Watch Now: “The First Signs of My Schizoaffective Disorder” on YouTube

In an effort to provide more detailed information in video format, I’m venturing into YouTube. This video was inspired by conversations I’ve had with others about finding ways to catch the first signs of schizophrenia spectrum disorders like schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia. As well as part of why that can be so difficult.

Here’s what happened after I sought help for what I was experiencing.

A few weeks after these changes in my functioning and mindset occurred, I began seeing a therapist and psychiatric nurse practitioner. Because I was already in treatment with a doctor with whom I felt comfortable (and because I was absolutely determined to do the whole “healing” thing as quickly as possible so I could go back to hiding my problems) I spoke up immediately when the psychotic symptoms began.

I am generally a very self-aware person. However, I did not seek treatment because I thought there was something wrong. I sought treatment because my ability to hide the things that I saw as “wrong with me” was becoming more and more impaired. With little prior accurate knowledge of psychosis, I had no idea that was even a possibility.

I do not want people to panic if they experience things like what I describe in the video.

These are symptoms that can be related to numerous different things. What I want is for people to be able to recognize when something may be worth looking at more closely in themselves or others. If something doesn’t feel right, monitor it and seek help if it worsens or if you feel the need. It may be the first signs of absolutely nothing. But, on the off chance that it is the first signs of something more, the sooner someone gets treatment, the better.