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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Somatic Delusion And Psychotic Disorder

Posted on Tue, 16 Feb 2016

Question: I was running a school and usually went to the doctor every time that I had an aliment. however when I felt faint a few times my deputy advised me to walk in the fresh air. I regret that I took notice of her and that I had kept to my strict regime of always seeing the doctor about everything. I was fine for 8 years and never thought about it again. then ten years ago I got ill. I kept saying silly things like I had broken my back , that I had been set up for a murder and that I was dying. I lost my job because I kept saying these things. my partner put me into a mental hospital. I had electric treatment twice . and put on anti phycotic drugs. then six years ago I was moved to where I am now a supported living accommodation. the physiarist here said that I didn't have a delusional disorder as I hadn't responded to the phycotic drugs.he said I had anxiety disorder and then said I didn't have that but unspecified neurotic disorder and now says it isn't that and he doesn't know what is wrong with me. he has tried me on a lot of different drugs and now I am on anti anxiety drugs. I have believed for ten years that I am dying. I am so scared. when my dad died at 52 in front of me when I was 13 I made a pledge to myself that as all the other family had died in their 80's and 90's that I would always go to the doctor for everything. I went to all the well woman clinics and had mammograms from age 40. then when I felt faint a few times I was silly and listened to my deputy who told me the best thin g was to walk around in the fresh air. I deeply regret not keeping to my what had been a srict regime of going to the doctor. I feel this thing that happened to me ten years ago was because I didn't find out from the doctor why I felt faint. it hurts so much because it was so out of character for me not to go. I was fine for 8 years and then 10 years ago started saying things like I had a broken back and that I was dying. I lost my job as head of the school as I kept talking this rubbish, lost my partner who put me into a mental hospital. I didn't go to my son's wedding in japan because I was scared of dying on the plane. although when I was well I had travelled a lot. I have been here 6 years in a supported living accommodation and rarely go out. sometimes I have been to Windsor theatre but more often I buy tickets and then lose nerve and waste the money. I am so scared that this belief is real and I am dying. my symptons are that I get very sweaty sometimes the sheet is quite wet in the mornings. also I get a cough. I have been scared of dying since I witnessed my dad's death. I am only 63. I never thought I would be in a home like this nor that I would die young. it doesn't help that a doctor here said I should have gone to the doctor and that most people do and she couldn't tell what would happen to me. my g'p' said he didn't think I was dying but didn't know what was wrong with me. I feel so insecure. could I really be dying because I missed one time in seeing the doctor when I was such a hypondriac that it was so out of character for me to take some one's advice and not just pick up the phone and call the doctor. but ten years is a long time.. surely if I was going to I would have done by now. ? I can't believe that I am writing to you because I never thought I would break my golden rule of always going to the doctor. I am scared.

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.

I have read your question carefully. Let me give you my thoughts.

From your description ("I kept saying silly things like I had broken my back , that I had been set up for a murder and that I was dyin."), you very likely have a psychotic disorder. The doctor who told you that you do not have delusions simply because you did not respond to antipsychotic medication is wrong. Sometimes delusions do not respond well to medication. I recommend you undergo therapy, which I offer at my private link below.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me at my private link below. After you ask a direct question it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at xHospital, ranked #1 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxfor Psychiatry in the United xxxxx(tiyyyyyy.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tyyyyyl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (10 hours later)

why have I thought I have been dying for 10 years out of the blue. could it be because I didn't go to the doctor when I felt faint a few times? I have tried therapy. cbt and it didn't work. I also paid for a phyco therapist but her advice was to walk barefooted in the morning dew. she thought regardless of what the psychiatrist said that I was suffering from high anxiety . however my psychiatrist had ruled that out and said I had unspecified neurotic disorder. now he says it isn't that. what is wrong with me?

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
You ask about diagnosis. Let me give you my thoughts.

First, I think you have had a psychotic episode in the past, given your thoughts in the past about being set up for a murder among other things. However, your current problem sounds less psychotic and more on the anxiety spectrum. Specifically, you are concerned you may be dying or there is something physically wrong with you. This is best defined as a somatic delusion, somatic symptom disorder, with an element of anxiety/panic. The treatment for this is cognitive therapy with an expert professional. I can provide you with this therapy via my private link if you wish:

tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

OR

https://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=70684

Dr. Sheppe

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (13 hours later)

the problem is that I have had lots of therapy but it hasn't worked. I have had cbt . I have paid out for for private counselling and physco therapy none of which has made any difference to .the belief that I am dying and the fear of going out . you don't mention if a possible phycotic episode in the past was because I didn't go to the doctor when I felt faint a few times. what could possibly have caused it when I was running my school quite happily and had a lovely partner. I am so scared. my biggest fear in life while I was growing up was that I would die young like my dad but never thougt that I would because I was always going to be careful of going to the doctor for everything. I just feel that if I had gone when I was faint I would be okay now but that may not be true if I had some sort of break down.

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
I'm sorry therapy has not been the most effective for you so far. Sometimes, this is because you have not found a good match in a therapist. I do offer private psychotherapy via this website if you are interested in trying with me.

It may also be that medication would be of help to you. Are you on the maximum dose of venlafaxine? Which antipsychotics have you not tried -- have you ever been on olanzapine, risperidone, or clozapine?

You should visit a medical doctor for regular medical checkups to reassure you that nothing is wrong. Are you seeing a primary care doctor regularly?

Dr. Sheppe

tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (14 hours later)

how can you do it on the site if it is not in person?
I have tried psychotherapy with out success.
how would yours be different?

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
I conduct text-based psychotherapy by a question and answer format on this website. It is not in-person, but it is much more affordable for patients who want therapy with me ($35 per three-question thread rather than $300 per 45 minute session). Therapy is very dependent on the therapist -- the only way to find out if we are a good fit is to try it out.

I would recommend you think carefully about your medication history. If we don't know what you've tried already, we don't know what to try in the future.

Dr. Sheppe

tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (8 minutes later)

I WILL FIND OUT WHAT MEDICATION I HAVE BEEN ON FROM MY RECORDS.

AND I WILL CONSIDER CAREFULLY WHETHER TO TRY YOU AS A THERAPIST AS I HAVE TRIED SO MANY.

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (0 minute later)

Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
I'm glad to hear it. Let me know what you discover, and what you decide about therapy.

Dr. Sheppe

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D