Long-Term Care Options for Mental Health Patients in Taiwan
Mental illness Hello, my father has been receiving treatment for psychotic disorders at the Yu Li Veterans Hospital for about seven years. His condition has improved but he is not fully recovered. We hope to transfer him to a rehabilitation facility closer to home in the northern...
Dr. Su Zongwei Reply:
Currently, the psychiatric department at the Huilong campus only offers day hospitalization, which means patients come in at 8:00 AM and return home at 4:00 PM, similar to attending classes or work. If a patient requires inpatient admission, they must first undergo an evaluation ...[Read More] Long-Term Care Options for Mental Health Patients in Taiwan
How to Encourage a Reluctant Family Member to Seek Mental Health Care
A family member is suspected to have a mental health disorder but refuses to seek medical attention? Hello, my father-in-law often complains about the following symptoms: 1. Numbness or tingling sensations in his body 2. Feeling of heat in the body 3. Weakness and soreness in his...
Dr. Dai Wanxiang Reply:
Hello! Generally, when elderly individuals have physical complaints, the possibility of a physical illness is prioritized. If relevant medical examinations do not reveal the cause of their discomfort, then considerations for psychosomatic disorders, somatization, or other mental ...[Read More] How to Encourage a Reluctant Family Member to Seek Mental Health Care
Understanding Mental Health: Can Medication Help Control Negative Thoughts?
What exactly happened? Can medication help me avoid these thoughts? Although I feel angry inside, do I really have to rely on medication to control myself? I think I should try to change my situation because I absolutely hate being like this; I’m not happy living this way. For me...
Dr. Chen Yuying Reply:
I’m not asking if you can accept medication because I believe your symptoms can be resolved with drugs, but rather to understand your expectations regarding medical treatment. Moreover, I cannot fully grasp your situation based solely on text from the internet. Based on the infor...[Read More] Understanding Mental Health: Can Medication Help Control Negative Thoughts?
Understanding Body Image Issues: Is It Obesity Phobia or Something Deeper?
Obesophobia? Hello Dr. Chen: My sister is in her second year of high school and is very thin, weighing only 36 kilograms, yet she feels that she is overweight. Since starting high school, she has stopped eating breakfast and lunch, and for dinner, she only eats cookies instead of...
Dr. Chen Yuying Reply:
Hello Jiafen: Based on the information you provided, your sister is likely suffering from what Western medicine refers to as "Anorexia Nervosa." Let's take a look at a video about anorexia patients: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFbYW6bNViw. As mentioned in the vi...[Read More] Understanding Body Image Issues: Is It Obesity Phobia or Something Deeper?
Can Poor Hygiene Habits Lead to Cognitive Decline? Here's What to Know
What should I do? I'm not a doctor, but I can provide some information based on your concerns. The case you mentioned about the teenager experiencing cognitive decline due to inhaling gas from aerosol cans is indeed related to hypoxia, which is a lack of oxygen in the brain....
Dr. Su Zongwei Reply:
The smell of urine is not related to brain hypoxia, but there are certain peculiar preferences that some individuals may have, which are simply quirks and not associated with mental illness. However, some may have underlying mental health conditions. If someone feels lethargic, i...[Read More] Can Poor Hygiene Habits Lead to Cognitive Decline? Here's What to Know
Understanding Mental Health: Signs Your Loved One May Need Help
Family needs help! Hello, doctor. My mother currently exhibits the following symptoms. Could you help me determine if she has a mental illness? 1. She believes that the actions of family members are harmful to her. 2. She constantly takes cold medicine and snacks. 3. She keeps se...
Dr. Zhang Gengjia Reply:
Hello, Xiaofang. The question you asked is quite complex. Overall, these symptoms are highly likely to be related to psychiatric issues, but further differential diagnosis is necessary. If it is a psychiatric disorder, most cases are associated with brain problems, with the most ...[Read More] Understanding Mental Health: Signs Your Loved One May Need Help
Understanding the Hereditary Risks of Mental Illness in Families
Will mental illness be inherited? If there are four children in the family, three girls and one boy, and one girl and one boy have mental health issues requiring them to stay in a care facility—where the boy developed symptoms around middle school and the girl around high school—...
Dr. Zhang Zhehong Reply:
Statistically, the probability of you and your siblings developing a condition is 5%, and the likelihood of your child developing the condition decreases. In reality, what we care about is the prevention and treatment of the disease. Since both you and your spouse are healthy, th...[Read More] Understanding the Hereditary Risks of Mental Illness in Families
Is It a Mental Illness? Understanding Symptoms and Seeking Help
Is this a disease? I would like to ask about some symptoms I've been experiencing recently and whether they indicate a potential illness. I often feel weakness in my legs, dizziness, and have frequent fainting spells accompanied by nausea. I also experience a tight feeling i...
Dr. Chen Zhicai Reply:
Dear Sir/Madam, The symptoms you inquired about are quite vague. It is advisable to seek a thorough medical evaluation. You may start by visiting an internal medicine or neurology specialist to determine if there are any cardiovascular or neurological issues. If no physiological...[Read More] Is It a Mental Illness? Understanding Symptoms and Seeking Help
Could Your Physical Symptoms Be Linked to Mental Health Issues?
Mental illness? Doctor, I have been experiencing persistent fatigue and a significant decline in physical strength for a year. I often feel a sense of pressure between my eyebrows, have a stiff neck, feel dizzy, and experience blurred vision. I have already consulted various spec...
Dr. Chen Wenyu Reply:
Hello, Peanut: In order to diagnose a mental disorder, it is essential to rule out any physical issues. Although there is an interplay between the two, the treatment approaches differ. Since all the examinations across various specialties have shown no abnormalities, it is indeed...[Read More] Could Your Physical Symptoms Be Linked to Mental Health Issues?
How to Help a Loved One with Anxiety and Paranoia Without Forcing Treatment
Oh my goodness~~ Dear Dr. Chen, My mother has been experiencing symptoms of anxiety and insomnia since September of last year. She often appears disoriented and occasionally laughs uncontrollably. She also has persistent feelings that someone is trying to harm her. When we try ...
Dr. Chen Wenyu Reply:
Hello, based on your description, it seems that your family member has experienced issues that may have a very specific onset. If there is a clear time point, it is important to consider stress factors or organic causes first. Was there a particular stressful event that triggered...[Read More] How to Help a Loved One with Anxiety and Paranoia Without Forcing Treatment
Voices of Families Struggling with Mental Illness: A Personal Account
Voices of Families of Individuals with Mental Illness When their family members are in pain and helpless, my mother sometimes has episodes where she argues with my father and becomes delusional, leading her to run outside without any clothes on. We live in an apartment, and this ...
Dr. Zhang Zhehong Reply:
Hello, you have worked hard, and you are truly strong to endure so much helplessness. Based on the condition you described, she should be able to be arranged for treatment in a chronic (rehabilitation) ward for a few months to enhance the therapeutic effect and establish insight ...[Read More] Voices of Families Struggling with Mental Illness: A Personal Account
How to Help a Loved One with Delusional Disorder Who Refuses Treatment?
What should be done if a person suspected of having a delusional disorder is unwilling to seek medical treatment? Hello Dr. Chen, I previously consulted you regarding my spouse's issues with delusional disorder, and I would like to seek your advice again. Based on my observa...
Dr. Chen Wenyu Reply:
Hello Mike, Based on your description, it seems more like an environmental stress factor combined with a naturally suspicious personality, leading to an adjustment disorder rather than necessarily a delusional disorder. A definitive diagnosis still requires clinical evaluation....[Read More] How to Help a Loved One with Delusional Disorder Who Refuses Treatment?
Understanding Symptoms of Long-Term Insomnia and Emotional Instability
What are the symptoms? Hello, doctor. I would like to ask about my long-term insomnia and emotional instability. I sometimes experience loss of control, such as yelling at people and throwing things. My emotions feel strange, as if I can't control them. I also have sudden ou...
Dr. Li Zhengfeng Reply:
Hello: First of all, thank you for your letter. Based on what you described, the hallucinations and delusions do seem to be symptoms of a mental illness. Patients with mental disorders are often not fully aware that they are unwell, which can lead to a lack of seeking medical att...[Read More] Understanding Symptoms of Long-Term Insomnia and Emotional Instability
Can Only Psychiatrists Diagnose Mental Illness? A Medical Perspective
Is it only a psychiatrist who can diagnose whether a person has a mental illness? Hello! I would like to ask if only a psychiatrist can diagnose whether a person has a mental illness? Can other specialists, such as internal medicine physicians or otolaryngology residents, also ev...
Dr. Su Zongwei Reply:
Legally, there are no restrictions that only psychiatrists can diagnose mental illnesses; any licensed physician can open a clinic and note mental illness in the medical records. What should be the basis for this? If it is based on appearance, what specific appearance should be c...[Read More] Can Only Psychiatrists Diagnose Mental Illness? A Medical Perspective
Understanding Attention Issues: Are They Symptoms of Schizophrenia?
Inattention Hello Dr. Wang, I would like to ask you if being in a prolonged state of deep thought is a symptom of schizophrenia? Additionally, when I participate in classroom activities, I find it very difficult to concentrate when the teacher is lecturing, and I am very afraid o...
Dr. Wang Chongren Reply:
Dear Bean Sprout, This is Dr. Wang Chong-Jen from the Psychiatry Department of Tainan Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare. I am writing in response to your letter regarding your frequent episodes of deep thinking, difficulty concentrating, and fear of making eye contact wit...[Read More] Understanding Attention Issues: Are They Symptoms of Schizophrenia?
Understanding Paranoid Schizophrenia: Treatment and Support Options
Paranoid schizophrenia? Hello Dr. Chen, My younger brother has been experiencing significant stress since his military service, leading to a diagnosis of schizophrenia. He currently holds a moderate disability certificate. In the mornings, he takes one tablet of Sulpride and on...
Dr. Chen Yixing Reply:
Hello, Xiaoming: Regarding your question, I would like to address it in two parts: symptoms and diagnosis. Most patients with schizophrenia indeed experience auditory hallucinations, which may disappear after treatment or manifest as delusions or disorganized thinking. Concerning...[Read More] Understanding Paranoid Schizophrenia: Treatment and Support Options
Understanding Depression vs. Bipolar Disorder: Seeking Help for Mental Health
Depression or bipolar disorder..? Hello Doctor: Recently, due to pressure from work and family relationships, I have been feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes, even when nothing significant happens, I find myself overthinking... In middle school, I experienced severe depression due to ...
Dr. Chen Wenyu Reply:
Hello, Summer: Humans are emotional beings, and it is natural for moods to fluctuate. However, individuals vary in their ability to cope with stress. Based on your situation, it is unlikely that you are experiencing bipolar disorder; this term is often misused, and psychiatrists ...[Read More] Understanding Depression vs. Bipolar Disorder: Seeking Help for Mental Health
Can Mental Illness Be Inherited? Understanding Genetic Risks and Symptoms
Can mental illnesses be inherited? Hello, can mental illness be hereditary? My husband's brother is currently receiving treatment in Yuli. Recently, my husband came home drunk and started destroying furniture in the house. At that moment, we couldn't manage the situatio...
Dr. Liu Guangqi Reply:
There is a lot of uncertainty regarding the surface of psychiatric symptoms. The man's brother is receiving treatment in the hospital, and the man is drinking and smashing things, afterward not knowing what happened. Based on your description, it is possible that the man is ...[Read More] Can Mental Illness Be Inherited? Understanding Genetic Risks and Symptoms
Understanding Potential Mental Illness in a Grieving Parent: Guidance and Solutions
Suspected mental illness? Dr. Chen: Hello, I would like to consult about my mother. Ever since my father passed away, my mother has started to feel that her former boyfriend is harassing her and damaging her reputation, making it difficult for her to live. However, we currently d...
Dr. Chen Wenyu Reply:
Hello, Lan: Stress can indeed lead to unstable mental states, especially following the death of a spouse. Major depressive disorder may result in psychotic symptoms; midlife is also a period where delusional disorders are more prevalent. If your mother is exhibiting behaviors tha...[Read More] Understanding Potential Mental Illness in a Grieving Parent: Guidance and Solutions
Understanding Care Options for Patients with Mental Health and Mobility Issues
I would like to inquire about the target population served by this hospital? Hello, I would like to inquire about the target population for your nursing home services. Our family has a member with a mental illness who experienced a crisis last year, resulting in lower limb paraly...
Dr. Wang Zhenyang Reply:
Hello, Sweet Potato: You have a family member with a mental illness and lower limb paralysis, which I believe has affected the quality of life for you and your family. Regarding your concerns, here are a few suggestions: (1) You should first visit a nearby hospital with a psychia...[Read More] Understanding Care Options for Patients with Mental Health and Mobility Issues