Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy, which uses talk therapy to treat mental illness and emotional problems by changing the thought process. It is commonly used to treat anxiety disorders, depression, OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), panic disorder, schizophrenia, and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).
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Do psychological problems appear secondary to sleep apnea?
Query: Hello doctor, I am suffering from sleep apnea and some psychological problems. I strongly suspect that the two are related and that sleep apnea is causing psychological problems. About four years back, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea when the AHI was around 30. Gradually, my weight increased over ... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and understood your concerns. With available details, it is almost transparent that you are suffering from sleep apnea and secondary mixed anxiety-depressive disorder (MADD), which means sleep apnea itself causes anxiety and mood depression. Now regard... Read Full »
How to stop talking to people in my mind?
Query: Hello doctor, I am taking 3 mg Risperdal for two years and 40 mg Fluoxetine from the last two weeks. Sometimes when I speak, I say one thing and mean something else. The sentence which I say is good, but I mean something lustful or violent inside. When people speak to me, I repeat or say along with ... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and understand your concerns. From the available description, there is clear evidence that you are dealing with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The disorder is characterized by repeated thoughts, actions, or images without proper control of the in... Read Full »
Query: Hi doctor, I am suffering from anxiety. Please help. Read Full »
Dr. Saraswat Kumarshri Shriniwas
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Your description of symptoms is concise and specific, which makes it easy to diagnose your condition. Mental illnesses are broadly classified into neurosis and psychosis. In neurosis, a person does not lose contact with reality and understands that he has a mental issue k... Read Full »
Have to interact with people but my fear remains an obstacle. Will you suggest any solution?
Query: Hi doctor, I am 30 years old. I do not like being in public. I do not do anything fun. I have a thought that always people in my surroundings are looking at me. So I would rather be at home. I do not like using the phone. I am taking Klonopin 2 mg 3 times a day. But I am not taking it now as I am... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. You are suffering from panic attacks with agoraphobia (fear to go to public place). You are taking Benzodiazepine (Klonopin-Clonazepam) of very high dose. Continue it but should take it occasionally only, as high chance of dependence is there. You should start an antid... Read Full »
How can a person with OCD and an intense fear of sleep fall asleep?
Query: Hello doctor, I have been diagnosed with OCD. My OCD comes in the form of intense fear of sleep for the past five years, but it has gotten worse within the past couple of months. I am afraid the moment sleep comes, I fight this feeling until I am exhausted. How can I make peace with falling asleep a... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I will start with the pharmacological part. You can discuss with your treating doctor regarding increasing the dose of Clomipramine, not only will it help with sleep but also in decreasing the obsessions. You can also discuss regarding substituting it with Fluvoxamin... Read Full »
Both my kids are having depression. Is it genetic illness?
Query: Hi doctor, I am a mother of two children. My daughter at the age of 21 started showing signs of depression. She had to drop from university. After six years of struggle and treatment, she is on her way to recovery. But even now she gets panic attacks and feels depressed and is unable to handle str... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. You have asked a very pertinent question. As a parent, I can understand your quest for answers for your children's illness and treatment. Depression is usually caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. If there is a positive family history, a perso... Read Full »
I am 28 years old and suffering from erectile dysfunction. What can be done?
Query: Hi doctor,I am 28 years old and suffering from erectile dysfunction during sex with my wife. I had semi-hard erection two times. Six months before also I had a similar issue for 15 days then again I was normal after that but again issue has started since three days. I masturbate every day mostly whi... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. If it is only on two occasions then you can wait, but if it is frequent then you can manage it by two approaches namely drug and behavioral. Drug therapy includes Sildenafil, Tadalafil, and Vardenafil. Behavioral therapy includes Masters and Johnson technique. It is dif... Read Full »
How can I get rid of severe depression with anxiety?
Query: Hello doctor, I have severe depression alternating with severe anxiety. I have tried many medicines. Currently, I am taking 40 gm of Prozac in the morning and 30 mg of Remeron at bedtime. But during the day, I am a nervous basketcase. No doctors will give me any Benzodiazepine for some reason. I hav... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. In my opinion, you can discuss with the treating psychiatrist the following options: Increasing dose of Prozac (Fluoxetine). Substituting Prozac with Prestiq (Desvenlafaxine), Wellbutrin (Bupropion) or Zoloft (Sertraline). You can also opt for concurrent CBT (cognit... Read Full »
How can post-SSRI sexual dysfunction (PSSD) be cured?
Query: Hello doctor, I am a 23 year old male, and I took Lexapro for two months when I was 20 years old. And then quit abruptly, because every time I would sleep for a very long time without dreaming, and also wake up feeling bad. It has been three years now, and my sexual functioning and libido have gone... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern regarding your symptoms and side effects of the medications. The symptoms you mentioned above are showing that you are suffering from dysthymia and moderate depression. Depression itself is a cause of poor sexual drive. Lexap... Read Full »
How to quit exhibitionism and frotteurism?
Query: Hello doctor, Recently, I started exhibitionism. I had not known what I was doing until I read on the internet that it is a psychiatric disorder. I also came to know that it is an abnormal behavior. My first abnormal behavior before I started exhibitionism was frotteurism and masturbation, which be... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. As per the symptoms that you have mentioned, I think you are suffering from paraphilias. As you have good knowledge about the illness and you need help, I suggest you consult a psychologist as early as possible. The clinical psychologist may start you on supportive... Read Full »