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Mum with late onset psychosis doesn't believe she's ill

Booksy88New Contributor23 Dec 2024, 8:42 pm AEDT

Mum with late onset psychosis doesn't believe she's ill

My mum is 68 and was diagnosed last year with very late onset schizophrenia-like psychosis (what a mouthful).

She is currently 7 months in to her second stint in hospital under section. She has no insight into her condition and as soon as she is back home again she will refuse to take medication. She has refused talking therapy, finds all her doctors patronising and knows how to 'play the system' to appear as though her condition is improving when in fact it isn't.

Her husband is her primary carer and supported by myself and my sibling (both in our 30s).

I came to this forum for two reasons -

1. I haven't managed to find anyone dealing with a similar situation where the person who is unwell is so vehemently against receiving treatment or acknowledging their illness. Does anyone have experience with this? It feels like it makes the situation even more challenging.

2. To be honest, I really struggle to see any way out of this situation. Given her age, diagnosis, a huge delay in intervention and her unwillingness to receive help, I find it impossible to imagine any future where she is stable again. It's heartbreaking but I feel like I've now lost my mum forever. If there are any positive stories out there I would love to hear them, and maybe find a little hope.

Thank you

2 replies

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In response to: Mum with late onset psychosis doesn't believe she's ill

DimitySenior Contributor23 Dec 2024, 9:36 pm AEDT

Re: Mum with late onset psychosis doesn't believe she's ill

Hello @Booksy88 and welcome. I b hope you find connection and support.

Sad to say a great many carers and concerned people say their loved ones don't acknowledge their illness and refuse to seek help. But that's usually before their loved one has sought help at all, and the problem is trying to encourage them to be assessed and get treatment because unless someone is sectioned patient autonomy and privacy is seen to take priority. Your mum has been in hospital a long time - I'd wonder whether her meds have been reviewed at all, and whether you as a family have been able to discuss those concerns.

I can understand your worry about her prognosis. Is that the advice from her team? Again I trust you've been able to discuss it.

Your own health and wellbeing are also important. Are you getting support from a psychologist or counsellor? Carers Gateway is another service point that supports carers in many ways and would be worth seeking out.

Please don't feel you're alone in this.

In response to: Mum with late onset psychosis doesn't believe she's ill

Spirit_HealerSenior Contributor23 Dec 2024, 9:41 pm AEDT

Re: Mum with late onset psychosis doesn't believe she's ill

Hi @Booksy88m, welcome!

It's heartbreaking to read what you've posted.

I have experience of a similar condition, but luckily, most of the time, I have more insight than what you've described.

For the hope you're seeking:

We are not clairvoyants, we cannot predict the future. But keep your heart/mind open to the possibility that she may become better/well in the future. Medication is a must, though. Unfortunately, you can only 'force' your Mum to take it/accept involuntary treatment unless she is a danger: to herself, you or others. If she is, then please call 000/Psych triage.

With the right treatment, improvement is definitely possible.

Sorry I can't offer a more tangible hope/prediction for you: unfortunately, in Medicine or health, that is not the way!

@tyme @Jynx @rav3n @Ru-bee

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