Why does my mom scream involuntary when she is awake?

I have a brother in law who screams at the top of his lungs nonstop when he's awake. This has been going on for a least 6 years. He has been to John Hopskins, Mayo Clinic and about 4 major hospitals and numerous psychologists. He Has had MRIs , electric shock, and what ever else psychologist could think of. NOTHING HELPS. He's been diagnosed with extreme anxiety, depression, frontal lobe dementure , and what ever he led they could think of. His mind is good and can still get around (shuffles) and do small jobs. He's been on so many drugs that don't help. If anybody has a suggestion or know of anyone that can help please let me know

My mother suffers from exactly the same thing. I have asked at least ten doctors and nobody has even heard of it. The only person who has come across something like that is a colleague who works in a psychiatric hospital. The patients did that. I have looked at "brain zap" on the internet but I do not think it is the same. It is very distressing for her and for me. She has it when she is tired in particular. Her whole body shakes. The difference with your mother is that she is addicted to tranquilizers.

I hear hiccups can be the same in extreme cases. wow! how about reflexology? I'd try that too!

she is staying active and still doing things around the house. Some days are better than others. When she gets too many screams she is taking a zanax but that puts her to sleep. That is the only way to calm her when they wont stop. It frustrates her that she can't control them, and it tires her out as well. I have tried taking her out to distract her, I am thinking of maybe massage therapy to relax her. Any other ideas?

wow, stressing for all of you involved. I know with elderly, every day is something new. Is she physically active? Walk around the block? Maybe pent up energy? I'd say get some exercise like a walk every day and see if that improves anything if not doing that already.

The screams are similar to if you threw a snake on someones lap and they weren't expecting it. No words. She does take a deep breath before the screams, but she doesn't have a feeling that they are coming on. Very seldom can she catch them before it happens and suppress it to a squeak. She has a depression background, and has that under control with Proxac. She was placed on Zanax for this, but it just knocks her out with the lowest dose. When she is sleeping she doesn't get them, but then she is not being active and that can trigger depression even more. Thanks for your suggestions.

Yes, tourettes is different, though I am not sure if it has been seen in seniors. I checked into that and there is no cure for tourettes and it usually is gone by adolescence. It is similar to tourettes in that it happens at any time, with no pattern as to what triggers it as far as we can see. In the past seven months, she only has gone two days without the screams. When they occur frequently, they may happen every five to ten minutes. But when they occur all day long its exhausting on her and everyone else who jumps when she screams.

I believe that tourette syndrome usually begins in childhood, but has that been ruled out?

Just curious -- are there words involved, or just a screaming sound?