Can mood swings and visual or auditory hallucinations be associated with type 1 bipolar disorder or schizophrenia?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have a friend who experienced psychosis six years ago. When he was in the military, he was diagnosed with schizophrenia by a military doctor, but I do not think that is the case. Now, after six years, he has never taken medication, but he is still pretty self-aware, even while studying. He experiences extreme mood swings, and his psychosis comes and goes, including auditory and visual hallucinations. According to my research and studying, this has to be type one bipolar disorder and not schizophrenia because he has been keeping this a secret, and no one has ever noticed anything odd about him. I need professional help to help him. I have told him to see a psychiatrist, but I do not know if they can figure it out as he does not open up. Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern about your friend. He may have psychosis as he has auditory hallucinations, but still, it is difficult to diagnose by the above information. I need a mental status examination of the patient to make a precise diagnosis. In psychiatry, there is not only one diagnosis sometimes, but patients may also switch from bipolar disorder to schizophrenia, depending upon the patient's current symptoms and mental status. I hope that you get my point. It will be better to take him to a local psychiatrist, do a mental status examination of your friend, and do documentation of it. I hope this helps you.

Thank you.