Hi Everyone and Happy New Year! I have a problem and I hope some one can point me in the right direction. I have an 18 year-old step daughter that may have a mental illness. She does not live with her dad and me, she lives with her mother. Last September she went away to college and after two weeks of being there she was placed on probation for smoking weed and drinking. Now her father who is very much involved with his two daughters is always the last one to know anything. Their mother keeps everything from him until is has reached critical stage.
On 12/13/11 his older daughter called her father to tell him that her sister has been admitted to the psychiatric ward and has been there for three days. Her mother knew but refused to go up to the hospital to see her child. My husband immediately made arrangements to go there and called the hospital to speak with the doctor, but was unable to get anyone. Long story short he brought her back to our house. However, she is exhibiting signs of forgetfulness and confusion. When you ask her a questions she seems confused and the she becomes clear. She is confused even with simple questions eg. I asked her if she wanted to eat she just stared at me as if I spoke a language she does not recognize. Her father repeated the questions to her in a louder and she seemed to come out of a fugue. What could possibly be wrong with her? I should mention that they were giving her small doses of abilify which was discontinued by her pc when she came home. last week she was at her mother's house after a week with us. Her sister called again to say that her sister was acting "crazy" she started throwing food away and claiming her skin was burning while she was laughing and crying at the same time. Her father went with them to the emergency room and she was given a cat scan and they found nothing wrong with her. My husband says that while at the hospital he was in good spirits but when they were discharging her she started to shake her leg and become confused again. My husband is heart broken and does not know what to do. Can some one please help? thank you all.
Abilify is generally prescribed for both acute Schizophrenia and acute Bipolar Type I episodes, particularly mania. Many of the symptoms I am seeing described here COULD be the result of a manic episode in which there are hallucinations and/or delusions, but there could also be a physical component as well; it's impossible to know without a thorough checkup on both the psychiatric and the physical sides.
But if she was placed on Abilify, there was a reason and it is psychological. If I were to make an educated GUESS based on the information provided, I would venture to guess that she has either Bipolar or Schizophrenic issues, as many of the symptoms are consistent with both. Again, she needs a full workup to know for sure.
Bottom line: she needs checked out ASAP before she gets worse.
This may be way off but schizophrenia tends to exhibit its first signs in the late teens or early twenties. My daughter was diagnosed at 22. I also think seeing a neurologist should evaluate her to make sure it is not a physical or chemical imbalance issue.
Thank you Sadgirl, Chelle25, and XaosLord. I am glad to have people to chat with. My husband is getting frustrated with her and I am trying to let him know to be patient until we see a doctor. I am going to let him know about the neurologist. Thanks again.
Thank you Sadgirl, Chelle25, and XaosLord. I am glad to have people to chat with. My husband is getting frustrated with her and I am trying to let him know to be patient until we see a doctor. I am going to let him know about the neurologist. Thanks again.
By the way can some one point me to any recent articles about acute Schizophrenia and acute Bipolar Type I ? thanks.
I'm on abilify but am not a doctor... but my impression is that abilify like many other psychiatric drugs work by storing itself in fat cells whereby it is secreted slowly into the blood stream. It also requires a few weeks to take effect, although I imagine it's possible for it to have immediate effect as well?
For me I was told by the doctor it would be a few weeks before I noticed any difference, and they were for the most part, right.
I just want mention a point about what you said. about feeling all your skin is burning it might be psychosis because I had some kind of this feeling when I was abusing drug.
At that time I couldn't think clearly and my mom says I was looking confused and detached most of the time. Also about crying and laughing without reason I had it when I abused marijuana.
I also had all kind of brain examination like your step-daughter which fortunately shows nothing wrong in my brain structure and activity.
So the Doctors conclude this was all because of drug abuse.
If I were you I will let her stay in psych ward so they can observe her and help her better. I've been three times there one even last for 3.5 months. I don't say it's fun but might be sometimes necessary.
Good luck & be in touch
I'm sure they are also other member who are willing to help you but the the professionals probably can give you the best help
I too, am glad to hear that you have an appt. with a neurologist. Certainly her symptoms could be linked to a psycholical issue, or an issue with schizophrenia, or taking the abilify, or missing does, or possibly taking extra doses, and/or problems with alcohol and drug ingestion with the abilify.
But, it also could be a physical problem. The symptoms are also noted with certain kinds of seizures, TIA's, or maybe even a stroke, so it is definitely important to get it checked out.
Continue to be patient with her, as she may be afraid. She needs you and your husband's love and support. Hope everything goes well.
Glad to have you aboard.
"If we wait for the moment when everything is ready, we shall never begin." -– Ivan Turgenev
What is wrong with my stepdaughter?
Posted - 01/02/2012 : 08:11:21
Thanks again.
