Rosy_77Casual Contributor
Schizophrenia
This is my first post on here. My husband of ten years has diagnosed schizophrenia and a history of complex trauma. He has been seeing psychiatrists and psychologists for years and seemed to be managing his symptoms quite well in recent times (I am his carer). A week ago he had a terrible psychotic episode and assaulted my male friend who ended up in hospital with serious injuries. My husband has been at the watch house ever since. Today he was transferred to the remand centre with the general population and is facing potentially 7 years behind bars. I am absolutely devastated because I know that one of his symptoms is delusions. During these episodes he loses complete contact with reality and sees people as enemies, spies, demons, etc., even me! He is not of sound mind and should not be in prison. He needs help not punishment. I'm not getting any help or support either. Today I spent the whole afternoon ringing around different organisations but got nowhere. Furthermore, I forked out nearly $3000 just for the bail application. I had to borrow money to get a private lawyer, even though he is on disability pension and I'm on carers pension, because the duty lawyer at the court refused to talk to me (because I'm not her client) or accept his medical records. She didn't even do a bail application and had his case adjourned for 6 weeks! It's a nightmare and I'm at the end of my rope. If he does make bail he can come back home, but I'm told that I'll have to live elsewhere while he's there, because I'm an eye witness to the assault. I really feel like giving up on everything. Any help or advice would be deeply appreciated.
