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Suggest Treatment For Psychotic Illness
Question: My daughter has been put on Oleanz two months ago after she was having perceptional problems (people walking in slow motion, oppressive air around her, violent images) and auditory hallucinations (a voice-like thought that is always egging her to jump etc.). She was put on Oleanz 2.5mg, which has been increased to 15mg now. The doctors looking after her (a neurologist and a psychiatrist) have tweaked her medicines to try and arrive at the right combination as every couple of days her symptoms become as bad as they were. It's a trying battle for she has to keep up her college attendance that also involves 3 hours of commuting. My question is, when can we expect her to get any relief, especially from dizziness and exhaustion? Also, should the child (she is 19) also be counseled to help her cope with this apart from the two doctors already mentioned?
Brief Answer:
Counselling can be provided
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for choosing health care magic for posting your query.
I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through.
Your child definately has a psychotic illness and this will require antipsychotics. The fact that she has not showed much improvement on 15mg yet, suggests that she may require a change in her anti-psychotic. She may have to be switched to risperidon or quetiapine or aripiprazole as an anti-psychotic.
Regarding counselling, she can be given psycho education regarding her illness to allay her anxiety and also some supportive psychotherapy to make her vent her feelings. This will not cure her illness will definetly reduce the distress.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
bit.ly/dr-srikanth-reddy
Wish you good health,
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy M.D.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I know individual cases are different, but my question was/is, is there a time frame on it? Do/can medicines bring things under control or does it remain a day to day thing? This is one question she keeps asking - is there really a cure?
I'll discuss your suggestions with her doctor vis a vis alternate medicines.
Brief Answer:
The cure is possible
Detailed Answer:
Hello
The medicines if effective generally show effect in 2-4 weeks. he should improve if the medicines are effective for her. 33% of the patients have reported complete cure and rest 56% have reported significant improvement. Only the remaining few have reported continuous symptoms. Our work is to treat the illness and expect the best.
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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