Hi everyone! I've really grown to like this sub and most of the time just lurk here and read all your advice and stories. Thank you for sharing <3
Today I have a question about the same family member I have already written here about. There isn't much else in the world they hate more than their medication. They constantly take the bare minimum and get shitty advice from quacks about how all people in psychiatric hospitals are there for no reason and it's a big power play of the evil pharma. They have recently reduced the dose yet again so that it's almost homeopathic (1.25 mg or somesuch).
Me and one other relative have already noticed changes of behavior in the said person: they are totally amped up, euphoric, talking non-stop and getting a little more aggressive towards others.
We are worried this might be a sign of an approaching of another psychotic episode. Their last one was in 2023. However, back then it was more somatic symptoms than being jittery. And during an even earlier psychosis in 2015 they were more withdrawn and suicidal, it all had a darker touch.
Do you also experience that the prodromal phase may have different manifestations? Or do your f&f with schizophrenia always have similar signs of an approaching psychosis?
The symptoms you're describing sound more like mania as in the manic phase of bipolar than anything related to prodromal schizophrenia.
That being said, it's impossible to say what is or isn't happening without a proper examination. Is there any chance you could get your LO to a psychiatrist? If not, and you are in the US you could call 988 and see if there are any mobile crisis teams that could make a visit and evaluate what is happening.
Is there any possibility of recreational drugs?
I sincerely hope you can find help and get your LO back on proper meds and doses. 💖🫂💖
Yeah, sounds like mania. My son is schizoaffective and this is what happens to him when he reduces his meds too much…usually has ended up hospitalized soon after.