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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by canwetalk on May 9, 2003, at 22:23:19
My daughter has schizophrenia and her behavior now has gone from bad to worse. At her day program she has been screaming and today had knocked a pan off of the stove with burgers cooking. Thankfully she was not hurt nor anyone else.
My question is when a person displays behaviors like this are they hearing voices that tell them to do these things? When she was on Risperdal she did not display thing like this. However the Risperdal was not working for her so it was discontinued.
The Abilify is 15mg and hopefully an increase up to 20mg may help. Wondering if something else should be added. This is really getting hard for us. It is hard for her to express or communicate so we really do not know what is going on in her head. Any suggestions or information would be GREATLY appreciated.
Posted by Snoozy on May 9, 2003, at 23:02:11
In reply to Is it the voices?????????????????????????????, posted by canwetalk on May 9, 2003, at 22:23:19
Hi - I'm sorry your daughter is experiencing such difficulties. I wish I could be of more help, but I know very little about schizophrenia.
Reading your post did, however, remind me of an article I read in the New York Times online in the last few days. It's about how researchers are paying more attention to voices in schizophrenia and current research on them. I found it very interesting. I'll copy the link here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/06/health/psychology/06VOIC.html
If the link doesn't work, just go to the New York Times website, and scroll down to the Health section. Then click on All Headlines. The story is titled "Experts See Mind's Voices in New Light". (And if you find the article interesting, you may want to print it out as I think their articles go to pay-only after a certain amount of time).
I really hope things get better for your daughter - I can only imagine how painful it is for you too.
> My daughter has schizophrenia and her behavior now has gone from bad to worse. At her day program she has been screaming and today had knocked a pan off of the stove with burgers cooking. Thankfully she was not hurt nor anyone else.
>
> My question is when a person displays behaviors like this are they hearing voices that tell them to do these things? When she was on Risperdal she did not display thing like this. However the Risperdal was not working for her so it was discontinued.
>
> The Abilify is 15mg and hopefully an increase up to 20mg may help. Wondering if something else should be added. This is really getting hard for us. It is hard for her to express or communicate so we really do not know what is going on in her head. Any suggestions or information would be GREATLY appreciated.
Posted by fuji on May 10, 2003, at 7:52:04
In reply to Re: Is it the voices????????????????????????????? » canwetalk, posted by Snoozy on May 9, 2003, at 23:02:11
There is so much information on the internet about schizophrenia. Following is one article I think is very interesting by a gentleman who has schizophrenia whose insights are amazing.
http://www.mentalhealth.com/story/p52-sc04.html
Posted by agencypanic on May 11, 2003, at 18:16:09
In reply to Re: Is it the voices????????????????????????????? » canwetalk, posted by Snoozy on May 9, 2003, at 23:02:11
>
> http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/06/health/psychology/06VOIC.htmlThank you for posting this link and for helping me with my ativan-related question in a different
post.
Posted by Snoozy on May 11, 2003, at 20:46:53
In reply to Re: Is it the voices?????????????????????????????, posted by agencypanic on May 11, 2003, at 18:16:09
Hi - how are you doing with the ativan situation? I hope it hasn't been too rocky for you.
> >
> > http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/06/health/psychology/06VOIC.html
>
> Thank you for posting this link and for helping me with my ativan-related question in a different
> post.
Posted by agencypanic on May 11, 2003, at 22:51:46
In reply to Re: How are you doing? » agencypanic, posted by Snoozy on May 11, 2003, at 20:46:53
> Hi - how are you doing with the ativan situation? I hope it hasn't been too rocky for you.
Thank you for the concern. It has been a hard 3 or 4 days,but managed to get some ativan today so hopefully I"ll get a night's sleep.
Thank you again.
Posted by Willow on May 12, 2003, at 9:13:08
In reply to Is it the voices?????????????????????????????, posted by canwetalk on May 9, 2003, at 22:23:19
CANWETALK
First let me give a little history of my experience regarding this illness. My father became ill when I was a child, the diagnosis was schizophrenia. I won't go on about his treatments over the years as many don't apply today. There are a lot of good new meds being discovered and much more regarding the illness.
I'm sorry as a parent you are having to go through this. I have three young children of my own, add my constant anxiety and bouts with depression, I can only imagine your concern. But having said this, on my better days the daily grinds are easier to handle. And I do believe with time your daughter's illness will not control her life primarily.
Schizophrenia isn't a rare illness. In Canada, more hospital beds are occupied by people suffering with this illness than any other medical condition. Then why is it so little known about it by the general public I wonder?
> My question is when a person displays behaviors like this are they hearing voices that tell them to do these things?
I asked my father about this. (One thing, like any other human being, some past actions of ours are humiliating and embarrassing; thus, difficult to talk about. So I wouldn't dwell on the episode.) The best way I can think of describing what goes on is to for you to turn the radio on to a channel where there is a commentary going on. Turn it up very, very loud. Now go about your regular business in your home. Try to not hear the radio. You can't! Parts of it come through into your conscience.
How much of these obtrusive voices interfere with your daughters thought process, is hard for anyone to know, but once the illness is stabilized maybe she will feel comfortable telling you. Also, my father mentioned that his thoughts were bizarre and fast. His mind was like a racing locomotive; though, clear to him, yet observing from the outside I would have thought the opposite because speech with him would be difficult. Probably, in my opinion, his thoughts were "louder" than the outside world trying to communicate with him.
>When she was on Risperdal she did not display thing like this. However the Risperdal was not working for her so it was discontinued.
Apparently, I would say the risperdal had some effect. She needs a good psychiatrist who will work with her to find a medication which has less side-effects compared to the good it does. This trial and error process can be painful for the both of you, but once the right meds are found she will be able to live, pardon the expression "a more sane" quality of life.
>
> The Abilify is 15mg and hopefully an increase up to 20mg may help. Wondering if something else should be added.I'm not familiar with this medication, so I can't comment on it. My father is having success now with zyprexa and ativan.
>This is really getting hard for us. It is hard for her to express or communicate so we really do not know what is going on in her head. Any suggestions or information would be GREATLY appreciated.
Anytime you want to talk or ask a question, post on social with my name in the subject line. One of my friends will let me know through the yahoo messenger that you have posted. Be patient with me though, because this is a very painful topic for me, emotionally draining, and it's not even my child affected, so I can just begin to imagine your distress. But let me assure you that it isn't going to always be like this. It will get better.
One thing that did help my father during a "psycotic episode" was a sleep med that he got in Finland. We're trying to figure out the name of it, but are at a loss. This was about twenty years ago. Perhaps you could inquire about a good sleep med for your daughter from her psychiatrist?
Is she presently in the hospital? Is this her first occurance with the illness? How old is she? If at all possible, make sure in the future that she doesn't use any street drugs, such as marijunana (sp? - wackie~tabackie.) For yourself, do you have family members or friends that can help you?
Gosh - I could ramble on. There is also another poster, I'll check on the 2000 board, who's mother has this illness. Apparently, it can have differnt affects on the sexes.
Keep in touch,
Willow(ps Boss how bout a board for schizophrenia)
Posted by canwetalk on May 13, 2003, at 18:46:08
In reply to Re: Is it the voices?????????????????????????????, posted by agencypanic on May 11, 2003, at 18:16:09
Willow I want to thank you so much for sharing with me. I can only imagine how difficult it is for you. Know you were saying draining etc. Yes it is but somehow we do get through it.
Yes I well definitely keep you posted on our progress. Her pschiatrist increased her Abilify up to 30mgs in hopes that we can see some improvement. We shall see. Thanks again. You were a really big help to me with your message as well as giving me encouragement. Thank you.
Posted by Willow on May 13, 2003, at 22:31:35
In reply to Re: Is it the voices?????????????????????????????, posted by canwetalk on May 13, 2003, at 18:46:08
CANWETALK
it does get easier. My dad has been stable for over the past 15 years, forgot to give you that bit of info.
BEST WISHES
Willow
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