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Suggest Treatment For Auditory Hallucinations Along With Paranoid Behavior
Question: I have been having a problem with depression since August 2014 and recently I felt as though I was being electrically stimulated without my consent somehow in my breasts and vaginal areas while at my home and at work. I hurt so bad I had to leave work to take a hot bath and sit on ice packs for three days. I also had one drop of blood from my clitoris before leaving work. I have depression due to a breakup with my boyfriend and had purchased my home from a foreclosure auction site. I've worked for the same company for 24 years and really enjoy my job. I took both myself and my daughter out of the area for our safety due to where I felt I was being stimulated and have not felt the stimulation since (3 weeks). Please let me be very clear in that I did not see anyone or know the reason why this occurred but just before my daughter and I left our home I had security cameras installed and the first night only three of the cameras were working due to the power pack brought by the installer could only support three out of six cameras installed. All windows and doors were closed when the installer informed me of the power problem and that he would return the following day with a larger power pack. That night I was alone and heard someone walking across the roof but when I looked at the camera feed there was nothing there. This scared me enough to leave since I was unable to figure out how someone knew that only three out of six cameras were operational and which ones at that. I would really like to return home with my daughter and to my job but am scared. My family thinks that I am a paranoid schizophrenic. I have had no serious depression before. I did once try an antidepressant while married but felt no better while using it and removed myself from it and got better (happier) on my own . I am 41 divorced 5 years happily and had a miscarriage approx 10yrs ago. My ex husband is a bully and I happily requested and was granted a divorce to get away from him. I have always been very independent, dependable, intelligent, and caring person. I don't use drugs but am currently taking 5mg escitalopram but am having headaches, occassional dizziness, and bad dreams of me dying in freak accidents since starting medication 4 days ago (these same symptoms occurred plus lightheadedness occurred while using 20mg of another antidepressant in November which I stopped taking and the symptoms other than depression cleared up in about two days), also I don't drink alcohol very often. Being depressed I feel as though I'm not interested and am unsatisfied with most things but am concerned about how my family and friends are viewing me. I've spoken to 2 counselors with no results and participated in a counseling assessment a week ago but have not been contacted again for any possible further treatment possibilities. Do you feel I have some type of psychosis, delusional, paranoia problem? Also what should I do about the problem I'm having with the antidepressant?
Brief Answer:
These symptoms can occur due to some psychosis
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
I have read your query and I can understand your problem. You are on antidepressants drugs and it appears that depression is under control.
You have felt that you have been stimulated electrically without consent around breasts and vaginal area at work and home. I want to clarify as per you who has done this? Why would anyone stimulate you electrically against consent without giving hint to anyone? It has resulted in pain and blood drop around clitoris. Have you faced similar incidences before also?
This caused you to took your daughter away for safety, and this shows that you have concerns about safety. At new place you heard some voices but couldn't see. This could occur due to anxiety or may be due to hallucinations. You are scared because of all these.
Now coming to discussion- From the available history you have mentioned there are two possibilities for your symptoms.
One possibility is Depression with psychotic symptoms though detailed evaluation is required to make correct diagnosis. The symptoms of fear, concerns about safety, bad dreams also strengthen the diagnosis.
Other possible explanation for your symptoms is Psychosis itself. Ferlings that someone has electrically stimulated you could occur due to some delusional belief, though it should be investigated further. The hearing of voice that someone is on roof could be explained by hallucinations. Over concern of safety due to fear may occur in psychosis. But usually individuals develop such symptoms in a little earlier age. In individuals suffering from paranoid psychosis or schizophrenia personality is found to be preserved and usually individuals are able to work normally and function normally. They remain in distress due to their symptoms.
As these symptoms are causing significant distress to your life so I would advise you to consult a psychiatrist for evaluation and treatment. These symptoms appear to be due to some psychosis either associated with depression or schizophrenia.
These symptoms respond to antipsychotic drugs. Second generation antipsychotic drugs are relatively safer and can help in improvement of symptoms. Drugs like Olanzapine, Risperidone, Quetiapine etc can be used. Continue to take the antidepressants and visit a psychiatrist for treatment of these symptoms and prescription of drugs. You would see improvement in symptoms in about less than two weeks.
The side effects you are having with antidepressants can be managed by changing the drugs. A lot of individuals show such symptoms of headache and dizziness while taking Escitalopram. Drugs like Mirtazapine, Paroxetine will minimise such symptoms and can help you. These drugs will also help in good sleep. Discuss with your psychiatrist for change in prescription of antidepressant drugs.
Thanks, hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts and provide the details I have asked in follow up question.
These symptoms can occur due to some psychosis
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
I have read your query and I can understand your problem. You are on antidepressants drugs and it appears that depression is under control.
You have felt that you have been stimulated electrically without consent around breasts and vaginal area at work and home. I want to clarify as per you who has done this? Why would anyone stimulate you electrically against consent without giving hint to anyone? It has resulted in pain and blood drop around clitoris. Have you faced similar incidences before also?
This caused you to took your daughter away for safety, and this shows that you have concerns about safety. At new place you heard some voices but couldn't see. This could occur due to anxiety or may be due to hallucinations. You are scared because of all these.
Now coming to discussion- From the available history you have mentioned there are two possibilities for your symptoms.
One possibility is Depression with psychotic symptoms though detailed evaluation is required to make correct diagnosis. The symptoms of fear, concerns about safety, bad dreams also strengthen the diagnosis.
Other possible explanation for your symptoms is Psychosis itself. Ferlings that someone has electrically stimulated you could occur due to some delusional belief, though it should be investigated further. The hearing of voice that someone is on roof could be explained by hallucinations. Over concern of safety due to fear may occur in psychosis. But usually individuals develop such symptoms in a little earlier age. In individuals suffering from paranoid psychosis or schizophrenia personality is found to be preserved and usually individuals are able to work normally and function normally. They remain in distress due to their symptoms.
As these symptoms are causing significant distress to your life so I would advise you to consult a psychiatrist for evaluation and treatment. These symptoms appear to be due to some psychosis either associated with depression or schizophrenia.
These symptoms respond to antipsychotic drugs. Second generation antipsychotic drugs are relatively safer and can help in improvement of symptoms. Drugs like Olanzapine, Risperidone, Quetiapine etc can be used. Continue to take the antidepressants and visit a psychiatrist for treatment of these symptoms and prescription of drugs. You would see improvement in symptoms in about less than two weeks.
The side effects you are having with antidepressants can be managed by changing the drugs. A lot of individuals show such symptoms of headache and dizziness while taking Escitalopram. Drugs like Mirtazapine, Paroxetine will minimise such symptoms and can help you. These drugs will also help in good sleep. Discuss with your psychiatrist for change in prescription of antidepressant drugs.
Thanks, hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts and provide the details I have asked in follow up question.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I have no idea why anyone would do this. I am a logical person and try not to make unfounded accusations. I had only just moved in the area and didn't know anyone and have maintained good relations with my coworkers. I have never had a mental health issue prior to the depression which started in Aug 2014. I have no desire to hurt myself or anyone else either with violence or accusation. I started the antidepressants 4 days ago and after one day started having bad dreams,headaches and dizziness, subsequently my doctor informed me to stop taking them and I have not had dizziness or a headache today. I won't know about the dreams until tonight. Also I am able to function but if I'm not working, cleaning, or running errands I have been sleeping most of the day and all night. So even though I experienced physical ramifications you believe this is a manifestation in my mind even though since my daughter and I left the area three weeks ago I've experienced no further occurrences? Also I have allergies to iodine, anti inflammatories if used regularly, and Lyrica (I have fibromyalgia), are these medicines you mentioned anything that would activate any of these allergies?
Brief Answer:
Such symptoms can occur due to depression with psychotic symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking a follow up question
If you are able to function normally and have good relation with co-workers then the chances of psychotic disorder is less. You have no history of violence and accusation, no history of any symptoms of suspiciousness like paranoid ideation which also reduce the chances of paranoid psychosis. Then what is the reason for these symptoms?
One possible explanation is depression itself. In severe depression individuals develop fear of something like you are having. Some times in depression with psychotic symptoms individuals may show symptoms mimicking psychosis. The symptoms reduced by changing places because some times false beliefs or delusional ideas are related to a particular place or situation only. This is the probable reason that you have not seen further occurrences for these symptoms since last 3 weeks.
The anti-depressants medicines I have mentioned are relatively safe and have nothing to do with allergy to anti-inflammatory drugs. You have already take escitalopram and not developed allergy so the drugs would not cause serious allergy in you. It is safe to take these medicines if taken as per prescribed doses.
As per my opinion improvement of symptoms of depression should improve your symptoms of psychosis.
Thanks, please ask again for more doubts.
Such symptoms can occur due to depression with psychotic symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking a follow up question
If you are able to function normally and have good relation with co-workers then the chances of psychotic disorder is less. You have no history of violence and accusation, no history of any symptoms of suspiciousness like paranoid ideation which also reduce the chances of paranoid psychosis. Then what is the reason for these symptoms?
One possible explanation is depression itself. In severe depression individuals develop fear of something like you are having. Some times in depression with psychotic symptoms individuals may show symptoms mimicking psychosis. The symptoms reduced by changing places because some times false beliefs or delusional ideas are related to a particular place or situation only. This is the probable reason that you have not seen further occurrences for these symptoms since last 3 weeks.
The anti-depressants medicines I have mentioned are relatively safe and have nothing to do with allergy to anti-inflammatory drugs. You have already take escitalopram and not developed allergy so the drugs would not cause serious allergy in you. It is safe to take these medicines if taken as per prescribed doses.
As per my opinion improvement of symptoms of depression should improve your symptoms of psychosis.
Thanks, please ask again for more doubts.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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