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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SJ on December 18, 2004, at 11:15:32
My eleven year old daughter has started hearing voices. She's been on lexapro for one year for anxiety, which has been pretty successful. The last few days, she's told us that she can hear someone in her head calling her name or breathing heavy. We're all scared.
I called her doctor, he has not yet returned my call.
Her anxiety was severe before going on the Lexapro. We spent a year and a half in therapy before we started her on meds. We really want to stay away from medications and I'm afraid they'll want to put her on something else for this. Are there any other options?
My heart breaks for her and we don't know what to due, partially I suppose, because we don't understand what's happening. I've told her, I'll always be there for her and I'll never leave her alone to deal with this by herself, unless she's ready to.
Any help in understing this would be really appreciated or advice to her in dealing with this.
Thanks to all of you and God Bless.
Posted by ghost on December 18, 2004, at 15:28:56
In reply to Hearing Voices, posted by SJ on December 18, 2004, at 11:15:32
ive heard voices since i was about 5 (probably younger). i never knew that everyone else *didn't.* i'm 27 now, and i'm just starting to realise how drastically different everyone else's lives are without voices.
be thankful your daughter can tell you things are different with her. if she needs medication to alleviate the symptoms, be thankful we're living in a time when there are lots of options. and also keep in mind that this could subside when she gets older, and at the very least, she is likely to live a very normal life with medication and therapy.
good luck. my heart goes out to that little girl.
ghost
Posted by ed_uk on December 18, 2004, at 15:55:09
In reply to Re: Hearing Voices, posted by ghost on December 18, 2004, at 15:28:56
Hi Ghost,
Do you have a diagnosis?
Ed.
Posted by banga on December 18, 2004, at 17:49:28
In reply to Re: Hearing Voices » ghost, posted by ed_uk on December 18, 2004, at 15:55:09
I am sorry for your struggles, it must be very hard. It is heartwarming that she reached out to you, and that you offered words that, were I in her position, would mean the world to me. Take one step at a time.
I hope that you hear from your doctor soon. Someone will need to see her in order to understand fully what is going on, and what options there might be in helping. It is important to remember that there IS help, even if medication ends up being the recommendation at least for now. The medications around today are much less harmful than those of the past, it is important to know that. I am not saying that definietly this is the only route--I am not a doctor. I understand your reluctance to go that route, but sometimes it can be helpful if even as a temporary thing to get over a rough spot. And once your doctor established what is going on, do a lot of research on alternative treatments that could help. Your providing a supportive, nurturing environment, and her ability to tell you what is going on, is so crucial and will help her and you hang in there while this is sorted out.
I wish you the best.
Posted by ghost on December 18, 2004, at 19:06:48
In reply to Re: Hearing Voices » ghost, posted by ed_uk on December 18, 2004, at 15:55:09
my dx is bipolar for now. the more i learn about this whole process, the more i learn that it was a hasty quickie dx.
i have some hunches i'm more schitzoaffective and bpd in addition to the above.
but as far as "official" goes, i'm bipolar.
Posted by SJ on December 19, 2004, at 10:51:32
In reply to Re: Hearing Voices, posted by ghost on December 18, 2004, at 15:28:56
Thanks for the encouraging words!! When I read all the other posts on this message board, it scares me for her. The mind is so complicated!!
I think the road ahead of us is going to be a long one. She's different from other kids her age... she's much kinder, loving and very much wishes to please her parents. She's a very good girl She's also very, very open in telling us what she is thinking, feeling and now, hearing. It scares us, I can't imagine what she must think. The voice only called to her once yesterday, so that was good. She doesn't seem as scared as she was when she first heard it. I keep telling her that it can't hurt her.
Does stress affect a person like this?
Thanks again for my replying to my post. We feel lost and it's good to know there are others who know what she's feeling that can offer legitimate support and advice. Thank you!!
Posted by Sebastian on December 22, 2004, at 8:52:18
In reply to Re: Hearing Voices, posted by SJ on December 19, 2004, at 10:51:32
Stress trigered me. I watched a freind die. 2 years later I was psychotic, hiding in the house. People realy were after me. But my mind blew it up a great bit. My paranoia was getting the better of me. Unless I was taking a anti-psychotic, like zyprexa, or geodon. I took zyprexa for 7 years, with excelent effects, it greatly improved my life, was working, etc. the weight from zyprexa was a little hard to manage so I started geodon, seems to be working so far. Even after starting a AP, it can take a while for all the simptoms to go away and they all might not. But I could not live with out taking an AP.
Posted by ed_uk on December 22, 2004, at 9:17:47
In reply to Re: Hearing Voices, posted by Sebastian on December 22, 2004, at 8:52:18
Hi Sebastian :-)
Are you having any side effects from the Geodon?
Ed.
Posted by ghost on December 22, 2004, at 14:29:01
In reply to Re: Hearing Voices, posted by SJ on December 19, 2004, at 10:51:32
stress definitely makes it worse for me. i didnt even make the connection until recently, but i definitely get psychotic when the world is out to get me (i.e., i'm stressed out). sadly, not a lot we can do about some stresses. some can be avoided, however, and that does help.
ghost
Posted by SJ on December 22, 2004, at 18:26:13
In reply to Re: Hearing Voices, posted by SJ on December 19, 2004, at 10:51:32
Thanks again for sharing your experiences. We went to the psych doctor today. My daughter hasn't heard any voices in the last three days. The doctor says at this point he is not concerned -- if the voices start becoming a problem for her or really start talking to her, we're to call him immediately. He spent quite a bit of time with her before we all met together. She seems to be pretty much herself, so I suppose that's a good sign. She's very open to us (her parents), so I guess we'll wait and see what happens.
Thank you again.
Posted by Sebastian on December 23, 2004, at 9:29:57
In reply to Re: Hearing Voices » Sebastian, posted by ed_uk on December 22, 2004, at 9:17:47
None. I feel better and better. In fact I'm losing side-effects that I didn't like on zyprexa. Geodon is a marical drug.
I take: 2x60 mg geodon, 3.75 mg zyprexa, 60 mg celexa, 400 mg generic wellbutrin sr, 100 mg lamictal.
Posted by Sebastian on December 23, 2004, at 9:33:26
In reply to Re: Hearing Voices, posted by SJ on December 22, 2004, at 18:26:13
I used to hear a lot of voices, like before zyprexa and geodon.
Posted by ed_uk on December 23, 2004, at 9:34:45
In reply to Re: Hearing Voices, posted by Sebastian on December 23, 2004, at 9:33:26
Hi Sebastian,
Wow, it sounds like you're doing really well! Keep it up!
Ed.
Posted by Sebastian on December 23, 2004, at 17:05:16
In reply to Re: Hearing Voices » Sebastian, posted by ed_uk on December 23, 2004, at 9:34:45
I wouldn't go that far. Still have not life.
Posted by ed_uk on December 23, 2004, at 17:14:03
In reply to Re: Hearing Voices, posted by Sebastian on December 23, 2004, at 17:05:16
Hi Seb,
What do you mean?
Ed.
Posted by Phillipa on December 23, 2004, at 19:13:15
In reply to Re: Hearing Voices » Sebastian, posted by ed_uk on December 23, 2004, at 17:14:03
Ed; Are you sure you're not going to study to become a pdoc? All these open-ended questions!Fondly Phillipa
Posted by Sebastian on December 24, 2004, at 20:50:16
In reply to Re: Hearing Voices » Sebastian, posted by ed_uk on December 23, 2004, at 17:14:03
Not sure if I was hearing voices. I would get ideas in my head and feel that was the answer, or the TV would talk to me. I didn't truly belive any of this was posoble, but not taking any medicine or taking risperdal, I would notice these things. Even now sometimes I think I hear something or some one talking about me, I always write it off, but it makes me think, sort of the answer I was looking for, or sometimes it just does not make sence. Probably people wispering something about me, there I go being paranoid again. I'm probably schitzophrenic. I'm diagnosed as paranoid, or atleast my doctor politely told me I was paranoid. So I hear voices that anger me, confuse me, sound like others wispering some thing, which is it.
What ever you say, please no more medicine..
Posted by ed_uk on December 24, 2004, at 21:08:14
In reply to Re: Hearing Voices, posted by Sebastian on December 24, 2004, at 20:50:16
Happy Christmas Sebastian! I hope you continue to have success with Geodon.
Best Regards,
Ed.
Posted by wendyboop on September 5, 2006, at 22:17:42
In reply to Hearing Voices, posted by SJ on December 18, 2004, at 11:15:32
Wow, this was 2 years ago. Well, if anyone is still there, I am going through the same thing with my 9 year old daughter. She hears her name in her head all the time now. She cries alot because she cannot make it stop. I am taking her to her family doctor tomorrow, to see where I can get referred (don't know any doctors for this kind of thing). She also has been exhibiting the symptoms for ADD - easy distracted, outside noises being really loud to her (she asked a girl in class not to erase to loud). She heard a bell (like the alarm when the door is left open at school is how she described it) but no one else could hear it. She is not hyper, and very well behaved. She is outgoing, and energetic (NOT hyper), and loving, and not withdraw at all. Does bad in reading and math (too hard for her, she can't concentrate), and seems to get anxious and worried a lot for a 9 year old. She is very sensitive, and cries very easily. Anyone have any advise (I don't trust the doctor - afraid she is going to tell me it is in her imagination? I am so scared for her.
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