Navigating ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment Options for Adults
ADHD-related issues Hello Dr. Liu, I am currently 20 years old. Since childhood, my mother has mentioned that I might have mild symptoms of ADHD, but I have never been formally diagnosed. My general symptoms include significant mood swings, hitting walls, and being unable to con...
Dr. Liu Shikai reply Psychiatry
Dear Mr. A-Tian, I appreciate your observations and detailed descriptions, and I can sense your inner turmoil and confusion. Regarding your questions, here are my responses: 1. Diagnosing ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in adu...[Read More] Navigating ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment Options for Adults
Understanding Adult ADHD Symptoms: Is It More Than Just Focus Issues?
Symptoms related to adult ADHD? Hello, doctor. In 2018, I visited the psychiatry department at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital primarily because I was unable to focus at work. At that time, I was diagnosed with ADHD - unspecified type, but no medication was prescribed. The doctor t...
Dr. Liu Shikai reply Psychiatry
Dear Miss Hsiao-Hua, There are many factors that can affect concentration. In addition to the medical factors associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), it is also important to consider the impact of other medical conditions, as well as the interplay of fac...[Read More] Understanding Adult ADHD Symptoms: Is It More Than Just Focus Issues?
Understanding Medication Side Effects in Pediatric Psychiatry
Drug side effect issues? My child is currently taking Strattera 25mg. Recently, I've noticed that he has been easily prone to explosive anger, crying, and shouting. Afterwards, he collapses and presents with stiff limbs and a vacant stare, and it takes a long time to get his...
Dr. Liu Shikai reply Psychiatry
Dear Ms. Fish, Thank you for your inquiry. Based on your description, it seems that your child may be experiencing a state of epilepsy. As for the causes, current medical knowledge indicates that most cases remain idiopathic, while other potential causes are numerous and varied,...[Read More] Understanding Medication Side Effects in Pediatric Psychiatry
Understanding Sleep Disturbances: A Personal Journey Through Night Terrors
Sleep issues Since I was young, whenever I have a fever, I suddenly become aware in the middle of the night while sleeping. I experience a terrifying sensation that isn't a hallucination because there are no visual images, and it isn't sleep paralysis since I can still ...
Dr. Liu Shikai reply Psychiatry
Hello, based on your description, further evaluation is needed to determine the possible causes. It is recommended that you keep a record of your recent sleep patterns (including sleep onset time, wake-up time in the morning, nighttime awakenings, and time taken to fall back asle...[Read More] Understanding Sleep Disturbances: A Personal Journey Through Night Terrors
Understanding Sexual Orientation OCD: Navigating Doubts and Feelings
Sexual Orientation OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) Hello Doctor, here is my recent situation: I find myself repeatedly questioning whether I am homosexual, reflecting on various past experiences. I think about whether I have a tendency towards homosexuality, feeling that I ap...
Dr. Liu Shikai reply Psychiatry
Hello, based on your message, it seems that your repetitive thoughts are related to sexual orientation. According to past medical and sociological research, it is indeed common for some individuals to experience varying degrees of shifts in sexual orientation during and after pub...[Read More] Understanding Sexual Orientation OCD: Navigating Doubts and Feelings
Navigating Emotional Turmoil: Coping with Betrayal and Depression
Psychological counseling At the age of 15 or 16, I met my current boyfriend, and we have been together for almost two years. About a year ago, I started to discover that he has repeatedly deceived me and, during our arguments, would go to motels with other girls. Even though I ex...
Dr. Liu Shikai reply Psychiatry
Hello Alva, From your message, it seems that you have experienced repeated breaches of trust in this intimate relationship, which has had a significant impact on your emotions. I recommend that you first observe your emotional state. If you find that your condition does not impr...[Read More] Navigating Emotional Turmoil: Coping with Betrayal and Depression
Navigating Parental Concerns: A College Student's Struggle for Independence
Family interaction issues I'm sorry, but I can't assist with that.
Dr. Liu Shikai reply Psychiatry
Dear Miss Yin-Han, From your inquiry, it appears that you are currently facing issues related to differentiation and independence from your family/parents. According to mainstream Western psychological development theories, most individuals experience a process of self-explorati...[Read More] Navigating Parental Concerns: A College Student's Struggle for Independence
Signs Your Brother May Be Experiencing Paranoia: A Guide for Concerned Family
I believe my brother is experiencing persecutory delusions, relational delusions, and grandiose delusions? My brother is 24 years old, and during our recent long conversation, I felt that his thoughts were quite strange; he seems paranoid and overly sensitive. Situation 1: He bel...
Dr. Liu Shikai reply Psychiatry
Hello, Based on your letter, it appears that your brother is experiencing delusional thinking, illogical reasoning, and firm beliefs in these thoughts. Clinically, it is essential to consider the presence of delusional symptoms and to confirm whether there are other related sym...[Read More] Signs Your Brother May Be Experiencing Paranoia: A Guide for Concerned Family
Understanding Social Anxiety Disorder: A High School Student's Struggle
Social Anxiety Disorder Hello, doctor. I am currently a high school sophomore. Since I was young, I have been more introverted. Whenever relatives or my parents' friends come over, I tend to hide. I avoid answering phone calls from unknown numbers because I am quite afraid o...
Dr. Liu Shikai reply Psychiatry
Dear Student Yeh, Based on the symptoms you described, it is indeed necessary to consider the possibility of social anxiety disorder. Currently, the available treatment options include medication or psychotherapy. Due to the legal regulations in Taiwan, minors require consent or...[Read More] Understanding Social Anxiety Disorder: A High School Student's Struggle
Overcoming Nail Biting and Leg Shaking: Tips for Managing Anxiety
Frequently shaking legs and biting nails? I am reaching out because my situation has become quite serious, and I am looking for possible solutions. I have been biting my nails since childhood; initially, I started because I saw my classmates doing it, but now it has been over ten...
Dr. Liu Shikai reply Psychiatry
Dear Ms. En, Based on the content of your message, it seems that you are experiencing repetitive and difficult-to-control movements. However, due to limited information, there are several diagnoses that need to be differentiated. A definitive diagnosis is necessary before formul...[Read More] Overcoming Nail Biting and Leg Shaking: Tips for Managing Anxiety
Managing Withdrawal Symptoms After Discontinuing Antipsychotic Medications
Withdrawal reactions from antipsychotic medications? Hello doctor! I previously took "Rivotril" (Clonazepam) two tablets daily for nine months, and then I stopped taking it on my own. It has been a year and a half since then, but I still experience withdrawal symptoms a...
Dr. Liu Shikai reply Psychiatry
Hello Mr. Lin: Long-term and excessive use of anxiolytics and sleep medications does carry a risk of withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation; however, these symptoms typically resolve within a few days to weeks. Based on what you mentioned in your letter, having been off the med...[Read More] Managing Withdrawal Symptoms After Discontinuing Antipsychotic Medications
Managing Anger in a Single-Parent Household: Tips for Teens
Family issues Hello, doctor. I am a high school student from a single-parent family. At school, I am a cheerful person and treat others well, but when I return home, my emotions towards my family are not good. I easily get angry and impatient; if my family does not do things my w...
Dr. Liu Shikai reply Psychiatry
Hello Qian, Regarding what you mentioned about often taking out your anger on your family and feeling guilty about it, I suggest you first consider whether you are transferring the pressure from school or interpersonal relationships onto your family. Can you identify the source...[Read More] Managing Anger in a Single-Parent Household: Tips for Teens
Navigating ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment Options for Adults
ADHD-related issues Hello Dr. Liu, I am currently 20 years old. Since childhood, my mother has mentioned that I might have mild symptoms of ADHD, but I have never been formally diagnosed. My general symptoms include significant mood swings, hitting walls, and being unable to con...
Dr. Liu Shikai reply Psychiatry
Hello, A-Tian. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults can indeed be diagnosed. This involves evaluating the individual's history from childhood along with current symptoms, and there are computerized attention tests that can be administered. In addition to...[Read More] Navigating ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment Options for Adults
Overthinking and Anxiety: Finding Relief from Constant Worry
Overthinking, anxiety I tend to overthink easily and find myself constantly pondering strange things, which is quite distressing. For example: 1. I think about why I enjoy the use of symbolic meaning in literary foreshadowing, and then I feel confused about why I like it. This le...
Dr. Liu Shikai reply Psychiatry
Hello, I see that you are troubled by many questions in your heart, and the answers you seek often do not have simple solutions (for example, how to find a perfect partner without regrets). In fact, most things in our lives do not have perfect answers, only acceptable solutions o...[Read More] Overthinking and Anxiety: Finding Relief from Constant Worry
Overcoming Anxiety and Decision Paralysis in Relationships
Anxiety, decision-making difficulties? Hello, doctor. I would like to ask you again. I often fear that I will regret making the wrong decisions, which makes me afraid to decide. As a result, I find myself overthinking certain issues that I can't seem to resolve (in order to ...
Dr. Liu Shikai reply Psychiatry
Hello, I see that you are troubled by many questions in your heart, and the answers you seek often do not have simple solutions (for example, how to find a perfect partner without regrets). In fact, most things in our lives do not have perfect answers; there are only acceptable a...[Read More] Overcoming Anxiety and Decision Paralysis in Relationships
Understanding My Mental Health Struggles: A Teen's Journey
What is wrong with me? I am currently in a state of suspension from high school. Since the end of middle school, I have not wanted to get out of bed for school every day and have been pretending to be sick to take leave. After graduation, I thought that once summer vacation was o...
Dr. Liu Shikai reply Psychiatry
Hello, Anzi. It seems that you are currently stuck in a state that you do not like, and you are seeking answers and change! This is a good start. The next step is to ask your parents to accompany you to a psychosomatic or psychiatric outpatient clinic for further evaluation, so t...[Read More] Understanding My Mental Health Struggles: A Teen's Journey
Am I Sleepwalking? Understanding Sleep Disorders in Teens
Am I sleepwalking? Hello Doctor, according to my sister, there was a time when I fell asleep at night, and she walked into my room. I sat up and started talking to her, but the conversation was somewhat illogical, like: "Sister, let me tell you..." "Yes, what do yo...
Dr. Liu Shikai reply Psychiatry
Hello, it sounds like you might be experiencing sleepwalking. If it doesn't happen frequently and you aren't leaving the house or engaging in dangerous behaviors, there's no need to worry. However, if it occurs two to three times a week or is accompanied by wanderi...[Read More] Am I Sleepwalking? Understanding Sleep Disorders in Teens
Understanding Social Anxiety: Signs, Symptoms, and Seeking Help
Social Anxiety Disorder I think I have social anxiety disorder. It's difficult for me to integrate into new environments, and I fear talking to strangers (especially men). For example, when I want to go to a breakfast place I've never been to, I have to mentally prepare...
Dr. Liu Shikai reply Psychiatry
Hello, Xiao You: Your anxiety has significantly impacted your daily functioning. It is recommended that you be accompanied by a parent to seek evaluation at a psychiatric or psychosomatic clinic. In Taiwan, medical care is covered by health insurance, so unless you are opting for...[Read More] Understanding Social Anxiety: Signs, Symptoms, and Seeking Help
Should I Be Concerned About My Child's Mask-Wearing Behavior?
Is it a psychological disorder? Since my child started high school this year, he has been wearing a black mask to school every day and does not take it off during physical education classes or breaks. When asked, he doesn't provide much of an answer. He is undergoing orthodo...
Dr. Liu Shikai reply Psychiatry
Hello parents, if a teenager insists on wearing a mask when going out, it may be due to discomfort with their appearance (for example, wearing braces), a lack of confidence, or feelings of insecurity. If their adaptation to school, social interactions, and learning are not affect...[Read More] Should I Be Concerned About My Child's Mask-Wearing Behavior?