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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Suitable Therapy For Chronic Schizophrenia

I have a son that has veen diagnosed with chronic schizophrenia and i have tried to get him help but he doesnt seem to think nothing is wrong he has all the syptoms im scared that one day he is going to hurt someone or his self what can i do to get him the help he needs

Mon, 29 Sep 2014
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Psychiatrist 's  Response
Hello and welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for your query.

I understand your concern for your son who has been diagnosed with chronic Schizophrenia. You seem to be particularly worried that he does not realize that he has a problem. This, in fact is very common in people who suffer from Schizophrenia, where they don't have an understanding or realization that they are ill and that they need help. This is called a lack of Insight, which is a part of the mental illness itself.

Schizophrenia is a chronic illness and long term treatment and follow up is required. Treatment is with anti-psychotic medication and this has to be take regularly and without missing a dose. In persons who refuse to take oral medication, long-acting depot antipsychotic injections can be used to ensure compliance to treatment.

Rehabilitation is also an essential part of treatment, where the person is thought skills to lead a social and occupational life as normal as possible. So, I would suggest that you take him to a psychiatrist to discuss about further treatment plans for your son.

Wish you all the best.

Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist
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Psychiatrist Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar's  Response
Hello and thanks for your query.

I understand your concerns regarding your son. In fact, the problems that you are facing are faced by lot of carers of patients with schizophrenia. Unfortunately, patients with severe mental illness like Schizophrenia lack insight or understanding about their illness and they deny that they have any problems. This makes it very difficult to administer the vital treatment that they need.

In a situation like yours, these would be the ways forward:
1) To consider a period of in-patient treatment so that his symptoms can be brought under control, and hopefully he would then be in a position to take medication voluntarily. In case he is showing any violent behaviour or is unmanageable at home, then you should seriously consider this option.
2) To try long acting antipsychotic injections (called depots) which need to be given only once or twice a month. These will have the same efficacy as giving tablets everyday.
3)To get in touch with your local community mental health team or your local social services team to arrange for a community nurse or a health worker to visit him and monitor his treatment.

Best wishes.
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Suggest Suitable Therapy For Chronic Schizophrenia

Hello and welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for your query. I understand your concern for your son who has been diagnosed with chronic Schizophrenia. You seem to be particularly worried that he does not realize that he has a problem. This, in fact is very common in people who suffer from Schizophrenia, where they don t have an understanding or realization that they are ill and that they need help. This is called a lack of Insight, which is a part of the mental illness itself. Schizophrenia is a chronic illness and long term treatment and follow up is required. Treatment is with anti-psychotic medication and this has to be take regularly and without missing a dose. In persons who refuse to take oral medication, long-acting depot antipsychotic injections can be used to ensure compliance to treatment. Rehabilitation is also an essential part of treatment, where the person is thought skills to lead a social and occupational life as normal as possible. So, I would suggest that you take him to a psychiatrist to discuss about further treatment plans for your son. Wish you all the best. Regards, Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar Consultant Psychiatrist