Already having Bipolar disorder, is extreme paranoia considered a psychotic feature?
960034
If the paranoia reaches delusional proportions then it's considered psychotic.  Since you're questioning it you don't seem to have reached a delusional state.  People with true delusions are completely convinced and do not question the reality of their false beliefs.  The hallucinations are a psychotic feature.  But do you also have auditory hallucinations (such as hearing voices)?  It's very unusual for a person with bipolar disorder to have purely visual hallucinations unless they are experiencing sleep deprivation for more than 3 days.  Extreme sleep deprivation can cause you to see things.  You need to get to your doctor ASAP.  You may need more medication or the addition of an antipsychotic to control these symptoms.
19184
It is actually spelled "psychotic."  In the technical sense this term refers to a groups of severe mental illness where the person has periods of loses contact with reality. In a less formal manner, it is used to refer to the condition of having lost contact with reality. The person experiences severe impairment in his/her ability to function. All areas of a person's life are usually effected. Common symptoms: Hallucinations, delusions, withdrawal, impairment of intellectual function, lose of personal care skills.
830027
Internet or self diagnosis is dangerous, so you need to see a doctor, but first read some background and see if it really fits...\n\nOK, so it's a mood disorder and a serious mental illness. It has a strong genetic component, but appears to be triggered environmentally. There are no diagnostic tests for it, just psychiatric evaluation. Most sufferers are not diagnosed until middle age, and it takes an average of around 8-10 years to get a correct diagnosis. Historically, figures suggested it affects about 0.8% of the population at some point, which makes it about half as common as schizophrenia. In recent years, bipolar disorder has become an 'in' diagnosis, and many more people are being diagnosed at younger and younger ages. As with ADHD, this fad may well pass with time, although for the moment many celebrities appear to be 'popularising' it.\n\nIt is characterised by episodes of severe clinical depression and mania or hypomania (for definitions of those, see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Current_diagnostic_criteria_for_bipolar_disorder ). The extreme end of mania often turns into psychosis, complete with hallucinations and delusions. During manic phases, the person's judgement and perception of reality is severely compromised, leading to risky actions with potentially damaging consequences (financially, sexually and relationship-wise). Untreated, episodes generally worsen over time due to an effect known as kindling. Untreated Bipolar sufferers are at a very high risk of suicide: 20-25% attempt it, and 15% succeed.\n\nThe cycles in bipolar disorder are much longer than people generally believe. Anyone whose mood changes from minute to minute is very unlikely to be bipolar. Bipolar 1 is characterised by mood episodes lasting many months, while Bipolar 2 has episodes in the region of weeks to months. Rapid and ultra-rapid cycling bipolar disorder is rare, and cycles last days to weeks.\n\nThere are many drugs available to treat the symptoms of bipolar (there is no cure). These are either anti-convulsants or anti-psychotics (personally I take both), and the most well known of these is Lithium. Most patients will go through a number of different drugs before finding one that works for them.
728696
OK, so it's a mood disorder and a serious mental illness. It has a strong genetic component, but appears to be triggered environmentally. There are no diagnostic tests for it, just psychiatric evaluation. Most sufferers are not diagnosed until middle age, and it takes an average of around 8-10 years to get a correct diagnosis. Historically, figures suggested it affects about 0.8% of the population at some point, which makes it about half as common as schizophrenia. In recent years, bipolar disorder has become an 'in' diagnosis, and many more people are being diagnosed at younger and younger ages. As with ADHD, this fad may well pass with time, although for the moment many celebrities appear to be 'popularising' it.\n\nIt is characterised by episodes of severe clinical depression and mania or hypomania (for definitions of those, see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Current_diagnostic_criteria_for_bipolar_disorder ). The extreme end of mania often turns into psychosis, complete with hallucinations and delusions. During manic phases, the person's judgement and perception of reality is severely compromised, leading to risky actions with potentially damaging consequences (financially, sexually and relationship-wise). Untreated, episodes generally worsen over time due to an effect known as kindling. Untreated Bipolar sufferers are at a very high risk of suicide: 20-25% attempt it, and 15% succeed.\n\nThe cycles in bipolar disorder are much longer than people generally believe. Anyone whose mood changes from minute to minute is very unlikely to be bipolar. Bipolar 1 is characterised by mood episodes lasting many months, while Bipolar 2 has episodes in the region of weeks to months. Rapid and ultra-rapid cycling bipolar disorder is rare, and cycles last days to weeks.\n\nThere are many drugs available to treat the symptoms of bipolar (there is no cure). These are either anti-convulsants or anti-psychotics (personally I take both), and the most well known of these is Lithium. Most patients will go through a number of different drugs before finding one that works for them.
832497
Ever do drugs? \n\nI'd get a second opinion, if I were you...just in case. \n\nUnexplained mental problems are nothing to mess around with. This really is something that only a doctor should give you advice on, nobody here is qualified to give you a diagnosis regardless of their profession. It would be nothing but speculation and you really need to be checked out in person.
255785
The social worker who said that you cannot be considered psychotic if you know the voices are not real is incorrect.  I am a psychologist and I have studied psychosis extensively, and worked in two different state hospitals with many psychotic individuals.  Many people who are psychotic are very aware that the voices are not real, or are at least aware that other people think they are not real.  That person is still psychotic.  Psychosis describes a state in which someone's perception of reality is altered in some way, like if they hear voices or see things that no one else around them sees.  It can also describe a delusion, which is where someone is convinced of the truth of an issue despite evidence otherwise (example:  The CIA is after me and wants to kill my family).  What you described above sounds like psychosis, and psychosis is one symptom of Schizophrenia (although it can also be part of other disorders, like Bipolar).  Hope that helps.
92587
Talk to you psychiatrist.  The most notable clinical feature of bipolar disorder is dramatic mood swings.  As compared to an anxiety disorder or depression where your moods will may be impacted by external factors, but will otherwise remain relatively level, in bipolar disorder patients cycle through periods of mania and depression.  But you should really really talk to your psychiatrist - I assure you he or she knows a lot more about it that I do.  Also, antidepressents effect your mood (obviously - that's the whole point), and may be responsible for some or all of you symptoms.  Your doctor may want to try a different anti-depressent or take you off them entirely for a while before deciding on a new diagnosis.\n\nPS. Anti-depressants are a standard treatment for anxiety disorders.
1092040
Maybe instead of trying to blame it on a disorder...talk to him and try and figure out what is going on.  It is amazing the effects of talking and openess and dealing with problems can have on a person.\nOh...and if anyone says it is bipolar and/or manic depression...it is not because the highs and lows are not that quick...one extreme can be going for months at a time before it changes to the other.\nGood luck....TALK :)
64260
someone who is psychotic is obviously way out of touch with reality. They may be extremely hostile, paranoid, speaking in sentneces that make no sense, agitated, and could possibly become violent, but not always.
338743
yes i can , being bipolar you will have major mood swings. one day you can be so high on life and feel everything is great and the next day you will be so depressed that it is hard to even get out of bed. bipolar can be very dangerous.and if you think you may be bipolar you should seek help right away. i know these things because i am bipolar, manic depressant, and have multiple personalities. good luck and GOD BLESS YOU!!!
63931
A bipolar disorder is also known as a maniac disorder.  \n\nThis is a very dangerous phycholigical sickness in which a person can go completely nuts. That person may not only stop caring for their personal needs, but could also become dangerous to themselves,(could committ suicide), or dangerous to others around them,(could kill someone), if early treatment is not provided.\n\nIf you know someone with this disease, you should consult a psychologist immediately before its too late.  A person with this disease could lead a normal life with proper medication and regular visit to their psychologist. If treatment is not provided for a long time,then there is also a risk of the patient going nuts forever.
309388
Schizophrenia or multiple personality syndrome.  Bipolar people usually don't have personality splits which cause internal conversations. If you're having auditory or visual hallucinations (hearing things or seeing things) get to a mental health facility immediately.
273399
Psychosis is one symptom of schizophrenia and a symptom of a type of Bipolar Disorder.  You can have Bipolar without psychosis, but you are pretty much guaranteed to be psychotic if you are diagnosed with schizophrenia.
722323
It is very clear that you desparately need psychotherapy and possibly mediation. In my oh-so-humble, non-medical opinion it sounds like you have schizophrenia.  Please, please, please go get help.  You need medication.
203114
Get a copy of the DSM-IV TR.  It explains the criteria.  In a nutshell....the person mostly meets criteria for schizophrenia, but also has symptoms of depression and/or bipolar disorder.
1160815
Well judging by your nickname(depressed in Mexico) key word, depressed; I would suggest that you consult a Doctor who specializes in this area. You can be depressed and experience moodswings as well. there are a few diagnoses with these symptoms. one is Bi-Polar. bipolar causes severe moodswings. one day or even weeks at a time you can experience severe depression, and without any warning, you experience severe moodswings for example; instead of feeling depression, asudden feeling of mania takes over your thoughts,actions and behavior in an out of control manner. your moods become unpredictable this can be successfully treated and with proper treatment, you can live your life happily. Another one is depression alone these two dsorders are medical illnesses, and there are excellent treatments available that help people with these illnesses to live a normal and happy life. These illnesses are nothing to be ashamed of.Actually, the fact that you even asked your question is a positive step towards a successful recovery.Why do I know about this area? well, I happen to have bipolar,depression, and panic disorder(from PTSD). But, noone would ever know!! I live a happy, fulfilling and successful life. I DON'T KNOWMUCH about any specific diet or foods etc. But, if you need to talk please don't hesitate to e-mail me at: justicejamie888@yahoo.com.Everything will be kept in the strictest confidence. I help others in need as well.lhope i helped you in any way. take care of yourself and fel freeto e-mail me. sincerely, justicejanmie888@yahoo.com A.K.A.:Jamie K.
1156060
I have it and was diagnosed at age 26.  I got depressed and the bottom dropped out fro under me at 18 and I went for years being only diagnosed with depression.  I never attempted suicide but contemplated it for about 6 years every single day.  There were, however, manic days, where by all appearances I seemed happy to others.  I was ecstatically happy to the point that people had to make me calm down.  But when alone, the depression would immediately return with a vengeance when considered relative to the manic highs.  At one point, prior to my diagnosis, I became so consumed with my own political / religious philosophy that I went for several months in a highly delusional state until the point of psychotic hallucinations after several sleepless nights.  I was hospitalized for the first time after that and they still didn't diagnose it.  Of course I was scared and didn't tell them about the hallucinations, because I feared they'd think I was crazy. They instead treated me for alcoholism - I didn't even drink.  Finally, a couple of years after I got married, I became fascinated with a political idea that I had and began to put it to paper.  After weeks of writing incessantly and causing domestic disturbances, I went to the doctor with my notebook with me and told him that I could not stop writing - I couldn't relax and give it arrest.  At that point he diagnosed me as bipolar and I have been taking lithium and effexor every since, with limited levels of success from time to time.  There are still those moments when I'm capable of making an ass of myself with wild ideas and my enthusiasm for them.  I do not take anti-psychotic medications though as they seem to "labotomize" me and stop my thinking process cold.  I can't deal with that.  I am still highly intensive when it comes to religious or political debate.  Those are my two primary areas of obsessive compulsive thought.  I simply am not able to not think of these things when I "relax".  I can however control the pace with sedatives.  A regular sleeping schedule also helps.  \nWhen I am at my lowest low, sometimes I consider electroconvulsive therapy, but have not yet done it.  It is a bit frightening.\nGood luck, I do hope you find yourself not to have it.  But if so, there are ways to cope and control it to some degree, but I don't believe it can be totally controlled.