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Taking Sertraline, Lorazepam And Respirdal For Dysmthisa, PTSD, Major Depression And Anxiety
Question: How do I help my son who is 28 and living alone for the first time, is diagnosed with dysmthisa, PTSD, major depression and anxiety. Our access to mental health professionals is very, very limited and attempts to get him in therapy and even seeing a competent psychiatirst haven't been successful. The therapists are always suddenly not at the clinic any more and the psychiatrist quit and no replacement has been found. He takes Sertraline 200 mg every morning, Abilify 2 mg every morning, Lorazepam 0.5mg at bed time and Respirdal 3mg and bedtime
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Hello and welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for your query.
I understand your concern for your son who seems to be suffering from multiple psychiatric issues. He is also on a combination of different types of medication: Sertraline is an anti-depressant / anti-anxiety medication; Lorazepam is an anti-anxiety / sedative medication; Risperidal (Risperidone) and Abilify (Aripiprazole) are anti-psychotic medication.
Some of the medication that he is on don't seem to corelate with the diagnoses which you have mentioned. For example, he is on two anti-psychotic medication and it is quite uncommon to need two anti-psychotics unless there is a psychotic disorder or prominent psychotic symptoms (like delusions or hallucinations) associated with major depression. So, in my opinion, the first and most important step in management, especially when there are multiple problems, is a proper evaluation and establishing the correct diagnosis.
Secondly, for problems like dysthymia, PTSD, anxiety, etc. medication alone may not be sufficient to give good results. A combination of the optimum doses of medication and psychological therapies would be essential. But this would require competant and dedicated therapists (which seem to be a major limitation in your situation).
Thirdly, such kind of psychiatric disorders need long term treatment and regular follow-up. Often treatment is not a one-time decision but an ongoing process, where medication may need to be altered on-and-off and treatment strategies need to be flexible and modifiable.
I can understand that your current situation with regard to mental health services available is very difficult. In such a scenario, my suggestion would be to see a good psychiatrist at least once (maybe someone in a different place or a private psychiatrist), so that your son can have a proper evaluation and the correct diagnoses can be established. Once this is done and the appropriate medication is started, then further treatment / follow-up can be continued with his local doctors itself. I think putting him on the correct medication is very important because you don't seem to be having much of an opportunity for any professional therapies or any other support services. Liaising with any local social service organizations or NGOs or other support groups may also provide a source of support and encouragement to your son.
Wish you all the best.
Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist
I understand your concern for your son who seems to be suffering from multiple psychiatric issues. He is also on a combination of different types of medication: Sertraline is an anti-depressant / anti-anxiety medication; Lorazepam is an anti-anxiety / sedative medication; Risperidal (Risperidone) and Abilify (Aripiprazole) are anti-psychotic medication.
Some of the medication that he is on don't seem to corelate with the diagnoses which you have mentioned. For example, he is on two anti-psychotic medication and it is quite uncommon to need two anti-psychotics unless there is a psychotic disorder or prominent psychotic symptoms (like delusions or hallucinations) associated with major depression. So, in my opinion, the first and most important step in management, especially when there are multiple problems, is a proper evaluation and establishing the correct diagnosis.
Secondly, for problems like dysthymia, PTSD, anxiety, etc. medication alone may not be sufficient to give good results. A combination of the optimum doses of medication and psychological therapies would be essential. But this would require competant and dedicated therapists (which seem to be a major limitation in your situation).
Thirdly, such kind of psychiatric disorders need long term treatment and regular follow-up. Often treatment is not a one-time decision but an ongoing process, where medication may need to be altered on-and-off and treatment strategies need to be flexible and modifiable.
I can understand that your current situation with regard to mental health services available is very difficult. In such a scenario, my suggestion would be to see a good psychiatrist at least once (maybe someone in a different place or a private psychiatrist), so that your son can have a proper evaluation and the correct diagnoses can be established. Once this is done and the appropriate medication is started, then further treatment / follow-up can be continued with his local doctors itself. I think putting him on the correct medication is very important because you don't seem to be having much of an opportunity for any professional therapies or any other support services. Liaising with any local social service organizations or NGOs or other support groups may also provide a source of support and encouragement to your son.
Wish you all the best.
Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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