Kathy, I think it would be difficult to clearly stick one's finger upon the correct answer in relation to Evie because your stating schizophrenia runs in your family, thus is a genetic makeup.
For your primary concern relating to your statement:
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Originally Posted by kathy Evie has quite florid hallucinations, both visual and auditory. We are learning more of them as she becomes more open with us and also more open in therapy. They are not flashbacks per se. They can sometimes be related to the trauma, when she is stressed or tired (she will see Eric, or hear his voice), but the majority of the time, she simply sees and hears a variety of things, both good and bad, that others don't. |
Hallucinations are actually part of PTSD, visual and auditory, and you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned stress / anxiety. Stress and anxiety are quite powerful, more so than most see, and severe PTSD certainly does come with hallucinations, because I used to suffer them myself when my PTSD was out of control, or that I had so much anxiety I thought I was going insane. Flashbacks actually do contain hallucinations, especially if they are in relation to the persons trauma. If the hallucinations are about the trauma itself, you will find they are just that and related directly to PTSD itself.
Where this situation IMO becomes murky, is that Evie says she is having them about other things now, not just relating to her trauma; and as schizophrenia is within your family, that is a natural concern and possible option now.
PTSD is a very powerful illness, so powerful that it kills people daily, as you are well aware. Not many mental disorders have the power of PTSD, hence why it is one that is noted by most Governments as worthy for disability, yet the majority are not covered, PTSD is though.
Normally I would be able to simply say, it is PTSD causing the problems, though because you have a genetic strain within the family, IMHO its merely going to come down to time and progress. If Evie continues working hard on herself and her trauma, and the hallucinations go away, you know its PTSD. If not, then I think schizophrenia must be seriously considered at that time.
Oh... added, there are actually others here who have posted about hallucinations with their PTSD, though they are in the private PTSD area generally... I think there is some discussion in public though too.