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Son (22) with schizophrenia

Son (22) with schizophrenia

Living with someone who suffers from schizophrenia is very difficult. Even medicated it seems he lives in a different world and stares a lot whilst smoking cigarettes like a steam train.
Sleeps during the day, spooks around at night.
Any advice about healthy diet, less coffee and smokes, is ignored.
He will never live a productive life.
We've lost family members close to us on the way because of his behaviour and them not understanding mental illness.
Ofcourse I worry about our future.
I need to be single as no other man can live with us.
I need to work full time to provide a roof over our heads and pay the bills. Without me, he'll be homeless, jobless and suicidal as his paranoia would kick in, specially when he thinks the meds are only given to him as he is a guinea pig and 'they' are trying to change his DNA...
I've always wanted children but no one never told me how tough it would be if a mental illness strikes the 'Brady bunch' family image with a thunderbolt.
A medal to anyone who cares for someone suffering mental illness.
They need all the help and support they can get. They deserve better too. Mental illness you don't see from the outside, my son looks like a healthy good looking young man but has no future. Maybe with support and someone pushing him out of his shell but some have tried and given up.
I have given up a marriage and another 7 years old relationship and noe bought a small unit to care for my son, indefinite. We have no other family here as Migrated here in 1987.

My love for my son is very deep and I am so proud of him he went to hospital last year and still takes his depot shot every month. However, I feel anxious and worry all the time. He has applied for DSP (disability pension) but he tells me if he gets rejected, and 'they' want him to work, he will stop the depot needle. It takes his motivation and energy away, He knows he can't work 8-5pm, neither with or without meds.
My good sense of humour is slowly fading but where there's life, there's hope, right?
Thanks for reading my story.

470 replies

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In response to: Son (22) with schizophrenia

Re: Son (22) with schizophrenia

I have a 23 yr old son with sz and I share all of your fears I can totally understand, the love of a son is feirce and nothing will stop the commitment of doing anything you can. My son is on the shots to if he goes off he falls to absolute pieces, no one understands and if I hear one more story on the news about mental health awareness ggrrrr there is still stigma and bias and a lack of understanding,
I rang a mental health service on Monday I was passed between 7 people on the phone and then left in silence for 20 minutes and then I hung up.
Keep loving your son with all your heart he loves you, you are an amazing mum going beyond others believe me I know

In response to: Re: Son (22) with schizophrenia

Re: Son (22) with schizophrenia

@Gemima@Former-Member@patientpatient@Former-Member@Former-Member@soul@Shaz51@Marit

Hope youre all well and staying warm xx

My son's depot has doubled this month, has a wafer before bedtime and is now trying sleeping tablet prescribed by the Psych. Those were meant to be used for our o/seas trip in 2 days time but he just wants to sleep, he took his meds at six, and still awake. Sleep is his only thing he is looking forward too. He just told me he doesnt want to live like this for another 50 years...

I told him he has extra strong Colgate (nickname for Paranoid SZ) perhaps with a hint of Listerine 🙂

we laughed, and he is just gone for another smoke.... Poor bloke, what a life.

When back of holidays (we'll be back 3 weeks time) Psych wants to try new oral meds, and get him of the depot. He might even go to hospital again, to keep close eye on him. I havent told him yet. Holidays first.

He will sleep a lot, poor luv.

Nite xx

In response to: Son (22) with schizophrenia

Re: Son (22) with schizophrenia

Oh @Grasshopper3, breaks heart. I wish we had better treatment than heavy medication. I hope he finds bettwr days ahead worth living for, or goes into remission one day. But in the meantime, you're doing a great job, its not for the fainthearted caring / being apparent of this. Hope your trip brings healing 🌷🌿

In response to: Son (22) with schizophrenia

Re: Son (22) with schizophrenia

Have a great holiday

In response to: Son (22) with schizophrenia

Re: Son (22) with schizophrenia

@patientpatient @Former-Member @Gemima @Marit
Quick check in to see how you are all going now both @Former-Member and @Grasshopper3 are jetsetting.

In response to: Son (22) with schizophrenia

Re: Son (22) with schizophrenia

Hi from me too ..... 👋😊

In response to: Son (22) with schizophrenia

Re: Son (22) with schizophrenia

Quick check in and wave to the Colgate crew @Grasshopper3 @patientpatient @Former-Member @Former-Member @Former-Member @Gemima @Marit

In response to: Son (22) with schizophrenia

Re: Son (22) with schizophrenia

Hi @Former-Member, thanks for callout. How are you? And hubby? Things here quiet. I just finished my shift at the shop. Brain shut down today, perpetually tired, fitness level in the basement lol
My brother and mother are quiet, no dramas this week thank goodness (and good for them). Poor placid dad - quiet also. His sister (my aunt) defied the stroke and is walking after her big stroke a month back - amazing! Just ate some cheese & biscuits, think that will have to be tea. Can't be bothered, haha oh, maybe a tin of soup. What's everyone else having for tea tonight 🙂

In response to: Re: Son (22) with schizophrenia

Re: Son (22) with schizophrenia

Hi @Former-Member, OK here, a quiet week. Psych visit last week and no further change to meds. Blood tests today, checking blood sugar levels because diabetes is a risk with long term use of some meds. Son also had an ECG a few weeks ago, checking heart rhythm, another risk. I'm pleased that the psychiatrist is checking these things now that we seem to have some stability. I've been thinking about @Grasshopper3 and her OS trip with her son, and hoping it's all going well.

In response to: Son (22) with schizophrenia

Re: Son (22) with schizophrenia

@patientpatient
I had just put a chart together documenting what screening needs to be done. Mr Darcy had bloods and is booked for ECG. Showed chart to pdoc, turns out she had written to GP detailing what she would like but neither she nor GP conveyed this to us (could have told Mr D but he has no idea), additionally I have been the driver for ensuring appts made and appropriate follow up done. Not surprised about lack of communication and will be asking GP, he needs to go back as bloods have to be repeated due to incidental non psych finding.
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