me (this is why her shrink suggested OCD)

- She has panic attacks if something reminds her of her father (who she was assaulted by in january) E.g. A windscreen wiper noise, an Irish accent.

So, what do you think? I know the psychiatrist's job is to diagnose the problem, but I'd like to go informed about all the possibilities so that I can keep up with what he's saying.

Thank you for reading and answering.

Answer 1

I hope she sees a doctor soon. I am not qualified to diagnose anyone. But I feel for you and for her. It's heartbreaking when someone you love is suffering so badly. I know. I think with medication and therapy she will get better.  

Answer 2

i am so sorry she is having to deal with all of this and i know this might be very confusing to her as well.it sounds like depersonalization,but if she is hearing people in her head telling her to buy certain things,it is possible there's someone,another part of her who wants the toys,ect.sometimes a person if diagnosed with having DID or any other mental illness can have different diagnosis,also a person who has DID,for example could have insiders who have different illnesses.yes,certain people,places and things can trigger someone who had a trauamtic past to have flashbacks of the event,makes them relive it all over again.

Answer 3

I'm so sorry for what your family is going through, you're in a tough spot that no parent wants to be in. No one but a certified mental health professional can give a diagnosis about your daughter's condition. The incident with her father happened to your knowledge in january, but the symptoms started in november, I know this is really hard to even think about, but could it be possible that something had occured before november? If so it would explain the out-of-body experiences (disassociation) which tends to happen when the mind in a sense tries to protect itself from any trauma that ones body may be experiencing I know of this from personal experience. The other symptom with the food may be a form of control, maybe she feels like because of that traumatic event, in which she had no control over, she desperately needs to regain some semblance of control, of order, like with ppl with eating disorders, it's not always just about food.Overall, mind you I am not a mental health professional I am merely speaking of my own past experience, It sounds a lot like PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) It's so hard for me to even think of what she's going through, God bless her. It may not seem so now, but with proper care and perseverence and support ( i cannot express how important that is) she will be alright. The best thing that you can do for her is love her, It can heal so many things, even a mind and heart that feels broken. Good luck and God bless.  

Answer 4

All of these symptoms can affect someone with bipolar disorder.

I have experienced all of these when I have been really bad, the type of Bipolar disorder I have is Bipolar I with rapid cycling  which means I can suffer the highs and the lows in quick scission making hard for doctors to prescribe me meds . Bipolar is not just one thing or one way of behaving.

Its not the highs and lows that that people seem to think it is. The best way I have found to explain it is the total inability to cope with the world and being unable to control your own emotions.

I will tell you somethings I have done to see if they ring a bell, I have believed that I do not really exist, I have taken great lengths to make sure I do not come into contact with any mirrors, I have heard (imaginary) people calling my name when out in public, I have gotten of a bus somewhere I do not know because the man beside me looked a bit like an ex boyfriend (panic attacks a plenty),  I have phoned friends and asked them if I was dead, I have went for week only eating one type of food for reasons I can still not understand. There's so much more just thought u might recognize some of this. When I was my very worst I can not recollect what I did as i pretty much ran away form my family and friends you daughter is lucky to have you around.

I hope your daughter is receiving proper medication and moreover taking it ,Bipolar people are the most likely not to take meds.

The main difference between schizophrenia and bipolar is that bipolar people may hear things (not always) but those with schizophrenia see things.

I am doing well just now and my cycles have calmed down I feel in-control for the first time

Answer 5

sounds to me like she could have schizophrenia but i am by no means qualified to make a diagnosis if you and your daughter are not happy with the assessment ask for a review is your daughter under the care of a community psychiatric nurse if so talk about any concerns with her C.P.N check out www.mind.org.uk/Information/Factsheets/ to keep yourself informed

i hope you and your daughter get the support you need

Answer 6

It sounds as if she is either on drugs that you may not be aware of, or

has really messed up her mind by having used drugs in the past.

The first part sounds like what people experienced in the 60's-70's using LSD.

Please see below:

Hope you can get qualified help for her soon. Rehab may play a role.

Answer 7

It's hard to say, because these symptoms can fit into all different things.

It sounds to me like she's either displaying signs of schizophrenia or very severe anxiety. You should take her to the psychiatrist she's been seeing and explain these symptoms. They will probably ask more questions, as this can be down to a number of different things. When I read your description, multiple personalities doesn't come to mind - she would have  extremely severe 'switches' if she did. It's good that you care so much about her and I'm very sorry to hear what you're going through. I think it would really help if you talked to a doctor about this, she may need to be treated for other things - alongside the bipolar and OCD.

When someone has a mental illness, it can be hard to distinguish which one it is and whether they have more than one. There is no specific symptoms for each, as some can 'cross over' to another illness. This is why misconceptions can occur when trying to diagnose someone. Feeling like nothing is real is quite a common symptom of schizophrenia. I suffer schizophrenia and I went through a particularly bad phase a couple of years back. I was convinced that my family were plotting against me and trying to take me away from my brother. I thought that everyone was watching me and I could see people with knifes when I went outside. It got to a point where I didn't want to go anywhere and I would hear voices telling me I was stupid, or telling me to hurt myself. Voices like this or like the ones you describe are also common to schizophrenia. Is your daughter deluded in any way? Delusions are a big clue about someone being schizophrenic. Is she increasingly paranoid, worried about odd things or scared of things which cannot happen? These things could also be very severe anxiety, it can lead to feeling like nothing is real. Losing weight, panic attacks and trouble sleeping are all common to anxiety.

I think you need to go back to your doctor or psychiatrist and explain these symptoms. It sounds like they maybe need to reevaluate or consider changing her future treatments.

Answer 8

Dissociation is not unusual in bipolar, particularly bipolar depression.  It's also not uncommon for post-trauma.  Most of the symptoms described fit it.  The OCD actually can be a symptom of bipolar as well if it only occurs when you are hypo/manic with thoughts going fast, or it could be related to the trauma.  This is if the food preparation is the only example, but I'm sure the doc has much more info than I do.  Anyway, nothing here sounds like schizophrenia.  Dissociative Identity Disorder in it's most severe form is multiple personality.  What's described is by far a milder distancing from reality and not an actual break.  

I'm sorry this is happening.  Work with your docs and know that other family does care a lot about your.  (Yeh, I saw your question before.)

Answer 9

I think it's extreme anxiety manifesting itself in different forms.  Such as the depersonalization you describe (feeling outside of her body).  It's a way to escape the pain she feels in life as a result of the assault from someone who should've been protecting her (ideally).  Life is too painful to deal with, so she's trying to mentally escape it, subconsciously. I have anxiety as well, but from something far less traumatic.