If a person is diagnosed with a psychological disorder like schizophrenia or bipolar can this be harmful?

Answer 1

Depends on if they are taking a proper cocktail of anti-neuroleptics, mood stabilizers, and anti-depressants. Each individual will respond to different medicines depending on their own biochemistry so what works for one patient may or may not work for another. People who are diagnosed with these mental health problems are life long patients who need constant follow ups with psychiatric doctors as well as psychologists, therapists, counselors. Remember that patients of these mental health disorders are people too. Yes these can be harmful for a person, especially these two of all. Schizophrenia comes in several types and severity as does bi-polar. They can both be harmful to themselves and to others but remember, treatment and follow up is key for patients. Only a licensed psychologist/psychiatrist can make a mental health diagnosis. Self-diagnosis is often times the number one cause of misconceptions of actual patients who suffer from these conditions. I am schizophrenic myself and take a daily cocktail of anti-neuroleptics (2nd generation anti-psychotics) as well as anti-depressant and mood stabilizers to curb the effects and balance me out. I also see a psycho-therapist frequently as a trauma patient with PTSD. Do not make false claims of mental health problems as the treatment for these can be harmful to people who do not have these conditions. Some schizophrenia drugs for instance can cause hallucinations in normal people while it helps minimize and/or eliminate hallucinations in actual patients. These drugs are not a joke. Such medications as Resperidol can cause a neurological condition known as Tardive Dyskinesia which can be permanent if not identified in time. These medicines are typically designed to benefit patients but without insurance they can carry a high cost (a bottle of 7mg/day for 30 days can cost around 400-500 dollars without insurance[this is a high dose though so don't assume this medication is really expensive,it varies depending on the dose your doctor prescribes.] the dose, is typically started at .5mg or 1mg depending on the doctor and your case and slowly increased to prevent tremors in the extremities.)

Please consult a license psychologist/psychiatrist in regards to formal and proper diagnosis and prognosis