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Psychosis & Mental Health
TOPIC: Psychosis & Mental Health
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Re:Psychosis & Mental Health 4 Years, 1 Month ago
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If their symptoms are not under control or are likely to flare up and they could cause harm to themselves or others, then a temporary driving ban and removal of children might be the best thing. But I think your question assumes that people know what psychosis means. I'm certainly no expert but unfortunately know more about it than I once did, having experienced an episode of psychosis out of the blue for several days a few years ago. This culminated in a suicide attempt because I thought my town had been taken over by Islamic State, followed by a month in hospital. The best way I could describe it was as a waking nightmare of fear and paranoia where my worst imaginings became real and events and things people said, coupled with visual and auditory hallucinations, were woven into a nightmarish narrative. Using the internet, watching TV and reading didn't help, as what I read/heard fed into my delusions and I was reading hidden and double meanings into everything. The solution was the hospital stay, big doses of psychiatric medication which eliminated the paranoia/delusions/hallucinations and various activities, including info sessions on psychosis. The medication was gradually reduced and I'm still on a low dose of it and am hoping the problem doesn't recur, as I wouldn't wish the experience on my worst enemy.
For anyone in a similar situation, the only thing I could suggest is to take the advice of experts, doctors, etc. They're there to help and are not out to get you. Your thoughts may not reflect reality.
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Re:Psychosis & Mental Health 4 Years, 1 Month ago
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Edit: advising someone to stop driving might have to do with side-effects of medication. This is about the one I take:
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed. Because olanzapine may cause somnolence and dizziness, patients should be cautioned about operating machinery, including motor vehicles.
www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/3095/smpc
There's also this government guidance:
Psychiatric disorders: assessing fitness to drive
It lists various mental illnesses and for "acute psychotic disorder" says "Must not drive during acute illness and must notify the DVLA".
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Re:Psychosis & Mental Health 4 Years, 1 Month ago
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Bookworm, If I was you I would take Jo's advice and go along with what the experts recommend.
I do understand your feelings about the situation being caused by other people's failings, but what is important at the moment is getting you well again.
Put yourself first.
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