how to help brother with schizophrenia Posted: 02-06-08 22:22pm
I'm at a loss for words...
My brother is 17 and will be 18 in March
and he's been schizophrenic for over half
a year. He sees things, hears things, does
irrational things, sometimes lacks
emotions completely, extremely paranoid
and gets somewhat violent. He has taken an
extreme interest in religion. He thinks he
is going to hell for "experimenting" with
alcohol and marijuana and being a trouble
to the law. His choice of friends was
horrible and got him into much of the
above. He can't stand seeing people drink
alcohol or smoke. I don't know how to help
him. He's on medication...but I feel like
the rest of Western Medicine, only tries
to cure symptoms and they have no
intention on curing the cause of problems
for the sake of money. Those bottles of
pills he takes is around 250-300 dollars a
bottle. It's CRAZY. I don't want him on
medication personally since I have a gut
feeling it won't cure anything even though
from our desperation we're being
arm-barred into submission and we force
him it. I really don't know what to do to
END his problems. Any help?
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Philo
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Posts: 331 Location: Montreal
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Posted: 02-06-08 23:55pm
Unfortunately Western medicine does not
have a cure for the cause of
schizophrenia. Medication can help, but
you might have to try a few types before
anything really changes. Symptoms may be
with him anyway, though. The best thing is
to have him communicate everything to his
doctor and keep him in a caring and
balanced environment. Try to keep him from
being too harsh on himself, keep him from
getting really crazy with religion, get
him interested or busy with other stuff.
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Georgia59
Moderator
Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 5316 Location: Along the Mississippi, USA
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Posted: 02-08-08 10:27am
Right. Like cancer, we really don't know
the cause, therefore we can't create a
cure. So doctors try to treat and manage
symptoms and hope for the best. For many
people, medication makes the symptoms of
schizophrenia manageable. Like philo said,
he needs to stay in constant communication
with his doctor (and make sure you take
time to find a doc that cares about his
needs and is interested in spending time
on his case)- if his medication isn't
doing what it should or if he is feeling
worse instead of better because of it, he
will need to adjust the type of medication
or the dosage.
Schizophrenia is a chronic illness-
meaning treatment for it is a lifetime
course. Philo's suggestions were great-
keep him in a warm, caring environment
while you make sure he is getting great
psychiatric care.
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antigone
Moderator
Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 847 Location: IL
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Posted: 02-08-08 17:57pm
Ditto to the above posts. Getting educated
and finding support for the family is
essential. Mental illness can be consuming
to the people that deal with an ill family
member. Get yourself support and have
others that share your situation to talk
with. Knowing you are not alone and
getting suggestions from others that have
been there can prove enormously helpful.
Best to you. We are here!
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Oddler
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 06 Feb 2008 Posts: 2
Posted: 02-08-08 19:02pm
Does anyone know anyone that was ever
relieved fully of their schizophrenia. I'm
not looking for a professional opinion but
just from what you yourself have seen or
heard. I want to help my brother through
this very badly.
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Georgia59
Moderator
Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 5316 Location: Along the Mississippi, USA
Thanks: 62
Thanked:27
Posted: 02-08-08 20:36pm
No. Treated, yes, fairly successfully.
Cured, no.
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Philo
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Posts: 331 Location: Montreal
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Posted: 02-09-08 18:56pm
Yes, there's a percentage of cases where
schiz recedes by itself. That
mathematician from "A Beautiful Mind" was
one case. I know of no cases where
medication or therapy was the reason for
the end of the sickness.
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Georgia59
Moderator
Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 5316 Location: Along the Mississippi, USA
Thanks: 62
Thanked:27
Posted: 02-11-08 22:39pm
It's a very small percentage, but when it
happens, it's a great thing. And no,
medication or therapy is not known to cure
it, like I said, just treat it.
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chrisnor
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 12 Feb 2008 Posts: 1 Location: , Norway
You can get healthy Posted: 02-12-08 16:06pm
Oddler
wrote:
Does anyone know anyone that
was ever relieved fully of their
schizophrenia. I'm not looking for a
professional opinion but just from what
you yourself have seen or heard. I want to
help my brother through this very
badly.
Hi
I was diagnosed with schizophrenia when I
was 14 and now I am 19 and I have a chance
to become completely healthy. I have heard
that 30% get completely healthy and 60%
live a good life but have periods when
they are sick and there is 10% that "live
in there own world" for the rest of there
life. For me it took 2 years before I
started to be better... everything takes a
long time!!! My sister who is 12 just got
the diagnose and I am going to be there
for her and love her and help her. That is
all I can and you can do for your
brother.
Do not forget to live your life! He wants
you to be happy and you deserve to be
happy. Be there for him but live your life
the way you want!
I am sorry for my spelling. I am from
Norway and do not write english very
much....
I almost forgot... A psychiatric (?) here
in Norway used to be a schizophrenic and
now lives a happy life and is healthy. It
happens! Have hope!
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Aenema
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 24 Mar 2008 Posts: 3
Full Recovery Posted: 03-25-08 13:35pm
I've almost had a full recovery in a
matter of months. No voices, no visual
distortions or hallucinations, nothing
tactile, and only some minor paranoia. I
will hear music that's not there, but it
doesn't bother me one bit. Unfortunately,
I have EPS side-effects to my Geodon which
causes my muscles to spasm. Sometimes I
will have laryngeal spasms and be unable
to breath. The medicine really knocks down
my energy levels, too. I accidentally
missed a dose and I wasn't able to get any
sleep which led to psychoses.
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