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What Causes Auditory Hallucinations When Diagnosed With PTSD, Anxiety And Depression?
Question: I have been diagnosed with PTSD and anxiety/depression. I am also an addict. I have been placed on lexapro for the past two months, with trazadone at night for sleep (that I have not had good results with). Recently he added Effexor rx because I had been having such bad anxiety that I have had to resort to self medicating a few Xanax a day. My psychiatrist rushed me out of his office so quickly that I did not get to tell him that I have been hearing voices also off and on for a few months. I don't know what to do. I don't feel he is helping me and I'm not sure the diagnosis is correct.
Brief Answer:
Presence of hallucination indicates either psychosis or drug induced
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.
I reviewed your clinical details and of the opinion that there is need to modify treatment.
Firstly you are receiving two antidepressant/antianxity medications which is good for few resistant cases but not for all cases. In my view the first medicine should be tried to maximum dose and adequate time should be elapsed before a second medication added. In case of Lexapro the maximum dose is 20 mg and at least four to six weeks should be elapsed before adding any other medication.
Secondly presence of hallucinations indicates either effect of drug or depression with psychosis. The drug induced hallucinations are common with meth, cocaine, cannabis and few others. In case you are using any of these substances it is important to cut down to the possible extent. If cutting down do not help it is imposrtant to review prescription with add on antipsychotics by your psychiatrist.
In case you are not using any substance which causes hallucinations I will prefer to add antipsychotic as the next possibility for cause of hallucinations are depression with psychosis. The entity need both antidepressant as well as antispchotics at the same time.
I hope this helps you.
If you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards
Presence of hallucination indicates either psychosis or drug induced
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.
I reviewed your clinical details and of the opinion that there is need to modify treatment.
Firstly you are receiving two antidepressant/antianxity medications which is good for few resistant cases but not for all cases. In my view the first medicine should be tried to maximum dose and adequate time should be elapsed before a second medication added. In case of Lexapro the maximum dose is 20 mg and at least four to six weeks should be elapsed before adding any other medication.
Secondly presence of hallucinations indicates either effect of drug or depression with psychosis. The drug induced hallucinations are common with meth, cocaine, cannabis and few others. In case you are using any of these substances it is important to cut down to the possible extent. If cutting down do not help it is imposrtant to review prescription with add on antipsychotics by your psychiatrist.
In case you are not using any substance which causes hallucinations I will prefer to add antipsychotic as the next possibility for cause of hallucinations are depression with psychosis. The entity need both antidepressant as well as antispchotics at the same time.
I hope this helps you.
If you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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