Confused with a choice of medication

[MidnightMay]

I'm confused by the fact I was told I might have schizophrenia but lack the flat emotion symptom. I have plenty of emotion so will that mean I might not be or does it play that much of an effect on it being diagnosed that? I was also asked if I want medication to help calm the voices I hear and the other things. I'm not really sure if that's the best thing and turned it down for now. If you have any suggestions on the medication thing or know anything please help if you can!

[Dr.Bobby]

I think you should talk more with the doc about all this.

However, I can provide some info about the questions you've asked.

"Flat affect" refers to how it looks to us, on the outside. Not how you experience it on the inside. We know it's often tumultuous in there! One of the ways the mind reacts to that is to shut down the avenues of expression. So it looks 'Flat'.

If you're hearing voices, the meds will really help take those away! Actually, a lot of the other symptoms you have that are really bothersome to you (the agitation, the inability to sometimes think clearly or understand things like others do) will be minimized a lot, too. The newer meds really do quiet the storm, they don't change who you are, they change the things that get in the way of who you are.

Talk more with the doc and if s/he uses a lot of terms that you don't understand or agree with, stop him and ask for a fuller explanation.

Good luck!