Suggest Treatment For Symptoms Of Schizophrenia

Posted on Sat, 4 Jun 2016

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

Sat, 4 Jun 2016 Answered on

Mon, 4 Jul 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : My sister is 23 yrs old has struggled with metal disorders since she was 18 yrs old She is find when she takes her prescribed Haldol Meds ; She has had 4 set backs since she was 18; Currently she is experiencing another set back & refuses to take her Meds What can we do to help her understand that she needs to stay on her Meds;
When she isn't well she thinks people are watching her & becomes Obsessive

Answered by Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It is better to keep her on depot preparation

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using healthcaremagic.

Feeling of being watched or followed is common in psychotic kind of mental disorders such as schizophrenia. The patients with this condition sometime feel that they are alright and do not need any medication. In addition they may feel that medications are weapons to control them thus leading to refusal to take medication.

In such circumstance the best possible option is to use depot preparation of medications. Currently there are 7-8 depot preparations and need to be administered every 15 days or one month. I think keeping your sister on depot will obviate the need for regular medication and she will be able to function appropriately.

Although it is wrong to administer medication without patient knowledge but I think on some occasions medicine can be mixed in food for initial period.

I hope this helps you.
Thanks and regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar