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Suggest Treatment For Auditory And Visual Hallucinations

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Posted on Sat, 9 Jul 2016
Question: My 20 year old son had sudden onset auditory hallucinations, some visual hallucinations (seeing smoke) significantly reduced auditory processing, comprehension, a seeming lack of hearing (saying "what" often), confusion, mental fog, fatigue..Began 5 weeks ago.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.

What you are describing in your son is acute psychosis. This could be due to a medical cause, drug use, or perhaps the first stages of schizophrenia. He will need a complete medical workup including blood testing and potential head imaging. Treatment for schizophrenia is with an atypical antipsychotic such as olanzapine, risperidone (which per your description might have been used initially at too high a dose), or a first generation antipsychotic such as haloperidol. If this is schizophrenia, it is a chronic debilitating illness that will require lifelong support.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private link below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (3 days later)
Is it possible that this is Lyme disease?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (21 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
The likelihood that this is Lyme disease is much less than 1%.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private link below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2014

Answered : 2236 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Auditory And Visual Hallucinations

Brief Answer: Consultation Detailed Answer: Hello, and thanks for your question. What you are describing in your son is acute psychosis. This could be due to a medical cause, drug use, or perhaps the first stages of schizophrenia. He will need a complete medical workup including blood testing and potential head imaging. Treatment for schizophrenia is with an atypical antipsychotic such as olanzapine, risperidone (which per your description might have been used initially at too high a dose), or a first generation antipsychotic such as haloperidol. If this is schizophrenia, it is a chronic debilitating illness that will require lifelong support. Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied. In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private link below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers