Schizophrenia

Hello@Chocolate Blonde and welcome to the forums!

My sister is pushing 50 yrs, and is 'truly mad'. She was always a bit 'out there' but functioned at a high level till she broke down at 30 yrs.Like your family, we don't know what medications she takes, but we suspect she doesn't take any. She looks after herself and her house and garden and has also raised her kids, albeit in a very strange fashion ( talking to herself, being incomprehensible and often hostile). Other than that she has virtually no contact with other people as she is often hostile. Despite being very close growing up, I havent seen her now for two years, because I can't take the hostility anymore.

She is the sort of person that, if you saw her on the street, you would know she is "truly mad' due to her strange gesturing and grimacing, her odd clothing and muttering. She is also very thin.

So much has been learnt about MI over the last 20 years, and some of the meds these days are very good. It's a different world for people with MI now. They can often lead "normal' lives for significant periods of time as you say.

But when my sister had her breakdown, I think many in my family just hoped she wouldn't end up in an institution, deprived of her freedom, thus we never pushed for treatment. She did try meds for a very short time but complained of the side-effects and again, no-one in our family wanted to deny her the choice to go without treatment.

It's sad because obviously her marriage broke down and barely anyone in the family can tolerate her any more. And I suspect that having gone this long without treatment, she would be less likely to benefit from it now, even if anyone could persuade her. Police took her to a hospital a few years ago, but the doctor said she was free to go. She has come to the notice of police several times actually but usually just for unusual behaviour, not crime.

I used to feel very sad about it but Lately I've gained more insight into MI and I've realised that even though she comes across as hostile and unhappy....she probably feels completely different inside. For all we know she's having a ball!

Cheers, Louise

It is hard to make generalisations from anecdotes or knowing about one person, even if you know them well.

I have had a psych nurse tell me that it is impossible to be cured of schizophrenia But I am sure that my mothers' piano students who felt that they knew my mother well over prolonged years and in her home would be incredulous that she had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Many psych nurses disagree with each other about lotsa stuff.

I put a lot of work in my relationship with mum in relating her religious ideas to self help and therapy. Was she cured? Was she ever sick? Was the disturbed family at mum's death a more accurate reflection of mum's diagnosis than her late blooming professional life?

One uncle (by marriage) said there was always something wrong with my mum that they all thought she was brain injured at birth. So mother found some happiness and I would not deny her that or the lady you talk about, having some simple happiness of a peaceful craft life with basic needs met.

So often things are more disturbed .. but this may be due to IMPROVED social conditions.

Confidentiality is an issue and often a luxury when homelessness compounds people's mental health.

I think that the movement in MH to give hope and respect to those experiencing psychosis or other diagnoses is a powerful force for good.

I dont like it when people are "written off" like cars.

@ChocolateBlonde

I look at illnesses like schizophrenia like any other chronic illness - like diabetes, MS, epilepsy. Two people with the same chronic illness will never be exactly the same - but typically, the chronic illness will force people to alter their lives to cater for that chronic illness (eg: people with epilepsy can't drive).

The aim for people with chronic illnesses is to get to a point where they can manage the impact chronic illnesses have on them to lead a purposeful and comfortable (emotionally and physically) lives. Treating teams must work towards this goal. A 'purposeful' and 'comfortable' life means something different to everyone - but it can be achieved even if the illness will never go away.

I don't want to play down how unwell your family member is - but I think calling your family member 'truly mad' was pretty irresponsible of the nurse, regardless of whether it was intended in humour.

There's a great advocate who talks about her battles with schizophrenia, Sandy Jeffs. You can read just a snippit of her story here

It's also worth googling her - she has some great books and has done some great presentations worth watching.

All the best,

Eagle

And thanks for your thoughts too Eagle 🙂

I'm still at a loss though - and perhaps I wasn't clear either. I only hear about people who have some concept of being "normal" that they want to get back to. This person seems to be locked into her 15yr-old-self, which she seems quite comfortable with. Hang on - perhaps I've just answered my own questions.

Although she apparently does take her medication and sees her treating specialists regularly, the concept of having a mental illness doesn't seem to feature in her reality - in fact she pretty much ignores any reference or comment about it.

Maybe only people who are sufficiently self-aware can find a way out of the cocoon?

Or maybe she's just sectioned off that part of her reality and keeps it in a box that she never looks in - metaphorically speaking?

I believe awareness of "self" and "other" is necessary to properly come out of the cocoon and connect with others.Yet even more is needed for real maturation.

A question can come up about which "other".

I have heard so many comments about people charming others

My mother made the serious mistake of "playing" to a social demographic and being respected and popular in that but her betrayals of me leave me with the impression that she was still "sick" in many ways.

I have met so many people with no MI diagnosis that are stuck in immature 5 or 15 year old ways of thinking and behaving. Often they mouth the word "normal" a lot. Often they point out others mad behaviours to make themselves feel better. I was overwhelmed by the schizophrenic word from about 19 years of age. Not a diagnosis of me but my father. I just relay my experiences and observations. I have met few people who have impressed me as fully mature or normal.

I prefer the concept that all humans are unique and worthy of respect and leave it at that.

The person you are referring to @ChocolateBlonde has probably arrived at a sense of equilibrium of the pressures of her inner and outer world and is deserving of respect for that achievement. Even if the life she lives seems limited .. it is probably the best she can do in her circumstances.

@Louise I personally have had to shake out many awkward grimaces and uncomfortable frustrating feelings cooped up in my being in a "truly mad" way. I have done a lot of bodywork over the years to stop things getting caught up in my head. Mostly I do it in the privacy of my home sometimes it leaks out. My father never knew the luxury of a home as my mother was no friend of him.

One of the reasons I love to sing is we have to do "crazy" technical exercises to loosen up. It allows me to be mad in an acceptable public and professional setting .. one of the paradoxes of human life. I see I am not alone and not INCAPABLE.

Hi all

@ChocolateBlonde @Louise @Eagle @MIFANTCARER

Just wanted to jump in and let you all know, being that is is Schizophrenia Awareness Week, we will be hosting a Topic Tuesday event in the Carers Forum discussing the myths and misconceptions of schizophrenia. It is scheduled for this evening Tuesday 24 May between 7pm – 9pm AEST.

If anyone is interested, feel free to come along and join in the chatter! Hope to see you there 🙂