Can Anxiety Make You Insane Or Psychotic? (Recovery Monday #66)

I'M AFRAID OF INSANITY OR PSYCHOSIS!
This is one of the most common fears - the fear of losing one's sanity or experiencing a psychotic break - in our community. Today let's' look at this common myth. The myth that anxiety is an indicator of pending insanity or can lead to a psychotic break.
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[@JustaDude7297]

A real truly crazy person doesn’t believe they’re crazy so if you worried thinking you’re going crazy, this means you’re not going crazy.

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

This is correct! Sadly, someone in the grips of this fear or obsession will hear it, feel better for a short while, then return to compulsively checking for signs of insanity, testing memory, reciting names and events to prove that they are connected to reality, etc. Anxious minds are terrible at using logic and facts as proof of anything. Its a raw deal for sure.

[@pampoovey6722]

This really helped me in the grips of panic, so thank you much.

[@55tranquility]

I have a good friend who had a psychotic episode - she sums it up in her typical funny way: psychoses is when you are telling your Dr you are absolutely fine and there is nothing wrong with you and the Dr does not agree. Neurosis is when your Dr tells you are absolutely fine and you don’t agree😂

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

I love that!!!! Thanks for sharing it.

[@Themonkeychunkspunk]

The answer- NO! Also you're not alone! Whatever brought you here- just know we're all in it together, and BREATHE!

[@Caskidable]

Thank you

[@calebbooth5344]

I’m scared that if I let go of the fear of going crazy I will actually go crazy

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

That's the textbook statement that drives the continued fear. "I can't let go! I'm holding on to my sanity! Its too important for me to risk this!" Its not just you. Its what EVERYONE with this particular fear says when confronted with the idea that letting go and "taking that risk".

[@Sirie7206]

There was a point when my anxiety was so bad that I couldn’t even say the word “schizophrenia” because I thought if I said it, it meant I had it. I couldn’t say the word “anxiety” either. I didn’t want to accept this is what I was going though. I was too afraid to even tell my doctor what was happening to me because I didn’t want to be institutionalized. From 🇨🇦. Love your videos. Have shared them with friends.

[@carolwhelihan1514]

i totally get this. i think it is the hardest symptom to feel for me. i don't fear places, or events, or going to places, I fear the feeling like i am going crazy. hugs

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

Fear of losing one's sanity is one of the top five most common fears expressed by people who experience states of high anxiety or panic on a regular basis. You're definitely not alone in this and I bet many can relate to not even wanting to say the words. I was too afraid to say words like "death" or "dead" when I was at my worst, so I hear you. xx

[@Sirie7206]

@@TheAnxiousTruth It’s the craziest thing one can experience.

[@Sirie7206]

@@carolwhelihan1514 Yes!

[@Phoenix-sq9ce]

me too rn😞

[@kennethvaughan6719]

I hate how some of the online articles conflate anxiety, stress, trauma, and stressful events and how they can cause psychosis. They are trying to cover their bases, but it really freaks anxious laypeople out. And I hate how anxiety likes to switch up the symptoms. I started with normal DPDR stuff. I floated through that with no problem and then I just felt uncomfortable about the way I was thinking about things. Hard to explain, just weird, unusual, and frightening. Now that I’ve floated through a lot of that I can feel that fading out too. I wonder what’s next. I’m just reminding myself that even if the symptoms are new, the trajectory is typical of anxiety. I know what to do, but man I’m tired.

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

Here to validate the tired thing. It really can be exhausting at times. I hear you on that.

[@Elle-hx8ji]

40:55 and this is why I will only talk to people in the community ( inclusive of the professionals ) about what I’m going through. Even friends and family can be so understandably dense when it comes to this issue.

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

Even people that mean well can sometimes provide "support" or "advice" that can really backfire on us. I get it.

[@soumyajain613]

Thank you for this. Even though I’m out of this state now, this helps me understand what was actually going on and that’s really empowering.

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

There really is power in understanding, isn't there? I'm so glad you're not stuck in that spot any more, too. It's not a nice place to be.

[@24kfate92]

Thank you so much, Drew!

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

You're very welcome!

[@ricardodsavant2965]

Thanks Drew!

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

You're very welcome. Glad I can help in some way. :-)

[@strictlybusiness9168]

God bless your heart! As I feel I’m goin crazy I’m listening to you and now I feel better!

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

I'm glad I could help! Now notice that I did literally nothing to keep you from going crazy or losing your sanity. All I did was say words, which have no magic, right? Lean on that lesson from reality. This video might have made you feel better, but it didn't actually save you from anything because you never really need saving. :-)

[@user-xt7ux5uo3v]

As far as I know OCD can't turn into schizophrenia. Because it's impossible that you've been afraid of schizophrenia for a long time and then suddenly get schizophrenia. Crazy people aren't afraid of being crazy. It's just that many websites say that neurosis can turn into psychosis. But how is it possible if neurosis and psychosis are absolutely two different disorders, either you have recognized psychosis, or you just have a very strong anxiety. Don't you?

[@ellenborish1371]

Excellent!!

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

Thank you! :-)

[@slv6470]

me coming back to this topic every few months, lol.

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

Exactly why we say that seeking reassurance is a dead end. I get you on this. And you're far from the only one. xx

[@offlinemobilegaming2136]

I have some repeated thoughts about going crazy due to my emotions . And some newses and dramas i watch since thay also leads to worry In this, all the bad emotions are involved, and i am scared 24 / 7. I have nothing to do anything at all times, even going to the nearest shop and think if i go my emotion get heavy on me and may i will go crazy or in depression ( afraid from emotion and think thay can make me crazy or kill me fear,trouma,anxiety,depression,stress etc) I know that all are wrong but need help

[@rayjones4951]

I love your title 😂. What is considered psychotic? I nuts for sure !

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

In this context people are afraid that a "psychotic break" will put them in an incapcitated state where they have lost their sanity, lose touch with reality, and can't function mentally or emotionally because they have literally broken their brains. It's really the story anxious people build around the word "psychosis" that matters more than the clinical definition.

[@taniaglover2720]

My anxiety is so extreme I have sudden extreme attacks with racing thoughts that repeat youre crazy youre crazy. I dont have schizophrenia or psychosis but these attacks feel psychotic, its not a fear of going crazy these attacks tell me Im insane and need to die and I completely melt down and need emergency help

[@aiai3036]

Wow me too and they come in phases or words lmao

[@kerrijodierberger]

Wonder if you have anxiety, literally terror, and severe depression from withdrawal from a benzo, something I never had before, it’s strictly chemical. I’ve never experienced anything remotely like this I was a never a person who suffered from anxiety and never had depression that I can’t feel any enjoyment I am scared to watch tv, or listen to music because I can’t feel my soul. 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@lakshmipriya9939]

Is there a way to read this video recorded somewhere. I am unable to follow this English.

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

Unfortunately the livestreams do not have transcripts or show notes anywhere. Sorry about that.

[@arielrodriguez6980]

Can anxiety be so great that you actually think people have negative opinion of you or think bad of you even when family reaches out you go from saying they didn't talk to me but now they do I think they don't like me etc?

[@kennethvaughan6719]

Fear that the people in your life actually don’t like you is a very common anxiety symptom, even at lower levels of anxiety.

[@merichamarais9539]

With respect we can see who is on. Can we just get on with the question please. Thank you

[@aravinthselvaraj7340]

I get scared when i m at my calmest... I would think that what if think some insane things?.. like what if someone's face stuck on my thoughts.. what if i think earth turn upside down?.. then I get anxiety cos i cant stop that thought.. is it anxiety too?.. t

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

Being afraid of thoughts (and bodily sensations) - things that other people are not afraid of and do not interpret as dangerous - is one of the hallmarks of the anxiety issues we're always addressing here. You're describing something that many people here will completely relate to.

[@dankleffmann2473]

❤

[@livestrong1976]

I don't know if it would help anyone else, but when I feel like I'm loosing it, I drive down the street where all of the homeless people live and just watch them (they're not yelling and screaming acting all crazy) and for some reason it puts everything back to normal. I can make my life a living hell sometimes, I need someone like Homey the Clown to slap the shit out of me sometimes to get me out of my funk 😁 (He was the guy from Saturday Night Live for the people who don't know who he was)

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

Some might say this is "getting out of your head". You've found a way to engage with something other than how you feel, and maybe something that helps you put things into perspective or connects you to something you feel is important in the world. The specifics might vary from person to person but this is a conceptually solid plan.

[@arielyaskow7697]

Lmao this is meeee.

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

You're not alone. Such a common fear!

[@rosiellagrace]

🌹🌹🌹

[@GodlessPhilosopher]

"I feel like I'm going insane". Do you? So you know what going insane feels like? No, you *think* you feel like you're going insane because you *think* that is what going insane feels like. But it isn't.

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

See also ... "It felt like I was passing out". Excellent point!

[@55tranquility]

Spot on 👍

[@RollingDude.]

I been trying to get into the facebook group for probably over a month now :/

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

The FB group is largely inactive now.

[@amenhotep7704]

Am i losing my mind ?

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

That is the question that your anxiety will insist you ask again and again. And I'm guessing that no answer I - or anyone else - provides ever makes the question stop. That's why I am always talking about those brave leaps of faith that involve "risking" the horrible outcome because only those experiences really change things.

[@amenhotep7704]

@@TheAnxiousTruth Thank you so much it feels insane.

[@user-jz5tm8hg5x]

Is it true that ocd can lead to schizophrenia

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

This is where I answer a question with a question. How many times have you asked this question and been given an answer? Or how many times have you Googled it or checked the Internet to see if this is true?

[@user-jz5tm8hg5x]

@@TheAnxiousTruth I was under the impression that it didn’t but I recently watched a video that said studies say it may. I may have misunderstood the study. I know that ocd is an anxiety disorder and completely different from schizophrenia which is I was left a bit confused.

[@user-jz5tm8hg5x]

@@TheAnxiousTruth it was a live video under the Interbational OCD Foundation page. I may have misunderstood what they were talking about

[@samadiperera3485]

no

[@shawnleong3605]

@@user-jz5tm8hg5x tbh all the things on IOCDF just makes me feel even more hopeless. I don't like how they just keep promoting meds.