Navigating Medication Reduction: Understanding Withdrawal Symptoms and Anxiety
Medication reduction issues This year during the Lunar New Year, I experienced my first panic attack. After seeking medical attention, I was diagnosed with mild panic disorder without agoraphobia. Since February, I have been taking Zoloft (sertraline) at a daily dose of 50 mg. A ...
Dr. Huang Xiaoxian Reply:
Dear Twist, The causes of anxiety disorders are partially related to fluctuations in serotonin levels. The medication you are taking works to regulate serotonin (by extending its retention period in the body). It is recommended to extend the duration of use to nine months, and ...[Read More] Navigating Medication Reduction: Understanding Withdrawal Symptoms and Anxiety
Navigating Medication Reduction: Understanding Anxiety and Withdrawal Symptoms
Medication reduction issues This year during the Lunar New Year, I experienced my first panic attack. After seeking medical attention, I was diagnosed with mild panic disorder without agoraphobia. Since February, I have been taking Zoloft (sertraline) at a daily dose of 50 mg. A ...
Dr. Huang Xiaoxian Reply:
Dear Twist, The causes of anxiety disorders are partly due to fluctuations in serotonin levels. The medication you are taking works to regulate serotonin. It is recommended to extend the duration of your medication, and once your condition stabilizes, consider gradually reducin...[Read More] Navigating Medication Reduction: Understanding Anxiety and Withdrawal Symptoms
Am I Just Overthinking My Mental Health Issues?
I don't know if I'm just complaining without any real illness? Hello, doctor. Since middle school, I have felt that my study efficiency is very poor; it takes me a long time to read an article. However, due to my competitive nature, I am willing to spend a lot of time i...
Dr. Huang Xiaoxian Reply:
Dear lulala, it sounds like your emotional state has a significant impact on you, and I hope you don't feel like you're just complaining without reason. Generally speaking, foundational medications like bupropion can help improve mood fluctuations, so I recommend discus...[Read More] Am I Just Overthinking My Mental Health Issues?
Understanding and Managing Psychotic Disorders: A Personal Journey
Affective Disorder I have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, but I feel very unhappy every day. I experience auditory hallucinations where I hear people cursing at me, and I can barely tolerate it because it’s so loud. I have had sleep issues since childhood. I am currently a sen...
Dr. Tian Xinqiao Reply:
Hello, dear user: Thank you for your message. Individuals with schizophrenia often experience similar concerns, worrying about their condition and how others perceive them. The treatment of psychiatric symptoms can indeed affect one's work performance and social interactions...[Read More] Understanding and Managing Psychotic Disorders: A Personal Journey
Understanding Emotional Ups and Downs: When to Seek Help for Mood Swings
Constant intermittent lows, and usually when there is no issue, my mood suddenly shifts with any stimulation? Hello Doctor, I previously asked questions #142143 and #157705. During the time of #157705, I often felt inexplicably sad and even cried suddenly once. After a few days, ...
Dr. Huang Xiaoxian Reply:
Dear abc, Based on the above description, it seems that it does not align closely with typical mania. However, it is evident that there are some psychological issues that have not been well processed. I recommend consulting a psychiatrist to determine if psychological therapy w...[Read More] Understanding Emotional Ups and Downs: When to Seek Help for Mood Swings
Understanding ADHD Diagnosis and Medication Coverage Issues in Taiwan
ADHD test results and health insurance medication issues? Hello, Doctor. I am Lin, the student who previously inquired. I went to review my ADHD report today. After the doctor reviewed it, he prescribed me Adderall, but since I had not been prescribed long-acting medications like...
Dr. Wang Yazhen Reply:
Dear Student Lin, Thank you for your trust. Regarding your questions: 1. Testing cannot replace a doctor's diagnosis; it serves as a reference for the physician's assessment. 2. There isn't a definitive reason for what medications are covered by health insurance....[Read More] Understanding ADHD Diagnosis and Medication Coverage Issues in Taiwan
Understanding OCD: When Perfectionism Affects Your Daily Life
Is it obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)? Hello, doctor. I am currently a high school junior preparing to advance to senior year. However, since the beginning of my sophomore year (I didn't have this issue in freshman year), I've been experiencing a peculiar phenomenon...
Dr. Wang Yazhen Reply:
Hello Xiao Ming: The situation you described indeed resembles obsessive thoughts and behaviors, and these behaviors have started to affect your time management. It is advisable to seek medical attention from a psychiatrist or a psychosomatic specialist as soon as possible for dia...[Read More] Understanding OCD: When Perfectionism Affects Your Daily Life
Should I See a Doctor for My Ongoing Depression and Physical Symptoms?
Should I see a doctor? Hello doctor, I have been feeling down for a while, about 4 to 5 months. I feel insecure and have many negative thoughts, thinking that I have no future. Every day feels painful to live, and I often cry. In the first month, I also experienced discomfort in ...
Dr. Huang Xiaoxian Reply:
Dear Ho, Thank you for your question. It sounds like this period has been difficult and slow for you, and I empathize with your struggles. Generally speaking, depression is a feeling that everyone may experience at some point. It may initially arise from specific events that tr...[Read More] Should I See a Doctor for My Ongoing Depression and Physical Symptoms?
Challenges in Adult ADHD Diagnosis: Navigating Mental Health Care
"#157730 Adult Attention Deficit Disorder and Anxiety Disorder?" Follow-up? Hello, doctor. Thank you very much for your previous response. After reading your reply, I went to the pediatric psychiatry department at a regional hospital, but I encountered the following iss...
Dr. Wang Yazhen Reply:
Hello, Chen: Diagnosing adult ADHD is indeed challenging. 1. Even if someone had ADHD in childhood, most cases tend to improve with age. Therefore, it is difficult to retrospectively diagnose it in adulthood. 2. Regarding medication, there are specific regulations under the ...[Read More] Challenges in Adult ADHD Diagnosis: Navigating Mental Health Care
Understanding Adult ADHD and Anxiety: A Student's Journey to Focus
Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Anxiety Disorders? Hello, Doctor. I am a 23-year-old male student and would like to inquire about adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Regarding my background: I exhibited some behavioral issues in elemen...
Dr. Wang Yazhen Reply:
Hello, Chen Dada: Thank you for providing such a detailed description of your situation. Regarding whether your condition may be ADHD, I recommend seeking an evaluation from a physician specializing in child and adolescent psychiatry. In short, there can be many reasons for diffi...[Read More] Understanding Adult ADHD and Anxiety: A Student's Journey to Focus
Understanding Muscle Twitches: Are They Signs of Anxiety?
Is prolonged muscle twitching a sign of anxiety disorder? Hello Doctor, since mid-April, I have noticed persistent twitching in my eyelids and calves, which led me to visit a nearby hospital's neurology department. I have seen the neurologist three times, during which I unde...
Dr. Wang Yazhen Reply:
Hello, Negative Seven: It seems that you have sought medical attention and undergone examinations for your physical symptoms as much as possible. Based on your description, in addition to experiencing some physical sensations, your anxiety response is also quite evident. I recomm...[Read More] Understanding Muscle Twitches: Are They Signs of Anxiety?
Understanding Your Symptoms: Navigating Anxiety and Health Concerns
Physical condition Hello Doctor, five days ago I experienced pain when pressing on the bone above my right eyebrow, which occasionally persists. Recently, the pain has lessened when I press on it, but there is still a continuous ache that has become more pronounced over the last ...
Dr. Liang Sunyuan Reply:
Hello, thank you for your hard work. Since the examination has already been scheduled, I recommend being patient and waiting. The body actually has a certain capacity for self-repair, and in a relaxed environment, many physical symptoms can gradually improve. It is advisable to s...[Read More] Understanding Your Symptoms: Navigating Anxiety and Health Concerns
Is It Just Sadness or Signs of Depression and Anxiety?
Is it depression or major depressive disorder? Hello, I have been feeling inexplicably low and irritable for about four months, possibly due to the upcoming exams. I feel like there is something weighing on my mind. My classmates say I look unhappy and don't smile, which has...
Dr. Wu Enliang Reply:
Hello, online user: If you are experiencing persistent depression and a lack of interest in everything, it is indeed possible that you may be suffering from depression. It could be that the pressure from the academic exams is too overwhelming for your brain to handle. I recommend...[Read More] Is It Just Sadness or Signs of Depression and Anxiety?
Overcoming Negative Emotions: Seeking Help Without Guilt
Prolonged negative emotions and thoughts of death? Hello, Doctor: I apologize for reaching out again. Thank you for your response to my previous message. I have downloaded the mood thermometer app and initially gathered the courage to make an online appointment with a nearby ment...
Dr. Wu Enliang Reply:
Hello, netizen: May I ask what score you received on the mood thermometer? If it's 10 or below, I still recommend consulting a specialist. If it's 15 or above, or if you have suicidal thoughts rated at 2 or above, you definitely need to seek medical attention! Dr. Wu En...[Read More] Overcoming Negative Emotions: Seeking Help Without Guilt
Understanding Anxiety: Risks of Self-Medicating with Xanax
Regarding anxiety issues? Hello doctor, I believe I have an anxiety disorder and took my classmate's Xanax (0.5mg). Could this cause any problems? Will it lead to more severe anxiety symptoms? I often experience irritability, anger, restlessness, and sleep disturbances, but ...
Dr. Wu Enliang Reply:
Hello, netizen: Zanaflex is a sedative used for anxiety, but it may cause drowsiness, so it’s important to be cautious as it won't exacerbate anxiety symptoms. If you frequently experience irritability, anger, agitation, restlessness, or sleep disturbances, it could indeed b...[Read More] Understanding Anxiety: Risks of Self-Medicating with Xanax
Understanding OCD: Signs, Symptoms, and Coping Strategies
Is it obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)? Hello Doctor, five years ago I worked as a street cleaner, and I was often reported for not cleaning the streets properly. My supervisor would constantly ask me to go back and clean again for inspection, which caused me a lot of stress. ...
Dr. Lin Mianzhang Reply:
Hello Mr. Lin: Based on your situation, it has not yet reached the level of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), but it does exhibit symptoms similar to OCD. Therefore, you can apply treatment methods used for OCD to address it. For obsessive symptoms, a non-pharmacological treat...[Read More] Understanding OCD: Signs, Symptoms, and Coping Strategies
Overcoming Mental Stress: A Journey from Isolation to Healing
Psychological stress I am 26 years old. Last August, I interned as a part-time worker at 7-11, but my boss recently said that there are too many part-time workers and asked me to find another job. My parents keep asking why I need to find work again, constantly reminding me that ...
Dr. Lin Mianzhang Reply:
Hello, Yaya: It seems that you are facing quite a few challenges at work, and the psychological stress is really significant. It’s tough to bear so much pressure alone, especially without a channel to express your feelings. Considering seeing a psychologist is a very positive ste...[Read More] Overcoming Mental Stress: A Journey from Isolation to Healing
Understanding PTSD: Managing Panic and Anxiety After Trauma
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Previously, I experienced generalized anxiety disorder due to a stressful situation, which lasted only 2-3 days without recurrence. However, on May 22, I was startled by an event, which caused daily panic attacks that last about 2 hours each....
Dr. Wu Enliang Reply:
1. Some say that medical attention is only needed if the situation lasts more than a month. Is that true? If emotional distress is unbearable and affects daily life, seeking medical help is advisable, regardless of the one-month timeframe. 2. The psychiatrist prescribed me Sert...[Read More] Understanding PTSD: Managing Panic and Anxiety After Trauma
Understanding Hyperventilation: When to Seek Medical Attention?
Hyperventilation Today, I was sent to the emergency room due to hyperventilation. The nurse administered a small dose of a sedative, and after my condition improved, I was discharged. This seems normal, but after going to sleep at night, I have been sleeping continuously for at l...
Dr. Wu Enliang Reply:
Hello, netizen: It is likely just the effect of a sedative, and there is no need to seek medical attention. However, if hyperventilation occurs repeatedly, it is advisable to consult a mental health facility. Dr. Wu Enliang[Read More] Understanding Hyperventilation: When to Seek Medical Attention?
How to Support a Partner with Paranoia and Mental Health Issues?
My girlfriend is exhibiting moderate symptoms of paranoid delusions (schizophrenia). How can I gently guide her towards seeking medical help? I have been in a relationship with my girlfriend for over four years, but due to my studies abroad, I have been unable to closely monitor ...
Dr. Liang Sunyuan Reply:
Hello Mr. Zheng, based on her symptoms, it seems she needs to seek medical attention. It is advisable to encourage her in a way that she can accept, such as discussing her symptoms like insomnia, restless sleep, or muscle tension, and see if these physical symptoms can motivate h...[Read More] How to Support a Partner with Paranoia and Mental Health Issues?