Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 244995

Shown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

What IS this???

Posted by Niniveh on July 24, 2003, at 19:38:48

Okay, I'm here to learn more about my sister-in-law's problem. Here's all I know:

1) Acts irrationally and hostilely toward family and either lies about it or doesn't remember it.

2) Was not alcoholic during "the bad old days" when everyone around her was partying like thirty-five would never arrive. However, is now alcoholic bad enough that her hubby is divorce-minded.

3) Seems "addicted" to Xanax. Although she's totally blotto on Xanax, she isn't innately hostile and aggresive.

4) Reacted to Prozac by heavy drinking and totally insane behavior. (Sounds similar to her behavour currently. She recently used foul language at a restarant in front of children, but seems to either blocked it, forgot it, or is too embarrassed to talk about it.)

5) Only seems normally acitve on "speed." Otherwise, she sits and smokes. She complains of hip pain, which might aggrevate lithargy.

6) Talks nonstop. Very emotional subjects seem to pop into her head ever few moments. She's constantly in a strong mood: mad, happy or sad.

Anyone have a clue about her? Is this depression? Manic-depression? psychosis?

Who should she see? GenPrac? PDoc?

Anyone with simular problems getting relief?

 

Re: What IS this???

Posted by jlo820 on July 24, 2003, at 21:02:06

In reply to What IS this???, posted by Niniveh on July 24, 2003, at 19:38:48

Sounds like it could be a combination of things. Definitley needs to see a psychiatrist.

 

Re: What IS this??? » Niniveh

Posted by galkeepinon on July 24, 2003, at 22:16:41

In reply to What IS this???, posted by Niniveh on July 24, 2003, at 19:38:48

Borderline Personality Disorder? OCD?

Definitley needs to see a psychiatrist.


> Okay, I'm here to learn more about my sister-in-law's problem. Here's all I know:
>
> 1) Acts irrationally and hostilely toward family and either lies about it or doesn't remember it.
>
> 2) Was not alcoholic during "the bad old days" when everyone around her was partying like thirty-five would never arrive. However, is now alcoholic bad enough that her hubby is divorce-minded.
>
> 3) Seems "addicted" to Xanax. Although she's totally blotto on Xanax, she isn't innately hostile and aggresive.
>
> 4) Reacted to Prozac by heavy drinking and totally insane behavior. (Sounds similar to her behavour currently. She recently used foul language at a restarant in front of children, but seems to either blocked it, forgot it, or is too embarrassed to talk about it.)
>
> 5) Only seems normally acitve on "speed." Otherwise, she sits and smokes. She complains of hip pain, which might aggrevate lithargy.
>
> 6) Talks nonstop. Very emotional subjects seem to pop into her head ever few moments. She's constantly in a strong mood: mad, happy or sad.
>
> Anyone have a clue about her? Is this depression? Manic-depression? psychosis?
>
> Who should she see? GenPrac? PDoc?
>
> Anyone with simular problems getting relief?

 

Re: What IS this???

Posted by TJO on July 25, 2003, at 9:27:24

In reply to What IS this???, posted by Niniveh on July 24, 2003, at 19:38:48

> Okay, I'm here to learn more about my sister-in-law's problem. Here's all I know:
>
> 1) Acts irrationally and hostilely toward family and either lies about it or doesn't remember it.
>
> 2) Was not alcoholic during "the bad old days" when everyone around her was partying like thirty-five would never arrive. However, is now alcoholic bad enough that her hubby is divorce-minded.
>
> 3) Seems "addicted" to Xanax. Although she's totally blotto on Xanax, she isn't innately hostile and aggresive.
>
> 4) Reacted to Prozac by heavy drinking and totally insane behavior. (Sounds similar to her behavour currently. She recently used foul language at a restarant in front of children, but seems to either blocked it, forgot it, or is too embarrassed to talk about it.)
>
> 5) Only seems normally acitve on "speed." Otherwise, she sits and smokes. She complains of hip pain, which might aggrevate lithargy.
>
> 6) Talks nonstop. Very emotional subjects seem to pop into her head ever few moments. She's constantly in a strong mood: mad, happy or sad.
>
> Anyone have a clue about her? Is this depression? Manic-depression? psychosis?
>
> Who should she see? GenPrac? PDoc?
>
> Anyone with simular problems getting relief?

Hi there,

I agree that she needs a psychiatrist. I also think she needs some help for her alcohol and Xanax problem.

Irrational and hostile behavior could be hypomania or mania, part of manic depression. How is her sleep? Does she sleep a regular 8 hours?

When she talks nonstop, does she stick to the same subject or change topics an awful lot and have a flight of ideas? Can anyone else get a word in edgewise?


I'm not a Pdoc so I'm not going to try to say what she has but I used to be irrational and hostile and talk a lot and I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. There are lots of drugs available to treat that.

Tammy

 

Re: What IS this???

Posted by Niniveh on July 25, 2003, at 17:55:33

In reply to Re: What IS this???, posted by TJO on July 25, 2003, at 9:27:24

Thanks for helping.

I was suspecting bipolar with addictions, or possibly even schizophrenia, but I wasn't sure. Can Xanax be useful for bipolar or is it just that she likes staying loopy?

Anyway, she can stick to a topic, almost, so I'm not suspecting ADD. I can get a word in edgewise, but that's about it. It seems like she pauses out of polite habit though, because she doesn't seem to process what is said. I just attributed that to her drinking.

She seems to sleep okayish, but I think that is also the alcohol.

I thought borderline personality was exclusively self mutilation; are there other kinds?

Also, let me be naive; what drugs are used for bipolar? I know lithium works very well, but everyone seems to fear that it will turn them into a zombie....

Great Appreciation to You ALL!
Nin

 

Re: What IS this??? » Niniveh

Posted by DSCH on July 25, 2003, at 18:23:06

In reply to What IS this???, posted by Niniveh on July 24, 2003, at 19:38:48

Niniveh,

Just to clarify, does she cycle between drugs? Her current "suite" consists of alcohol, Xanax, and amphetamines, yes?

Rapid speaking, irrationality, and volatility are hallmarks of the manic phase in bipolar disorder. If she is off the speed during these times and starts taking the speed when she becomes lethargic again, then bipolar disorder is a definate possibility.

 

Re: What IS this???

Posted by TJO on July 25, 2003, at 20:53:24

In reply to Re: What IS this???, posted by Niniveh on July 25, 2003, at 17:55:33

> Thanks for helping.
>
> I was suspecting bipolar with addictions, or possibly even schizophrenia, but I wasn't sure. Can Xanax be useful for bipolar or is it just that she likes staying loopy?

Xanax is an antianxiety drug-I'm don't think its useful for bipolar.
>
> Anyway, she can stick to a topic, almost, so I'm not suspecting ADD. I can get a word in edgewise, but that's about it. It seems like she pauses out of polite habit though, because she doesn't seem to process what is said. I just attributed that to her drinking.

Hmmm
>
> She seems to sleep okayish, but I think that is also the alcohol.
>
People who are in the manic phase of bipolar disorder sleep very little if at all. People in the depressed phase sleep a lot.

> I thought borderline personality was exclusively self mutilation; are there other kinds?

I (unfortunately)don't know anything about borderline personality disorder.
>
> Also, let me be naive; what drugs are used for bipolar? I know lithium works very well, but everyone seems to fear that it will turn them into a zombie....

Lots of different drugs are used for bipolar. I take Neurontin( a mood stabilizer), Wellbutrin (an antidepressant), Risperdal (an anti-psychotic), and Abilify (another antipsychotic) and am presently trying to switch from Risperdal to Abilify because I don't like the side effects. Lithium doesn't work for everybody and there are many newer drugs.

Some of the drugs that could be used (of many)
are Neurontin, Depakote, Lamictal for mood stabilizers, Paxil, Prozac, Wellbutrin as antidepressants, and (if necessary)Seroquel, Risperdal, Geodon, Zyprexa, and/or Abilify as antipsychotics.

Almost all drugs have side effects and its a matter of finding some that work and that you can live with. Some cause weight gain and some interfere with your sex life. Some don't.

Also there are inpatient drug/alcohol rehabs that have psych treatment too.

Tammy
>
>

 

Re: What IS this???

Posted by jlo820 on July 25, 2003, at 22:33:31

In reply to Re: What IS this???, posted by TJO on July 25, 2003, at 20:53:24

Just one comment...Borderline Personality Disorder is not just self-mutilation - that is just one of many features one can have with BPD.

Here is good information:

http://www.mental-health-today.com/bpd/dsmiv.htm

 

Re: What IS this??? » Niniveh

Posted by galkeepinon on July 25, 2003, at 23:37:34

In reply to Re: What IS this???, posted by Niniveh on July 25, 2003, at 17:55:33

Here is some great info on Borderline Personality Disorder.
There are many articles about many different topics that describe a lot of things that you mention in your first post.

http://www.mhsanctuary.com/borderline/artindex.htm


> Thanks for helping.
>
> I was suspecting bipolar with addictions, or possibly even schizophrenia, but I wasn't sure. Can Xanax be useful for bipolar or is it just that she likes staying loopy?
>
> Anyway, she can stick to a topic, almost, so I'm not suspecting ADD. I can get a word in edgewise, but that's about it. It seems like she pauses out of polite habit though, because she doesn't seem to process what is said. I just attributed that to her drinking.
>
> She seems to sleep okayish, but I think that is also the alcohol.
>
> I thought borderline personality was exclusively self mutilation; are there other kinds?
>
> Also, let me be naive; what drugs are used for bipolar? I know lithium works very well, but everyone seems to fear that it will turn them into a zombie....
>
> Great Appreciation to You ALL!
> Nin

 

Re: What IS this??? » Niniveh

Posted by River1924 on July 26, 2003, at 11:24:51

In reply to What IS this???, posted by Niniveh on July 24, 2003, at 19:38:48

The real question now it seems is: does she think she has a problem? (And good god, I hope she doesn't have kids.) Secondly, your brother should see someone even if your sister-in-law won't.

 

Addiction is irrational

Posted by HenryO on July 27, 2003, at 3:54:10

In reply to What IS this???, posted by Niniveh on July 24, 2003, at 19:38:48

First and formost she is an alcoholic and an addict. Which will make anybody act like a hostile wacko and not remember it. She has to get clean and sober before she can find out wether she has any other mental issues.

She sounds so boozed up and druged that there is no way she could function rationally. Her situation is critical. Divorce is unpleasant but jail, brain damage and death are worse.

 

Re: Addiction is irrational

Posted by TJO on July 27, 2003, at 13:19:14

In reply to Addiction is irrational, posted by HenryO on July 27, 2003, at 3:54:10

Hi Nineveh,
I agree that her situation is critical. I think it is possible although not likely that its just the booze and drugs making her act like that. I still think she needs a good consult with a psychiatrist to rule in or out any mental illness. Do you think she is cabable of limiting or stopping the alcohol or pills by herself? Possibly after a long chat with a caring friend or family member? Or do you think she needs the help of some addiction professionals? There are people who specialize in working with MICA (mentally ill, chemically addicted) patients. My local hospital has a MICA unit in with the psych wing. Does yours? It could be a place to start if she isn't cabable of helping herself at this point. Has she ever been to a rehab? Or signed herself in to a hospital for treatment?

Good Luck
Tammy

 

Where does she get xanax, prozac anyway? (nm) » Niniveh

Posted by River1924 on July 27, 2003, at 14:23:55

In reply to What IS this???, posted by Niniveh on July 24, 2003, at 19:38:48

 

Re: Where does she get xanax, prozac anyway?

Posted by HenryO on July 28, 2003, at 3:38:44

In reply to Where does she get xanax, prozac anyway? (nm) » Niniveh, posted by River1924 on July 27, 2003, at 14:23:55

Alcoholism is mental illness.

Usually there is a big depression factor to it too. Why else self medicate to the point of risking death. But you can't get to it untill the fire is out.

 

What IS this???

Posted by Niniveh on August 3, 2003, at 17:55:08

In reply to What IS this???, posted by Niniveh on July 24, 2003, at 19:38:48

I'm sorry for the delay; I'm an apartment painter in a college town, and right now the students are playing musical chairs.

She gets her meds from medical doctors mostly but some come off the street. She's tried lots of different ones, but only Xanax makes her calm without upseting her stomach.

I spent MANY hours chatting --- strike that --- listening with her last night. She fears being misunderstood and judged harshly, refuses to try a pdoc, and has childhood (and adult) trauma.

I guess if it comes down to the line on divorce, she might relent enough to try a rehab, or see a pdoc, or atleast go to church. Hopefully, she'll get a job, settle into the routine, and just chill. I doubt it though; she believes that she has no problem.

Thanks for giving me some information to go on; perhaps I can use it to gently steer her toward the pdoc. Amazingly, I think Borderline sounds like the closest fit so far, with a possible side-order of manic-depression and a definate over-the-rda seving of addictions.

Thanks again,
Nin

 

Re: What IS this???

Posted by Henryo on August 3, 2003, at 21:00:16

In reply to What IS this???, posted by Niniveh on August 3, 2003, at 17:55:08

minimizing
denial
rationalizations
protection from consequences

Church alone ain't gonna cut it. A doctor is a tenth of what she needs. Get together with her husband and give her a choice. She has to go to 90 meetings in 90 days or he dumps her. Tell her what she used to be like, what has happened and what she's like now. It will save her life. Maybe get a professional to help you with that confrontation. But bust her.

 

What IS this???

Posted by Niniveh on August 4, 2003, at 18:17:09

In reply to Re: What IS this???, posted by Henryo on August 3, 2003, at 21:00:16

You mean, like AA or NA meetings?

Around here, that's where you go to get hooked in with the worst of the worst -OR- blame everything on Mama... Most local AA-ers are sentenced by the courts and show up high as a kite, and there's this creepy inner circle that visits you to say how you aren't responsible for your actions that everything is because of your childhood.

If I knew more perhaps I'd be more willing to very gently, and invisibly, prompt her to go, but the things I've heard have been major put offs.

In her case, however, there is mitigating childhood trauma that someone SHOULD have protected her from, so perhaps that gives an opening.

She totally refuses any sort of psychological evaluation on grounds of "I've made it this far without them quacks...." Initially, I hoped to simply match her needs with a handful of drugs, hand her and my research over to my doctor, and see if they couldn't straighten things out.

Now, I'm more concerned. Although she'd never physically harm herself or her family, I'm worried that she'll create a rift in her marriage that will cause her hubby to "betray" her by having to leave to save himself.

I'm also an in-law; our husbands are brothers, so I'm "last in the loop." I never know what's happening until it's too late.

They "rescued" their daughter from Michigan. Initially, I thought she really wanted to come, but I'm begining to think they emotionally coerced her to some degree to leave her life and keep the family together.... However, I know she's better off here because she'd been hit on two occasions by her live-in, mooching lover, hence the rescue.

From all appearances, the daughter is normal, healthy and rebelious, a quintessential eighteen-year-old tom-boy. However, the 14-y-o son is unstable and moody like his mom... This is getting interesting --- a real-life drama, daily.

 

Re: What IS this???

Posted by HenryO on August 5, 2003, at 3:48:15

In reply to Re: What IS this???, posted by Henryo on August 3, 2003, at 21:00:16

I will say no more. I wish all good things for you.


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