Son (22) with schizophrenia

So sad here reading these stories - feel for you all, especially those somehow managing as you do with children and Sz. You sure are 'special' to somehow carry this in your heart and in house 24/6 - Absolutely!!! Guess we know deep down our lived ones are still in there, behind the illness, and we do love them. I'd like to think I would be able to but I left my husband for odd behaviours (knowing what i do now, and with some objectivity, I think he had/has struggled with undiagnosed psychosis of some kind, long before I met him). Its so devastating on a soul - those destructive beliefs - especially topics about violence and death. I worry for my adult children with serious MI psychosis both sides. But so far ok

Can i tell u bits about my brother with psychosis? He
- honestly believes his aches and pains are because the police broke every bone in his body taking him into custody @ first psych admission.
- believes he has been mrdrd and resurrected x4
- he sometimes dresses in full white believing he's tge Archangel Michael & wishes we, his earth family, understood how important he is to the human race...
- he gets advise and comfort from a 'spirit family' (because none of his earth family will believe / support him he complains bitterly). This spirit visit him regularly and tell him the future.
- he's back on monthly antipsychotic inj since Nov admissiin. It helps a littlw. Although he won't admit it he is less distressed, raves & argues less but still believes the delusions that surface in conversation now and then.
- his dx said to be induced by street drugs, home made beer pain medication...
- i list much contact when He moved to far NthQld
- He lost his wife and sons completely due to violence, threats and paternity false beliefs... how do you support someone likw that? It makes me so sad, especially those upset days when he argues loudly and I have to exit.
- he moved back to Sydney when diagnosed, MH do home visits...

Sorry, i'll stop there its upsetting, but glad to not feel so alone being here with your stories too. Thank you. Just Soldier On I guess, one day at a time...

24/7 I mean (sorry for typos and edits)

hello @Grasshopper3, @patientpatient @ivana @Former-Member @Former-Member

I have to say it again you are such a wonderful mother, friend and confidante to your son.

@Grasshopper3Your son sounds very sensible in his approach to attending the mental health clinic. I had to smile at his comment about the nurse. Good for him! He does seem to be able to get past his feelings and try new things which is a credit to you as well as himself. As for the young male who actually listened and didn't make notes, I hope you got his name! Invaluable need to pull out all stops to keep him there. I would totally feel the same way.

I think also that you are doing as much as you can for you both preparing for your later need overseas.

This will also be a good experience for your son moving forward if he is able to investigate and meet people and setups in advance.

Love that he didnt ask you for money, his response I have saved $50! which I have to say is no mean feat given the measly amount he receives on newstart. Good for him to feel that he is helping others by spending money at that organisation.

This is what I gleam from reading your posts, experiences of living with people suffering from symptoms of schizophrenia. There are attitudes and reactions which are no different to all of us yet can so easily be overlooked, dismissed or misunderstood by some in the health system. This is the part where I want to make my stand. This is the part that I am working on during my mobile phone calls and or receiving text messages. I scan the messages and reread them over and over to pick out the parts that are simply intelligent research, looking after one's health.

Thanks to all of you for continuing to post and help each other. I do feel that I am on the outer and as silly as it sounds, I know I shouldn't I can't help feeling a little guilty as well as sad that my son is not here with me. He is an adult of course, 37 years old and the best outcome for him will be supported living, or individual living with supports set up where I can go and stay for short periods. This is a dream and I have to live in the now.

The latest thing is he has sent so many text messages to his younger brother who does not want to read them and deletes them. He then sends me a text advising me of the exact time in my state where I live and that it is paramount I contact his brother straight away to make sure that he has read the texts.

Ways to protect ourselves from government, police, psychiatrists now are the most evil and I must stop seeing one and come off all medication.

In between the lines I know that his family are so important to him, I feel that he must miss us even though there is some anger there. This is his way of keeping us safe, his circle of trust. I miss him so much

hello @Former-Member

Those of us and there are many, who have experienced conversations of delusions with our loved ones, who are able to still see the relative they love, listen with respect although knowing that we have no answers to such out of this world experiences.

Yes as Matosh stated they trust us and feel for our safety as their's is so threatened. That is their way of letting us know that they still love us.

How to deal with it, different for each and everyone of us. I dont believe that there is just one way, we have to consider all aspects of everyone who is involved, their lives.

I have read for those who are older it is better for them to have their own places with some level of support rather than live with parents. I can see why this is the case as hard as it would be to achieve. I cannot comment as I have not yet been through this where I can visit my son. He is currently living on his own and responds carefully when I ask if he is eating well. Then again if he didnt have an illness I could be having the same conversation. So I am balancing responses trying to control my own, look after myself, live in the now and not worry. Good heavens I am not some supreme being!!

The very fact that you have written those words speaks realms about how much you care for him.

Write hear when you feel able or have a need and take care of yourself on your journey xx

hello @Former-Member

Yes I understand totally where you are coming from

However I have to say to you that you would never be an embarrassment due to your mental illness.

You are proud of your family and how wonderful that is.

Your baby brother is still a part of your family and of course you care how he feels. Just apply the same rules for him. keep talking to him and letting him know how much he is loved even though this is not as easy to get across as it sounds at times.

keep writing xxx