One day a friend of mine was talking about the problems he faced in his everyday life and how it's good to forgive and the world will end soon. The next day he disappears and is put into a hospital and diagnosed with schizophrenia. But he was normal weeks before this episode. He's taking a medication called zyprexa and he told me it's affecting his memory. Will he lose memory for good and should he just seek counseling instead of being in a hospital?
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Is it really schizophrenia?
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27 UpVoted this answer
Hello, Respect Patient's Friend;
At refer to your friend's talks, please, explicit the below items for me:
1. The exact date of your friend's problem (s) onset;
2. Which condition / conditions was stimulate him for talking about these things? I mean, religious tendencies, taking drugs, overdose consumption of alcohol, etc.
3. His priority in past history about such talking;
4. Did you saw bizarre or surprise behaviors in his past behaviors or when he facing with you at each and every condition?
5. What about his affecting and, logical reasoning; when you tell him a living problem (s); and, what are his proofs in solving of them?
6. According his talking, these words are very similar to "" Religious Delusions "", that they due to "" Religious hallucinations "". For agument of these cases, his family past history must be review and, show for precise decision making in treatment plan.
7. And, what is your intent about telling: """ ... it's affecting his memory """? Whether his anterograde or retrograde memory is / are affected by consumption of this medication?
It was show that counseling concomitant with medication, is very useful for treatment of such clients. Added to these, if Zyprexa or Olanzapine affected his memory; so, his physician have to decide about changing or substitute medication, such as: Traditional or Homeopathic Medications.
I think added to his told problem "s", some of Zyprexa or Olanzapine side effects / contra indications are interfere to your friend's states.
And, finally, your friend's cyclothymic periods of such problem (s) at the before, must completely study - as I told you before - for the best and, precise decision making.
Be care about yourself and, your friend.
At refer to your friend's talks, please, explicit the below items for me:
1. The exact date of your friend's problem (s) onset;
2. Which condition / conditions was stimulate him for talking about these things? I mean, religious tendencies, taking drugs, overdose consumption of alcohol, etc.
3. His priority in past history about such talking;
4. Did you saw bizarre or surprise behaviors in his past behaviors or when he facing with you at each and every condition?
5. What about his affecting and, logical reasoning; when you tell him a living problem (s); and, what are his proofs in solving of them?
6. According his talking, these words are very similar to "" Religious Delusions "", that they due to "" Religious hallucinations "". For agument of these cases, his family past history must be review and, show for precise decision making in treatment plan.
7. And, what is your intent about telling: """ ... it's affecting his memory """? Whether his anterograde or retrograde memory is / are affected by consumption of this medication?
It was show that counseling concomitant with medication, is very useful for treatment of such clients. Added to these, if Zyprexa or Olanzapine affected his memory; so, his physician have to decide about changing or substitute medication, such as: Traditional or Homeopathic Medications.
I think added to his told problem "s", some of Zyprexa or Olanzapine side effects / contra indications are interfere to your friend's states.
And, finally, your friend's cyclothymic periods of such problem (s) at the before, must completely study - as I told you before - for the best and, precise decision making.
Be care about yourself and, your friend.
3 UpVoted this answer
Sorry to hear about your friend. Schizophrenia is an illness that presents with hallucinations, delusions and/or thought disorders and occurs in about 1% of the general population. It usually presents a first episode in young adults and it is a biologically based illness that requires medication to treat with any amount of success. People take medicine to control and hopefully prevent the psychotic symptoms during periods when it is worse and to minimize residual symptoms between more severe episodes. When people don't use their medicine consistently they are likely to lose their ability to function and may even become dangerous.
The main group of medicines that are used for this illness are antipsychotics or major tranquilizers. Side effects vary but can include fatigue, movement disorders and metabolic problems among others. Zyprexa is particularly know to cause weight gain in some people. Fogginess and memory problems are usually a symptom of the schizophrenia, but the meds are often sedating and people often feel slow as a result of their use. They are not particularly know for causing memory loss and are often used to improve memory in the course of the illness.
If you care for your friend I would urge you to support them working closely with their doctor and being regular with their medications. If they don't like how it works have them talk to their provider or seek out a new doctor, but don't just stop the medication. It can have devastating consequences. I wish you and your friend the best of luck.
The main group of medicines that are used for this illness are antipsychotics or major tranquilizers. Side effects vary but can include fatigue, movement disorders and metabolic problems among others. Zyprexa is particularly know to cause weight gain in some people. Fogginess and memory problems are usually a symptom of the schizophrenia, but the meds are often sedating and people often feel slow as a result of their use. They are not particularly know for causing memory loss and are often used to improve memory in the course of the illness.
If you care for your friend I would urge you to support them working closely with their doctor and being regular with their medications. If they don't like how it works have them talk to their provider or seek out a new doctor, but don't just stop the medication. It can have devastating consequences. I wish you and your friend the best of luck.
2 UpVoted this answer
it is not clear what your friends symptoms are that there is an accurate diagnoses as having schizophrenia. Has your friend had a complete neuropsychological evaluation? If not, this is extremely important. Also, having brain imaging that includes SWI and DTI. An additional method of assessment is a fMRI and/or QEEG. Lastly, has he been tested for Lyme Disease? If he is having memory problems, neurofeedback, change of of diet to a brain health diet is very important. Once it is clear what the cause of the symptoms, then the previous methods and specific medications are appropriate along with various forms of psychotherapy, which are more specific to your friends needs.
I am regretful to say, he wasn't ok before...that is crazy talk he was doing. Yes, it is good to forgive, very good, but not in the context he was saying that. Memory loss while taking Zyprexa is not uncommon, but is a very minor side effort. It sounds like he is on a good treatment path...encourage him to STAY on this path, and especially to continue with the medication. Encourage "good feelings," that is realistic, and continue being a friend.
Mental illnesses such as schizophrenia should be managed by an experienced psychiatrist. There are some holistic psychiatrists out there that can provide a more comprehensive assessment of one's phsyiological and mental health. When these options can be explored by a trained specialist, they can work with the you to determine the best and safest method of care. The biggest problem that occurs with the management of mental illness and the prescription of medications for them--is the lack of comprehensive evaluation that is required to actually rule out commonly overlooked bacterial and viral infections, and toxic syndromes which can be the underlying cause of mental health problems. This includes screening for lyme disease (with a good laboratory like Igenex), anti-strepotolysin antibodies, mold toxicity or colonization (real time labs), heavy metals with 24hr and 6hr collections, and other types of testing. The second step is to evaluate the function of the brain and it's performance with diagnostic testing that can measure visual, vestibular and musculoskeletal systems that work together as feedback systems for the optimal function of the brain. This testing can identify an individuals strengths and weaknesses and then customize a rehabilitation program specific for one's brain and condition. You can learn more information about this testing at http://sfchiro.com/diagnostics-for-concussion-brain-injury/
hello
with the info provided it seems to me to be a very fast turnaround....one day there and the next day gone....the world ending talk.....was that meaning his world was ending....breaking up with a girlfriend, or moving out on his own, etc....or did it mean that the entire world is about to end.....there are several writings in this group that one should take seriously, ticks and parasites, nutrition, and the number and strength of the medication prescribed.....if need be you should be present when the doctors examine him so that you can ask questions and get a firm understanding of what the doctors think....hope it helps/
with the info provided it seems to me to be a very fast turnaround....one day there and the next day gone....the world ending talk.....was that meaning his world was ending....breaking up with a girlfriend, or moving out on his own, etc....or did it mean that the entire world is about to end.....there are several writings in this group that one should take seriously, ticks and parasites, nutrition, and the number and strength of the medication prescribed.....if need be you should be present when the doctors examine him so that you can ask questions and get a firm understanding of what the doctors think....hope it helps/
Schizophrenia is a serious mental health problem. The first step is getting your friend stabilized. After he is discharged from the hospital, he can then consider the use of other medications if he is still having side effects on Zyprexa. The memory loss is unlikely to be permanent. My advise to you is to support him in taking medication at this time because it sounds like this will be in his best interest for now. His outpatient psychiatrist should be able, then to help him explore other treatments, including counseling. It would be dangerous for him to stop his medication now.
Schizophrenia is a complex disorder, one that is not diagnosed based on one or two symptoms, but rather a conglomerate of factors, such as losing touch with reality, alogia or lack of emotions, delusional thinking such as thinking that doomsday is fast approaching and paranoia, thinking that the FBI or CIA or someone similiar is after him or out to destroy the world or is following him to see what he is up to.
Schizophrenia is a potentially debilitating disorder and individuals need help managing the condition. It requires lifelong treatment with medications and psychotherapy - even during periods of time when they don't seem to have any symptoms.
During periods of crisis or times of severe symptoms, hospitalization is sometimes necessary to ensure safety, and/or get started or stabilized on medications.
The results of NOT taking the recommended medications are devastating: * Every psychotic break causes permanent brain damage! The eventual toll is a shorter life span.
Encourage your friend to accept the diagnosis (it's not a condition that, typically, is mis-diagnosed), and do the treatment.
During periods of crisis or times of severe symptoms, hospitalization is sometimes necessary to ensure safety, and/or get started or stabilized on medications.
The results of NOT taking the recommended medications are devastating: * Every psychotic break causes permanent brain damage! The eventual toll is a shorter life span.
Encourage your friend to accept the diagnosis (it's not a condition that, typically, is mis-diagnosed), and do the treatment.