Understanding Psychoneurosis: Differences from Schizophrenia and Paranoia
Psychoneurosis Hello. I would like to ask what is a psychoneurosis? How does it differ from schizophrenia and persecutory delusions? Thank you.
Dr. Li Junren reply Psychiatry
Psychoneurosis is a collective term for a group of disorders, including anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, somatization disorders (where psychological stress manifests as physical symptoms), sleep disorders, and adjustment disorders. Although each disorder has its own etiol...[Read More] Understanding Psychoneurosis: Differences from Schizophrenia and Paranoia
Coping with Life After Divorce: Mental Health Tips for Women
Divorced women After my divorce, I am unsure how to adjust my mindset and what attitude I should adopt to face my future life. Could you please provide some advice?
Dr. Li Junren reply Psychiatry
Divorced women face numerous challenges, including significant lifestyle changes, emotional distress, financial burdens, pressure from friends and family, and issues related to child custody. Each divorced woman encounters different choices, and naturally, their coping mechanisms...[Read More] Coping with Life After Divorce: Mental Health Tips for Women
Managing Panic Disorder: The Role of Propranolol and Alprazolam
Panic disorder Doctor, the panic disorder symptoms you described last time are very similar to what I've been experiencing. I went to a large hospital for an examination, and everything came back normal. They prescribed me two medications, propranolol and alprazolam. I would...
Dr. Li Junren reply Psychiatry
Propranolol and alprazolam are both effective for panic disorder. If your diagnosis is confirmed as panic disorder, the best approach is to use the medication continuously for three to four months before gradually tapering off. If your diagnosis is only panic attacks, then you on...[Read More] Managing Panic Disorder: The Role of Propranolol and Alprazolam
Understanding Panic Disorder: Symptoms and Causes Explained
Unknown ailments Doctor, I was playing video games at home when suddenly my heart started racing and I had difficulty breathing. Every time I moved, my heart rate increased, and when I got anxious, it felt like it was beating even faster, almost to the point of fainting. I went t...
Dr. Li Junren reply Psychiatry
"Panick attacks" refer to sudden episodes of rapid breathing, feelings of suffocation, palpitations, and intense fear, often accompanied by a sense of impending doom or that one is about to die. Due to the frightening nature of the symptoms associated with panic attacks...[Read More] Understanding Panic Disorder: Symptoms and Causes Explained
Where to Seek Help for Suspected Depression: Hospital Recommendations
I suspect I have depression. Which hospital should I go to for consultation? I took a self-assessment for depression from a magazine, and the result suggested that I should go to a hospital for further evaluation. However, I am unsure which hospital offers such medical services. ...
Dr. Li Junren reply Psychiatry
You can choose hospitals that have psychiatric or psychosomatic outpatient services to assist you in completing your evaluation and diagnosis. Both medical centers and regional hospitals will have psychiatric departments, and larger hospitals will also have either psychiatric or ...[Read More] Where to Seek Help for Suspected Depression: Hospital Recommendations
Understanding Sleepwalking and Night Crying in Children: Causes and Solutions
Dream behavior during sleep Hello, doctor! My son is currently six and a half years old. He has not attended preschool for four months due to treatment for sinusitis. He has a long-standing issue with not wanting to sleep and having difficulty falling asleep. For the past nine da...
Dr. Li Junren reply Psychiatry
The phenomenon you described is known as somnambulism, which typically begins to appear between the ages of 6 and 8, peaks around 12 years old, and generally decreases or disappears by around 15. Somnambulism occurs during specific periods of the sleep cycle, and during these epi...[Read More] Understanding Sleepwalking and Night Crying in Children: Causes and Solutions
Understanding Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety Management
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Doctor: Hello, I would like to ask what cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is. I have anxiety disorder, and although it doesn't usually affect my daily life, there are certain situations that make me feel uncomfortable and anxious. I have a...
Dr. Li Junren reply Psychiatry
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) consists of two components: Cognitive Therapy, which helps you understand your habitual thought patterns and how these patterns affect your emotions and behaviors, while also correcting irrational thoughts. Cognitive Therapy has shown good effec...[Read More] Understanding Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety Management
Understanding the Differences Between Dissociative Identity Disorder and Schizophrenia
Dissociative Identity Disorder and Schizophrenia What is the difference between dissociative identity disorder and schizophrenia? How can we determine if a patient is suffering from these mental disorders?
Dr. Li Junren reply Psychiatry
Schizophrenia is a chronic disorder primarily caused by an imbalance of substances in the brain that are responsible for transmitting messages between nerve cells. This condition often leads to symptoms such as delusions (e.g., the belief that one is being followed or watched, th...[Read More] Understanding the Differences Between Dissociative Identity Disorder and Schizophrenia
Understanding Your Mental Health: When to Seek Psychiatric Help
I would like to ask the doctor a question? I would like to ask Dr. Lee: Last year, in early October, I experienced dizziness for one to two months and then went to see a doctor. The doctor prescribed medication, which I took for two to three weeks, and I felt somewhat better. How...
Dr. Li Junren reply Psychiatry
Regarding your experience of feeling like you are not sleeping on your bed and sometimes feeling like you are not touching the ground while standing, it is difficult to determine the cause due to a lack of relevant information and examinations. I also recommend that you consult a...[Read More] Understanding Your Mental Health: When to Seek Psychiatric Help
Understanding Bipolar Disorder: Symptoms, Risks, and Seeking Help
Dipolar Hello, doctor. I have come across a report about a condition called bipolar disorder, which seems to resemble my situation. I experience extreme mood swings, feeling very sad or very happy, and I can easily become angry and harbor resentment towards those around me. Howev...
Dr. Li Junren reply Psychiatry
Bipolar disorder, commonly referred to as "manic-depressive illness," manifests in two distinct phases: mania and depression. During the manic phase, patients may experience a sustained period of elevated mood lasting for several weeks, characterized by persistent exc...[Read More] Understanding Bipolar Disorder: Symptoms, Risks, and Seeking Help
Understanding Unusual Dizziness and Memory Loss: A Psychiatric Perspective
Medical history Hello, Dr. Lee. In February, I was thinking about something when I suddenly felt dizzy. This dizziness felt different from regular lightheadedness; it was more like a sensation of being detached. Afterward, I felt something was off—I sensed that I had lost all fee...
Dr. Li Junren reply Psychiatry
The situation you described is somewhat vague, and further information may be needed to assess the issue accurately. Based on what you have described, it may be more closely related to "depersonalization." This condition is more likely to occur during times of fatigue, ...[Read More] Understanding Unusual Dizziness and Memory Loss: A Psychiatric Perspective
Understanding Stress-Induced Symptoms: A Journey Through Depression and Treatment
Every time I experience stress, it feels like this? Whenever I experience stress, I develop dark circles under my eyes, feel weakness in my limbs, and notice a significant decline in my memory and comprehension. Recently, I've even experienced soreness in my lower back and l...
Dr. Li Junren reply Psychiatry
Your condition does not resemble typical depression, but symptoms such as decreased energy, reduced interest in various activities, and impaired cognitive abilities (memory, comprehension, etc.) may lead a physician to consider depression as a possibility. Of course, these sympto...[Read More] Understanding Stress-Induced Symptoms: A Journey Through Depression and Treatment
Transforming Negative Thoughts into Positive Mindsets: A Guide for Mental Wellness
Negative thoughts Doctor: Hello, I have received your response, thank you! I would like to ask how to transform negative thoughts into positive thinking. I feel that positive thoughts are indeed correct, but I often feel a bit like I'm deceiving myself. Additionally, my soci...
Dr. Li Junren reply Psychiatry
Negative thoughts do not simply disappear or transform into positive thoughts; there is no "magical cure" or "instant results" in psychotherapy. In cognitive therapy, you must repeatedly discuss and examine your negative thoughts during treatment, recognizing ...[Read More] Transforming Negative Thoughts into Positive Mindsets: A Guide for Mental Wellness
Struggling with Insomnia? Effective Tips to Sleep Better Tonight
I often have trouble sleeping. What should I do? I often experience insomnia for no apparent reason, and I don't know what to do about it.
Dr. Li Junren reply Psychiatry
There are many potential causes of insomnia, and you may need to pay attention to the following conditions: 1. Consumption of stimulating beverages or foods, such as coffee or tea. 2. Engaging in stimulating activities before bedtime, such as dancing, racing, or other activities ...[Read More] Struggling with Insomnia? Effective Tips to Sleep Better Tonight
Nighttime Anxiety: Understanding Symptoms and Seeking Relief
Fear of the night? Three weeks ago in the evening, after taking a Chinese herbal supplement called "Snake Pill" and drinking a cup of coffee, I experienced severe difficulty breathing and rapid heartbeat that night, preventing me from sleeping at all. After an electroca...
Dr. Li Junren reply Psychiatry
Your issue actually stems from developing a fear of sleep, which causes anxiety whenever you encounter sleep-related situations. In short, what prevents you from falling asleep is the "fear of insomnia." The following suggestions may be helpful for you: 1. Avoid any st...[Read More] Nighttime Anxiety: Understanding Symptoms and Seeking Relief
Struggling with Sleep? Tips for Better Rest and Mental Health
What to do if you have trouble sleeping? Hello, doctor! I am a student in a two-year program, but unlike other college students who love to sleep, I have trouble sleeping well. No matter how late I go to bed, I always wake up around eight in the morning. Even if I'm very tir...
Dr. Li Junren reply Psychiatry
Everyone has different sleep needs and patterns, and your situation is completely normal, so there's no need to worry. The key is: if you don't feel excessively sleepy during the day or have trouble concentrating, then your sleep is sufficient. Personally, I sleep six h...[Read More] Struggling with Sleep? Tips for Better Rest and Mental Health
Understanding Bipolar Disorder: Symptoms, Characteristics, and Treatment Options
What is bipolar disorder? Hello, what is bipolar disorder? What are the symptoms and characteristics of patients? How should it be treated? Thank you!
Dr. Li Junren reply Psychiatry
Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental illness that affects the brain, causing patients to experience intermittent episodes of mania or depression. 1. Mania: Patients exhibit a decreased need for sleep, sustained elevated mood, increased talkativeness, heightened activity levels,...[Read More] Understanding Bipolar Disorder: Symptoms, Characteristics, and Treatment Options
Struggling with Insomnia: Tips for Better Sleep and Mental Health
I have insomnia? I haven't had a full night's sleep in the past few months. Normally, a person needs about 8 hours of sleep, but even if I go to bed an hour early, which should give me 9 hours, I still spend 1 to 2 hours tossing and turning in bed and can't fall as...
Dr. Li Junren reply Psychiatry
Tossing and turning in bed will not help you fall asleep; it will only increase your anxiety about sleep. Going to bed early will not solve your problem either; you should do the opposite. 1. Do not go to bed when you are not sleepy; instead, engage in activities that help you ...[Read More] Struggling with Insomnia: Tips for Better Sleep and Mental Health
Improving Mental Clarity: Benefits and Risks of Ginkgo Biloba
How to take ginkgo biloba extract? Are there any side effects? Can you recommend any brands? Hello Dr. Lee: I often experience a feeling of tightness and restlessness in my chest while reading books or newspapers. When I try to memorize something or recall information, I feel a s...
Dr. Li Junren reply Psychiatry
Fatigue, anxiety, depression, insufficient sleep, or improper use of medications may all contribute to the phenomena you described. It is recommended that you try some simple relaxation techniques, which may help alleviate some of the issues. You can learn advanced relaxation tec...[Read More] Improving Mental Clarity: Benefits and Risks of Ginkgo Biloba
Struggling with Insomnia: Tips for Better Sleep and Focus
Insomnia User question: I haven't had a good night's sleep in the past few months. Normally, a person needs about 8 hours of sleep, but even if I go to bed an hour early, which should give me 9 hours, I still spend 1 to 2 hours tossing and turning in bed and can't ...
Dr. Li Junren reply Psychiatry
Tossing and turning in bed won't help you fall asleep; it will only increase your anxiety about sleep. Going to bed early won't solve your problem either; you should do the opposite. 1. Never go to bed when you are not sleepy; instead, engage in activities that help you...[Read More] Struggling with Insomnia: Tips for Better Sleep and Focus