Neurological conditions vs. psychiatric disorder - any neuros out there?!
Question: Neurological conditions vs!. psychiatric disorder - any neuros out there!?
My son is almost 23 and has been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and schizophrenia!. As a child, he rarely slept, had anger and other behavioral isses, didn't eat much and was very small for his age He was given medications for ADHD which never really helped his symptoms much and caused his sleeplessness to worsen!. As he entered his teen years, he attempted suicide and was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder!. He tried again to kill himself in 2007 because of hallucinations and mental confusion!.
I just watched and read a story about a toddler who had sleep and behavior issues due to a Chiari I Malformation, but also looked into subarachnoid cysts that can mimic symptoms of psychosis!. Are there any neurologists (or neuropsychiatrists) that might be reading this and can give me any direction!? If he has an operable condition, I'd like to pursue treatment for him, but I also don't want to sound like a crazy mother if I decide to help him seek out a specialist to either rule out or confirm this as an explanation for his symptoms, especially since the meds he takes now (Lithium and an antipsychotic) aren't doing much to help him!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I just watched and read a story about a toddler who had sleep and behavior issues due to a Chiari I Malformation, but also looked into subarachnoid cysts that can mimic symptoms of psychosis!. Are there any neurologists (or neuropsychiatrists) that might be reading this and can give me any direction!? If he has an operable condition, I'd like to pursue treatment for him, but I also don't want to sound like a crazy mother if I decide to help him seek out a specialist to either rule out or confirm this as an explanation for his symptoms, especially since the meds he takes now (Lithium and an antipsychotic) aren't doing much to help him!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
your story is actually very common!. it's seen more than you know!. it's difficult to diagnose Bipolar disorder, sometimes it takes 10 years to have a clear understanding about what is going on!. ADHD schizophrenia vs schizo-affective disorder!? hard to say without meeting the patient!.
Seems like your son needs a sleep study, the study may confirm or dismiss brain abnormalities and may also help with diagnosing a real ADHD disorder from behavioral disorder at the same time!. Talk to your Dr about getting a CT scan with contrast, the next time he checks into the hospital!. a neurological consult or for that matter neuro-psych testing will help pin-point his problem!.
talk to his doctor about his medications, there are many combinations that may serve him better, but before i'd jump around playing with meds, like i think has happened in the past, i'd try to come up with the exact diagnosis but getting a sleep study (preferred with a psychiatrist over a pulmonologist) and neuro-psych testing!. go from there!. e-mail me if you have questions!. hope this is helpful!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Seems like your son needs a sleep study, the study may confirm or dismiss brain abnormalities and may also help with diagnosing a real ADHD disorder from behavioral disorder at the same time!. Talk to your Dr about getting a CT scan with contrast, the next time he checks into the hospital!. a neurological consult or for that matter neuro-psych testing will help pin-point his problem!.
talk to his doctor about his medications, there are many combinations that may serve him better, but before i'd jump around playing with meds, like i think has happened in the past, i'd try to come up with the exact diagnosis but getting a sleep study (preferred with a psychiatrist over a pulmonologist) and neuro-psych testing!. go from there!. e-mail me if you have questions!. hope this is helpful!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
My mother has paranoid personality disorder!. It causes a lot of the characteristics you mentioned!. Look it up!. It is extremely hard to treat this disease, but it can cause body dismorphia, suicidal thoughts, paranoia, and a host of other problems!. Good Luck and God bless!.Www@Answer-Health@Com