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Schizophrenia and Isolation

JillieCasual Contributor06 Apr 2021, 11:37 am AEST

Schizophrenia and Isolation

Good morning. My husband and I have battled for nearly 6 years with our 35 yr old son who has been diagnosed with Schizophrenia and undiagnosed high functioning autism (according to the psychiatrists). He is also vision impaired. He lives on his own but doesn't look after himself and lacks daily living skills. He lives a very isolated life, has no friends, refuses to get help and displays no insight (or most probably denial) to his illness. He is under the mental health act (again) to ensure his compliance to receive a monthly depot. So I'm hoping to get some advice here on this forum on how to help our son connect with the community.

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In response to: Schizophrenia and Isolation

IStillLoveHimCasual Contributor03 July 2021, 10:13 pm AEST

Re: Schizophrenia and Isolation

Omg, your son must be quite a handful for you and your husband to care for...

Sorry I say that because my 45 year old partner suffers from paranoid schizophrenia and my 12 year old son has Autism and so I'm just picturing them blended into one person and I couldn't imagine it!

Although I have no advice for your situation, I hope you don't mind me saying that your son must be an incredibly brave and strong person to deal with both of those mental disorders day in and day out and I wish you all the best for whatever life throws at you's

You certainly have my admiration and my respect

Cheers xx

In response to: Re: Schizophrenia and Isolation

boofhead73New Contributor23 May 2022, 10:57 am AEST

Re: Schizophrenia and Isolation

@Jillie. Admire your courage for speaking up.
@ IStillLoveHim. Like Jillie I'm reaching out for advice. AS with yourself, I too have a schizophrenic (undiagnosed) partner and have been together for nearly six years. Through this time I have learnt her triggers and still doing all I can to support her - at times the sense of helplessness and pushing through her "reality" as a real test. Be great to hear more of your story and perhaps share some ideas? All the best out there and you too have my admiration and respect. Cheers.

In response to: Re: Schizophrenia and Isolation

TideisTurningSenior Contributor23 May 2022, 11:45 am AEST

Re: Schizophrenia and Isolation

Hi There @boofhead73,

Welcome to the Forums! I'm TideisTurning I just wanted to note for yourself & anyone contributing to the discussion that we ask other members to refrain from giving specific advice in line with our respect guideline, however everyone is welcome to share their experiences generally in line with our Community Guidelines.

I'm going to tag a few members who may have other insights and knowledge to share 😊 @Hello_ @Patchworks @Krishna @Anon1975 @Former-Member @Gwynn We also happen to have a live event discussion coming up on the topic of Schizophrenia next Tuesday, 31st May 2022. More on that here.

In response to: Re: Schizophrenia and Isolation

boofhead73New Contributor23 May 2022, 1:28 pm AEST

Re: Schizophrenia and Isolation

Thank you TideisTurning! Will be sure to maintain guidelines and many thanks for the link event next Tuesday. Take care and with regards.

In response to: Schizophrenia and Isolation

Unknown userMember23 May 2022, 7:13 pm AEST

Re: Schizophrenia and Isolation

Hi @Jillie @looks like there issupport on these forums left and right for your son, I too was isolated due to schizophrenia for about 5 years working by my diagnosis. It’s something no one wants but in time one you come to accept. When you have the chance try and persuade him to talk to a psychiatrist and take his medication… there are options to maintain life without medication but talking to a psychiatrist is needed. I finally caved to my parents pressure to get help took some time but my parents stuck by me and still do so… which was essential but to each their own I guess I have disorganized schizophrenia and had depression due to life circumstances and genetics. Right now I’m in a new workplace but it’s still early days to call my self settled. I hope I gave you some insight to this illness which i repeat no one wants, but that’s life it’s unfair, but not that bad.and when all is settled there’s an app called meet up where you can meet people and do activities as the name suggests

In response to: Re: Schizophrenia and Isolation

PatchworksSenior Contributor25 May 2022, 5:30 pm AEST

Re: Schizophrenia and Isolation

Hi,

I live with a schizophrenia spectrum illness called schizoaffective disorder. I get delusions, hallucinations and also depression.

Isolation is common for our illness can cause us to withdraw socially, it's one of the negative symptoms. I have found a lady with my illness on youtube who has helped me. Her name is Lauren and her video about helping someone who doesn't want help is hopefully linked below:

https://youtu.be/3K14v6dJQlM

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