My schizophrenic mother turns violent on auditory and visual hallucinations. Please suggest medication.

Question

Hello doctor,

My mother has paranoia schizophrenia for the past 16 years. The delusions have become very absurd and in her story, her immediate family is the culprit. She has very vivid auditory hallucinations and sometimes visual hallucinations. She has refused to see a doctor as she believes they are in on it. Her stage of psychosis is very violent in which she screams and shouts and also turns violent. This has been going on for 16 years, but now the episodes of psychosis are becoming more intense. Please advise on how to talk to her or at the very least medicate her because it is taking a toll on our mental health. My sister suffers from depression and I suffer from anger management. How our father holds it together I have no clue. Please advise.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

It is quite difficult to manage such issues when patient refuses to take the drug. However, nowadays Depot injections are available and their effect lasts up to four weeks. So talk to your psychiatrist regarding the injection. Once she is put on a monthly injection then it will be easier for you to give her a monthly dose. This will ensure drug compliance and a better outcome.

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

If you have never consulted a psychiatrist or not consulted a psychiatrist recently, then first consult with a psychiatrist. Your physician prescribed antidepressants is not helpful if she is suffering from schizophrenia. To make sure of the diagnosis of schizophrenia she needs to consult by a psychiatrist.

Once it is confirmed then an orally disintegrable tablet can be used, as these tablet melt in the mouth or monthly Depot injections can be used. Few drugs are available that can be mixed in food but not without the patients consent.

Also, some routine investigation are necessary for starting psychiatric medicine like CBC (complete blood count), baseline ECG (electrocardiography), weight, blood pressure, etc. When you take her to physician, at that time also consult a psychiatrist so that her condition can be managed.