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Suggest Treatment For Loss Of Appetite And Depression

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Posted on Wed, 5 Nov 2014
Question: Hello, my brother has a history of mental illness and depression; he's currently refusing to eat and has lost weight. What advice would you give to a young doctor as the first course of action?


Hello, my brother has a history of mental illness and depression, he's currently in Nigeria and refusing to eat and has lost a lot of weight, I have advised my siblings to contact a medical professional.


In such a scenario, could you please advice me on the course of action is, I am told by my friend that they’ll need to inject him with vitamins inorder for him to regain his appetite. Do you concur and if so, what’s the name or content of such injection?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Injection pints, Consultation of Psychiatrist must

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing to us.

I can understand your concern for your brother.
He seems to be in severe depression from your narration as he is refusing to eat.
First of all his food and hydration should be maintained. If he is not taking meal, he should be given injection of glucose and multivitamins (DNS,NS,RL,MVI,Neurokind) according to his blood pressure and urine output.

If he refuses to feed later on after general doctor's advice also, he can be given food forcefully by inserting ryel's tube(tube inserted into stomach through nose).

If the only thing that he has lack of appetite , tablet cyproheptadine can be given or syrup of such prepration also available to stimulate appetite.

From images you have sent, his likely diagnosis is severe depression with psyhotic features or may be schizophrenia. His current mental status must be evaluated by a psychiatrist for diagnosis, proper counseling, to make him eat and medicinal treatment .

Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to answer more.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 2407 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Loss Of Appetite And Depression

Brief Answer: Injection pints, Consultation of Psychiatrist must Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for writing to us. I can understand your concern for your brother. He seems to be in severe depression from your narration as he is refusing to eat. First of all his food and hydration should be maintained. If he is not taking meal, he should be given injection of glucose and multivitamins (DNS,NS,RL,MVI,Neurokind) according to his blood pressure and urine output. If he refuses to feed later on after general doctor's advice also, he can be given food forcefully by inserting ryel's tube(tube inserted into stomach through nose). If the only thing that he has lack of appetite , tablet cyproheptadine can be given or syrup of such prepration also available to stimulate appetite. From images you have sent, his likely diagnosis is severe depression with psyhotic features or may be schizophrenia. His current mental status must be evaluated by a psychiatrist for diagnosis, proper counseling, to make him eat and medicinal treatment . Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to answer more. Regards, Dr.Chintan Solanki.