How Do I Help My Son Who Has Formal Thought Disorder and Will Not Take His Medication?

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Hello, my son was diagnosed with thought disorder last year, took resiperol, hated it because he is an athlete and it had terrible side effects. He is 21 and in his last year of college and refuses to take any drugs. What can we do? Before something happens that is very serious. He thinks he’s fine but everyone who is around him knows he isn’t right. He says things that don’t make sense; we are terribly worried and are trying very hard to do all we can do. He usually fools the Doctors too. We would appreciate any help you have.

Thank you.

Sherry

Sherry--

Have you read my "ask dr. robert" on formal thought disorder? If so, you will understand that drug treatment is the only viable option, accompanied, of course, by counseling.

I feel for you because I know how painful and difficult this kind of situation is for the people who love the person with the thought disorder. Everyone besides your son knows he needs medication; the difficulty is in getting him to take it. Unfortunately, unless things get bad enough to require commitment to a hospital, I do not know how you can force him to do what he does not think he needs to do.

Sorry I cannot help more.

Be well.

Dr. Robert,

Thanks so much for answering my question so quickly. What do you think of NADH to help? Are there any recommendations for medication that you feel have the least side effects that you would use.

Thanks so much.

You are welcome, Sherry. I wanted to reply quickly because I understand how difficult and painful this is for you.

I have no personal knowledge of anyone with psychosis being helped by NADH, but I know that some people claim that it has helped.

Because I rarely treat psychosis in my practice, I may not be up on the latest medications. The protocol with which I am familiar involves suppression of symptoms with haloperidol decanoate (Haldol Decanoate) or fluphenazine decanoate (Prolixin Decanoate), combined with counseling and psychotherapy aimed at helping the patient to understand and deal with his or her special problems. I would suggest being in touch with an expert on medication in order to get the lastest and best advice. You can inquire about who this would be by telephoning to the psychiatry department of the best hospital in your area.

I am sorry not to be able to offer more, and I wish you well.

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page last modified May 13, 2008

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