Lived Experience Forum

[Queenie]

Grrr the nurses and doctors think I'm being delusional. My partner thinks I'm being perfectly rational. 

Which is correct?

[Appleblossom]

Maybe a little bit of all 3 of you.  I dont know, but have been amazed out how easily the word "deluded" can be uttered in some envirnoments where .... in other places people get away with spouting all sorts of pap and their right to have an opinion.

Have to tease it out a bit.  How well do the nurses and doctors know you?

[Queenie]

I've been seeing the same psychiatrist for about 6 years. I'm on my 12th admission to the same hospital, but the nurses change here frequently so although they all know my name, they know little about me apart from what is in my chart.

My partner however knows everything and thinks although my hallucinations are acting up and so is my paranoia, I'm not delusional per se. 

It kinda freaks me out a bit. I thought I was still being rational and 'with it' so to speak. 

[NikNik]

Hi @Queenie

Sorry to hear you're in hospital 😞

I agree with @Appleblossom - the word 'deluded' can have different meanings to different people.

From what I can pick up from what you are saying (please correct me if I'm wrong): you are having some hallucinations and the paranoia is playing up, however, the word 'delusional' for you implies things are at the other end of the spectrum and are lot worse than you feel they are.


Would that be correct?

[Queenie]

Hi @NikNik yep you've hit the nail on the head. For me, I would classify delusional as being more out of touch with reality. I don't think I'm on that end of the spectrum this admission. 

[Former-Member]

I agree @Queenie, I think we can have parts of our experience things that are not real at the same time we perceive clear realities. Why does it have to be either / or, black or while? Guess its a case of which speacks the loudest at a particular time or season & if it causes us distress.

Also, it calms my mind to liken MI (Mental Illness) to PI (physical illness, such as diabetes). Some are mild diabetics needing minor lifestyle changes & are managed by a GP. Other diabetics are more severe, needing strong medication, specialist physician management, feequent relapses, hospitalisations and some episodes become a life threatening crisis.

I'm glad we have support.
Just do the best you can, that's all you can do.

[NikNik]

Hi @Queenie

I'm not sure if you would find it useful, but to get yourself, the treating team and your partner all on the same page, would it be worth phycially drawing a line and detailing the spectrum? I have heard of this done before - where you determine the scale and along the spectrum you articulate what would be taking place to be at a certain point on the scale. 

That way it could be a reference guide for everyone to use.

Just a suggestion...