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The question was submitted 15 May 2009

Subject: Is this a right medication

Hi,

My sister is suffering from depression from last 15 years.She is a commerce graduate but after grauation she immediately contracted this disease.She has been on medication for all these years, also has changed few psychiatrists. she is 36 now. She is not independent. She hs disorganized thoughts and this is evident from what she speaks. She is always in her own world. we have been trying to get her into yoga, learning computer, music but she starts for few days and stops. She lacks determintion and a will. She lacks stable line of thoughts. At times she get very angry and breaks things. She is currently taking sizopin with active ingredient clozapin.

Is this the right medication? Will she ever come out of this and lead a normal stable life? We are very worried for her. Please suggest something

Answer from DepNet

From the description given by you regarding your sister's symptom and behaviour it does not look like depression but another psychiatric illness called schizophrenia.  However, this can only be confirmed by discussing with the treating doctor.  Generally, clozapine is given for this illness and consistent and appropriate medication is the answer for this condition.  As long as she is symptomatic, she will be unable to learn things like yoga, computer or music.  Even if she does start to learn she will be very inconsistent. 

In many such cases, in addition to medication, psychosocial rehabilitation in the form of learning some specific skills will help such patients. 

The answer was published on DepNet 29 June 2009