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Original poster

Can you help me find an idiots guide to schizophrenia?

81 replies

charliecat · 24/10/2004 12:08

My brother is a paraniod schizophrenic and my mum says things thats hes said/done and I say its becuase hes ill...but it doesnt seem to sink in.
Ideally im looking for examples of behaviour and reasons in plain english.
Just so when hes going off on one, well last night he got her out of bed at midnight saying 30 blokes had beaten him up and he didnt have a mark on him...she can relate that sort of behaviour to something shes heard of before.
Thank you.
Hes off his head is what she was saying this morning, and I felt like saying Yes thats the thing, he is...its not his fault its an illness he doesnt take his pills for but youve hit it on the head there.
Any help would be much appreciated.

OP posts:
SecondhandRose · 25/10/2004 21:07

cc, we have moved recently and Mum has said she won't be giving him my address this time. (Think she was quite shaken by his outbursts during his last visit).

My Mum has to communicate with him via his bank (who pass on post) or recently he has had a mobile.

He goes to her house, she has it on the market though. Perhaps he'll forget where she is when she moves (hopefully).

SecondhandRose · 25/10/2004 21:08

The GP seemed sure he wouldn't hurt Mum. Maybe you should see what yours says.

SecondhandRose · 25/10/2004 21:09

The other thing he does is stays up half the night and doesn't get up to lunchtime.

Original poster
charliecat · 25/10/2004 21:09

Hpw does your mum cope?
My mum gets seethingly annoyed with his very selfish ways and then when she hasnt seen him for a while shes desperate to find out where he is. I say Have a rest, leave it, when he does come back youll be moaning that hes here...but hes her son and i cant stop her worrying.

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Original poster
charliecat · 25/10/2004 21:10

My brother this summer has been going to bed throught the day and wandering all night. Hes missed a whole summer which cant be good for anyones mentallity. The suns good for you...and now we are in autumn coming on winter.

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SecondhandRose · 25/10/2004 21:12

My Mum has spent years in total denial. Even when he first disappeared 12 years ago and we knew he was ill we weren't allowed to tell anyone what was wrong with him.

After some years of this I was so sick of it I told my parents that if anyone else asked me where P was I would tell them what was going on and I did.

My Mum first says "he's fine" and then when I say what about this or that she'll say "he's ill".

I would be so desperate if my son was so ill.

SecondhandRose · 25/10/2004 21:14

CC, their pattern of behaviour is very similar isn't it?

Original poster
charliecat · 25/10/2004 21:15

I thought my mum was quite clued up about it, but she has been saying things like Hes off his head etc and ive been thinking DUrr yes he is...do you not get that?
Maybe its because one night hes normal next hes not and hes confusing her...dunno but the stuff i printed off was very helpful.

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Original poster
charliecat · 25/10/2004 21:16

It is indeed, I have noticed most schizophrenics also vaguely resemble my brother. Dark thick Hair, darkish skin, Thick dark eyebrows..any resemblence?

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SecondhandRose · 25/10/2004 21:18

I must admit sometimes it's easier to be ignorant. I know my brother isn't going to get better and there's nothing I can do. He frightens me and I would rather run away.

We've never been a close family and he is more like a stranger to me that causes trouble when he turns up.

My son knows he is ill, there's not much you can keep from a 9 year old.

SecondhandRose · 25/10/2004 21:19

Yes he is dark all round! About 6ft 2".

Original poster
charliecat · 25/10/2004 21:20

My dds dont ask, but I often laugh with mum after weve been to his place (tent in woodlands) and the kids are with us...we sneak through a hole in a bush FFS...!lol!!!

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SecondhandRose · 25/10/2004 21:20

If I remember rightly the eyebrows just about meet in the middle. But I also do know of two other sufferers in our family (one of them dead). What about in yours?

Original poster
charliecat · 25/10/2004 21:20

How odd.

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SecondhandRose · 25/10/2004 21:21

I do worry about getting it, I must admit. I am a pretty paranoid person and try really hard not to be.

Original poster
charliecat · 25/10/2004 21:22

No none else however his dad was a manic depresive and a drifter. A selfish being too, he got my brother to come and live with him then told him they would be living on the streets and then smoked and drank his wages and even took his coat off him in winter

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Original poster
charliecat · 25/10/2004 21:23

I have often wondered about my own sanity...but I seem to just get on with things regardless of it. i was stressed about 4 months after dd was born and i layed on the floor kicking and screaming that it was all too much ...but i was ok after that! And havent really doubted myself since, I have mothers resilinecne and now I have children I can cope with anything

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SecondhandRose · 25/10/2004 21:24

CC, am signing off now, want to look at a couple of the websites before the programme starts. Happy to talk again anytime you need to.

A.

Original poster
charliecat · 25/10/2004 21:25

I have wondered about my mum the last week or so. With her apparent not getting my brothers illness, like shes losing it a bit too, because how could she not understand...and shes got a neighbour who she claims stomps on the floor and wakes her up...lol...I have said you sould just like "" when shes on a mission moaning about her.

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Original poster
charliecat · 25/10/2004 21:26

Okey dokes night night Nice to chat! xxxx

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Original poster
charliecat · 26/10/2004 17:53

Heres an update for anyone who like to know...My brother went to the homeless place with my mum and they had a look round and this is progress because a couple of months ago he wouldnt have even went in there.
They have put him as high priority and they should have him a place in a couple of weeks.
Part of the program is a GP and seeing your keyworker at least once a week ect, so if he goes along with it it will be lovely

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bundle · 26/10/2004 17:59

charliecat, that sounds great, v encouraging

SofiaAmes · 26/10/2004 23:19

Oh that sounds great. Although things do come and go with schizophrenics, you can get many years of "normal" living at a time. Hope this is the beginning of that for you and your mother.

Original poster
charliecat · 27/10/2004 20:29

I hope so too. They are suggesting Monday as a date so thats fantastic!

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Original poster
charliecat · 07/11/2004 16:43

Great update news, hes been fasttracked through and is taking his pills(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) and tonight will be his second night in the homeless place, nice warm cosy bl abl bla...miracle!
Lets hope he keeps ok
I worked out the last time he took his pills properly was 11 years ago so this is nearing miraculus!

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