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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Have Mood Swings. Sees Shadows Of People. Is Angry, Sleeping, Eating Disorders. Suggestions?

Hi i would like to ask something, My sister hasn't been eating alot (hardly)
she doesn't sleep or talk. My sister claims that she sees shadows of people that she knows and sometimes sees their face
also she hears voices and she has extreme mood swings. She cant control her anger but she tries
and then she wants to be left alone. She never told us before because shes really quite and cries alot now that shes 18 she has told her family. A few days ago she screamed loudly. i wanna know whats wrong with her.
Thu, 5 Sep 2013
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Psychiatrist 's  Response
thank you for your query. from the description given by you, the symptoms appear to be that of a Psychotic disorder. In psychosis, there mat be symptoms like hearing voices not heard by others (auditory hallucinations), seeing things, faces, shadows not seen by others (visual hallucinations or imagery),extreme mood swings (affect regulation difficulty), wanting to be left alone (asocialisation), sleep problems(insomnia), refusal to eat and poor self care (apathy). Sometimes she may also act out to her hallucinations (like screaming).
Now a psychotic disorder may be due to Schizophrenia, or Bipolar disorder,Mania with Psychosis, or major Depressive Disorder with Psychosis.
though the young age of onset in this case point towards schizophrenia, a detailed history taking, Mental status examination and evaluation is required to confirm the diagnosis.
After diagnosis is confirmed, she would require prompt and adequate treatent with antipsychotics and or mood stabilisers etc. please remember, the earlier the treatment started, better the prognosis for these conditions.
i would suggest you to consult a psychiatrist as soon as possible for the same.
hope i've answered your query. please feel free to contact me fror any further clarifications. best of luck.
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Psychiatrist Dr. Sundar Gnanavel's  Response
Hello.......
Thanks for your query. The symptoms you describe are referred to as hallucinations in psychiatric parlance. On review of symptoms, the possible differential diagnosis include psychotic illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder. The treatment would include antipsychotic drugs and/or mood stabiliser drugs like lithium or valproate. I would suggest that she undergoes an urgent psychiatric evaluation to clarify the diagnosis and start on appropriate management. Regular follow up and compliance to medication is essential for recovery. Wish her speedy recovery.
Regards
Dr Sundar
Psychiatrist
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Have Mood Swings. Sees Shadows Of People. Is Angry, Sleeping, Eating Disorders. Suggestions?

thank you for your query. from the description given by you, the symptoms appear to be that of a Psychotic disorder. In psychosis, there mat be symptoms like hearing voices not heard by others (auditory hallucinations), seeing things, faces, shadows not seen by others (visual hallucinations or imagery),extreme mood swings (affect regulation difficulty), wanting to be left alone (asocialisation), sleep problems(insomnia), refusal to eat and poor self care (apathy). Sometimes she may also act out to her hallucinations (like screaming). Now a psychotic disorder may be due to Schizophrenia, or Bipolar disorder,Mania with Psychosis, or major Depressive Disorder with Psychosis. though the young age of onset in this case point towards schizophrenia, a detailed history taking, Mental status examination and evaluation is required to confirm the diagnosis. After diagnosis is confirmed, she would require prompt and adequate treatent with antipsychotics and or mood stabilisers etc. please remember, the earlier the treatment started, better the prognosis for these conditions. i would suggest you to consult a psychiatrist as soon as possible for the same. hope i ve answered your query. please feel free to contact me fror any further clarifications. best of luck.