Ups and Downs of Husband`s Mental Illness

Thanks @Determined holding you @Shaz51 & @Faith-and-Hope up in prayers too.

Hi I am new to this forum. My partner has schizophrenia and this also has periods where he seems to be coping ok and others when he really isn't. It is very confusing because behaviour, perceptions, beliefs, etc etc can change dramatically and quickly. He does not always tell me what's going on and although I can tell he's not well, I'm not sure what he's thinking so I react to things based on previous thoughts (which can change daily). I don't think though that this is about control. He wants control for himself, but unfortunately the illness makes him feel the most aware, sure and in control of things when he's sickest. Is this what you're seeing?

Wow ..... I am seeing something like that with my hubby. It's not usually "right out there" but there have been brief moments ......

Mr F&H has an obscure eating disorder that is very hard to reveal and identify, and as such it is undiagnosed. The worst of it was watching him change oersonality and value system before our eyes, with no way to stop it, and in our state, nonaccess to help without the oh-so-elusive diagnosis ...... did I say that was the worst of it ?? Emotional anise that he (and we initially) couldn't recognise as emotional abuse, and controlling behaviours through the roof ......

Under investigation by a team at the mo ..... but the e.d. is still presenting to most people as an uber-healthy lifestyle change,as he had come from a place of morbid obesity that was threatening his life. When you know the full range of pathological behaviours we have on board it is very clear that he is very unwell, but those, and the extent of delisional thinking are so well hidden that I am looking like the one who needs an intervention ......

So unbelievably painful and frustrating ...... but we have managed some boundaries ..... and now under the scrutiny and prodding of the therapy team things are slowly improving.

At least the control issues over the kids was addressed early, as that had gone absolutely ballistic earlier in the year ...... and some preparedness to be flexible is creeping in under counsellor's homework that asks us to focus on what we can do towards synchronising ourselves again. The kids and I had disconnected and were operating around him for most of the time.

There is clearly something more than an e.d. happening here ...... but while Incan see all the pieces, I have no real idea about how they fit together to be able to see what the big picture actually is .......

It sounds from what you have written that you are doing a mighty fine job @Sanatorium23 ...... although it must go up and down day to day, sometimes hour to hour, huh ?

Some days I feel so drained it's like I've been hollowed out. I get angry too, which I'm sure we all do. Most of the time it's just our life and we look at the world a little differently than other people.

Yes @Sanitorium23 ...... that is so important ...... and one thing that the forums highlight. Time out and self-care for carers is essential to our own health. We often land with our wonky humour on Hot Chocolate thread st the end of the day ..... and often in a heap ..... then start to pick ourselves up again.

Have you found the For The Love of Cats thread ? There are a few smiles in there ......

There is a gardening thread, an art thread, there may be a writers' thread and book clubs here ..... there are on LE-forum ..... haven't gone looking for this on C-forum, but probably should ...,.