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Suggest Medication For Anxiety, Stress And Insomnia

Posted on Tue, 12 Jan 2016

Question: I have twin sons who are 20. They are in college, are roommates and both have anxiety, stress and insomnia. 1 son is on celexa and Ativan but still has trouble sleeping, he likes to fall asleep with the tv on. He is somewhat unmotivated at anything and recently switched majors because he couldn't pass a class he has taken twice. My other son says that when this son was drunk he mentioned suicide. He is more of an introvert. My other son is more assertive and is seeking help at school with a counselor and is on gabapentin, Effexor, trazadone and hydroxazine and he says none of these help. He took some of my husbands ambien and says this is the only thing that helps him sleep. My husband has to hide this when he comes home or he would take it all. Last night i found him moderately incoherent, unsteady gait, unable to focus - he found the ambien and i don't know for sure how many he took. I think 3-4. I just would like some advice on what to counsel these two on, what to say to them, how to help them. Im also concerned about their drinking .

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Explained

Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome

I appreciate your concern as its a daunting situation which you are facing and dealing with.

Your son who had mentioned the thought regarding suicide requires tactful handling. You and other trusted family members can hold a compassionate discussion with him alone apprising him of the fact that you care deeply for him and would want him to get all the help he can. Group therapy, psychotherapy and behavioral cognitive therapy are the options that you can arrange in consultation with their treating psychiatrist.
Your son with the incoherent, unsteady gait who was unable to focus would require a similar approach though in his case liver function tests and a toxicology screen can be advised to determine if he was under the effect of any recreational drug.
Having said that at a certain age individual responsibilities have to take over at some stage and limitations occur at how much one should interfere. You can hold your end of the duty by conveying your concerns both directly and indirectly in this way. You may also have a meeting with their treating physician and apprise him/her of this concern as a caring guardian and parent.

Wishing you best of health

Thanks

Let me know if you have any query

Please consult your doctor before deciding on any further course of action.

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Dr. M.S. Khalil

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar