Are Loss Of Appetite, Poor Hygiene And Social Isolation Symptomatic Of Depression?

Posted on Mon, 23 Oct 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 23 Oct 2017 Answered on

Tue, 21 Nov 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : My brother has been living in an apartment for 5 years. He will not eat, take a bathe or associate with other people. He has quit seeing his doctor who has him on Abilify for depression. My parents who are in there 80'somewhere try to help him by a king dinners or bringing him food. They are worn out from all of this & becoming I'll due to the stress. I would like to intervene if possible but am unsure about where to start. Do I start with DHS or get a power of attorney & what then. My brother & I are very close & he trusts me. I live 4 hours from them. What kind of intervention would be best?

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (38 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.

This is a psychiatric emergency. He is suicidally depressed and needs immediate emergent psychiatric intervention. You need to call emergency services to have him brought to an emergency room, with a need for eventual admission into an inpatient psychiatric hospital for immediate treatment.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T