I might be becoming schizophrenic.

[Sun Aut Ex]

Probably insensitive, but... that all sounds pretty good to me.

[Tybra]

I think that when most people take this short check-list they would come to the conclusion that they are schizophrenic. Partially because they reflect it to their personal lives, partially because most of it applies for most people. Even i tend to enjoy the fantasies of trying to come up with a realistic scenario to conquer the world and enslave all cats.

The difference between a schizophrenic and a "normal" human is the matter of control they have over their lives. When i fantasize i can easily shrug it off and do something else being fully aware it is a fantasy, a schizophrenic person as his/her entire live controlled by these disillusions. Rather then looking at these symptoms like a check-list of "yes" or "no" you need to look at it in regard to how much you can control these symptoms to be a decent member of society.

The fact that you are aware about these symptoms already tells me you probably aren't schizophrenic. Then again i'm not a actual psychologist.

[Tubbsalot]

Don't diagnose yourself with a serious illness just because you match a couple of symptoms up, you dunderhead*. If that was sufficient for confident diagnosis, everyone would have Alzheimer's every time they got a fever.

If you're seriously worried, see a doctor - you know, the people who are trained and paid to do this.

*I was going to call you a moron but figured it might come off as severe. That said, diagnosing yourself with schizophrenia, of all things, just because you don't like people very much and have an active mind? That is fucking stupid.

[Novograd IV]

Don't diagnose yourself with a serious illness just because you match a couple of symptoms up, you dunderhead*. If that was sufficient for confident diagnosis, everyone would have Alzheimer's every time they got a fever.

If you're seriously worried, see a doctor - you know, the people who are trained and paid to do this.

*I was going to call you a moron but figured it might come off as severe. That said, diagnosing yourself with schizophrenia, of all things, just because you don't like people very much and have an active mind? That is fucking stupid.

OP has no monies

[Tubbsalot]

OP has no monies

Even a single fifty dollar session with a GP is better than paranoid self-diagnoses. I'm sure he's not 100% broke with no imaginable way to get money.

[Vortiaganica]

You said you were doing an undergrad course. Does your uni have any counseling support for students?

[Austrianarch]

OP, I read through your symptoms and I have some experience with the field, being diagnosed with F-21, ICD-10, which is called, "Schizotypic Disorder". It fits every single one of your bolded symptoms, except the delusions. But from the above code, F being "mental and behavioural disorders", 20-29 being "schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional disorders", and finally F-21, ICD-10, the latter being the "International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision", I found the full ICD-10, Chapter F, lying round somewhere in a doctors office...
Well, let's just say that self-diagnosing is wrong...! ^^''
I was diagnosed by a professional.

So follow the good advice of some of my predecessors and call a number like the one on the MentalHealthAmerica website, and I quote:
"In Crisis? 1-800-273-TALK If you, a friend or a loved one is going through a tough time in your life and you need someone to talk to."

Just like 142 in my country.

Good luck!

P.S.: And no one's going to institutionalize you! Not unless you want them to!

[Caecili]

First, get professionally analyzed. Don't mention that you think you might be schizophrenic if you're worried about it. Psycho analysis is actually kind of fun. Maybe that's just me.

Also, don't smoke pot. If you're worried about schizophrenia, don't even touch it. It can bring out schizophrenia in predisposed people, especially young men.

[Mrayndolge]

I am by no means a person trained in diagnosis, but I do have an undergraduate degree in Psychology. With that, there is one thing I can tell you... almost 100 percent of the time a person self-diagnosis themself, they are incorrect. I only say almost 100 percent of the time because there may be some very obscure case that I just haven't heard about.
With that being said, I don't think you need to worry about having schizophrenia. Usually, schizophrenics cannot differentiate between their delusions and real life; their delusions are their life. The most important aspect of those symptoms that you listed are that they completely interfere with a person's ability to live their life. If you are still able to function in your everyday life, then it's probably something else. The fact that you know your delusions are just delusions, indicates that schizophrenia is not the case at all.
As a number of people have said, the symptoms you bolded can be caused by any number of disorders, and several people listed some of them for you. (Diagnosis of mental disorders is difficult because disorders with particular classes overlap with a lot of the same symptoms). However, I think your (some or most) symptoms can also be caused by stress. University is stressful, and as you are 19, it sounds like you are just beginning. Either way, mental disorder or stress, I suggest you talk to someone if you are really worried about it. Don't worry about not being able to lead a normal life, even if you do have schizophrenia. Many highly influential people have had mental disorders, including schizophrenia. One example is John Nash, who won a Nobel Prize for his contributions to Economics. (See the movie A Beautiful Mind for information on him.)
As for not having the money to see a doctor, check around on your campus. At my university, our psychology department had a psychological center where the students who were earning a master's in clinical psychology met with students, and people from the community, to provide therapy. For students, this was completely free, and they can help a lot of people. If nothing else, they can recommend someone to you who can help you. If it really is schizophrenia, you really need to see someone, despite your financial situation.
But, if it means anything; I don't think you have schizophrenia (however, I am by no means able to diagnose anything). I hope that the posts everyone have left you have been helpful, and that you take the recommended advice of everyone about seeking out a doctor or counselor. I hope everything turns out well for you.

[Sanyette]

Most of those symptoms you underlined I have, but that's just my personality.

[Ashmoria]

I don't really know what to think right now, I'm really fuckin' worried.

the bolded below are the symptoms that I can self-identify:
these symptoms have been developing steadily over the past year and a half. I recall learning about it in psychology, and that it usually develops in males around the age of 18-20. I'm 19. I've had numerous suicidal depressions (that luckily don't last for more than a few hours), and I almost bought potassium cyanide pills online once. I don't know what I should do. I don't have any close friends who I can talk to, and I hate my family. Are there any places that I can go to be diagnosed discretely, and for free? I have no money. I'm scared.

in this area there is a mental health clinic that charges on a sliding scale. it may well be that such a thing exists in your area too. if you are in school there is some kind of mental health office you can drop by.

check the phone book, the internet. many cities have a number you can call to ask about services, if you have a famiy doctor you might call and ask if there is a free/sliding scale mental health clinic in your area.

youre probably fine but it will make you feel SOOO much better to find that out for sure.

[Diseased Imaginings]

Also, don't smoke pot. If you're worried about schizophrenia, don't even touch it. It can bring out schizophrenia in predisposed people, especially young men.

... shit.

[An England of Freedom]

a

[Diseased Imaginings]

I am by no means a person trained in diagnosis, but I do have an undergraduate degree in Psychology. With that, there is one thing I can tell you... almost 100 percent of the time a person self-diagnosis themself, they are incorrect. I only say almost 100 percent of the time because there may be some very obscure case that I just haven't heard about.
With that being said, I don't think you need to worry about having schizophrenia. Usually, schizophrenics cannot differentiate between their delusions and real life; their delusions are their life. The most important aspect of those symptoms that you listed are that they completely interfere with a person's ability to live their life. If you are still able to function in your everyday life, then it's probably something else. The fact that you know your delusions are just delusions, indicates that schizophrenia is not the case at all.

thank you for posting this. It's true that I can still differentiate between my delusions and reality. It's more akin to having a perfect, idealized reality in my head that I escape into far too often. It happens several times a day now, regardless of where I am. I'll be concentrating on reading something, listening in class, working, or whatever, and I'll suddenly slip into my own fabricated universe and dwell there for an hour or two.

As a number of people have said, the symptoms you bolded can be caused by any number of disorders, and several people listed some of them for you. (Diagnosis of mental disorders is difficult because disorders with particular classes overlap with a lot of the same symptoms). However, I think your (some or most) symptoms can also be caused by stress. University is stressful, and as you are 19, it sounds like you are just beginning. Either way, mental disorder or stress, I suggest you talk to someone if you are really worried about it.

perhaps... I don't personally think that university is all that stressful though. It's more like a vacation to me. Just to clarify, it's not like I've just started there and am hitting a massive culture shock or anything, this is my third year of being there.

Don't worry about not being able to lead a normal life, even if you do have schizophrenia. Many highly influential people have had mental disorders, including schizophrenia. One example is John Nash, who won a Nobel Prize for his contributions to Economics. (See the movie A Beautiful Mind for information on him.)

I'm an economics major

As for not having the money to see a doctor, check around on your campus. At my university, our psychology department had a psychological center where the students who were earning a master's in clinical psychology met with students, and people from the community, to provide therapy. For students, this was completely free, and they can help a lot of people. If nothing else, they can recommend someone to you who can help you. If it really is schizophrenia, you really need to see someone, despite your financial situation.
But, if it means anything; I don't think you have schizophrenia (however, I am by no means able to diagnose anything). I hope that the posts everyone have left you have been helpful, and that you take the recommended advice of everyone about seeking out a doctor or counselor. I hope everything turns out well for you.

Thanks, I'll check the university health center the next day I'm in class.

[Siorafrica]

I don't really know what to think right now, I'm really fuckin' worried.

the bolded below are the symptoms that I can self-identify:

Symptoms

Schizophrenia may have a variety of symptoms. Usually the illness develops slowly over months or years. Like other chronic illnesses, schizophrenia cycles between periods of fewer symptoms and periods of more symptoms.

At first, you may feel tense, or have trouble sleeping or concentrating. You can become isolated and withdrawn, and have trouble making or keeping friends.

As the illness continues, psychotic symptoms develop:

*

Appearance or mood that shows no emotion (flat affect)
*

Bizarre movements that show less of a reaction to the environment (catatonic behavior)
*

False beliefs or thoughts that are not based in reality (delusions)
*

Hearing, seeing, or feeling things that are not there (hallucinations)

Problems with thinking often occur:

*

Problems paying attention
*

Thoughts "jump" between unrelated topics (disordered thinking)

Symptoms can be different depending on the type of schizophrenia:

*

Paranoid types often feel anxious, are more often angry or argumentative, and falsely believe that others are trying to harm them or their loved ones.
*

Disorganized types have problems thinking and expressing their ideas clearly, often exhibit childlike behavior, and frequently show little emotion.
*

Catatonic types may be in a constant state of unrest, or they may not move or be underactive. Their muscles and posture may be rigid. They may grimace or have other odd facial expressions, and they may be less responsive to others.
*

Undifferentiated types may have symptoms of more than one other type of schizophrenia.
*

Residual types experience some symptoms, but not as many as those who are in a full-blown episode of schizophrenia.

People with any type of schizophrenia may have difficulty keeping friends and working. They may also have problems with anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001925/

these symptoms have been developing steadily over the past year and a half. I recall learning about it in psychology, and that it usually develops in males around the age of 18-20. I'm 19. I've had numerous suicidal depressions (that luckily don't last for more than a few hours), and I almost bought potassium cyanide pills online once. I don't know what I should do. I don't have any close friends who I can talk to, and I hate my family. Are there any places that I can go to be diagnosed discretely, and for free? I have no money. I'm scared.

I've had the majority of symptoms of things but never had any of them. I wouldn't be too worried.

[Conscentia]

I display most of those in bold...I have no worry of becoming schizophrenic...I wouldn't be worried about those in bold if I were you...Come back when you have more convincing symptoms or evidence...

[Buurdland]

I don't really know what to think right now, I'm really fuckin' worried.

the bolded below are the symptoms that I can self-identify:

Symptoms

Schizophrenia may have a variety of symptoms. Usually the illness develops slowly over months or years. Like other chronic illnesses, schizophrenia cycles between periods of fewer symptoms and periods of more symptoms.

At first, you may feel tense, or have trouble sleeping or concentrating. You can become isolated and withdrawn, and have trouble making or keeping friends.

As the illness continues, psychotic symptoms develop:

*

Appearance or mood that shows no emotion (flat affect)
*

Bizarre movements that show less of a reaction to the environment (catatonic behavior)
*

False beliefs or thoughts that are not based in reality (delusions)
*

Hearing, seeing, or feeling things that are not there (hallucinations)

Problems with thinking often occur:

*

Problems paying attention
*

Thoughts "jump" between unrelated topics (disordered thinking)

Symptoms can be different depending on the type of schizophrenia:

*

Paranoid types often feel anxious, are more often angry or argumentative, and falsely believe that others are trying to harm them or their loved ones.
*

Disorganized types have problems thinking and expressing their ideas clearly, often exhibit childlike behavior, and frequently show little emotion.
*

Catatonic types may be in a constant state of unrest, or they may not move or be underactive. Their muscles and posture may be rigid. They may grimace or have other odd facial expressions, and they may be less responsive to others.
*

Undifferentiated types may have symptoms of more than one other type of schizophrenia.
*

Residual types experience some symptoms, but not as many as those who are in a full-blown episode of schizophrenia.

People with any type of schizophrenia may have difficulty keeping friends and working. They may also have problems with anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001925/

these symptoms have been developing steadily over the past year and a half. I recall learning about it in psychology, and that it usually develops in males around the age of 18-20. I'm 19. I've had numerous suicidal depressions (that luckily don't last for more than a few hours), and I almost bought potassium cyanide pills online once. I don't know what I should do. I don't have any close friends who I can talk to, and I hate my family. Are there any places that I can go to be diagnosed discretely, and for free? I have no money. I'm scared.

I have most of the following, though many of these are in the eye of the beholder! I wouldn't worry about it unless you start thinking of brutally butchering people or something horrible like that. Go to a free clinic or something but don't let it bother you too much or that might make you ACTUALLY develop it and nobody here wants that! Just try to relax and take it easy man!

[Lordieth]

It isn't just the symptoms, but the severity of them. Paranoia also makes self diagnosis very unreliable. Don't panic. If you feel you are in immediate danger of causing harm to yourself or others, contact the emergency services. Worrying and researching is only going to make it worse. If you can't get any free medical advice, look for a charitable organisation that may help you. If you can help it do not isolate yourself, feeling detached can potentially worsen how you currently feel.

[Iuuvic]

The internet has made many hypochondriacs out of otherwise unworried peoples. Somthing to remember is that people can suffer all the symptoms of any particular mental disorder and not actually have it. Symptoms mean near nothing without the persons medical and pychological historys, also what is going on in your life now, what you are eating, how much sleep you are getting, are you using a differant shampoo, have you been exposed to a chemical agent, are you stressed, are you sexual active, where you abused...The list is endless and things in your life that may seem to be insignifacant at best can have profound affects on you.

The absolute best course of action is, if you feel you may have a true problem, to see a psychologist or psychiatrist (assuming you live in the US there are many programs for seeing them free of charge or for cheap payment plan). If that is not an option go to your family doctor, if you do not have one than make an appoitment at your local hospital, the doctor will direct you to recieve the proper care at the way most viable to you. Worrying that you cannot pay for the help you need will do more harm if you end up actually needing help, there is always a way to get the help you need whether you can afford it or not.

[Smunkeeville]

1. You can't self diagnose. It won't work.
2. You should see a doctor if you are having worrying symptoms because they will be able to help you.
3. It's highly unlikely they will lock you up. You have to be dangerous for them to do that and you don't sound dangerous.
4. If they DO lock you up, it will only be for a few days and will be helpful.

There are many mental illnesses with overlapping symptoms. Only a trained doctor can diagnose people properly and even then if you don't tell them EVERYTHING that is going on they might misdiagnose you. Don't be afraid of going to therapy, it's helpful for almost anyone whether they're mentally ill or not. Don't be afraid to take meds that are prescribed but if they aren't working or are making things worse please tell your doctor because they can adjust or change your treatment plan.

I'm not a doctor. I'm just a patient.

[Conscentia]

...I know I said you shouldn't worry about that those symptoms will become schizophrenia...but you said you had suicidal thoughts...I advise you to see a doctor or psychologist about that. That's rather serious. Only by visiting a doctor/psychologist can you know whether you are developing schizophrenia.

...And you should really, really, really tell them about your suicidal thoughts so they can help you and stop you having them.

[Hydesland]

My cousin is schizophrenic, and for what it's worth you don't seem to be remotely like him in any way. For one thing, he could not neutrally or objectively analyse is own situation, he's pretty much unaware of his shortcomings or strange behaviour most of the time.

Also, self diagnosis is terrible, not just because you don't know what you're talking about (no offence), but it becomes a vicious circle. If you think you have a problem you become more anxious, which exacerbates the problem.

[Mercator Terra]

I have all of those. Some to a greater extent then others. Yet I am not schizophrenic.

[Hydesland]

I'll be concentrating on reading something, listening in class, working, or whatever, and I'll suddenly slip into my own fabricated universe and dwell there for an hour or two.

That's called daydreaming, it's normal. Some people have intense daydreams, not usual, but not abnormal either. It tends to happen amongst the creative types.

[Lordieth]

I daydream many times a day. As long as the line between fantasy and reality doesn't blur you're fine.