These posts describe my son exactly. My son has schizoaffective disorder and before being medicated had manic rants. He could talk for an hour straight with me saying absolutely nothing. Now he usually doesn’t say much, but can occasionally talk quite a bit on something that is important to him. The niggling doubt in my mind is that the poverty of speech is caused not by his illness, but by taking a high dose of Zyprexa which blocks dopamine. I believe this also causes a lot of his general disinterest. What upsets me the most is that seems to be the tradeoff for him to have peace, mostly rational thoughts, and congenial “voices”. Logically, I know that is a tradeoff worth making. But my heart cries.
Has anyone else noticed their loved one talks more without meds?
Have you asked your son why he doesn’t talk to you? I have become more and more direct with my son and find that the answers are not always what I expect. It is also possible that he has NO idea this even bothers you.
I think video games (if not violent) are a good thing if the person with schizophrenia knows they are “make-believe.”
At one point my son would laugh until he was gasping for breath. It sounded like he couldn’t stop and was frightening. A psychiatrist said it is called hebephrenia. But, honestly your son’s laughter doesn’t sound uncontrolled or inappropriate to his thoughts. Sometimes now my son will laugh out loud for a few seconds, and if I ask him why his answer is similar to your son’s. I think you should feel good that he has so many happy memories. That is a blessing.
I don’t really get a chance to as he avoids us in the house. But it’s a good idea. I’ve been working on photo albums and I did get a “yeah that was really cool” out of him. Eventually, he will have to as we are moving next summer and we’ll need to address the move.
My son once told me I was being mean because I did not give him time to talk. Now I actually count to 10 in my head before I go on talking!
Vallpen, it is much the same with my son when we are out. I always try to listen to positive music in the car. Sometimes just being out together is enough and I don’t push conversation. I do point out anything that I see along the way that is beautiful and keep the talk light. I was told to speak in simple sentences and that is what I try to do.
Yes. He had the finger boards and it used to kinda drive me crazy … it was something he liked and it drove me a little crazy! Now I wish for it!
My son is the same way he doesnt talk to me, stays in the room he doesnt play games or watch tv , when he passes me in the living room i ask him to sit and watch tv he will for like a minuite the goes back to his room, it frustrating cause he says he is bored and lonley.
I don’t know a whole lot but for my son with Aspergers, he doesn’t verbalize much. It’s disconcerting to get silence or a single word answer in a conversation. I have learned to roll with it and understand now that he is absorbing everything I say. For him it’s enough that I say and act loving toward him, it gives him what he needs. I had to learn not to expect anything in return and he began to surprise me with things he would do, like bringing me a drink with out me asking. He seems to pick up on things other people don’t, things that many people have to be told. For him being in the same room with me is all he needs. If I am there long enough and let him come to me, he will talk. Not every time but often enough. So maybe your son just needs you to be there and to allow him to come to you. You might invite him to your place for pizza or bring one to him. Whatever works best. But if you ask, it can seem like pressure to decide. If he won’t open the door, maybe just leave the pizza, tell him you love him and leave it there.
I don’t know your history or dynamic but sometimes it’s just being in the same space with zero pressure that shows how much you care. I always have my phone with me so I can keep myself from getting antsy or bored, which are things he may pick up on.
My daughter will often bring her tablet in the room, sit on the bed and just watch a movie while I do my thing. They don’t need to talk, just to be near.
I hope that helps. It has taken me three years to learn how to do that and it is still hard. The first few times might be very uncomfortable. Good luck no matter what you decide to try.
Certainly there are types of schizophrenia and cant reply in a certain way but what i find best,and if it is possible too, you can creat a hobby with your son with not much talking but creativity, for instance painting or listening togethed to new cds , (classical music). What im saying is that talking with words isnt the most important for me but make him feel that he isnt alone even without talking is the most important.