NetWellness Mental Health

Can`t Ever Finish Anything

Ram Chandran Kalyanam MD — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 07:10:00 EST

Question: I have a lifelong problem. I can`t ever seem to finish anything. This has had a huge impact on my life. It has cost me jobs, my marriage, my graduate degree, all kinds of things. I leave everything half done. I don`t know why I do this. I wish I didn`t. Resolutions and will power don`t seem to help. . . .

Answer: Thank you for your question. There may be plenty of reasons contributing to your situation. Of course, it's natural to wonder about psychiatric reasons, but there is no single term or diagnosis that applies.

I do recommend talking to your primary care physician for a possible referr . . .

Ask an Expert: Ram Chandran Kalyanam MD, Mental Health

Muscle Stiffness or Weakness

Ram Chandran Kalyanam MD — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 09:07:00 EST

Question: I`ve been on anafranil for 15 years. I was on 75mg for 10 years and then dose was reduced to 25mg and stayed on that for few years. After 15 years I was taken off the anafranil and then put on seroquel 600mg. I`ve been on the 600mg for 18months and then I`ve reduced to 450mg. About roughly 5years ag . . .

Answer: Your question is seemingly simple, but the answer is more complex. On the one hand, you are describing a long-standing course of treatment with medications that may represent acute or long-term side effects. On the other hand, it is impossible and inappropriate for me to comment specifically without . . .

Ask an Expert: Ram Chandran Kalyanam MD, Mental Health

Risk for Schizophrenia

Ram Chandran Kalyanam MD — Tue, 31 May 2011 17:05:00 EST

Question: My husband`s grandfather developed schizophrenia at the age of 35. My husband, who is a highly intelligent M.I.T graduate, has smoked pot routinely for two years at the age of 19 to 20 yrs. He has not smoked since. He smoked cigarretes from the age of 18, around 10 cigarettes/day and has binge drink . . .

Answer: Like other forms of illness, psychiatric illness runs in families. A parent having an illness does not immediately transfer this condition to a child. However, the child inherits an increased risk.

Schizophrenia has a slow onset, usually starting in teenage years. Your husband's history . . .

Ask an Expert: Ram Chandran Kalyanam MD, Mental Health

Mental Health

Ram Chandran Kalyanam MD — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 18:03:00 EST

Question:

i am a 20 year old male and very confused about my mental state of mind.i never have anything on my mind anymore and im always feeling dizzy and lightheaded.i have very odd thinking sometimes like about homosexual things which is very odd and really making me mad because im pretty sure im not t . . .

Answer: Thank you for visiting NetWellness. I'm so sorry to hear of your current status and thoughts of suicide. I think you likely have some significant mental concerns and that you need to see a mental health professional for a complete evaluation! I can't diagnose depression, anxiety or . . .

Ask an Expert: Ram Chandran Kalyanam MD, Mental Health

Schizophrenia, Music and Friendship

Ram Chandran Kalyanam MD — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 22:03:00 EST

Question: Can music improve schizophrenia symptoms or help those dealing with schizophrenia? Also, has it any way been proven that friendship has an effect on those with mental disorders, namely schizophrenia? Any tests? Polls? surveys?

Answer: In a helpful way, music can be distracting to schizophrenic patients and those with other illness involving thought disorders. Sadly, such patients' lack of social contacts can adversely affect their course and prognosis. Generally, cultures that have a greater presence of family and extended social . . .

Ask an Expert: Ram Chandran Kalyanam MD, Mental Health

More Than Just Depression?

Nancy Elder MD — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 07:03:00 EST

Question: I am a 17 year old female and my entire life I`ve suspected there`s something wrong with me. As a kid I suffered from horrible panic attacks nightly where I believed "ghosts" were in my room. My heart would feel like it was going to explode. Those thankfully lessened as I got older but I s . . .

Answer: Thank you for visiting NetWellness. I think you likely have some significant mental concerns and that you need to see a mental health professional for a complete evaluation! I can't diagnose depression, anxiety or another serious mental illness over the internet, but I strongly encourage . . .

Ask an Expert: Nancy Elder MD, Mental Health

Rollercoaster of Worry

Nancy Elder MD — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 10:03:00 EST

Question: Hi,

For the past six months or so I have been experiencing periods of extreme worry and anxiety. I have been unemployed during this time but I do have things that I could do more of if I was not regularly interrupted with worries!

They are not completely random worries but are related . . .

Answer: Extreme worry is a classic example of generalized anxiety disorder. (GAD) GAD is a common, significant, but highly treatable mental illness. It commonly occurs along with depression, and it is not unusual for a person to have both depression and anxiety. Your history of a traumatic past also sugg . . .

Ask an Expert: Nancy Elder MD, Mental Health

Fear of Having to Cough In Public

Ram Chandran Kalyanam MD — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 09:01:00 EST

Question: I have a very strange fear that is having a major impact on my life. I know it is not normal but I can`t make myself stop feeling this way.

It is a completely irrational fear of coughing in front of other people. This is a big problem because I have asthma which makes me cough probably more . . .

Answer: What a difficult history and situation that you describe. Three thoughts come to mind. First, although the issue seems narrow, the impact is wide. I recommend that you consider an outpatient evaluation with a psychiatrist or your primary care doctor to assess the role of medications for you. Second, . . .

Ask an Expert: Ram Chandran Kalyanam MD, Mental Health

Earworms Tormenting Me at Night

Nancy Elder MD — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 16:12:00 EST

Question: I`ve had earworms normally throughout my life as any normal person, but after a few weeks ago, almost every song I hear gets stuck in my head, or even songs I haven`t heard in years. These earworms are especially annoying at night. Also, this "monster earworm" never stops. I`ve heard songs . . .

Answer: If you find that any thoughts become obsessive, and interfere with participating in normal activities, then you should definitely seek a mental health evaluation.

Everyone gets snippets of songs going through their heads now and then, but it sounds like this has become an obsession for . . .

Ask an Expert: Nancy Elder MD, Mental Health

Hallucinations

Nancy Elder MD — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 00:12:00 EST

Question: I used to be best friends with a girl that stabbed me in the back and turned out to be a terrible friend. She was a big part of my life and we did everything together. Recently, even though I`m mad at her, I miss her. I have been seeing her a lot of places where we have been together. Sometimes I he . . .

Answer: I think it is important that you get some mental health counseling to evaluate your concerns. Obviously the breakup was very serious for you, but a mental health professional needs to talk to you. Your history of physical and mental health problems, as well as your coping style and history are imp . . .

Ask an Expert: Nancy Elder MD, Mental Health