The reality is that very ill people sometimes go off their meds and it’s really hard on them.
You’re right @RBaker that not every person on earth needs psych meds, but some of our family members are so ill and dangerous to themselves (and even sometimes others) that effective medication can make the difference between life and death.
No one is against trying other things like supplements and exercise and other ways to help, but for us, we have to be really careful in always supporting medication as it can and does save lives and makes better quality of life in the long run.
True schizophrenia is a chronic illness and anyone who recovers fully from psychosis does not have the type of illness our family members have.
Admin already posted this today:
THE LINK IS TRUE. We caregivers are trying to do the best we can. My family member’s court-ordered medical treatment is not ideal, has some rough side effects, and is approximately one thousand or one million times better than the illness in its most active and debilitating stages. In a life and death situation, we are so happy the court worked to save our beloved child’s life.
Anyone is 100% welcome here as long as they can be supportive of people who need to take medication for their illnesses.
@cfromm Guardianship can be helpful. You can control where the person lives. With a conservatorship, which is a separate financial part of a guardianship (or with no other financial resources) you can control funds and use that as a tool to encourage med or other compliance (such as the lab monitoring). (Note that these terms are used differently in different states, and guardianship laws vary by state and maybe even by locality, I’m not sure.) Where we live, you or the doctor cannot force meds even with a guardianship. The best hope I know of is to use psychology to help the person gain insight into their need for help. L.E.A.P. is a strategy presented by Dr. Xavier Amador in his book “I’m Not Sick, I Don’t Need Help”. Listen/Empathize/Agree/Partner. You can see information about this online and order the book if you want to.
I was interested to listen just today on this site to the recently posted video showing an example of a trusted counselor convincing a patient to take a long-term injectable. (Note: Be sure to watch the video ALL THE WAY TO THE END.) There are also many other posts online about this. Also, some persons gain insight over time.
You can go to a court house and ask for the paper to request a court ordered inpatient evaluation. It takes about 15 mim. You word your statements explaining your loved one is a threat to himself and others…,they want history only back to 3 prior mo. No crime needs to have been committed, but little things like your fear of his actions…exagerate if you have to. The key is he will snap and say I believe I’m sick…it will happen.
@hailey - Well… I wrote that on 3/12. So much has happened since then. 3 weeks in the hospital, court ordered meds, 3 weeks in transition house. Now home and working 32 hours a week and even interested in reconnecting with friends- Invega sustenna!
I am so happy to hear this, Diane! We must celebrate and appreciate the day-by-day successes.
But be prepared for non-compliance. Be sure to read “I Am Not Sick; I Don’t Need Help” if you have not already. You will be way better equipped to handle any future instances of “I don’t want to be on medication anymore” or “I don’t want to go back” (for the shot). You are cared about!
I’m hoping his doctor will extend the court order. We went to court for a speeding ticket and the doctor who evaluated him said he was not competent to stand trial so he has to stay to the program - doctor, caseworker etc until he gets reevaluated in a few months. After court he said, I think I’m going to be on these (shots) for a while. So I am hopeful he will continue. I can also tie it to a goal - not living with me anymore, which he desperately doesn’t want to continue. He’s been offered an apartment, which I’ve heard is not a great place (but I’m going to check it out) and he has to apply for it (likely with many other people) but I’m glad to see opportunities like that come open for him. Fingers crossed!
I forgot about the court order! But I expect it won’t last forever? You are doing SO much to be prepared and to help him!! I have learned that I can’t trust what seems logical when it comes to our loved one with SMI.
@hope4us it expires soon - technically he’s had his last court ordered shot, but I think I can get him to stay on it until the next court date which is in Oct. We see the psych doc tomorrow.
I’m glad he is on meds. The envega shot is a good medication. FYI I do not know where you live, but he needs to careful not to get over heated. Heat and lack of fluid can cause heat stroke.
@hope Thanks for checking in. It went well. What I learned and is not that great is that (good for us however) because he is on court ordered meds we kinda of get a go to the front of the line as far as getting appointments with the doctor. If he did not have that and was someone seeking help there is a three month wait! They have also closed the transition house due to
Really glad that he gets front of the line without a 3 month wait - we ran into several month wait the first time my son agreed to see a psychiatrist. You work to get them to agree, then its a 3 month wait where you hope they remember that they did agree. So disappointed that the transition house has closed.
@Bzhan They were specially formulated for him under the guise of a rash he had. The Doctor knew it was for his sz. The thing that straightened him out was invega , which he has been on for over a year now. He will stop taking his shot however in Oct. so we’ll see how that all goes - sigh. You could also try the sarcosine. I get that for myself from brain vitamins.
@DianeR, do you really think your son is going to refuse the Invega injections, starting in October? Did he say that? Jeez, after all that progress, that would be so awful.
@Day-by-Day I know he is. He had a 3 month shot at the end of July and I believe he will not get the next one. I do think that we have him talked into keeping his account open so if he starts to relapse he can just go in and get a shot. He’s currently working more than full time and just got a promotion - so he may want to keep that job and may have to continue with the shots to do so. I’m a bit nervous but I’ve heard of others successfully going off when the psychosis was triggered from drugs (ie. pot and synthetic pot). I’ve also read that these drugs were not necessarily intended to be forever. So, I can only hope and pray and cross my fingers and all those things we do. I read a fictional book once where the man had prayed so much his prayers at the end was just simply, please. That’s pretty much where I’m at - just please, please, please : ) Hope things are going well for you.
I’m glad he is on meds. The envega shot is a good medication. FYI I do not know where you live, but he needs to careful not to get over heated. Heat and lack of fluid can cause heat stroke.