I have a degree in Biomedical Engineering and Psychology from Northwestern University. I finished medical school and completed my M.D. at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. I am currently in my residency for surgery- hopefully to be specializing in neurosurgery.
I want to answer questions on medical type questions. I'm a big fan of Dr. Drew Pinsky on Love Line and would like to help younger people from the mistakes I see a lot of young people do when they come into my ER.
Gender: Male
Location: I'm from all over.
Occupation: Physician- Surgeon
Age: 29
AIM: ArunKSherma
Member Since: January 23, 2005
Answers: 188
Last Update: January 2, 2009
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Melanie4981
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I'm 13/f
I have A.D.D. and I take the medicine Conserta. (sorry I can't spell) My grades have improved ever since I started taking it. My dad, brother, and all 4 grandparents have passed away. I always feel alone, and I constantly want a hug. Nobody really understands me.
I can't really explain this, but I know everything. I'm serious, I do. I mean, I think... a lot. I wish I could explain it. I just always know whats going on I guess.
I hate my body, my friends, and my family. I think I have a gross body. I'm 5'1 an 155. When my friends look at me, they know I'm fat, but when I look at me, I'm like HUGE where it's discusting. I don't eat, I can't. I have done reaserch on it... and I think it's borderline anerexia. Even though I'm still fat. I've tried to throw up my food, I know it's bad... but I'm going to die anyways, so whats the point. I could'nt make my food go up though.
I'm never happy, and everytime something good happens, it fails. I don't want to go to a therapist... I have MANY reasons
Can you help me think of what might be wrong with me, I know this is not normal. (link)
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The medication that you're on along with a lot of medications that are used to treat ADD are actually stimulants- unlike what you think that they might be. How were you diagnosed with having it?
It is not impossible though for someone who has ADD to be going through othe problems like depression. You've already been through a lot losing your father, brother and all your grandparents. I know that I was your age when I lost my grandfather who was the guiding force in my life.
With the medication, because it helps you concentrate, the effect that it may have is that you concentrate on too much around you. This may be the reason that you have the feeling that you know everything. You don't necessarily know everything, but you think about it more and become more aware of your surroundings, unlike those with ADD whose minds race through without contemplating a single thought for too long.
There are very strict definitions for anorexia and bulemia and you're not anorexic, however, it is not right to try to starve yourself, because if anything when you do start eating you're more likely to put on more weight as fat instead of muscle. You're very young and growing still (you may have not had your growth spurt yet), but if you want to lose weight, you would want a balanced diet with exercise (I can tell you the best way if you are interested).
You do sound like you're in the beginning stages of depression, and it may be something worth talking to the doctor that gives you your medication. He/she may want to try you on a small dose anti- depressive, which can help, but of course, you need to find someone you can talk to about your problems.
If you would like, I am available on AOL IM (although not very often) if you have anymore questions- my screenname is shareonesoul.
Please write if you have anymore questions.
Yours,
AK
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I was wondering if anyone could give me a small list, or even the biggest one you have of anti-depressents aside from Paxil, and Zoloft, I've been on those and they don't seem to help, so maybe anyone who knows of one thats worth a try. I'll rate 5 foe those who try, even if you only have 1 listed.
(link)
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As you are aware of- antidepressants come in different classes: I've included some below...
Serotonin Selective Reuptake Inhibitors
Celexa
Lexapro
Prozac
Paxil
Zolaft
Symbyax
Tricyclic Antidepressants
1. Amitriptyline
2. Anafranil
3. Aventyl
4. LimbitrolVivactil
Triavil
Tofranil
And then finally teh Monoxidase Inhibitors
1. Nardil
2. Parnate
Others
1. Effexor (very effective)
Ludiomil
Nefazodone.
Wellbutrin
There's a lot but you know that your doctor will find the right one for you. There are side effects with a lot of them, so you have to "experiment". Although, I would ask about Wellbutrin (doesn't have the sexual side effects like some of the SSRI's- however increases risk of seizure if you have a condition of seizures) or Effexor, which I have seen to be very effective.
Best of luck,
Arun
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I'm depressed because my life has evolved to be all about studying (I am a dedicated nursing student), I have low self-esteem, the crowd in my school I do not get along with (there is a term in the philippines called "jologs" meaning they are poor), I'm super bored, i feel overscheduled (my class is from Mon-Sat), I come from a dysfunctional family (can't talk to anyone about problems) and life just seems so empty and a burden. Everyday it is hard just to get up, and it is hard to sleep too. I've been depressed since December. Now, I think I need help to snap out of it.
Are there sure-fire remedies for depression? (link)
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Your schedule sounds like a lot like mine (since we're both in the medical field). It is a hard adjustment to make and sometimes it doesn't go exaclty the way that you want it to go.
Since you are in nursing school you're able to get free counseling at the University or school's psychiatric services. All Universities and graduate like programs have these services. You information will be confidential and you don't need to worry about how it will affect your future job prospects.
There is no sure fire way remedies for depression, unlike a lot of other diseases there is no single cause for it, and there is no single cure for it either. However, with the right combination of medication (which will not make you happy per se, but at least let you function (sleep, eat etc.)) you can work with a counselor on the other problems that you have. You're an independent person now and you have to come before your family. This is your life now and you can't let your family interfere with it.
Studying is important in nursing school, but you have to put aside time to go out and do things that you find fun. Set aside time to do things and schedule them into your calender. As for making friends, you'll make them as soon as you start approaching people. Talk to people and I'm sure that you'll find some people that you get along with. You have to have faith though in that. Nursing school, if its anything like medical school, reminds me of going back to high school in a way. You have to find the group of friends that you can fit with, but that takes a bit more time.
I wish you the best in your pursuits.
Yours,
Arun
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my hands are ALWAYS cold. why is that and how can i fix it to make them warmer? (link)
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There is a condition called Raynaud's phenomenon. In it there is intermittent (comes and goes) bilateral (both sides) ischemia (lack of blood flow) of the fingers, toes and sometimes the ears and nose, with severe pallor (whiteness) and often paresthesias (numbing/tingling) and pain, usually brought on by cold or emotional stimuli. IT is relieved by heat. It is usually due to an anatomical abnormality. (A lot of big words saying that blood doesn't get to your fingers all the time).
It affects women more than men. There could be a lot of reasons why this happens- women tend to have thinner hands b/c of less fat and muscle (muscle generates heat hence why we shiver when we're cold). You don't have to worry about it that much and the best thing to do is to make sure to keep them moisturized and warm with gloves.
Now if you think you're losing feeling in your finger tips or control of your fingers or see little burst capillaries (looks like blood) on your finger tips or under your fingernails- this could be indicating that something else is wrong and you should see a physician and voice your concerns.
Good luck,
Arun
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At first I didn't really understand what ADD was. When I read one of Mary-Kate's quotes in a magazine saying "They give me extra time taking tests because of my ADD". I thought to myself "it does take me a long time to take tests also..." So I researched it and I realized what ADD was. I do have a lot of the symptoms, such as not concentrating on the simplest things, it takes a long time for easy things to register (things that used to be easy to register, is now not so easy), I often lose interest in things I once did, and become inconsistent, but I also have difficulty adapting to change. I sometimes don't finish homework assignments because I don't feel like taking the challenge, and lastly, I'll start doing things without looking at directions and I think I know how to do it, when I really don't.... do I have ADD?
Also, I told some of my friends, and just because "they get bored in class and don't feel like listening to the teacher", they think they have ADD. I TRY to listen to my teacher, or follow along with stories in class, but 5 minutes later, I'm thinking about something TOTALLY different, and lately, that "something totally different" is ADD and whether I have it or not. I feel like I have no one else to tell. I've told all my friends and they say "oh yea, I have it too!!" And they'll start laughing (not at me, just with me...only I'm not laughing...). I feel like no one is taking it seriously because many people joke around about ADD, but what should I do now if I really think I have it? I've told my mom, but I don't think she believes me either... (link)
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There is a lot of controversy on if ADD actually exists. USA doctors/psychiatrists use a criteria from the Diagnostic + Statistical Manual to figure out if a person has ADD, I have included the link to the criteria if you want to see for yourself. http://www.psychologynet.org/add.html This is what any psychiatrist will use for treatment. However, in England their psychiatry society doesn't have this classification. The other controversy is are we overmedicating kids who have it.
You may have other things going on like some obsessive compulsive things going on, or it may be depression, which presents with a lot of similar characterisitics. However, if it is really affecting your schoolwork and social functioning- the best thing to do is to talk to you doctor about it. Your pediatrician (if you're under 18) will be able to determine if there is something going on and who you should see about it. Your mom will be more likely to listen to the doctor. Remember that you're old enough to ask to talk to the doctor by yourself, and you are protected by the doctor-patient confidentiality. Your doctor can't tell your mom anything you don't want her to know (I know that's a big issue with teenagers).
As for the time thing on tests- yes, once you do see a psychiatrist/psychologist (only psychiatrists can prescribe drugs) and they agree for the need, you can ask for special testing conditions (like no time limit) on standardized tests and other tests ( I know in college you can too).
I'm glad that you're with it enough to know that something may be wrong. Shows that you're very intune.
Sorry for the long answer. Best of luck. Drop a line if you have anymore questions.
-Arun
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I have something mentally wrong with me, and I aknowledge this. I dont know what exactly, but I know I serverly need help. I asked my mom if I could go to therapy, and she's fine with that, but I think I need more than that, like maybe being commited for a while. I cant just say 'Hey mom, I think I need to be committed to the loony bin for a while, is that cool?' She really doesnt see what goes on with me, i usualy just keep to myself while I'm at home. I really think I need more than just therapy, and possibly anti depressants (I havent gone to therapy yet, so I dont know what would go on) I really think it would help for me to go to an institution for a while. How do I approach this though? (link)
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It shows a lot of maturity that you know that you need to get help. There are only a few typical "institutions" left, and most psych in-patient is done at the hospital. The only times when someone really is put into the hospital is a suicide attempt, any serious threat that they may hurt themselves or others, and for those that can't take care of yourself.
It sounds like your mom is very supportive though, I know my mom still has no idea of my past history. It sounds like you have Major Depression and anti-depressants will help, however, they will take some time before they work (4-6 weeks). I don't know what your story is, but you may be able to be seen quicker if you feel that you need help right away (In major hospitals they have something called PES (Psychiatric Emergency Services). Other than that, I'd wait for your appointment with your therapist (if its a psychiatrist he/she can prescribe meds, if it's a psychologist he/she won't be able to.)
If you want to talk in more detail or have more questions- feel free to ask me.
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