Overcoming Health Anxiety: Effective Treatments for Fear of Illness
Depression is an illness..? Hello, Doctor. Last year, I started experiencing gastrointestinal discomfort, and although the gastrointestinal examinations came back normal, over time, I began to fear that I was seriously ill. I often find myself thinking that I might have a severe ...
Dr. Chen Guangpeng reply Psychiatry
Hello, Xiaoxian: As you are aware, the situation you described closely resembles the diagnosis of "hypochondriasis" in psychiatry. The treatment for this condition must focus on addressing the underlying issues. These underlying issues include excessive sensitivity and ...[Read More] Overcoming Health Anxiety: Effective Treatments for Fear of Illness
Understanding Sleep Medications: Types, Effects, and Dosages Explained
Sleeping pills Could you please introduce sleep medications? (Duration of effect: 7-8 hours) (English and Chinese names and dosages)
Dr. Chen Guangpeng reply Psychiatry
Dear patient, I believe you raised a somewhat "meaningless" question today, and the reason is quite simple: due to the potential for abuse, sleeping pills are classified as controlled substances. Even if I were to recommend certain medications that meet your needs, yo...[Read More] Understanding Sleep Medications: Types, Effects, and Dosages Explained
Managing Weight Gain and Diabetes Risk While on Psychiatric Medications
Medications Hello, doctor. (1) I have been taking medication for 6 months and have gained 7.8 kg. If I continue taking the medication (as it cannot be discontinued), will my weight continue to increase and potentially lead to diabetes? (2) Regarding the side effects of the medica...
Dr. Chen Guangpeng reply Psychiatry
Dear patient, Thank you for your inquiry. Here are the answers to your questions: 1. It is possible, but I trust that your attending physician can monitor and address this issue for you. 2. You should be able to find answers to this issue from past inquiries, so please take ...[Read More] Managing Weight Gain and Diabetes Risk While on Psychiatric Medications
Understanding Nightmares: Is Your Girlfriend Experiencing Sleep Disorders?
I want to help my girlfriend but I'm not sure if she has a parasomnia? My girlfriend has heard that dreaming a lot at night can lead to poor sleep. Recently, it has become more severe; no matter how long she sleeps, she still feels tired, as if she hasn't slept at all. ...
Dr. Chen Guangpeng reply Psychiatry
Dear Little Treasure Online Friend: Regarding your girlfriend's condition, it seems to involve more than just a simple sleep issue; there may be personality problems combined with emotional disturbances and sleep disorders. A detailed diagnosis, etiology, and treatment plan ...[Read More] Understanding Nightmares: Is Your Girlfriend Experiencing Sleep Disorders?
Understanding the Impact of Stopping Antidepressants on Mental Health
I wonder if it is related to stopping the medication on my own? Hello, Doctor: I would like to ask you about my past experience with antidepressant medication. I took it for about three months, and initially, the side effects were quite significant. However, after some time and a...
Dr. Chen Guangpeng reply Psychiatry
Dear patient, I am deeply concerned and regretful upon reading about your situation. You may indeed be facing a risk of relapse, but there is no need to be overly pessimistic. Treatment plans for mental health conditions place great importance on the involvement of patients and/...[Read More] Understanding the Impact of Stopping Antidepressants on Mental Health
Understanding Antipsychotic Medications: Side Effects and Treatment Options
Medication Hello, Doctor: Why did I experience tongue rolling and generalized stiffness the day after taking Fluanxol (6mg)? Didn't you say it was a normal dosage? Previously, when I took Binin-U (10mg), I had restlessness and tremors. Are Fluanxol and Binin-U used to treat ...
Dr. Chen Guangpeng reply Psychiatry
Dear patient, Your questions are answered as follows: 1. The symptoms caused by the use of Fluanxol and Binin-u are referred to as Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS). Generally, experienced physicians will take preventive measures. If these symptoms unfortunately occur, you should s...[Read More] Understanding Antipsychotic Medications: Side Effects and Treatment Options
Understanding the Side Effects and Safety of Fluanxol, Zotepine, and Melleril
Medications What are the side effects of fluanxol, zotepine (Lodopine), and Melleril? What is the long-term safety of these medications? Is a dosage of fluanxol (6mg) considered safe? What is the number of individuals with schizophrenia in Taiwan? Can patients with schizophrenia ...
Dr. Chen Guangpeng reply Psychiatry
Hello, user: Here are the answers to your questions: 1. The main side effect of Fluanxol is extrapyramidal symptoms, and 6 mg is considered a safe dosage. 2. The side effects of Zotepine primarily include drowsiness, hypotension, tachycardia, constipation, and gastrointestinal di...[Read More] Understanding the Side Effects and Safety of Fluanxol, Zotepine, and Melleril
Overcoming Binge Eating: Seeking Help Beyond Medication
Doctor, it's still me... (referring to binge eating disorder) Hello Doctor, Actually, I couldn't wait for a reply, so I went to Cheng Kung University Hospital on my own. I thought I would just take a chance and see which doctor I would encounter, and it turned out to ...
Dr. Chen Guangpeng reply Psychiatry
Dear netizens, I regret to hear that the medication has caused you discomfort. However, there should be a significant buffer zone between the discomfort from medication and the decision not to seek medical advice; it does not necessarily lead to such mutually exclusive outcomes....[Read More] Overcoming Binge Eating: Seeking Help Beyond Medication
Understanding Personality Disorders in Psychiatry: Symptoms and Control
"Personality Disorders" in Psychiatry What is referred to as "personality disorder" in psychiatry? What are its symptoms (is the state of consciousness normal during the onset, and can behavior be controlled)?
Dr. Chen Guangpeng reply Psychiatry
Hello, Bruno: Due to my limited knowledge, I am completely unfamiliar with the term "character disorder" that you mentioned. It might be a translation issue or a new diagnostic term. I apologize for not being able to answer your question, and you may need to seek advice...[Read More] Understanding Personality Disorders in Psychiatry: Symptoms and Control
Choosing the Right Psychiatrist for Binge Eating Disorder Treatment
Doctor, I previously asked you about binge eating disorder, and I have a few more questions? Hello Doctor, thank you for your response. I have decided to see a doctor, but I would like to ask which type of doctor I should look for. Is it okay to just go to any psychiatrist, or do...
Dr. Chen Guangpeng reply Psychiatry
Dear online friend, I apologize for the delay in responding to your message, as I just received the notification last night. I'm glad to see you taking the first step. Regarding the choice of physician, National Cheng Kung University has many excellent faculty members, and ...[Read More] Choosing the Right Psychiatrist for Binge Eating Disorder Treatment
Overcoming Binge Eating Disorder: Seeking Help and Finding Hope
Binge eating disorder-related questions (I have checked the frequently asked questions)? Hello Doctor: I believe I have been suffering from binge eating disorder for almost three years. Initially, I hoped to control it on my own, but I find myself caught in a cycle that keeps wor...
Dr. Chen Guangpeng reply Psychiatry
Dear online friend, I apologize for the delayed response due to procedural issues! After reading your description, it is clear that you are a very typical case of binge eating disorder (including the main symptoms, psychological responses, and even your background and personalit...[Read More] Overcoming Binge Eating Disorder: Seeking Help and Finding Hope
Understanding Medication Management in Schizophrenia: Risks of Stopping Treatment
Medication If a patient with schizophrenia (auditory hallucinations) stops their medication, it may lead to a relapse characterized by the re-emergence of symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. The severity and timing of the relapse can vary among ...
Dr. Chen Guangpeng reply Psychiatry
Dear Chen, I am glad to hear from you again. Unfortunately, it seems you are still at a standstill—hesitating over whether to take medication or to stop it. In fact, you have asked similar questions on November 19, 23, and 27, and I have done my best to respond to you. Perhaps i...[Read More] Understanding Medication Management in Schizophrenia: Risks of Stopping Treatment
Understanding the Causes of Suicide: Insights from Psychiatric Experts
I would like to ask a question..? Hello, I am a third-year student from the Journalism Department at National Taiwan Normal University. For our department's publication, we need to interview a psychiatrist to discuss the causes of suicide. We hope you can provide us with rel...
Dr. Chen Guangpeng reply Psychiatry
Hello Marina: Thank you for your concern regarding the issue of suicide. Since this is a prevalent social issue, there is actually a lot of information available on this topic, but the reliability of the sources can vary. It would be quite time-consuming to input each word in thi...[Read More] Understanding the Causes of Suicide: Insights from Psychiatric Experts
Understanding Treatment Options for Dissociative Identity Disorder
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) I would like to know what treatment options are currently available for dissociative identity disorder. Please let me know, thank you!
Dr. Chen Guangpeng reply Psychiatry
Hello, internet user: I have some confusion regarding your question, as I'm not sure if you are asking about the more common "schizophrenia" or the so-called "dissociative identity disorder." If it's the former, you might want to browse through past ...[Read More] Understanding Treatment Options for Dissociative Identity Disorder
How to Retrieve Old Psychiatric Records When Your Clinic Closes
I hope everyone can help? Hello Doctor: My friend used to visit the same clinic for treatment, and after a period of improvement, he stopped going for a long time. Now he can no longer find that clinic, which has closed down. However, he did transfer his medical records to anothe...
Dr. Chen Guangpeng reply Psychiatry
Hello, A-Qing online user: Regarding the question you raised, it is indeed quite challenging, almost like a detective game. I will try to brainstorm with you. After the clinic has closed, there are two possibilities: if the physician is still practicing, you should be able to fin...[Read More] How to Retrieve Old Psychiatric Records When Your Clinic Closes
Understanding Schizophrenia: Medication Adherence and Prevalence in Taiwan
Schizophrenia The doctor's recommendation is not to discontinue medication. The prevalence of schizophrenia in Taiwan is approximately how many? Most patients are on long-term medication, right? What medications do they primarily take?
Dr. Chen Guangpeng reply Psychiatry
Dear patient, The question of whether you should or can stop your medication depends on your clinical condition (including your current status and medical history), and it should be decided through thorough communication and careful consideration among your family, your attendin...[Read More] Understanding Schizophrenia: Medication Adherence and Prevalence in Taiwan
Can Schizophrenia Be Cured? Insights from Different Physicians
I'm sorry Because different physicians have varying opinions, can schizophrenia be cured?
Dr. Chen Guangpeng reply Psychiatry
Hello! It seems that I have already provided my answer to this question in previous discussions, and you also asked me a similar question later: "How do I know that I am one-fourth recovered and can stop medication?" The course of the illness and prognosis are results o...[Read More] Can Schizophrenia Be Cured? Insights from Different Physicians
Concerns About Weight Gain and Long-Term Effects of Schizophrenia Medications
Schizophrenia Hello, Doctor: I have been taking medication for schizophrenia for four months, and my weight has been increasing. Will long-term use of these medications make me overweight? Are there any long-term side effects, such as diabetes or cancer? Is it safe to take these ...
Dr. Chen Guangpeng reply Psychiatry
Dear Patient, I have received your email again and am gradually understanding your characteristics—excessive worry, confusion, and lack of confidence. In a serendipitous moment while trying to read the insights and experiences of my predecessors, I unexpectedly discovered that d...[Read More] Concerns About Weight Gain and Long-Term Effects of Schizophrenia Medications
Understanding the Effects of Risperdal on Sleep and Behavior in Seniors
Unable to sleep after taking medication? Hello Dr. Chen: Thank you for taking the time to respond to my questions. My father is currently taking medication, but he is told that these are for health or vitamins for the elderly. The medication he is taking has "Ris" print...
Dr. Chen Guangpeng reply Psychiatry
Dear Annie, First of all, congratulations on successfully resolving your father's treatment issues. I would like to inform you that medication dosages are not determined by weighing them directly (the active ingredient in a tablet is actually quite small; the bulk of the ta...[Read More] Understanding the Effects of Risperdal on Sleep and Behavior in Seniors
Understanding Psychiatric Medications: Uses and Side Effects Explained
Psychiatric medications Hello Dr. Chen, I would like to ask you about my recent health condition. I went to the hospital to have my thyroid function tested due to some physical issues, and the doctor informed me that I might be experiencing autonomic nervous system dysregulation...
Dr. Chen Guangpeng reply Psychiatry
Dear patient, Thank you for your email inquiring about the indications and side effects of your medications. This is indeed an important question; however, such inquiries can be somewhat broad. The reason is that each medication typically has multiple indications, and providing...[Read More] Understanding Psychiatric Medications: Uses and Side Effects Explained