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Suggest Treatment For Schizophrenia And Bipolar Disorder
Question: My grandson who is 34 years old has been diagnosed bi-polar and scetsophrenia. He has been on different medications. His meds were changed in Nov 2015 and he took a nose dive!! He left home in his car with out meds or phone. Came home 2 days later not really coherent. Left again. Next we find out he broke into a house that was for sale and was living there. When discovered, he was arrested and jailed. Then was taken to a mental institution Parthanon Towers. Put on different meds and released. Did not really recover. A few weeks he left on foot with no identification and sweat shirt on a very cold night. Police picked him up and took him to a hospital. The next day transferred him to Tri star Skyline hospital in XXXXXXX and in the psychiatric ward. He was there about a week and said he was stable and would release him. He is also now delusional as the house he broke into reminds him of a home he lived in when he felt "safe". He told his sister and mother that was his house as he won it! He also changed his address and his banking info to that address.
He had a normal childhood. Very close to his father. He plays 5 instruments and a very smart man. At the age of 16 his dad, who was a country star, developed melanoma. He lived for two more years with great deterioration. When he passed away his death seemed to be a trigger for him to change. He also is a substance abuse and smoker!
Now, for my question: Where and how can my daughter get answers. He lives with her and he is on SSI. How do we get quality care and correct diagnosis and help! My daughter is frantic to get help for him before this disease escalates to perhaps a more serious situation. She has to work and has to be sure he is safe. She also needs to get medical authority over him. A lawyer she inquired said it would take $6,000 tto " start" this process! All we need to know is where to start and where to get information to help him get well! I am assuming he is on Medicaid. Help! Thanking you in advance!
He had a normal childhood. Very close to his father. He plays 5 instruments and a very smart man. At the age of 16 his dad, who was a country star, developed melanoma. He lived for two more years with great deterioration. When he passed away his death seemed to be a trigger for him to change. He also is a substance abuse and smoker!
Now, for my question: Where and how can my daughter get answers. He lives with her and he is on SSI. How do we get quality care and correct diagnosis and help! My daughter is frantic to get help for him before this disease escalates to perhaps a more serious situation. She has to work and has to be sure he is safe. She also needs to get medical authority over him. A lawyer she inquired said it would take $6,000 tto " start" this process! All we need to know is where to start and where to get information to help him get well! I am assuming he is on Medicaid. Help! Thanking you in advance!
Brief Answer:
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
I'm sorry your grandson is going through such a difficult illness. I'm sure this is very stressful for you as well. Here are my thoughts.
Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are very serious chronic illnesses that require close monitoring by a psychiatrist for life. Your grandson can be more well and more stable, but this requires he see a psychiatrist regularly and take his medications. If he does not, he will likely continue to be hospitalized repeatedly.
The first step is for your daughter to get legal guardianship over your grandson. This is a legal matter and not a medical matter, so I have limited information. Reach out to a lawyer to get this process started -- because it involves a judgement to remove your grandson's civil liberties, it can take quite some time to accomplish.
Next, your grandson needs to see a psychiatrist who can treat him long-term. There are injectable medications that last a month, which would be useful for your grandson as it can keep medicine in the system even if he doesn't take oral pills regularly. Use the internet to search for Medicaid providers in your area.
Once he is on a long-acting injectable medication, he may improve. These are the steps to take. It may take a long time, as this is a chronic illness that lasts for life, but these steps may make it easier for you.
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
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
I'm sorry your grandson is going through such a difficult illness. I'm sure this is very stressful for you as well. Here are my thoughts.
Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are very serious chronic illnesses that require close monitoring by a psychiatrist for life. Your grandson can be more well and more stable, but this requires he see a psychiatrist regularly and take his medications. If he does not, he will likely continue to be hospitalized repeatedly.
The first step is for your daughter to get legal guardianship over your grandson. This is a legal matter and not a medical matter, so I have limited information. Reach out to a lawyer to get this process started -- because it involves a judgement to remove your grandson's civil liberties, it can take quite some time to accomplish.
Next, your grandson needs to see a psychiatrist who can treat him long-term. There are injectable medications that last a month, which would be useful for your grandson as it can keep medicine in the system even if he doesn't take oral pills regularly. Use the internet to search for Medicaid providers in your area.
Once he is on a long-acting injectable medication, he may improve. These are the steps to take. It may take a long time, as this is a chronic illness that lasts for life, but these steps may make it easier for you.
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. Arnab Banerjee
Thank you for your reply! We were frustrated with his care, until today. My daughter picked him up and miraculously he was back to his old self! All we can relate this to is that he did get ,"a" shot and perhaps another one before he was released. My questions are: What kind of shot is this and will the shot wear off as the month goes on and will he regress at that time??? How long can he "safely" take that shot? Needless to say, today we were delighted! One day at a time!
Brief Answer:
Last as long as a month
Detailed Answer:
This shot was like one of the long-acting injectable medications I mentioned in my reply above. It seems the psychiatrists taking care of your grandson were thinking along similar lines as me. This is good. This shot, depending on the medication used, could last as long as a month. This is definitely a step in the right direction. I'm glad things are improving for you and your family!
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
Last as long as a month
Detailed Answer:
This shot was like one of the long-acting injectable medications I mentioned in my reply above. It seems the psychiatrists taking care of your grandson were thinking along similar lines as me. This is good. This shot, depending on the medication used, could last as long as a month. This is definitely a step in the right direction. I'm glad things are improving for you and your family!
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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