Understanding Anxiety and Stress: A Journey Through Mental Health Challenges
There are some questions? Hello, doctor. During high school, I always felt the urge to go to the bathroom whenever there was an assembly. At that time, the strict environment at school made me feel like I was just there to avoid punishment. In college, I reached a breaking point ...
Dr. Ding Shuyan Reply:
Hello, based on your concerns, I cannot conclude whether your discomfort is due to excessive stress. Since you are still young, theoretically, there shouldn't be any major issues with your health, and you have already consulted a psychiatrist. My response may be that autonom...[Read More] Understanding Anxiety and Stress: A Journey Through Mental Health Challenges
Managing Sleep Issues: Can I Continue Working with Insomnia?
Some questions? I previously went to work and felt very tired afterward, but that night I couldn't fall asleep and stayed awake until the next morning. I finally fell asleep and didn't wake up until 4 PM, which disrupted my circadian rhythm. Given this situation, can I ...
Dr. Ding Shuyan Reply:
Hello, there are many causes of sleep disorders, and frequent insomnia is often just one of the symptoms of a mental health condition. To address this and prevent future occurrences, it is essential to understand the specific mental health diagnosis and its underlying causes in o...[Read More] Managing Sleep Issues: Can I Continue Working with Insomnia?
Understanding Sleepiness as a Symptom of Depression: Key Characteristics
Hypersomnia caused by depression? Hello, doctor. Due to issues with fatigue, excessive sleepiness, and poor mental state, I previously consulted a physician (not a psychiatrist). The doctor mentioned that the diagnosis of depression cannot be made solely based on these symptoms, ...
Dr. Zhang Fangrong Reply:
Dear Sir/Madam, Based on your description, the typical sleep duration for the general population is between 6 to 8 hours, which is considered normal. The concern you mentioned regarding needing more than 12 hours of sleep should be evaluated in the context of your usual sleep pa...[Read More] Understanding Sleepiness as a Symptom of Depression: Key Characteristics
Managing Emotional Instability: Self-Care Strategies for Mental Health
Some questions? If I have been seeing a psychiatrist for many years and have a diagnosis, but I still experience emotional instability and tend to talk to myself in private, what else can I do for myself, or what kind of care do I need?
Dr. Liang Sunyuan Reply:
Hello, if you are still experiencing emotional instability after treatment, it is advisable to discuss this with your outpatient physician to determine whether it is a physiological issue, a psychological issue, or an environmental issue, and to collaboratively discuss coping str...[Read More] Managing Emotional Instability: Self-Care Strategies for Mental Health
Is Dual Personality a Sign of Mental Illness? Understanding the Need for Treatment
Is having a dual personality considered a mental illness? Family and friends, as well as her boyfriend, all behave in a gentle and calm manner, but she is very indifferent and aggressive towards her family and has difficulty communicating. She gets angry and yells after just a fe...
Dr. Ding Shuyan Reply:
Hello, whether medication is necessary for treatment depends on confirming the presence of a mental disorder. After considering the underlying causes of the condition, medication can be a necessary and effective treatment option. To determine if there is a disorder, symptoms must...[Read More] Is Dual Personality a Sign of Mental Illness? Understanding the Need for Treatment
Understanding Depression and Social Anxiety Medication: A Student's Journey
Regarding medication for depression and social anxiety disorder? Hello Dr. Ding: I am a junior studying in Chiayi. Since high school, I have noticed that I feel anxious in crowded places, and I become even more nervous when giving presentations, experiencing palpitations. Sometim...
Dr. Ding Shuyan Reply:
Hello, I see the various difficulties you have encountered and the efforts you have made, and I feel both admiration and concern. The physical discomforts you mentioned may arise during the process of changing medications. The reasons could potentially be withdrawal symptoms from...[Read More] Understanding Depression and Social Anxiety Medication: A Student's Journey
Navigating Anxiety: Understanding Health Fears and Relationships
Other concerns? Dr. Ding: Regarding the questions I asked last time, I would like to raise some additional concerns. Here is the content of my previous inquiry: (Hello, I’m not sure if it’s due to some obsessive thinking, but I’ve become very sensitive about illness. My boyfriend...
Dr. Ding Shuyan Reply:
Hello, regarding your concerns, I would like to divide them into two parts. First, the issue of infectious diseases that you are worried about. Second, whether you have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and the need to see a doctor. To begin with, concerning infectious diseas...[Read More] Navigating Anxiety: Understanding Health Fears and Relationships
Understanding Paranoid Schizophrenia: Symptoms and Treatment Options
What type of paranoid schizophrenia is this? Doctor, may I ask, when I am chatting with my mother, sister, and brother, my father suddenly comes over and accuses us of talking bad about him. He claims we are using his things and still dare to speak about him. He also says he has ...
Dr. Zhang Zhehong Reply:
Hello: Your father needs to visit a psychiatric outpatient clinic for a detailed evaluation, including assessment of stressors, emotions, cognitive function, family interaction issues, and substance/alcohol dependence, in order to establish a differential diagnosis and formulate ...[Read More] Understanding Paranoid Schizophrenia: Symptoms and Treatment Options
Managing Medication Withdrawal: Tips for Discontinuing Xanax Safely
Medication issues Dear Director, I am currently taking Lexapro, Wellbutrin, and Xanax. I take Xanax XR at a dose of 0.5 mg once daily. I am concerned about withdrawal effects; if I want to discontinue Xanax, should I first reduce the dose to 0.25 mg before completely stopping? Wh...
Dr. Ding Shuyan Reply:
Hello, reducing or discontinuing medication is contingent upon symptom improvement and the condition moving towards recovery, but this needs to be discussed with your physician. Withdrawal effects may occur if the dosage of the medication has been relatively high and used for a l...[Read More] Managing Medication Withdrawal: Tips for Discontinuing Xanax Safely
Is Talking to Yourself a Sign of Mental Illness or Just Independent Thinking?
Soliloquy Is talking to oneself considered a mental illness? Different physicians have varying opinions on this matter. Some believe it is a sign of an overly introverted personality, while others suggest that self-talk during solitude serves as an emotional release. However, if ...
Dr. Ding Shuyan Reply:
Hello, yes, sometimes talking to oneself does not necessarily indicate a mental health issue. It is important to consult with a physician to assess if there are other underlying conditions, such as insomnia, delusions, hallucinations, reality distortion, emotional problems, etc. ...[Read More] Is Talking to Yourself a Sign of Mental Illness or Just Independent Thinking?
Understanding and Addressing Suspected Mental Health Issues in Family Members
Suspected mental health issues seeking resolution? Hello Doctor: I would like to ask you about my sister, who has been unemployed at home for a while. She experienced significant setbacks at her previous job and decided to pursue a public service career, but that hasn't gone...
Dr. Wang Chongren Reply:
Dear Mr. Xiaogang, Hello. Your letter mentioned that your sister is experiencing emotional and behavioral abnormalities due to the frustration of unemployment. It is indeed necessary to encourage her to seek medical attention to obtain a proper diagnosis and initiate active trea...[Read More] Understanding and Addressing Suspected Mental Health Issues in Family Members
Understanding the Cycle of Frequent Doctor Visits: A Mental Health Perspective
Constantly seeking medical attention? Hello, Doctor: I would like to ask about my ongoing medical issues. I had surgery when I was young, but it didn't significantly affect my life, and I have been regularly following up with the surgeon (about 3-4 times a year). My family h...
Dr. Ding Shuyan Reply:
Hello, I see that your journey in seeking medical help has been quite challenging. It is evident that there is an underlying sense of anxiety that has driven you to invest so much time and money in seeking assistance. Firstly, if over 30 physicians in the same specialty have asse...[Read More] Understanding the Cycle of Frequent Doctor Visits: A Mental Health Perspective
Should I Take Medication for Uncertain Anxiety Symptoms?
Unsure whether to take medication? Hello Doctor: I previously took medication for anxiety disorder, but I felt better and stopped taking it on my own. For the following six months after stopping, everything was normal. However, for some unknown reason, I started experiencing full...
Dr. Ding Shuyan Reply:
Hello, it is generally safe for doctors to prescribe medication, and it is tailored to meet your needs. In Taiwan, it is common for patients to feel uneasy leaving the hospital without a prescription to try at home, especially since autonomic nervous system disorders are not imme...[Read More] Should I Take Medication for Uncertain Anxiety Symptoms?
Understanding Co-occurring Depression and OCD: A Student's Journey
Questions regarding the comorbidity of depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)? Dear Dr. Ding, I am currently a junior in college. I have no prior history of mental illness or hospital visits. This semester, due to a heavier course load and a research assistant positi...
Dr. Ding Shuyan Reply:
Hello, I must commend your meticulous description of your psychological distress and the process of seeking medical help. I believe you have already asked your questions to your physician and counselor. However, as I mentioned in previous responses, if you are already seeing a do...[Read More] Understanding Co-occurring Depression and OCD: A Student's Journey
Understanding Attention Issues: Is Ritalin the Right Solution?
Inattention The doctor mentioned that Ritalin can be addictive. If I find myself easily distracted while reading, fidgeting, or playing with my hair, can this be considered a lack of concentration? If so, is it reliable to use Ritalin for treatment, or could there be other condit...
Dr. Ding Shuyan Reply:
Hello, if you find yourself easily distracted while reading, fidgeting, or playing with your hair, it may indicate a lack of concentration, but it might not necessarily be the case. The information you provided is quite limited, and these behaviors can be common among many people...[Read More] Understanding Attention Issues: Is Ritalin the Right Solution?
Can She Return to Work? Understanding Mental Health Challenges in the Workplace
Can he still go to work? Hello, I hired a female employee who initially showed no signs of issues, as she was not given any high-pressure tasks. However, after sending her on a business trip, she had a conflict at the factory and was reprimanded. While staying at a hotel, the sta...
Dr. Qiu Junda Reply:
Hello! Due to incomplete information, I may not be able to fully answer your question. Some mental disorders can indeed manifest abnormalities related to specific themes, but whether the unusual behavior reaches the level of a disorder still needs clarification. It is also import...[Read More] Can She Return to Work? Understanding Mental Health Challenges in the Workplace
Am I Experiencing a Mental Health Issue? Understanding Reality vs. Dreams
Does this indicate a mental health issue? Sometimes I feel like the current version of myself is not real, and that true reality exists only in my dreams when I am asleep. However, I am unclear about what those dreams actually are. It feels as if everything I am experiencing now ...
Dr. Ding Shuyan Reply:
Hello, some mental illnesses, such as depression or certain psychotic disorders, can make individuals feel detached from the world around them, as if they are not fully engaged or that reality is not genuine, almost like they are mere observers. Some people describe this sensatio...[Read More] Am I Experiencing a Mental Health Issue? Understanding Reality vs. Dreams
Navigating the Challenges of Counseling: Finding Personal Strengths
I really want to develop my own abilities? Hello, Doctor: Thank you for your previous response, which has given me a lot to think about. However, I feel like I'm constantly caught in contradictions and would like to ask for your guidance again. Thank you. I really want to ...
Dr. Ding Shuyan Reply:
Hello, I recall that you have asked similar questions a couple of times. In our society, there are many professionals. When we encounter something we do not understand, we naturally seek advice from experts, and we have certain expectations from them. When a car breaks down, we t...[Read More] Navigating the Challenges of Counseling: Finding Personal Strengths
Addressing Mental Health Challenges in Parkinson's Disease Patients
Regarding the physical and mental issues faced by individuals with Parkinson's disease? Dear Dr. Su, I have a friend who has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. After the diagnosis, he has been receiving care at the Le Sheng Nursing Home. He is currently around 60...
Dr. Su Zongwei Reply:
Patients with Parkinson's disease have a high prevalence of comorbid mood disorders. It is recommended to consult both neurology and psychiatry outpatient services for evaluation by the physicians.[Read More] Addressing Mental Health Challenges in Parkinson's Disease Patients
Challenges in Compulsory Treatment for Patients with Bipolar Disorder
Patients with moderate bipolar disorder who lack insight into their condition and cannot be compelled to seek treatment? Hello, I would like to ask Dr. Chiu: My mother is a patient with moderate bipolar disorder, and she has entered a manic phase again this year (this is her four...
Dr. Qiu Junda Reply:
Hello: There may be some resistance to the involuntary treatment of patients with mental illness in practice, but as long as there is good communication and coordination, it should not be difficult. Please remain calm and proactive. Here are some suggested steps: 1. The mother&#x...[Read More] Challenges in Compulsory Treatment for Patients with Bipolar Disorder