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What Causes Paranoid, Abusive And Aggressive Behavior In A Person?

Posted on Tue, 5 May 2015

Question: Im concerned my husband may be abusing cocaine. He was kind but now rageful, paranoid, cold, verbally abusive, uncompassionate, hostile, frail. Before/now pic

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
need some details.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.

I can understand your concerns.

Cocaine use can cause paranoid psychosis.
The symptoms which you have mentioned can be caused by cocaine abuse, usually chronic.

Kindly provide some more details:
1. How do you suspect that he might be using cocaine? (Other then behaviour)
2. Since when you are observing his change in behaviour?
3. Is there any family history of psychosis?
4. Any other medical illnesses?
5. Any treatment taken for his symptoms?

These details will help in deciding course of management in his case.

Hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks.

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

Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (10 hours later)

1. He also has a new group of friends & new best friend who does it.
His appeatance & behavior has changed dramatically. I have been with him 17 years & he is 30-40lbs thinner than his thinnest weight. I have never seen him this frail
Also his eyes are different & he shakes (hands) a lot. He barely eats & normally loves food. He has become kind of ocd as well & cant seem to sit still. He talks nonstop
He left me for no reason & there is no evidence of another woman he says Im out to get him
2. I first noticed some changes a year ago but the major changes in last 2months
3. No but addiction runs in his family
4. No
5. No

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Antipsychotic drugs; de-addiction management.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again.
Thanks for the details.

Sorry for delayed response.

Any kind of addiction is considered to be a brain disease. You have mentioned that addiction runs in his family.

I agree to it that details in response to my question 1 strongly point towards his addiction.

The behavior had started change 1 year back but is majorly changed since last 2 months.

There is a high possibility that he is probably developing cocaine psychosis.

I would suggest you to take help of your local psychiatrist for two reasons:
1. De-addiction fro cocaine.
2. Treatment of his behavioral problems. Anitpsychotic drugs like risperidone or olanzapine (prescription drugs) are indicated in such cases.

I would also like to tell you that relapse is the nature of this disease of addiction. So, if he relapses even after short period of abstinence, you have to be supportive. Its easier said than done, but family support is must in such cases.

Hope this helps.

Feel free to discuss further.

Thanks.

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

Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (1 hour later)

What do u think of the photo I attached? Photo on left is how he normally looks, on right os now frail & glassy eyed

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
looks weaker.

Detailed Answer:
I have seen the photo.

You are right that he looks weaker then earlier.

There some physical signs which can suggest cocaine abuse like:
1. Runny nose, wiping nose frequently, nose bleeds.
2. Powdery residue on face and nose when he returns to home.
3. Bloodshot eyes. (although not apparent in photo).
4. Any needle marks on arms, forearms etc.

Can you spot them?

If present, the possibility of his cocaine abuse is high.

take care.
Thanks.

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