Volume 37 · Number 3
MARCH 2007

Significant Weight Loss in a Young Adult Man

By Ahsan Y. Khan, MD; Mazhar Golewale, MD

Mr. H is a 23-year-old single white man with history of benign pilocytic astrocytoma of the cerebellum removed 4 years ago. He presented with depressed mood, decreased interest in activities, feeling hopeless and confused about his career, anxious about living with parents, difficulty in making decisions, not able to concentrate, increasing fatigue, and weight loss of about 80 pounds in the past 6 months. Although he admitted to massive weight loss, he denied loss of appetite and efforts to lose weight. He also denied negative self-image but at the same time discounted the seriousness of his weight loss. He reported ongoing difficulty with his gait, slurred speech, and double vision since his brain surgery but denied any worsening. He denied any symptoms for mania, anxiety, or psychosis. His current medications at the time of admission included Lexapro 20 mg every morning, Abilify 15 mg at bedtime, and Lorazepam 0.25 mg twice/day.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Ahsan Y. Khan, MD, is Associate Professor, University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health. Mazhar Golewale, MD, is a third-year Psychiatry Resident, University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health.

Address correspondence to: Ahsan Y. Khan, MD, University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, 1010 N Kansas Street, Wichita, KS 67214.

The authors disclosed no relevant financial relationships.