Ask the Doctor

Welcome to The Maryland Foundation for Psychiatry's "Ask the Doctor." We will try to answer your questions or suggest how one could think about a situation. Send us your question using the form below and we will post the question and the doctor's response on this page. A sample question is available.

or CLICK HERE to use a form.

Disclaimer: Ask the Doctor is intended solely as an informational service, not as a substitute for routine or urgent medical evaluation, treatment or consultation. Individuals with medical or personal problems are requested to seek advice from their own physician, or from appropriate health care professionals.

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Questions and Answers

Concerned when a friend does not reply?

QUESTION: A questioner asked what to do when a friend who lives in another town who she suspects is having emotional difficulties, and who has attempted suicide in the past, doesn't answer phone calls, e-mails, or other attempts at communication....

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Posted by admin at 09:08 PM

How can I help a "hoarder"?

QUESTION: I have a 34 year old daughter who neglects her home and it has come to the point of hoarding items. She never cleans her home and there are piles of stuff all over her home. When I try to condense things for her, she makes excuses as to why they should be kept. To make things worse, her father has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. Also, her husband seems to put up with it. Please help me make the right decision to help her and her hubby. They have 2 minor children in the home.

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Posted by admin at 02:57 PM

What If My Family Member Refuses Help?

QUESTION: A relative of mine clearly needs psychiatric help, but he refuses to see a doctor about this. What should I do?

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Posted by admin at 11:17 AM

Antidepressants Not Working?

QUESTION: I don't think my anti-depressants are working. What should I do?

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Posted by admin at 11:29 AM

Insomnia and Depression

QUESTION: Can Insomnia be a sign of depression?

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Posted by admin at 10:58 AM

SAMPLE QUESTION

I have a friend who was hospitalized. When visiting someone who is having a break from reality ("they are trying to get me...") do I play along with the fantasy or do I correct the person: "No there is no one out there doing that".

Continue reading "SAMPLE QUESTION"

Posted by admin at 12:33 PM