4/1/2013 6:00:00 AM
Chess was fine until she had to drop out of college and move back in with her mother. She has become anxious and paranoid, and it's getting worse.
3/3/2013 6:00:00 AM
Alena's husband not only has a mental illness, he's a very angry at many. He says he wants to kill those who have done him wrong. Recently he bought a gun (legally), despite his mental illness and despite the fact that he was previously in a mental hospital for the criminally insane.
2/23/2013 6:00:00 AM
Jenny's brother has been plagued by a gang who has made threats against him. It got so bad his mom sold her home to get away from the gangs, but they followed, threatening to kill him. Turns out, it's all in his head.
11/1/2012 2:00:00 PM
Karen has tried everything to naturally fall asleep. The problem is she's terrified to sleep alone. She has an overwhelming fear that someone will get into her home, so much so she barricades her house like a fortress and lays in front of the door to prevent an intruder from entering without her knowledge.
10/8/2012 6:00:00 AM
Lauren was overweight, felt very depressed, and was crying all the time. Her mom took her to their GP, who didn't do anything. She lost the weight and made friends, but the mood swings continued. She confided in a teacher that she was sexually abused as a child. Her parents were told, they were sad, but then life quickly returned to normal. But, she now continues with the mood swings, and she's also paranoid about meeting new people and freezes in fear when she hears people talk or laugh behind her.
9/19/2012 6:00:00 AM
Yanxia is concerned about her little sister, who lives in China. Lately she insists her father-in-law is trying to poison her and her 16 year old daughter, as well as bugging her house so he can listen to conversations. It's not only the in-laws; she's also worried about her daughter's grades when she takes her college entrance exam -- in a year and a half. These delusions are becoming alarming, and all her sister wants to talk about is the father-in-law and how she can prepare her daughter to make high marks for college. Is there a link between the two?
8/19/2012 2:00:00 PM
Lauren has a 12 year old psychotic daughter who has been seeing mental health professionals since she was 2. She's sure she will eventually hurt or kill someone else or herself unless she finds someone who understands what's going on. She has already hired an attorney, because she's certain it's just a matter of time before something bad happens. She's becoming bigger and stronger now, and mom wants to know where to go from here.
7/29/2012 6:00:00 AM
Roy's mother has "episodes". She imagines thing that haven't happened, over-exaggerates and cannot remember conversations that just occurred. Her house is a mess and she doesn't dress properly when she goes out. He ran away to get away from her when he was 17, his sister ran when she was 16 and now his 14 year old sister wants to run away too. They tell mom she needs help, but she says she's fine, that they are the ones who need help. He asks how to get help for someone who doesn't want it.
7/25/2012 6:00:00 AM
Thomas's wife has suffered with depression since childhood. Now she is also experiencing psychosis, along with schizophrenia, PTSD and bipolar disorder, but the many medications she has been prescribed offer no help. He asks what he can possibly do to cure his wife, as he is emotionally drained from watching her deteriorate.
7/1/2012 6:00:29 AM
Rosemarie is 67, and her husband is 74. Married for 40 years, he suddenly began imagining that she is cheating on him. Now, when they are in the car together, he swears the driver next to them gave her a message; the bus driver flashed his lights to signal her and guys are always looking. He refuses to get help, because he doesn't think he has a problem. She can't keep living like this, but she feels so sorry for him. Do you know what's wrong with her husband?
6/27/2012 6:00:55 AM
Jennifer's mom has suffered from severe depression most of her life. She is now experiencing thoughts of wanting to hurt others, but her doctor says he could never imagine her doing such a thing. She asks how she can help her mom get rid of these feelings and thoughts so she can enjoy life. What would you do if this were your mom?
6/22/2012 6:00:18 PM
Ekta is very upset. She has had delusions in the past, irrational thoughts and involuntary movements. She tried getting a visa to the US to enroll in a PhD program, but has been denied. She says she is the fastest and best thinker she knows, has had poems internationally published and writes her own blog. Yet, sometimes she cannot think clearly. Unable to get the US visa has her very upset, and she asks why the US won't give her one; what is wrong with them to deny someone so great? Is this real or a delusion? Do you know how to tell the difference?
5/18/2012 6:01:52 AM
Ann, who has schizophrenia, writes to me for help. She says her meds don't work and she fears living in this world. She is considering sleeping at someone's house that she doesn't know to find safety. She asks for my help. Do you have thoughts to share for her?
5/10/2012 6:00:04 AM
Charlotte is 18 and has not wanted to interact with others since she was 5. She has sleeping problems and sometimes delusions and decided she didn't want to go outside. She has remained in her house for the past four years, and now wants to start enjoying life, but doesn't know how. She wants to know how a housebound person can get help. Do you know?
5/3/2012 6:00:15 AM
Ryan is a former soldier who served in Iraq. One night he was searching a house and a man stabbed him under his eye. Another time on patrol his humvee was hit, and a grenade exploded next to his head. Now he's a civilian, deaf in one ear and experiencing PTSD symptoms. He asks how to get rid of the nightmares and occasional paranoia. Do you know what he needs to do?
4/8/2012 10:00:30 PM
Glen was diagnosed with schizophrenia years ago. He started watching televangelists, becoming obsessed with Christianity, and began hallucinating that he was sharing his body with characters on television. He now receives monthly injections, which is helping reduce the paranoia. Would you have supportive words you'd like to share with Glen?
4/6/2012 6:00:02 AM
Gail was admitted into the hospital, only to be taken to the psych ward, where she remained for a while. She's afraid of being powerless, and what people will do to her. What can she do to help herself?
3/30/2012 2:00:35 PM
Ben started experiencing delusions, although he did not know at the time they were not real and that he was psychotic. Living a completely separate life in another city, his parents finally found him and brought him home. Four psych admissions later, he still lives at home and is still scared to go outside. BUT, his letter to me is clear cut and articulate - not psychotic at all. What's going on here?
2/27/2012 2:00:15 PM
Teresa has suffered from depression, PTSD, ADD, delusions and hallucinations for years. She has been found to have vitamin deficiencies in the past, with the hospital wanting once again to perform an evaluation for mal-absorption, but her doctor said this is unnecessary. She finds it difficult to talk to others and is fine remaining in her home alone never going out. She's confused and reaching out for a suggestion. Can mal-absorption cause depression? Do you know?
2/11/2012 6:00:18 AM
Falling is 23 years old, and has been hearing voices in her head since she was 10. Now she has a voice she has named Andy, who is becoming stronger and more controlling, wanting her to harm herself in terrible ways. She's becoming aggressive and emotional, and wakes up at night screaming. She is reaching out for help and wants to know what is happening to her. What would you tell her?
2/9/2012 2:00:31 PM
Six months ago Raj's 61 year old father started to feel different. Now he's convinced that everyone is working with the police to have him arrested. Scared, he is not willing to leave his home, and it's getting worse. Do you know what's happening to this father?
1/19/2012 10:00:03 PM
Tracy is concerned about her friend. She cuts, burns and makes herself bleed to the point that she even needed a blood transfusion. She abuses her medications and refuses to see a psychiatrist because she doesn't trust them. What would you advise this concerned friend?
1/11/2012 6:00:14 AM
Maya and a group of friends are worried about a good friend of theirs. He doesn't want to leave his home, has no interest in anything, does not want to take medication, has poor hygiene and says if he dies, so will the sun. He believes bottles are made by aliens and believes he has been reincarnated 30 times, and always thinks about life on other planets. She wonders if he needs help?
12/23/2011 2:01:22 PM
Tsegay's 35 year old sister was fine until college. At first she thought people were following and threatening her. Then she said she was in love with a certain doctor at a hospital, but could never tell him or anyone else. Now she owns a business but is driving the customers away, trying to smack the children that come in. He doesn't know what's wrong with her. Do you?
12/21/2011 6:00:20 AM
Savvy has a close friend who suspects every move of his fiancée. He had a problem with his previous fiancée, which ended their engagement. He's quick to hold judgments and holds everyone else at fault, and now this engagement is in jeopardy as well. She asks if there's a cure, and if friends can help. What do you think?
