Psychotic experiences at night?

[MammothBlade]

This will be hard to explain...

Last night I found myself in a bizzare situation. As I was going to sleep, I had an argument in my head, my thoughts felt weird, and disordered. I (apparently) have a case of OCD where I obsess over things to crazy extremes. One of my dominating obsessions for the past year has been about going crazy. Extreme form of hypochondria or what? Sometimes it gets to the point where I can't tell if I'm hallucinating or my OCD mind is just creating "hallucinations". I also can't tell if disordered, random thoughts are a result of OCD or psychosis. I had an experience in which I was being tormented by something non-human, some forces of nature. I'm afraid to identify them incase they really do exist.

I've been assessed about this a few months back, they thought I was sane enough. Still, things get weirder and more disturbing sometimes.

Does anyone have any experience with this kind of thing?

Please, no snide comments.

 

[Togs]

Ive had this exact same thing happen to me, but they were just panic attacks brought on by mild depression.
Whne they happen just breath deep and think about something else, all your doing is torturing yourself.

EDIT= I think a little context maybe necessary- my 1st year of uni didnt go so well socially, I lived in shithole with a bunch of people I didnt get along with and couldnt get up the courage to join a society or try and befriend people on my course, driving me deeper and deeper into depression.
By february it reached an all time peak when I became convinced I had a brain tumour that was driving me insane, as to me that could be the only explanation as to why I felt so crappy- completely ignoring that fact that I hadnt had a proper conversation in weeks.
Fortunately I had the self awareness to realise that this probably wasnt the case, and that I probably needed psychiatric help, which I sought out before being diagnosed with social anxiety disorder- which 3 months of CBT almost completely cured my of.

So dont worry mate your not going insane, you probably just need help.

 

[MammothBlade]

They don't feel like panic attacks. I get that with severe social anxiety. They're more like both a state of heightened consciousness which can get quite weird and even scary, though I unproductively argue with myself over what I actually experienced. =/

EDIT: Oh, I see. Your experience sounds quite similar to mine, except I'm just starting CBT tomorrow. I asked my GP for psychiatric help in January, but it has been going at a snail's pace and I've suffered from SAD + OCD for a lonnng time, since secondary school probably. I didn't catch on that I had a problem till fairly recently.

 

[Togs]

I didnt either- I was always a loner and hated being "intrusive" i.e. being even mildly friendly, it wasnt until it was brought squarely into the spotlight that I it dawned on me how unhealthy that outlook was.
But CBT is wonderful, the main thing it teaches you is to not be so dogmatic- no matter how things seem there is always another explanation.

Ive been where you are now and so am fully aware of how badly it sucks- if you ever need help just give me a shout.

 

[MammothBlade]

I guess I'm conscious of the sorts of problems I face. I'm very much afraid of socialising with people, trying to make friends, and even going out in public places.

What if I'm right about how others see me? That's possibly the worst part. CBT isn't going to fix my social skills. There is a reason I got so anxious in the first place. Because I never learned to socialise properly.

Did your social skills improve after you had CBT?

 

[Togs]

What if I'm right about how others see me?

You aren't, I guarantee it.

Did your social skills improve after you had CBT?

A little- I wasnt so tense all the time so it was easy to pick up on all the little clues I used to miss.
Its bigger effect was to make me realise they weren't nearly as bad as I thought they were.

 

[MammothBlade]

I hope it will work out with my social anxiety. Though the bizarre experiences I talked about are still marginally psychotic enough that I was referred to an early intervention service before, who found nothing but said I might require more specialised treatment after I had standard CBT. It's going to be a long road to being a completely functional person, I think.

 

[ajemas]

A someone who has had OCD for a very long time, I can tell you that your fears of going crazy and, most importantly, your obsessing about psychotic symptoms meaning that you are crazy, are almost certainly signs of OCD.
For myself, I am terrified of getting sick, specifically vomiting. I find myself obsessing over my stomach, thinking that any kind of stomach discomfort means that I am 100% going to vomit. Does that mean that I'm actually going to be sick? Of course not.

However, as someone who is certainly not a psychologist, I can say that I can't tell you with any certainty what is going on. I would advise you to take this to a therapist, and ask him about Exposure Response Prevention. I have personally benefited tremendously from this kind of therapy, and would encourage you to do the same. I have also personally known many people with the exact same problems that you are having, and every single one of them has gotten better to a great degree.

If you take anything away from this, it should be that you should see a therapist, and that you will get better if you put the work in.
Please don't be afraid to PM me if you need any advice or support.

 

[Esotera]

That doesn't really sound like symptoms of psychosis, and even if they were, you'd have little to worry about, as hallucinations are quite normal when you're just going to sleep/waking up. Obviously if you feel the need to talk to someone professional then do.

 

[Rin Little]

I've got the simple answer to this, crazy people don't know they're crazy. It sounds really stupid but its true. I've had moments like these when I get panic attacks, but it happens right before I get them. If there's too many different noises going on (doesn't have to be loud, just a lot of different noises) and I can't block them out, I get hypersensitive which makes it worse and it spirals me into a panic attack. I wouldn't worry about it, just try dealing with the OCD.

 

[Phasmal]

snip

Well, if you have been checked out mentally and it keeps happening, it may be worth seeing a sleep specialist. There are some conditions in which you are (sort of) awake but hallucinating in a dream-like state. (I watched a documentary on it but I am drawing a blank).
I haven't had this happen to me, but I do get sleep-paralysis, which is terrifying in its own right.

 

[MammothBlade]

snip

Well, if you have been checked out mentally and it keeps happening, it may be worth seeing a sleep specialist. There are some conditions in which you are (sort of) awake but hallucinating in a dream-like state. (I watched a documentary on it but I am drawing a blank).
I haven't had this happen to me, but I do get sleep-paralysis, which is terrifying in its own right.

Interesting. Yet I was conscious enough to go to the bathroom and then back to bed. I have had a few experiences of hypnogogia and sleep paralysis before, but I don't get that frequently.

Thanks for the advice guys. When I went to talk to my therapist today, I spoke about this like a child with an overactive imagination. I don't know if I subconsiously toned down what I said, or just had better insight into what actually happened.

 

[Generalissimo]

i've had this, waking nightmares. i remember defending myself in the middle of the night against what i thought was a monster, i woke my sister up. she pointed out i was punching and kicking thin air. it rarely happens with me. but it freaks me the hell out. all i can say for you is seek a therapist if it keeps gettin' worse.