My paranoid schizophrenic brother has been arrested multiple times, been hospitalized multiple times, is off meds, carries knives for protection etc.
He lives in an old, decrepit strip motel.
He’s not allowed to use public transportation, cannot enter a number of local stores and believes his victimization should go to the US Supreme Court.
He also believes he is an international scientist and has clearance in the nuclear industry.
He demands millions of dollars from me and provides pages and pages of calculations to proved this. He wants me to sue his motel, the police, the courts, the hospitals,
When I sent him info on low cost housing he tore up the info and mailed it back to me.
I feel very unsafe round him yet I want to help him somehow>
Any suggestions?
Thank you in advance!
sorry but he needs help…and hospital.
he is lucky he has a supportive sister…
but that is very delusional and ill.
carrying weapons is a bridge to far…
know someone cares
take care
Are your parents around? They can go to a lawyer and get him declared mentally incompetent. Then they can get him into the hospital if he isn’t willing to go. The only way to help him is by getting him treatment.
Sounds like a train wreck waiting to happen. Is he on meds? The knive-carrying seems like grounds for an involuntary hospitalization as a danger to himself or others. It might help him. He is very paranoid.
My siblings don’t treat me any differently just because I suffered some brain development problems from using street drugs while I was still growing up. They all treat me as if nothing happened, and I like the stability of mind that gives me just knowing people who knew me before I got sick. So, maybe if you tactfully bring up some old memories when talking to him may also help him to reconnect to the past when his life was still more stable. I was very fortunate to have had a good childhood that holds many pleasurable recollections of that time in my life.
I think you could call the police to get him to the hospital, because from what you’re telling me, he has a very severe case of schizophrenia and needs help immediately.
There’s not much you can do yourself except for what you’re already doing (being supportive and asking for help). This is out of your hands I believe.
If I were you, I’d just leave him completely alone. If he is competent enough to live on his own, he is competent enough to endure this world.
Those are some pretty strong mentalities he has. It sounds that if he had his full health together, he’d be a pretty novel person in reality. Unfortunately, the brain is injured or damaged and cannot be healed to 100% perfection. Best to just give him space.
When people are having strong episodes with their SZ it is best to give them as much space as possible.
P.s. - I don’t like using the word “schizophrenic” to describe anyone who has SZ.
In the county I live in, there is a process available that if 3 people submit notarized forms saying that a person is a danger to himself or others, a mental health warrant can be issued for pickup and 3 day hospitalization, which can be lengthened if the evaluation shows that treatment is necessary. I believe it is thru the sheriff’s office here. HOWEVER, if he is not compliant with meds, you might be fighting a losing battle unless injected medications can be mandated.
My loved one has very similar thoughts - the whole international (even interplanetary!) scientist thing, and persecution by the military for his ‘work’ and thoughts - even on meds, however, he does not carry knives or even act out much outside of the house.
This would be a good way to be able to communicate with him.
He has been desperately trying to reconnect with his past.
He sends his ex-wife countless gifts and $ and she is very afraid and sees this as stalking.
He was a research chemist before he got sick and he keeps contacting lawyers for patents of things he did before he got sick, writes these incredibly grandiose career portfolios, carries around his SAT high school scores etc.
His many hospitalizations were after arrests and he had the 3 day hold and the IV meds and then does not follow up with the local mental health clinic.
He refuses doctors, therapists, and meds. Both of our parents are deceased.
My two sisters want nothing to do with him so I am the only one with a desire to help him.
This has been repetitive. His defending attorney told me about him carrying knives but said nothing can be done until a crime is committed.
I am new to this forum but it looks like everyone will be able to see this which I would like to happen.
Thank you for giving me your perspective!
Maybe I could send him CD’s of music from the time before he became ill?
He has none of his past friends…
Out of ignorance, I do not understand what is wrong with the word schizophrenia…could someone explain this to me?
I hope I’m doing this right. I’m new here, so here we go My son was diagnosed when he was 25, paranoid schizophrenic. He is 27 now. What happened was . . . he was making verbal threats to his sister and father whom he lives with, both of them, and since his diagnosis my daughter, his sister, has had twins! A darling little boy and a sassy little girl that I love with all my heart! Anyway, he was also punching holes in the walls and just doing things he never would have done before! His father had him involuntarily committed because of the violent outbursts and the verbal threats. It was a really quick process, they slapped the hand cuffs on him and took him off to the hospital. He stayed there a month, during which time he was diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic. The medication is injected monthly, which really is helpful, because before he wouldn’t take his meds or he wouldn’t take them properly. It sounds like your brother may be a candidate for involuntary commitment, because YOU FEEL UNSAFE! I hope I’m not offending you.
Your kidding! Leave him alone? He needs to be committed, harsh as that sounds, but it could save someone’s life (like his sister) Believe me. Sorry. Just being honest.
I just wrote a snail mail letter to my dear brother, trying to do what you suggested.
It felt like fun!
I asked him about music from our past, our shared college experiences we both went to etc.
His wonderful past before he got ill just makes him remember his losses = his friends, his wife, his career…
Whatever, I do think your advice is amazing!
Keep on giving your advice!
I’ve been put in the in patient units twice. Both times i was more of a danger to myself then i was to others. My dad and brother both have mental illnesses as well. My father has schizoaffective and my brother is bipolar with psychotic features. they both get extremely paranoid and will often fight with one another and punch each other when their paranoia and anger are at their peak. It’s hard to deal with them both when they felt the other has the upper hand. I worry one day their fights will drag my mother into it. They both collect knives and some of them are even mine from what they stole from me when my partner hid my knives when i first got sick she didn’t want me to be around sharp objects. Anyway, doctors have told my mom time and time again if she feels she is in danger then she needs to call the police call for help and then either my brother or my dad maybe even both with be hospitalized and given mandatory meds.
i knw this may be hard for you but you should call the police and have him admitted to the hospital by cort he really need help and carring knives aroundis a danger to himself and other people you should talk to a docter about a shot called invega it really works trust me and i know this because i have schizophrenia i have it ever since i was 12 years old and i am currently still talking it and have been doing great for about 4 years you should talk to a doctor about for your brother
**You can call the police and ask for a CIT trained officer or unit. Tell them the whole situation-especially the knife.
It won`t be pleasant and if he resists ( and he probably will! ) they will have to take him forcefully.
That is about the only way you can get him to the hospital.
Once he is stable, you can visit and talk things over with him.
I wish you luck!
**
Glad I could help a bit, but I really don’t think it wise to play doctor or therapist too much by ourselves, but who knows us better than our own families? There is always the future to try and remain and adopt a positive attitude towards as well just because it is mostly an unknown factor in our lives.
My son was diagnosed when he was 25, paranoid schizophrenic. He is 27 now. What happened was . . . he was making verbal threats to his sister and father whom he lives with, both of them, and since his diagnosis my daughter, his sister, has had twins! A darling little boy and a sassy little girl that I love with all my heart! Anyway, he was also punching holes in the walls and just doing things he never would have done before! His father had him involuntarily committed because of the violent outbursts and the verbal threats. It was a really quick process, they slapped the hand cuffs on him and took him off to the hospital. He stayed there a month, during which time he was diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic. The medication is injected monthly, which really is helpful, because before he wouldn’t take his meds or he wouldn’t take them properly. It sounds like your brother may be a candidate for involuntary commitment, because YOU FEEL UNSAFE! I hope I’m not offending you.