I'm not so much thinking that you're screwed up, more that your pdoc is. How can you have paranoid schizophrenia and not know it? Wouldn't he have had to discuss that with you at some point? I'd ask him about it if I were you.

Still, the only thing worse than having a disease is having the disease & not knowing about it. As long as you know, you have a fighting chance to treat it, right?

I have social anxiety, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and agoraphobia on top of my BP2. I think I'm forgetting something, but it's no biggie. More stuff that has to do with anxiety, I think.
Well, I knew I had high anxiety my whole life, although I didn't know the diagnoses that I had but that were going undiagnosed.
The BP2 was only diagnosed a few years ago, so that's a bigger shock to me than the other stuff.
I don't know what all other stuff I may or may not have, but I got over being upset about it all a while back! It's just more labels. It's not like it gave me a condition, just that it's being given a name.
Number 2 in your list would bug me a lot at first, I think. That sounds like a biggie. But if you are functioning well, then just keep on keeping on!!!
I am still struggling with not letting my conditions define me, with limited success. But plenty of people on here seem to manage it quite nicely!!!!
Good luck!!! As extreme as your list is, it should greatly help in you getting your disability!!!
Take good care!!! It seems like you are doing well!! (((((Hugs)))))

I am bp1 and schizoaffective...I found out the same way you did when my doctor did a disability report. I was shocked at the schizoaffective part just like you were especially when he never talked to me about it. I think they list things as worse than they are so you get disability. Also it doesn't reflect on you as a person. It's a disease. We don't like it when others judge us for mental illness. We should not judge ourselves for it either. You are still the same person as before the diagnosis with the same personality...good traits and bad traits you just have an illness which makes up a small part of who you are.

I don't worry about it anymore and in fact I am proud of it because I know how hard it is to cope with the illness and I'm doing pretty damn good. One of my counsellors has schizophrenia and she has a masters in social work and works full time. It's not a death sentence. Doctors use the diagnosises to comunicate with other doctors. As non-medical people we really shouldn't be looking at the labels or the meds prescribed. Our job as patients should be to know ourselves, our triggers and to develop coping mechanisms that work for us when things get out of hand and I don't mean drugs and alcohol. I mean exercise, diet, meditation if it works for you), spirituality or whatever as long as it works to get you out of racing thoughts or depression. What has worked for me is AA, regular sleep and meals, contact with friends most days, lots of down time (I don't work). I will be looking into incorporating meditation in the future.

Hope this helps.

AdriaCMY I don't know where you are getting your information from but most people don't know if they are mentally ill...especially those with schizophrenia

That's my dx exactly ! and I've only found one other person with that so far.....

Christopher, I was diganosed bp2 with psychotic features, schizo-affective disorder, and severe depression.

I was told about the bp2 with psychotic features, and the severe depression, did not know about the schizo-affective disorder til I requested my paperwork from my pdoc.

I was pissed that he didnt tell me about the schizo-affective disorder. I felt he should've told me so I'd be able to ask question's if need be.

Hmm, what is social cluster C? I've never heard of that before,.

Also, what med's are you on?

Oh, I'm sorry, Christopher. I just now read this thread. If I'd known earlier what was going on, I would have tried to chat with you. I would recommend asking lots of questions of your pdoc and trying to seek out a second opinion. Maybe it will differ and be better, and if it's the same, you have double the proof to turn in for your disability application. Good luck & hope to talk to you soon. XX

i wouldnt worry about it, to be quite honest. I have been diagnosed (and undiagnosed) with many, many things in these past few short years and after going through a few rather extensive identity crisis it finally sunk in that YOU are YOU not your diagnosis.

When I read your post I see "Christopher22"(insert your actual name here : P) not "schizo-paranoid-socialwhatever" These words have no meaning. It doesnt change who you are. Im betting you are the same person that you were last week before having these labels.

And besides - if that doesnt quite settle just yet - know that the only reason these diagnosis exist is not to label people and pick them apart, but rather to identify their problem and treat them better.

And for insurance.

So in short - I wouldnt worry about it much further than writing it down so you can incorporate it in your trying for disability.

You are you and no label changes that definition.

Christoper, I know how hard it is to bear this "shopping list of illneses" - for me it is a struggle not be have my whole identity as this list - which is wrong. I would find a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia a shock, especially when it is the first time you've even heard it as a consideration in your diagnoses. I think you deserve a discussion with your doctor about why this has suddenly come out of the blue.

I have Bipolar Disorder (various doctors have said 1 or 2 - which shows how slippery these diagnoses can be), I have PTSD (I think CPTSD now that I know I know about it), Panic and Anxiety Disorfers, OCD and I am a nealy 12 years sober member of AA.

Having said all that, there could be a hidden advantage here. If you are going for Disability, the more serious the nature of the illnesses, the more likely you are to be successful getting Disability.

Thank you all for your comments it was helpful to me.

Muddydog I get my information the same place anyone should, from my doctor. I'm a little horrified that pdocs are diagnosing paranoid schizophrenia without telling their patients. Color me naieve, but it seems strange to me. Personally, I expect my doctors to tell me what they're treating me for. I don't think that's unreasonable.

Also, I don't think it's true that most people don't know they're mentally ill. Clearly, that's not the case here, everyone on this board knows they're mentally ill. What's with the tone?