For the last few months my mental health has taken a huge turn. Let me start by saying that I am a 22 year old male who works as a chemical engineer for large company, and have never really had any mental issues before a year or two ago. 

About a year ago, I moved back home with my parents after not being able to afford my out of state apartment anymore. As a very social person, this severely affected my mood, going from living with my best friend in a college town to back in my parents basement on a farm. I began to become depressed, loosing all want or energy to work out, play games, paint, read, or do anything that wasn’t staying in bed asleep. Nothing has changed much for over a year, I just kept sleeping and working and hating myself.

About two month ago, I had what I would say was my first hallucination, and since then have had one about once a week. They are usually brief, about 10-15 seconds, and seem super realistic. Also since That has happened I have been struggling to differentiate between dreams and reality which has been really messing with me, and lastly, about every few days, when I’m thinking too much, my brain will shut down and turn everything in noise that scrambles every thought I have until I can just barely function. 

I have been trying to get in with doctors, psychiatrists, therapists, or any mental health specialists, but have yet to receive a call back from anyone. The best I could do was schedule an appointment with a doctor for Feb.1 which means I have to suffer for 2 more months before even being looked at. 

I’m not sure if what I have is anything to do with schizophrenia, but I’m looking for suggestions or help.