I’m sure you get this a lot but I’m 16 I’m a junior or was I have recent things happening to me to make me believe I’m developing schizophrenia first I dropped out of high school and am always alone I have no interest of ever leaving the house anymore I literally have no friends anymore next is I felt certain that my mom could read my mind and that there was cameras inside the mirror in the bathroom I felt certain about that next would be I felt a strong urge to start smoking and abuse over the counter drugs and find it hard to resist I have only done that 2 times but am constantly fighting the urge to i sometimes will go speechless and can’t say wha I’m thinking in my mind I also will see flashes of light shoot across my eyes and I have gotten very scared from noises I also stay up all night surfing the web or on YouTube and just find it hard to sleep I have thought I saw people or ghost or shadows in the corner of my eyes hard to explain exactly what I see I have been getting very angry over super small things like for example my little brother ask me a question very simple one I forget what it was but I do remember just yelling at him for it no reason what so ever for me to act like that but that’s happens quite often just get very angry for no reason I also am always arguing with myself in my head and talk to myself I do not hear voices though I just talk to my self and it drives me nuts how much I talk to myself in my head it’s very hard to concentrate when that’s happening all the time and there are a few more things I can’t think of right now I guess what I’m asking is is it possible that this is just happening coincidently or should I seriously be worrying I also take criticism hard for some reason even if it’s very small and doesn’t even matter but anyways should I bring this up with my mom or should I not worry and wait to see if it all stops.
You are correct. I do get this type of question often but I’m glad that you wrote.
You have described several concerning symptoms including: dropping out of high school, your increased isolation, your belief that your mother can read your mind and that there are cameras inside your home, your desire to self-medicate, your insomnia, your irritability, memory and concentration problems (which may or may not be linked to your insomnia), and “talking to yourself.” Those symptoms should be evaluated by a mental health professional who can determine what might be wrong.
To answer your question directly, yes you should discuss these symptoms with your mother and ask her to make an appointment with a mental health professional. At the appointment, your symptoms will be reviewed, information will be collected about your psychosocial history and a diagnosis can be determined, if appropriate. The evaluator can also make a recommendation for treatment. He or she may suggest medication and counseling. Medication can treat many of your symptoms. Counseling can help you stay focused on reality and help you make decisions that will benefit you.
You made a wise decision to reach out for help. Your next steps should be discussing your symptoms with your mother and requesting an evaluation by a mental health professional.
Finally, most mental health professionals agree that it is extremely important to treat psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, as soon as possible. The sooner the treatment begins, the better the prognosis. Please take care.
Dr. Kristina Randle
