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Hi @Former-Member Im sorry to read of your brothers illness and the difficulties you are facing as a family. I believe from experience that the only way your brother could be forced to take his medication would be through a Community Treatment Order which would have to be through a mental health tribunal. Your brother would need to be hospitalised for this to maybe be put in place. Perhaps call the Mater Hospital Mental Health Unit in Newcastle and they may be able to provide more accurate information and contact details of other organisations in the area that may be able to assist. Sending hope for a positive outcome.

@Former-Member You may also like to watch a YouTube video by Dr Xavier Amador on a syndrome called anasognosia where people with schizophrenia don't believe they are unwell and therefore refuse medication. I have a daughter suffering from this horrid illness and the video helped me immensely regarding the reluctance on her behalf to take her meds.

Hi @Krishna, thanks so much for you advice. This fits with what I've found during my research too. We'll definitely give the Mater a call for some advice, since we'd like a solid plan for how to approach the situation. And thank you for the well wishes 🙂

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Hi Walrus,

So sorry to hear about your brother. My sister is in a similar situation. About a month ago we called the police to report her missing, as she had disappeared from my parents house on the NSW South Coast. She was found in Newcastle and taken to the Mater. She has just been released and is now living in Newcastle on a Community Treatment Order. The staff at the Mater were very good to her and helped her find accomodation in Newcastle and apply for a disability pension (never willing before).

It's bloody tough when they don't believe that they are sick. If you can get him to go along to see them there, he might be willing to talk to them and accept some treatment. In my sister's case, she was feeling "generally unwell" and willingly went into their care for apparent physical illness - they quickly assessed that she had other problems that needed treatment.

I am also looking at assisted living situations that might be appropriate - there are quite a few options.

All the best!
LBC

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