I’m no fan of labels or mental health diagnosis’, but many people seem to be preoccupied with placing complex illnesses inside pigeon holes. So what exactly is my diagnosis? I’ve had all sorts of labels placed on me over the years by various doctors and physicians, but if you must know I have confirmed with my physician that my current diagnosis is a complex blend of Bipolar Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder coupled together with a severe case of Sleep Apnea. It should be noted that any three of these diagnoses by themselves can cause delusions and hallucinations.
My most recent diagnosis is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The symptoms started after a series of violent crimes over 10 years ago. I’ve been through the court system more than once, not as a perpetrator as most would believe, but as a victim testifying against armed robbers, burglars and other violent offenders. Years later, I still catch myself believing I have been the victim of some imaginary crime that never occurred.
I also have been diagnosed with sleep apnea after a sleep study. This illness causes people to wake up repeatedly in the middle of the night sometimes hundreds of times. In severe cases this can cause a lack of REM sleep and can create all sorts of mental health difficulties that include psychotic symptoms.
Lastly I have also been diagnosed as having Bipolar Disorder. Though I only recall being Manic a couple times in my life, this apparently is enough to have been labeled as such.
Again, I truly despise labels, but it is easy to see how one might confuse the delusions and hallucinations of schizoaffective disorder with those of other illnesses.
The most important thing is that you are getting the right treatments so you can live a long, healthy, happy life.