HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Suggest Treatment For Schizophrenia

default
Posted on Sat, 28 Oct 2017
Question: What should I expect from my best friend's stay at a mental hospital for a relapse of schitzophrenia? He has been there 3 weeks and at first seemed better, but now he says he wants to go to a group facility; his Dr. said he could go to one on the campus. He is no danger to himself or anyone else, and he is becoming is discouraged,.seems to be taking a turn down this week waiting to go to the group home but seems that this is not happening. He is 45, very bright, attended Tulane University, and since I am not a relative, I can get no answers from the social worker. What can I do to help him? He is being treated with medication, injections, and group therapy. What can I do to help him, since I am not a relative and his parents are in denial, and will not answer my inquiries? Should I talk to the social worker and tell him that my friend seems to going down hill because he said he was promised by his Dr, to go to the group home and leave the intense facility of the hospital setting he is in now? What should I say to my friend when he brings the subject up?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (24 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
We can expect best from them

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.

I read your query and understand your concerns.

First of all his past history of good response to medications and group therapy indicates that he is having schizophrenia with better prognosis and we can expect betterment over the coming weeks. My statement is based on the fact that past history of good response is often repeated in most cases.

I understand that social worker is not answerable to you but being a good friend you have right to interact with patient and can guide and support him during this difficult time.

I also like to state that in paranoid schizophrenia many of individuals do not like their family members/doctors as over a period of time they develop some paranoid ideas against them. So rather than opining that he is discouraged I feel it will be better if we try to understand health workers mindset and best interest of patient.

I hope this helps you.
Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions.
Thanks and regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (36 minutes later)
Is it ok if I ask the social worker to give my friend a carefully thought out answer about approximately when he may be leaving the hospital and going to the group home on the grounds of the facility? Also, what should I say to my friend when he brings up this subject?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (11 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Instill hope

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.

The social worker is supposed to follow law and probably that is the reason he is not answering you adequately.

However there is nothing wrong if you meet the social worker and express your concerns with valid reasons so he can look in that matter for betterment of patient.

At the same time I feel in addition to encouraging, instilling hope in the patient can be the best thing that you can do. As I see that he is receiving medication so I can expect that very soon he will out of intensive facility. This same message can be delivered to your friend.


I hope this helps you further.
If you have more questions I will be glad to answer you.
If you do not have more questions, please close the discussion and if possible rate the answer for my future patients.

In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:

http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2000

Answered : 3350 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Suggest Treatment For Schizophrenia

Brief Answer: We can expect best from them Detailed Answer: Dear XXXXXXX Thanks for using Healthcaremagic. I read your query and understand your concerns. First of all his past history of good response to medications and group therapy indicates that he is having schizophrenia with better prognosis and we can expect betterment over the coming weeks. My statement is based on the fact that past history of good response is often repeated in most cases. I understand that social worker is not answerable to you but being a good friend you have right to interact with patient and can guide and support him during this difficult time. I also like to state that in paranoid schizophrenia many of individuals do not like their family members/doctors as over a period of time they develop some paranoid ideas against them. So rather than opining that he is discouraged I feel it will be better if we try to understand health workers mindset and best interest of patient. I hope this helps you. Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions. Thanks and regards.