Hi TP. I am sorry you're experiencing all of this. I am no expert on any of this and hesitate to give any input at all. However, perhaps some of my experience will assist you. My brother is a Paranoid Schizophrenic. He has had hallucinations. As is often the case with these mental illnesses, he is very, very bright and extremely creative. As is my sister, who is BiPolar (BP)/Aspergers, etc. Mental Illness is all over my family and often those impacted are extremely bright with very high IQ's. If memory serves, there are 5 different kinds of Schizophrenia. As you likely already know, mental illness often comes in 'constellations' many different kinds affecting the person, which makes diagnosis as well as medication a real challenge. And, mental illnesses often present later in the teen years or early in the 20's. My brother and sister were unique kids but the illnesses didn't really come in full force until they were quite a bit older. My sister's came in full force when she was in her late 20's, early 30's. Brilliant, creative, unique, talented, bright and with brain anomalies which make living a 'normal' life impossible. However, both siblings are doing quite well now.
If you haven't already read it, I recently read a really good book about mental illness by a Psychiatrist who is BiPolar (BP) too. It explains the disease in a fashion that makes it understandable. It's called The Unquiet Mind by Kay Redfield Jamison. It also shows how someone with such a challenging illness can have a productive and successful life/career. Even with all her knowledge, it took YEARS for her to find the correct dosage/medications.
My heart goes out to you. These illnesses are so difficult to diagnose, medicate and live with. I grew up with it and then realized my only child is also impacted. Long ago I read a book by a Jungian therapist whose best friend was BiPolar (BP). She decided at one point to go along with and into her friend's manic phase without judgments and without medications. She wrote the book about her experiences with her friend. It was compelling and fascinating. Where they go inside their own heads is remarkable and horrifying (to us) at the same time. The therapist came away with a whole new understanding of the disease.
Hugs and prayers to you to find the right medication, diagnosis and the right path for you and your daughter. God bless.
