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Suggest Treatment For Problem In Concentration
Question: Hi, I'm a University student struggling a lot with my work. I find I spend copious amounts of time isolated in my room, I try to study but find I can't concentrate, can't remember things, I dissociate and before I know it the exams are upon me. I've been doing this for years and haven't been able to come out of it. Could this be something medical?
Brief Answer:
Can be due to depression/anxiety
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I can understand your concern with you symptoms. From what you have mentioned, it seems that you are harboring stress within and the symptoms that you have mentioned are highly suggestive of underlying anxiety and depression.
You have mentioned that you tried sertraline. I would have liked to know, how long did you tried it for and at what dose. Did you perceive nay benefit with it?
I would recommend that you seek a psychiatric consultation for complete evaluation. Anti-depressant medications like escitalopram might be helpful in your case. In addition, you can also consider option of psychotherapy like Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) which will consist of sessions helping you overcome your symptoms.
I do hope that I was able to answer your query. Please let me know if you have any further query.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sunil Gupta
Can be due to depression/anxiety
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I can understand your concern with you symptoms. From what you have mentioned, it seems that you are harboring stress within and the symptoms that you have mentioned are highly suggestive of underlying anxiety and depression.
You have mentioned that you tried sertraline. I would have liked to know, how long did you tried it for and at what dose. Did you perceive nay benefit with it?
I would recommend that you seek a psychiatric consultation for complete evaluation. Anti-depressant medications like escitalopram might be helpful in your case. In addition, you can also consider option of psychotherapy like Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) which will consist of sessions helping you overcome your symptoms.
I do hope that I was able to answer your query. Please let me know if you have any further query.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sunil Gupta
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Hi Dr XXXXXXX
Thank you very much for your reply! To address your second paragraph, my doctor put me on 50mg for 4-6 weeks to allow it to take full effect. Unfortunately, I didn't find any noticeable improvement to my mood, although the side-effects did exacerbate my insomnia (I developed Restless Legs Syndrome), and I actually began to feel more anxious than before.
As you recommended, it seems that my next port of call would be to approach a psychiatrist for an evaluation. This is something I haven't done before, I wonder if I might enquire as to what to expect for the first session? The sorts of questions and the usual mode of procedure etc.?
And I will certainly pursue the route of CBT - I have heard/read a fair amount about it by now and the reports seem to say it is overall very effective for treating similar complaints as mine.
Many thanks!
XXXXXXX
Thank you very much for your reply! To address your second paragraph, my doctor put me on 50mg for 4-6 weeks to allow it to take full effect. Unfortunately, I didn't find any noticeable improvement to my mood, although the side-effects did exacerbate my insomnia (I developed Restless Legs Syndrome), and I actually began to feel more anxious than before.
As you recommended, it seems that my next port of call would be to approach a psychiatrist for an evaluation. This is something I haven't done before, I wonder if I might enquire as to what to expect for the first session? The sorts of questions and the usual mode of procedure etc.?
And I will certainly pursue the route of CBT - I have heard/read a fair amount about it by now and the reports seem to say it is overall very effective for treating similar complaints as mine.
Many thanks!
XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Please see details below
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for following up. I am happy to note that you have agreed with my advice and are going to seek a psychiatric evaluation.
Regarding sertraline, the recommended dose ranges from 50 mg to 200 mg. Generally I prefer to hike the dose to 100 mg per day if one perceives no benefit with initial dose in 2-3 week time. in your case, if you have felt no benefit, another anti-depressant like escitalopram may be tried.
regarding meeting the psychiatrist, you can relax. I am sure he will make you comfortable enough for the interview. He will ask you about your symptoms and problems and just tell him whatever you feel is wrong. Just be honest with him and open up about yourself without hesitation. Try to focus on the question that he asks and answer accordingly. It will all be a routine interview and nothing to worry about.
You can discuss with your psychiatrist regarding the diagnosis that he thinks you are suffering from and the treatment options that he can offer including medications and non pharmacological therapy like CBT. I am glad that you liked whatever you have read about CBT and I will definitely recommend it in your case.
Regarding medications, your psychiatrist can decide about any one of the antidepressants that he deems good enough for you.
I do hope that you are able to overcome your symptoms real fast. Please let me know if I can help you in any way ahead. It will be my privilege. If you don't have any further queries, please do close the discussion and rate the answer.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sunil Gupta
Please see details below
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for following up. I am happy to note that you have agreed with my advice and are going to seek a psychiatric evaluation.
Regarding sertraline, the recommended dose ranges from 50 mg to 200 mg. Generally I prefer to hike the dose to 100 mg per day if one perceives no benefit with initial dose in 2-3 week time. in your case, if you have felt no benefit, another anti-depressant like escitalopram may be tried.
regarding meeting the psychiatrist, you can relax. I am sure he will make you comfortable enough for the interview. He will ask you about your symptoms and problems and just tell him whatever you feel is wrong. Just be honest with him and open up about yourself without hesitation. Try to focus on the question that he asks and answer accordingly. It will all be a routine interview and nothing to worry about.
You can discuss with your psychiatrist regarding the diagnosis that he thinks you are suffering from and the treatment options that he can offer including medications and non pharmacological therapy like CBT. I am glad that you liked whatever you have read about CBT and I will definitely recommend it in your case.
Regarding medications, your psychiatrist can decide about any one of the antidepressants that he deems good enough for you.
I do hope that you are able to overcome your symptoms real fast. Please let me know if I can help you in any way ahead. It will be my privilege. If you don't have any further queries, please do close the discussion and rate the answer.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sunil Gupta
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Dr XXXXXXX
Thank you so much. I'm very petite at 4'10" so I assume this is the reason my GP didn't try me on a higher Sertraline dose. I hope with the psychiatrist's help we might find something that works better for me. If that happens it really would be an amazing improvement to my life. I'd be so eternally grateful!
I'll close the discussion now as I feel I've received a great deal of help from your responses. I think I've got a good plan of action and look forward to hopefully finding my solution in due course. Again, very many thanks for your professional advice! The time and effort you've spend on my case has been hugely appreciated.
All the best,
XXXXXXX
Thank you so much. I'm very petite at 4'10" so I assume this is the reason my GP didn't try me on a higher Sertraline dose. I hope with the psychiatrist's help we might find something that works better for me. If that happens it really would be an amazing improvement to my life. I'd be so eternally grateful!
I'll close the discussion now as I feel I've received a great deal of help from your responses. I think I've got a good plan of action and look forward to hopefully finding my solution in due course. Again, very many thanks for your professional advice! The time and effort you've spend on my case has been hugely appreciated.
All the best,
XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Best wishes
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for following up and your kind words of appreciation. Your feedback means a lot to me. I am glad that you found my advice helpful. Its also nice to see the wonderful positive attitude in your response. With this positivity, I am sure you will soon be lot better.
In case you have any further doubts, you can always contact me at:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-sunil-gupta/67657
I will be glad to be able to help you out in need. Please do rate the answer when you close the discussion.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sunil Gupta
Best wishes
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for following up and your kind words of appreciation. Your feedback means a lot to me. I am glad that you found my advice helpful. Its also nice to see the wonderful positive attitude in your response. With this positivity, I am sure you will soon be lot better.
In case you have any further doubts, you can always contact me at:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-sunil-gupta/67657
I will be glad to be able to help you out in need. Please do rate the answer when you close the discussion.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sunil Gupta
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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