Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
I was diagnosed with paranoid delusions and was given Zuclopenthixol injection for four months. I stopped the medication, and I felt weird. I would like to get my brain back to what it was before the medication.
In the beginning, I was given 100 mg Zuclopenthixol injection in the first week and the same in the second week. After that, I was given a 200 mg Zuclopenthixol injection every two weeks for two months. After that, I was given 300 mg Zuclopenthixol injection every two weeks for two months, then I stopped the medication.
Will using a Dopamine agonist help? What other medications could help?
Please advise.
Thank you.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Thank you for seeking help from a psychiatrist.
I can understand your situation.
You will be normal within four to five months if you think that you have trouble due to anti-psychotic medication. Some lifestyle modifications help you to increase your dopamine levels. I suggest you try to follow the guidelines below to deal with it. It will help you.
1. Exercise 30 to 45 minutes daily, such as going for a walk.
2. Meditation for 20 minutes daily. Just sit in one comfortable position and try to concentrate on your normal breathing. Do not stop or force yourself to stop your thoughts. Just let it be.
3. Eat healthy home-cooked foods and avoid junk food.
4. Spend time doing creative hobbies like reading good books, writing journals, painting, drawing, and learning new skills, languages, or musical instruments.
5. Get enough sleep, at least seven to eight hours, daily.
6. Avoid tobacco, alcohol, or any other substance abuse.
7. Do not take any medications for dopamine release; instead, eat more dry fruits like almonds.
I hope this information will help you.
Please let me know if you want some help.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
I forgot to mention this; it has been seven months since my last injection. I still do not feel the way I used to feel before I started taking the injections.
Please help.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
I am here to help you get the best medical advice.
You will be back if you start following the above lifestyle to deal with your dopamine. You do not have any effect on your injection at present; you have to work on yourself to manage the dopamine levels.
I hope this information helps provide some insight into your symptoms.
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any further questions or concerns.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
I was diagnosed with acid reflux and take medication (proton pump inhibitors) for it every day. However, since I started the antipsychotic, I do not feel the uncomfortable feeling that comes with acid reflux even after one year of stopping the antipsychotic medicines. I underwent an endoscopy and an ultrasound to see if I have acid reflux. The results show that I have acid reflux and should take the medication (proton pump inhibitors). I feel that the antipsychotic medicines have made me lose interest in taking medication for acid reflux. I think the antipsychotic medicine has made the uncomfortable feeling that comes with acid reflux disappear.
I was also diagnosed with nasal congestion and a stuffy nose and was prescribed medication for it to use every day for the rest of my life. Again, after the antipsychotic, I do not get the uncomfortable feeling of a stuffy nose or nasal congestion. When my doctor examined my nose, they confirmed that I had nasal congestion and should use the medicine. I avoid the medicine because I do not get the uncomfortable feeling that comes with those conditions, and I have lost interest in using medication because of the antipsychotic medication.
Another thing, coffee or tea used to make me happy once. However, after the antipsychotic medicines, I lost interest in it. Listening to music used to make me happy, but now I have lost interest in music.
Please help.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Glad to have you back.
I am here to help you get the best medical advice.
You have more symptoms pointing to depression. You lack interest in the activities that you used to do and liked in the past. It is not due to antipsychotic medicines, as you have stopped them, and it has been more than 10 months. You should start low-dose antidepressants, like Escitalopram 5 mg. Consult your doctor and take the medicine. It will surely help you to uplift and improve your mood. I suggest doing the following blood tests, as they also precipitated your depression:
1. Complete blood count (CBC).
2. Thyroid profile.
3. Vitamin B12.
4. Vitamin D3.
I hope this information helps provide some insight into your symptoms.
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any further questions or concerns.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
I started to take private online English classes and noticed that my cognitive abilities are very bad and are getting worse with time. I am not able to understand what people speak to me, even in my native language. I did an IQ test and got 92, which is average. I am planning to do the IQ test again next week. What other tests do you recommend to measure cognitive abilities?
The psychologist told me that my score in the attention section was very low. Later, I did an Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder test. I attached the report with this. I feel I am not worried if I have an attention deficit because I am happy with my cognitive abilities. In case my IQ score shows dull to normal, borderline, or mild mental retardation, what medication would make it better again?
Please help.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
I am here to help you get the best medical advice.
I went through your reports (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity) and saw that you have an attention issue.
Some medications can help you to increase your attention. But if your IQ (intelligence quotient) is low or below average, then there is no medication to improve it. You have to keep doing some skills and active learning to improve your cognitive abilities; medication will not help with it. You can do the MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) test when you go for an IQ assessment.
I hope this information helps provide some insight into your symptoms.
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any further questions or concerns.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
Now, when I take caffeine (a cup of tea or coffee), it makes me cry. So taking stimulants for attention deficit disorder, like Concerta (Methylphenidate) or Adderall (Amphetamine would destroy it. On the IQ test topic, you mentioned there is no medication to improve IQ. What can I do in case the reason for me to get below average score was the use of antipsychotic medicines?
Antipsychotics are the primary suspect of having cognitive issues because I was fine previously. Only after using anti-psychotic drugs did I start to have issues with my cognitive abilities. I am a graduate with a university degree and want to study and practice things related to it, as I am getting a job. However, after struggling with English classes and difficulty understanding different topics even in my native language sometimes, I feel hopeless.
Please help.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
I am here to help you get the best medical advice.
Antipsychotic medicines do not cause impairment of your cognition. It is your illness that may have impaired your cognitive skills. You are intelligent; you need to keep working on your cognitive function. I suggest getting help from your nearest psychologist for it. They will help you to improve your cognitive function.
I hope this information helps provide some insight into your symptoms.
Revert with answers.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for your answer.
I have done the blood tests you told me to do. My doctor did not require all thyroid blood tests; he just asked for TSH. I went to the psychologist in a hospital and was told that they do the IQ test once only. What bothers me the most is that I feel my mind is blank and empty, and I am not able to think. It is also like my ability to think is blocked. I would not be able to study or work. Is there medication to fix this?
Please help.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
You do not need to do any other blood tests. Your TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) level is normal (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity). However, you have low vitamin D3 and need to take medication for it. I suggest taking the tablet Ashwagandha (Indian winter cherry) 100 mg daily at night after food. It will help you deal with your concentration issue. Consult your doctor and take the medication accordingly.
I hope this helps.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
After checking the DSM 5 depression diagnostic criteria, I think I have only met one criterion, which is a lack of interest or pleasure in doing things. I also want to add that I do not feel happy with the activities I do when I push myself to do them. I think that what I am dealing with is Anhedonia, Avolition, or something else that shares the same symptoms. I do not have any schizophrenia spectrum disorder, because I have never heard voices or seen things that other people do not see or hear.
Please help.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I can understand your problem.
You have to exercise; there is no medication for every problem. There are some alternative ways to deal with it. I suggest you do the following:
1. Stop watching and spending time on social media.
2. Do some creative work as I have suggested.
3. Start living a healthy lifestyle.
You can take the tablet Clonazepam (antidepressant) 0.5 mg for sleep disturbance after consulting your doctor.
I hope this information helps provide some insight into your symptoms.
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any further questions or concerns.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thanks for your response.
I am very happy every day, but I have lost interest in doing anything. I do not feel pleasure in doing the activities I once used to enjoy. What disorder is this? I have tried all possible medicines, but without results. Will ketamine infusion therapy or Esketamine (nasal spray) help me get back the interest and pleasure?
I have heard about magic mushrooms lately in psychiatry, and how they are a good option for treatment-resistant patients. I have a social anxiety disorder (I have tried all possible medicines, and they only help a little). I think that medications that might help me are opioids because they will give me fake high self-esteem and fake high confidence. I am also thinking about Ketamine for social anxiety because doctors here are very strict. They do not give it to me often. What is your treatment recommendation? Can someone have social anxiety and schizophrenia at the same time?
Please help.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I am here to help you get the best medical advice.
You can use Ketamine (dissociative anesthetic) if your doctor mentions that you have treatment-resistant depression. It is not as effective for a long time. It gives temporary improvement, and then you have a relapse. You can use Ketamine nasal spray. But you need your doctor's prescription for it. Do not use infusion therapy. Magical mushrooms are not approved for treatment purposes. It is hallucinogenic and may give you trouble. You must stay away from it.
Ketamine is not approved for anxiety disorders. Opioids are not an option to treat anxiety. If you start taking opioids, you may get addicted. If you are addicted, then you will have withdrawal symptoms when you stop it. You can try the tablet Buspirone (anxiolytic) after consulting your doctor. You can also take cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) from the nearest psychologist.
One can have both social anxiety and schizophrenia at the same time. It is common for a person with schizophrenia to have depression and anxiety.
I hope this information helps provide some insight into your symptoms.
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any further questions or concerns.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for your answer.
I joined a company. I have been in training since joining the company. At the beginning, I was struggling with concentration and memory. Now I do not have issues with concentration and memory. Still, I have a problem with the ability to understand, so I feel like I have a cognitive disorder, and the only symptom I have is difficulty in understanding which disorder this is, and if there is medication to increase the ability to understand the job tasks and demands.
I know I have a problem with understanding because it is not just that I am not able to understand my job; I am also unable to understand other things unrelated to my job. I also know that I have cognitive decline, deficits, or impairment. I am not sure which word best describes my cognitive issues, because when I was studying, I was the only one with the highest grades and GPA.
Currently, I am using Venlafaxine XR 150 mg capsules and Vortioxetine 20 mg tablets, and I still have little to no interest and pleasure in doing anything every day. Looking at the depression criteria online, having little to no interest and pleasure in doing anything every day is the only symptom I have from the online depression criteria. I feel like medication, or anything that will increase and release more dopamine, will solve the little to no interest and pleasure in doing anything every day. What medications can I add to improve the conditions I shared above?
Please advise.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
Thank you for seeking help from a psychiatrist.
I can understand your problem.
To improve your cognition, follow the lifestyle outlined below:
Exercise daily for 30 to 45 minutes, such as going for a walk.
Go swimming or to the gym.
Meditation for 20 minutes daily, sit in one place in a comfortable position, and try to concentrate on your normal breathing. Don't stop or force yourself to stop your thoughts; just let them be. It will increase your concentration.
Eat healthy home-cooked foods and avoid junk foods.
Drink enough water.
Spend quality time with friends and family daily, or do video calls if you are living away from your family.
Spend time on creative hobbies like reading good books, writing journals, painting, drawing, and learning new skills, languages, or musical instruments. It will improve your cognition.
Get seven to eight hours of sleep daily.
Avoid tobacco, alcohol, or any substance abuse.
Live your life, do not just spend it. Be bold and confident. Make your work interesting to understand the task. Take help from any colleagues to help you with the job.
I hope that you get your answer.
Revert in case of queries.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thanks for your response.
Is it possible to be an intelligent person at the same time as having severe paranoid delusions to the point that the person is at high risk to other people?
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Thank you for the follow-up.
Yes, it is possible that a person with a mental illness can be highly intelligent. There is one person who is a mathematician and got the Nobel prize, but he was suffering from schizophrenia. There is a movie based on his life.
Kind regards.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thanks for the reply.
Is there medication to stop my addiction to caffeine? I am using two medications, Venlafaxine 300 mg and Vortioxetine 20 mg, and I feel like caffeine is making the two medications useless. At the same time, I feel like the reason I am addicted to caffeine is because of the two medications, and if I am not using any of the two medications, I will not be addicted to caffeine. I tried Vortioxetine alone, and I became addicted to caffeine. A few years ago, I tried Venlafaxine alone, and I became addicted to caffeine.
Please advise.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
There is no medication for caffeine. You need to gradually reduce the intake of caffeine over a period of time. Do not stop suddenly; instead, slowly reduce the intake and frequency of caffeine. So you will not have trouble. Otherwise, there are no medications for it.
I hope that you get my point.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
I am taking Venlafaxine 300 mg and Vortioxetine 20 mg. Venlafaxine 300 mg makes me sweat a lot; it is embarrassing. I tried 40 mg of Propranolol to deal with the sweat, but I developed flu-like symptoms from Propranolol. I also tried 2 mg of Benztropine, an anticholinergic, but Benztropine's side effects are terrible.
Are there other options, like medications, to deal with the sweating caused by Venlafaxine?
Please advise.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I can understand your problem and situation.
Thank you for seeking help from a psychiatrist.
You have tried an anticholinergic like Benztropine. You can try Glycopyrrolate 1 mg or Cyproheptadine 2 mg. It may help you. If the above medications do not help, then you need to reduce the dose of your venlafaxine. There is no option.
Hope this resolves your doubts.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Will I develop tolerance to Venlafaxine 300 mg, so that sweating will stop?
Is it possible?
And if it is possible, after how many months or years will I develop tolerance?
Vortioxetine 20 mg alone also causes excessive sweating, similar to Venlafaxine 300 mg. Consequently, the sweat level and quantity are now too high.
Please help.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
I have already mentioned some medications that can help you manage your sweating issue. If it does not help, try reducing the dose of your medication. Usually, it takes one month to develop tolerance. You should stop taking medicines that give you excessive sweating, and you are not able to work. Ask your doctor to try another medication for it.
I hope this addresses your concern.
Please let me know if you need some help.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
I lost the ability to understand people after I drink tea, coffee, or anything with caffeine. I have never used street drugs, and I will never use street drugs. I am confused about what exactly the condition I have is. I have been diagnosed with attention deficit disorder, but losing the ability to concentrate, memorize, and understand people after drinking tea or any caffeine products is something I am concerned about. I feel like I have lost a lot of brain cells or lost a lot of brain tissue. What tests and exams should I do to figure out if I lost brain cells or tissues?
I have had four MRI tests before, and I feel like I should do this MRI again. So, what could the issue or medical condition be, what exams or tests should I do, and what treatment or medication should I use?
Please advise.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Thank you for seeking help from a psychiatrist.
I can understand your situation and your problem.
You can do a functional MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) for it. You can also do blood reports, which affect memory, like CBC (complete blood count), thyroid profile, vitamin B12, and vitamin D3. You can also do the MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination) scale to check the memory issue. If you have been diagnosed with ADHD, then you need to take medication for it. So it will improve your concentration issues. You have trouble after consuming tea or coffee for concentration, which may be due to the high sugar content. Sugar can affect the concentration. So limit the use of sugar.
I hope that you get my point.
Please let me know if you need any help.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for your answer.
Venlafaxine 300 mg and Vortioxetine 20 mg are causing a lot of sedation and sweating. My doctor switched me to Prozac 40 mg two weeks ago; one of its side effects is frequent yawning. Will the frequent yawning stop after a few weeks, or is it something that will continue to happen as long as I’m using Prozac?
Please help.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I can understand your situation and your problem.
When do you take Prozac (Fluoxetine)?
If you are taking it in the daytime, then you can take it at night. It will reduce your yawning. Sometimes, Fluoxetine may cause you to feel sedated or lethargic, so it may give you a feeling of yawning. You should try to take it at night.
It will help you solve your problem.
Revert to me if this does not settle down in a week.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
Is it safe to use Levodopa, although I do not have Parkinson's disease? I just want to use it to increase dopamine. Will I develop schizophrenia if I use it?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Please do not use Levodopa to increase dopamine. You can use Ropinirole or Pramipexole for it. It will increase dopamine. But be careful when you use it. Please do not use it without a psychiatrist's advice or observation.
I hope that you get your answer.
Please let me know if you need some help.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
I have a health issue in which I am always feeling tired. I go to work early, and when I reach home I just sleep from 3 PM to 3 AM or sometimes until 5 AM. Currently, I am taking Prozac 60 mg, and it has this frequent yawning side effect, which has not yet gone away, although I have been taking Prozac for four months. I have done some blood tests. I attached the blood tests and the results
What could be causing this excessive sleeping?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Thank you for seeking help from a psychiatrist.
I read all your blood reports (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity). It seems to be normal. You should change the sleeping cycle. It seems to be disturbed. If you are tired, you should sleep for a maximum of 90 minutes in the afternoon. I suggest that taking a 20-minute nap is best for you. You feel easily fatigued because of your depression. Ask your doctor to adjust the medicine for it.
I hope that you get your answer.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
I attached the IQ test result, although it says I am average. I feel like I am not able to think, as if the ability to think is blocked. I was not like this before. I was able to think and be creative. This problem started two years ago. I have used almost all antidepressants available, but I haven't tried Eskalith yet.
What medication can help with this issue?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Thank you for seeking help from a psychiatrist.
I can understand your problem.
You can use Esketamine. It is used for depression. It may help you. It is a newer antidepressant medicine. You must ask your doctor about it. It is available in nasal spray form.
I hope that you get your answer.
Please let me know if you need some help.
Thank you.
Was this conversation helpful?
Answered byDr. Vishal Anilkumar Gandhi
Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
Related Questions
Can Parkinson’s medication cause paranoia in my elderly mom?
Oxytocin and Dopamine - Relationship Between Oxytocin and Dopamine
How does dopamine deficiency affect mood and motivation?
Is inferiority complex a mental disorder?
Schizophrenia - a mental disorder
How to manage an individual who is possessive?
Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.
