I am very confused with diagnosis for schizophrenia. The doctor is treating my brother with haldol?

Question

He had a psychotic episode. Took him to the psych ward. Couple of days later social worker asked us a couple of questions and we explained he has been stressed out lately and was using marijuana heavily, he was diagnosed. I have been reading everything on this disease and the major symptoms are hallucinations and delusions. We have asked him several times if he is seeing/hearing things and he says no.I don't know if he is telling the truth cause he doesn't want the meds. The psych word is no help. They will not tell us anything cause of privacy laws. I want to definitely get a second opinion. Symptoms I have observed include Restlessness_Always wants to go outside. Can't sleep. Trance like state. Preoccupied with religion and his mission to save everyone. Always stretching. word ryhming but makes sense when he talks. Can't stay long enough on one subject.Has been off and on the meds for a month. Is this schizo. Please give me SPECIFIC examples of symptoms. I have doubts

Everyone I have spoken to says same thing about haldol. He is not aggressive or combative, just aggravated for being in the ward. I am worried about side effects and wrecking his life even more by not finding whats right for him. I don't want him to come out like a zombie.

Answer 1

Classic symptoms are hallucinations, delusions (believing things that aren't really happening), social withdrawal, disorganized thinking, flat emotions, or can be unusually silly. There may be weird gestures, posturing or other unusual behavior.

The part about preoccupation with religion and wanting to "save everyone" sounds like classic delusional behavior to me.

"Trance like state"; he could be hallucinating when he does that. He might be afraid to tell the truth about his hallucinations.

"Word rhyming"; could show signs of disorganized thinking; another symptom of schizophrenia.

However, I'm a little surprised about two things:

1. I wonder why they didn't diagnose "Bipolar, Manic, with Psychotic Features." The restlessness stuff sounds like manic symptoms.
I wonder if his diagnosis is really "Schizoaffective Disorder" (a mixture of schizophrenia and bipolar).
2. Haldol is an old fashioned drug with very bad side effects. I wonder why they didn't try some more modern drug (less severe side effects) first.

If your brother signs a release that says they can talk with you, then you can do so. If he doesn't, then you can't.

Also, whether he has schizophrenia, bipolar, or whatever, is a little subjective and even psychatrists admit that. It's not unusual for someone to have signs of more than one disorder at the same time and the doctors just do their best to pick the one that seems to best represent what it happening with the patient at a particular time. The diagnosis might change over time. I have seen a lot of patients get diagnosed with Bipolar one time, and come back to the hospital and get a diagnosis of Schizophrenia.
But, the real point is, whether it's this or that, it's pretty clear to me that your brother is suffering from some kind of major illness (based on the behavior you mention).
I would recommend trying to encourage your brother to sign an "authorization to discuss" form so you have the formal permission to talk with the staff.

Answer 2

I don't know much about schizophrenia, however my grandmother is a pharmacist and this is a Very strong medication, especially given to someone as a first time treatment (not usually given to patients they've known for a short time) Depending on whether he is taking it orally, or through a needle at the clinic there are high risks with the medication.

When dealing with issues that effect someone on this high of a level ex. metal state, it is always best to get a second opinion.

I wish you the best of luck!!

Answer 3

You want to be a physician and you have no idea what the specialty is that deals with these things. Perhaps you need to reconsider your choice of careers. All of these things are dealt with in the field of Psychiatry. Psychiatry is the medical practice that deals with mental health, and emotions. Neurology deals with the brain/nervous system Neurosugery deals with surgery on the brain and nervous system.

Answer 4

yes, sounds like he is in the begining and without proper management it can get worse to hellucinations and delusions to where you can not deny he has it.