My dad is 75 years old. Since last october, he is suffering from mental health issues. He started to get angry on frivolous matters, talking much on unnecessary things, imagine non-existent things (like someone has stolen his dress), etc. We therefore consulted a physiatrist for medical help. Initially, since there was not much improvement in my dad?s condition the doctor increased the dosage. But when my dad became too silent, the doctor started decreasing the dosage. As the medication continued for next 5 months, my dad started behaving in reverse order (talking very less, always sleeping, lost appetite for eating, walking very slowly, getting irritated with sounds). As his condition was same even after reducing the dosage 2-3 times, we consulted another physiatrist who was highly recommended by people know to us. However, things got worse and in the first day of medication itself my dad?s health worsened. He was not able to stand / walk properly and was completely drowsy. For the next few days, the doctor changed the medication several times. Currently, he has stopped medicines for mental health issues and has prescribed medicines for improving his physical health. However, my dad hasn?t recuperated properly and still not able to walk around freely, sometimes loosing balance when standing, sitting, climbing up steps and getting down from steps, seems lost in his thoughts and don?t communicate much with us. He also has difficulty in wearing his shirts (especially, putting buttons on). He also gets confused while choosing places to sit and ends up sitting on the edge / corners of the chair and sofa. He has also lost his appetite for eating. To sum up, before we started this medication, he was able to do his daily chores all by himself without our support. But now he is completely dependent on us. We are lost for reasons for this change of behavior and physical condition of my dad. Kindly let us know, if we are doing proper medication and any suggestion you have on treatment. Following are his present medications: ?syndopa 275 (4 times a day every 4 hours) ?selgin 5 mg (2 times a day) ?syndopa cr (1 time in night) ?complete td (1 time in night) ?betonin syrup (5 ml for three times) he is also taking his regular medicine for blood pressure (arkamin 100 mg and amladoc 5 mg one time each) we are also worried about him taking excessive medicines at this old age. Please help us with your valuable guidance.
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Dear lybrate-user just tell me. Have you consulted a counselor for your father? You have changed two psychiatrists. Yes, at one point of time, medicines can be helpful but not in the long run. They worsen the condition even more as can be clearly seen from your father's condition now. Please consult a counselor and get him some counseling. Spend some quality time with him. Talk about light things with him that can make him laugh and help him vent out his emotions. This is very much required. Ask him, how is he feeling, he has no appetite because of whole lot of medicines that he is taking. Cook what he likes, this will revive his appetite. Don't give him same things to eat again n again. Keep changing and give him some tasty food instead of the regular roti dal sabzi. Take care of him. Most importantly: counseling and spending quality time with him is highly recommended.
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I almost fail to understand why didn't your doctor refer you to a psychologist/counselor he kept changing the dose and never asked you to visit a counselor for him to make few life style changes and modifications so that he could work on his own. Please encourage him to walk a bit do small things of his choice ,praise him for all that he has done for you and have more conversation with him. But only when you see him physically fine and ready.
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Hi dear understand your stress reg this. Your father may need help of more than one professional, visit a place where it is available where there is team work of psychologist, neurologist and psychiatrists may need regular monitoring of fluctuations, supportive counselling or psychotherapy and minimum medication depending on status if needed. Thank you and take care.
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