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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Neal S on October 26, 2004, at 12:03:50
Aside from the obvious (brain tumor, head trama, drugs) what are some of the more esoteric biological causes for psychotic symptoms? My fifteen year old son had a sudden onset of psychosis. Drugs and tumor have been ruled out, and he's being treated with Risperdal, which is having limited success. I'm concerned that they're treating the symptoms of an underlying biological issue that they haven't found. Any thoughts of what else we might be looking for?
Posted by jboud24 on October 26, 2004, at 13:30:41
In reply to Biological explanation?, posted by Neal S on October 26, 2004, at 12:03:50
It really makes no difference if it is organic or 'all in the head'. Psychosis will probably only get better by using an appropriate anti-psychotic medicine, and probably for the rest of one's life. But to answer your question, I do not know of any disease process that causes psychosis. Actually psychosis is a disease process, just a psychiatric one.
Good luck,
Justin
Posted by jujube on October 26, 2004, at 16:47:02
In reply to Biological explanation?, posted by Neal S on October 26, 2004, at 12:03:50
I may be way off base here, and it may be a longshot, but has his blood been tested to see if he may be deficient in any of the vitamins and minerals. Some psychiatric disorders can be caused by vitamin/mineral deficiencies. Also, has he had a glucose tolerance test (to test for hypoglycemia or diabetes). Anyways, just some suggestions of things you might want to rule out.
Tamara
> Aside from the obvious (brain tumor, head trama, drugs) what are some of the more esoteric biological causes for psychotic symptoms? My fifteen year old son had a sudden onset of psychosis. Drugs and tumor have been ruled out, and he's being treated with Risperdal, which is having limited success. I'm concerned that they're treating the symptoms of an underlying biological issue that they haven't found. Any thoughts of what else we might be looking for?
Posted by Jasmineneroli on October 26, 2004, at 23:59:41
In reply to Re: Biological explanation? » Neal S, posted by jujube on October 26, 2004, at 16:47:02
You might want to look up Temporal Lobe Epilepsy too.
Neuro-psychiatrists are finding that symptoms can be the same as depression, anxiety and schizophrenia. It is a seizure disorder, characterized by mini-brain electrical events, rather than the "typical" epileptic petit-mal or grand-mal seizures.
You will find that there are various tests, but you might need to ask for a referral to a neurologist.
Treatment modalities may remain the same, with anti-psychotics, but also with anti-seizure/anti-convulsant drugs too.
Otherwise, as Justin says, whether it's an organic or chemical (or electrical) problem, treating the symptoms is the most important issue.
Good luck!
Jas
Posted by jujube on October 28, 2004, at 11:34:39
In reply to Biological explanation?, posted by Neal S on October 26, 2004, at 12:03:50
I am just putting things out there, but another thing that the doctor may want to rule out is Lyme Disease.
Tamara
> Aside from the obvious (brain tumor, head trama, drugs) what are some of the more esoteric biological causes for psychotic symptoms? My fifteen year old son had a sudden onset of psychosis. Drugs and tumor have been ruled out, and he's being treated with Risperdal, which is having limited success. I'm concerned that they're treating the symptoms of an underlying biological issue that they haven't found. Any thoughts of what else we might be looking for?
Posted by Jasmineneroli on October 28, 2004, at 20:19:07
In reply to Re: Biological explanation? » Neal S, posted by jujube on October 28, 2004, at 11:34:39
Hi:
Just to follow up my previous post re: TLE (sometimes called Complex Partial Seizure Disorder). Here's a really good article that might help you, since it gives a lot of symptom descriptions to look at.www.psychiatrictimes.com/p950927.html
Title: "Complex Partial Seizures Present Diagnostic Challenge" By Richard Restak, MDHope it helps, even if it rules out something!!
Jas
Posted by Neal S on October 29, 2004, at 14:35:27
In reply to Re: Biological explanation? Follow up onTLE, posted by Jasmineneroli on October 28, 2004, at 20:19:07
Thanks, everyone for your thoughts! Neal S
Posted by jujube on October 29, 2004, at 18:00:20
In reply to Re: Biological explanation? Follow up onTLE, posted by Neal S on October 29, 2004, at 14:35:27
Has anything shown up on medical tests? Best wishes to you and your family. I hope your son gets stabilized soon. Take care.
Tamara
> Thanks, everyone for your thoughts! Neal S
Posted by Neal S on November 2, 2004, at 10:22:25
In reply to Re: Biological explanation? Follow up onTLE » Neal S, posted by jujube on October 29, 2004, at 18:00:20
> Has anything shown up on medical tests? >
No, nothing biological showed up. There was some old calcification that appeared on the MRI, but the doctor's didn't feel it was of any consequence. My son is home now. They switched from Risperdal to Zyprexa, and he's responding much better. Still not out of the woods yet, but each day we can see definite improvement.
Posted by jujube on November 2, 2004, at 11:10:02
In reply to Re: Biological explanation? Follow up onTLE, posted by Neal S on November 2, 2004, at 10:22:25
> > Has anything shown up on medical tests? >
>
> No, nothing biological showed up. There was some old calcification that appeared on the MRI, but the doctor's didn't feel it was of any consequence. My son is home now. They switched from Risperdal to Zyprexa, and he's responding much better. Still not out of the woods yet, but each day we can see definite improvement.
>
>
Thank goodness he's making some progress, and that he is home with you now. I hope he continues to improve. You must be relieved to see him responding to the new medication. Hopefully, with each passing day, you will see even more of an improvement.Take care. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Tamara
Posted by jboud24 on November 2, 2004, at 15:44:49
In reply to Biological explanation?, posted by Neal S on October 26, 2004, at 12:03:50
I'm glad to hear that the zoloft is working out better for your son. I don't have kids, but I imagine that it would be rough to watch them go through a mental illness, much less psychosis.
Take care and best wishes,
Justin
Posted by jboud24 on November 2, 2004, at 15:45:50
In reply to Re: Biological explanation?, posted by jboud24 on November 2, 2004, at 15:44:49
Posted by Jasmineneroli on November 3, 2004, at 0:04:01
In reply to Re: Biological explanation?, posted by jboud24 on November 2, 2004, at 15:44:49
Glad the Zyprexa is having a positive effect for him. I hope you are all feeling better and things continue to improve.
Take care of each other.
Regards
Jas
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