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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
brother
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
brother
by kofi, Jan 30, 2000 12:00AM
My brother was recently diagnoised with a mild form of schizophernia. Prior to this he had expericened several tragdies in his life: he was expelld from college, he was rejected from a fraternity, he lost his job, he had a kid out of wedlock, and had been to jail for petty theift. However, I believe that this chemical imbalance was from a cannibis habit he has and maybe received something that was laced. He is refusing that he has a problem even thought the courts order him 21 days in mental instituion because he hears voices and talks about a life that does not exist. My question is: Was it the drugs that caused this or a mental breakdown? Will he ever be the same or even be able to live a normal life? Thank you. I am very afraid for him he just turned 21!!!
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS M.D.-SW, Jan 31, 2000 12:00AM
Dear Kofi,
It is unfortunate your brother has gone through so much, especially at such a young age.
The cause of schizophrenia is unknown. Different clinical presentations may have different causes.
Studies have shown possible attributing factors such as, genetic, environmental, biological or neurological.
Substance abuse may present a picture similar to schizophrenia, with delusions, paranoia or hallucinations.
Fortunately, new medications are available and others are being developed to help reduce the devastating symptoms of schizophrenia.
Discuss your concerns with your brother's psychiatrist.
Best Wishes to you both.
HFHS M.D.-SW
It is unfortunate your brother has gone through so much, especially at such a young age.
The cause of schizophrenia is unknown. Different clinical presentations may have different causes.
Studies have shown possible attributing factors such as, genetic, environmental, biological or neurological.
Substance abuse may present a picture similar to schizophrenia, with delusions, paranoia or hallucinations.
Fortunately, new medications are available and others are being developed to help reduce the devastating symptoms of schizophrenia.
Discuss your concerns with your brother's psychiatrist.
Best Wishes to you both.
HFHS M.D.-SW
signed,
confused Lily