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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


@eudemonism wrote:

.....

I'm talking about skills I need in the work place and to build a career. And too not be system dependant.

.....

I get that, you have explained yourself well. Thanks,

Have you ever tried to practise 'gratitude' it's a grate skill!

Google it and see if you can use it. There are some great journals to use too.

It means be ok with what you have, what you can do. It is ok to have desire too but be ok with yourself. This takes big practise and some exercise.

You have excellent writing skills, perhaps you could try a course in writing short stories? Do with the skills you have, perhaps explore some you have a bit further.

.....

Medication is disabling in its own right. And it's very degrading to go through. And than to have society agree with it and support it.

.....

If you feel the meds are not helping you, make an appointment. I cannot advice you anything else as I am not qualified.

I think meds can make your life easier. In general, if I have a headache, I take something for it. If I have a cough, I get something to clear it up for me.

If I have the shits, I do something about it too, lol

If I can't see, I put on my glasses. You don't have to suffer Eude.

It's part of your life but you can make your body strong by eating well, getting fresh air and work on your skills.

Sorry if I try too hard to help you. Even I get carried away sometimes. Try to help too much and forget myself. Time for me now.

Take care hon.

Grasshopper3

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

Re: Son (22) with schizophrenia

Quick wave @Grasshopper3 @patientpatient

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

Re: Son (22) with schizophrenia

@Former-Member@Sophia1@eudemonism@patientpatient@Shaz51@Faith-and-Hope@Libra

Hi all,

It feels my story is becoming a success story,,, my son's going to a DSP employment agency today. He's made the appoinment himself, eventhough Centrelink has pushed him otherwise his payment will get cut off. He says he is actually looking forward doing something else in his life, apart from coffee drinking and smoking....

It's still not easy to get out of bed for him, and he functions better in the afternoon.

I'll keep you posted.

Grasshopper3

H

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

Re: Son (22) with schizophrenia

fabulous news given everything that he has been through with his hospital medication trial..

so pleased for Mr Colgate and Mrs Grasshopper...

take care...

heartfelt wishes

Mrs Sophia

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

Re: Son (22) with schizophrenia

@Grasshopper3

It's all good. I understand. I get the gratitude thing. I just have to keep pushing for what I believe is best for myself. And basically... We live in a world of opportunities and a world of good possibilities...

Eude.

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

Re: Son (22) with schizophrenia

❤️ @Grasshopper3 .....

Lovely to hear things are shifting .....

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

Re: Son (22) with schizophrenia

Glad about the shift with your son @Grasshopper3

I had an interesting week of getting up at dawn with my son to do an intensive training. I was not sure how it would go, but we BOTH did really well considering we are night people. So my son completed a special certification. On its own it wont qualify him, but as a stepping stone to possibilities it was great, and terrific socialisation experiences.

Things can change for the GOOD.

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

Re: Son (22) with schizophrenia

Great to hear @Appleblossom .....

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

Re: Son (22) with schizophrenia

Hello @Dadcaringalone, @Barbara, @classycase, @Libra, @Jasminej

Hello @Grasshopper3, @Appleblossom, @eudemonism, @Sophia1

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

Re: Son (22) with schizophrenia

Quick wave @Grasshopper3

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