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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Chemical Imbalance?
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Chemical Imbalance?
by Cindy-Hese, Sep 14, 1998 12:00AM
My husband has been diagnosed with a herniated disc at the C5-6 as well as thoratic(?) outlet syndrome caused by a car accident. Prior to this he had sporatic anger outbusts but nothing compared to what I am dealing with now. He punches holes in the walls, kicks holes, doors, breaks, throws and rips his clothes. He becomes verbally abbusive and generally psycotic. I was wondering if some of this could be caused by a chemical imbalance. He feels that the world owes him. I do not!!! and if I cant find a solution to his behavior I will have to ask him to leave. He has already told me that he will burn my house down if I do. Ativan helps if I can make him take it. Prozac? or any others would be helpful. Is there any suggestions other than the obvious to tell him to leave. As this will not solve his problem.
Cindy Hesse
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First off, I don't see a connection between the cervical disc disease and possible thoracic outlet syndrome and the behavioral outbursts. Now, whether he sustained any damage to the brain in the car wreck is hard to say. If he was knocked unconscious for a few minutes, probably not. If he was severely injured and in a coma, then it could be.
Assuming no head injury and coma, then the car wreck probably doesn't explain his behavior either. Of course, the stress of life changes with the accident and the pain afterward can often tip someone from a compensated state to an uncompensated one. If he was prone to anger outbursts before, it is possible that his coping mechanisms were not well developed and now he is stressed beyond his ability to handle things.
It is possible that he has a "chemical imbalance." Unfortunately, that term is vague and doesn't really help understand what is going on and how to treat it.
You are in a difficult situation. He may not take well to advice to see a psychiatrist, but that is what he must do. It is possible that certain medications can smooth out his behavior, but he needs evaluation by an expert who can give a diagnosis and suggest treatment.
Treatment may involve medications (such as Prozac, but there are plenty of others and it's not clear that Prozac is necessarily right for him) and/or counseling or psychotherapy.
Don't neglect yourself. If you are being abused, then seek professional counseling and share the burden. You don't have to do it all yourself.
I hope this helps. Please remember, this forum doesn't substitute for advice from your doctor. CCF MD mdf.
