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Suggest Treatment For Anxiety, Suicidal Thoughts And Depression
Question: My son was previously using marijuana to self medicate himself. He was diagnosed as a grade schooler with ADHD and when he was 18, with depression. He refused to take oral medication because his father was against it. He only made it through 8th grade and dropped out because he said he cannot concentrate and his mind is always racing. His father kicked him out of his house last week and now he is with me. He has been seen 2 different times by emergency physicians and been on a temporary basis seroqual and an anti-depressant. We found out from the pharmist that he is suppose to take 6-12 tablets of seroquil and he has only been taking 4per day. They are 25mg tablets. The anti depressant is 25mg as well once a day. Bi-polar disorder and schizo-effective disorder and depression run on both sides of his parents family. I set up an apt with my daughters psychiatrist on XXXXXXX 18th for an intake evaluation.My daughter was finally diagnosed with bi-polar disorder. Anti-depressents made her anxiety worse and is on a anti-seizure medication and an anti medication taken only when needed. My son just told me he wants street drugs again because he isn't feeling better. Today is the 1st day he is starting the 6 tablets of seroquil. He said he wants to die or sees no point in living because he is so unhappy and his mind is always racing. He is extremely underweight for his height, he has stomache issues and diagnosed with esophagitis. He has no drivers license or ever worked a job because he can't seem to focus and he has very bad fits of anger because he is so miserable. Please give me some advice as to how I might/should adjust his current medications to help him until he is seen on the 18th. That was the first available apt they had. I was diagnosed with PTSD, Schizo-effective disorder and clinical depression. over 11yrs ago and am stable and have been off Geodon for 1 1/2yrs now.
I mis stated my daughter takes an antianxiety med as needed. My son has no appetite and barely is eating 1 meal a day. He has not smoked marijanna for over 53 days. The meds he has been prescribed were prescribed by 2 different drs. about 30-50 days ago.
I mis stated my daughter takes an antianxiety med as needed. My son has no appetite and barely is eating 1 meal a day. He has not smoked marijanna for over 53 days. The meds he has been prescribed were prescribed by 2 different drs. about 30-50 days ago.
Brief Answer:
Increased dose of Seroquel would help in controlling his mood
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
I can understand your concern. Your son is 21 years old and have history of ADHD and depression. He dropped out of schools because due to his illnesses he couldn't concentrate. He has been advised to take Seroquel (4X25 mg tabs per day) and some antidepressant. The antidepressant drugs made his anxiety worse and he is not feeling better. He is showing suicidal behaviour and is very unhappy. He has racing mind, poor focus and also have anger issues. His appetite has also declined and his weight is also in lower ranges. Family history of psychiatric disorder is also there.
After reading the history you have mentioned in my opinion he is currently in severe depressive stage though more detailed evaluation is needed to confirm diagnosis. He is suicidal and is saying that he wants to die. These symptoms should not be ignored and first advise I'd give to you is to keep a continuous caution for his suicidal behaviour. Try to remain with him and talk to him. Find out any psychological conflict if any in him.
He had been advised to take Seroquel in 100 mg doses per day and yes in my opinion doses should be increased considering his symptoms. He is having anger issues and is persistently unhappy. High doses like 150-200 mg will help in good sedation and his mood will become stabilised. The drug will increase his appetite also and his weight should improve with the drug.
You haven't mentioned the antidepressant he has been prescribed. But most of antidepressants when taken cause increase in restlessness, anxiety during first week of starting the therapy. This is the probable reason he developed worsening of symptoms with the drug and he is feeling that drugs are not making him feel better. If the medicine is causing significant anxiety then its dose can be reduced (or halved) and then he can start the drug again in low doses. Low doses would be tolerated easily.
I don't think he would be benefitted with street drugs or marijuana. These drugs cause subjective and temporary euphoria but also cause rebound increase in depression of brain. His psychotic symptoms and anger would become worse on taking Marijuana. Marijuana is known to precipitate acute psychosis and violent behaviour. So please try to make him understand about the complications associated with marijuana.
For his severe anxiety and sad mood in acute stage medicines like Benzodiazepines can help. Benzodiazepines like Lorazepam or Clonazepam would help in good sedation and will relax his mind. These drugs are safe drugs and will help in controlling his aggression. If possible visit a PCP and take prescription of this drug till you take him to a psychiatrist. These drugs would make his condition a little better. Continue to give him Seroquel and antidepressant.
Thanks, I hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts in follow up question.
Take care
Increased dose of Seroquel would help in controlling his mood
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
I can understand your concern. Your son is 21 years old and have history of ADHD and depression. He dropped out of schools because due to his illnesses he couldn't concentrate. He has been advised to take Seroquel (4X25 mg tabs per day) and some antidepressant. The antidepressant drugs made his anxiety worse and he is not feeling better. He is showing suicidal behaviour and is very unhappy. He has racing mind, poor focus and also have anger issues. His appetite has also declined and his weight is also in lower ranges. Family history of psychiatric disorder is also there.
After reading the history you have mentioned in my opinion he is currently in severe depressive stage though more detailed evaluation is needed to confirm diagnosis. He is suicidal and is saying that he wants to die. These symptoms should not be ignored and first advise I'd give to you is to keep a continuous caution for his suicidal behaviour. Try to remain with him and talk to him. Find out any psychological conflict if any in him.
He had been advised to take Seroquel in 100 mg doses per day and yes in my opinion doses should be increased considering his symptoms. He is having anger issues and is persistently unhappy. High doses like 150-200 mg will help in good sedation and his mood will become stabilised. The drug will increase his appetite also and his weight should improve with the drug.
You haven't mentioned the antidepressant he has been prescribed. But most of antidepressants when taken cause increase in restlessness, anxiety during first week of starting the therapy. This is the probable reason he developed worsening of symptoms with the drug and he is feeling that drugs are not making him feel better. If the medicine is causing significant anxiety then its dose can be reduced (or halved) and then he can start the drug again in low doses. Low doses would be tolerated easily.
I don't think he would be benefitted with street drugs or marijuana. These drugs cause subjective and temporary euphoria but also cause rebound increase in depression of brain. His psychotic symptoms and anger would become worse on taking Marijuana. Marijuana is known to precipitate acute psychosis and violent behaviour. So please try to make him understand about the complications associated with marijuana.
For his severe anxiety and sad mood in acute stage medicines like Benzodiazepines can help. Benzodiazepines like Lorazepam or Clonazepam would help in good sedation and will relax his mind. These drugs are safe drugs and will help in controlling his aggression. If possible visit a PCP and take prescription of this drug till you take him to a psychiatrist. These drugs would make his condition a little better. Continue to give him Seroquel and antidepressant.
Thanks, I hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts in follow up question.
Take care
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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