My husband has recently been diagnosed with schizophrenia. He has has 4 psychotic breaks in 3 years, 3 hospitalizations. He is currently in the hospital atm. Last time he was hospitalized his discharge papers stated drug induced psychosis wary paranoid schizophrenia. That was over a year ago and he did not continue medication. He has one small episode a few months later after taking speed to stay awake at night he recovered without treatment. He was stable without meds for 6 months but at times seemed a little paranoid at times but was able to work and carry on daily living. Around December 2013 he began acting strange seemed to be stressed out have some emotional issues bursts of anger and anxiety. I just thought he was under a lot of stress. By christmas he broke down in tears several times wanted to quit his job was very manic amd high strung at times had some odd spending sprees. Once he returned to work he seemed fine again. A month or so went by and he had another upset where he seemed stressed out at work. He decided to quit his job and start a new one. He seemed fine at first but then after about a week he became psychotic. He had been drinking a lot and became delusional and agitated. He told me he didn’t want to be with me and acted like everyone was against him. Didnt show up for work. Was gambling. Accusing me of all kinds of things. Telling me he wanted the kids but not me. Finally we talked him into going to the hospital. He agreed to go but once there became angry at me telling us that nothing was wrong. That was Feb 26 he is still in there. He refused meds at first he has been on haldol regularly for two weeks. They started the long acting injections a week ago. His behavior has calmed down and they were able to move him off the high observation area. He still thinks their is nothing wrong with him and is still mad at me. He is delusional about things but not as bad as before. Last time his anger for me lasted the longest but we were able to get past it and build our relationship back to a normal level. I hope one day he can gain insight and lose the denial and stay on meds and away from drugs and alcohol. I will always support him but he needs to help himself.
Hi Julie. Welcome to the forum.
You may find some of these links useful:
http://www.leapinstitute.org/ - under resources are free videos on using LEAP
LEAP is a way of communicating to build trust. Listen-Empathize-Agree-Partner.
http://dramador.com/ - Dr. Xavier Amador is a clinical psychologist whose brother had schizophrenia. He is the founder of the LEAP Institute. Wrote the book: I’m Not Sick I Don’t Need Help! Can buy from his website.
Search Xavier Amador and LEAP on youtube.com and you should find some long videos
Treatment Advocacy Center - under problems you will see anosognosia
Anosognosia looks like denial but is different.
Bayes for Schizophrenics: Reasoning in Delusional Disorders - LessWrong - helped my understand delusions
http://www.nami.org/ - National Alliance on Mental Illness.
http://www.schizophrenia.ca/ - Schizophrenia Society of Canada
Can also find some very useful information here:
If your husband has anosognosia then he may always have limited insight into his schizophrenia. My son is recently learning some insight into his marijuana use triggering psychosis but it took 6 hospitalizations in 3 years.
I’m sorry that you coming here is under such circumstances. He is getting treatment and he is getting calmer. Recover and getting stable takes time, it doesn’t happen over night even with the right medications. Wishing you and your husband all the best.
I know this might make you blush/feel embarrassed and I’m sorry for that. But I have to say it. You are wonderful. My fiancee C is wonderful (he hasn’t seen as much as you but there is still time for it). You and all the people like you are angels. Maybe even in a literal sense? I don’t know. I don’t know how you guys handle it all. You, my Mom, C, kidsis, BarbieBF, and everyone else you all watch over us, you all take care of us, and most importantly you love us even when act as though or sometimes even believe we don’t love you back.
Please accept this hug from me -O- for being such a good person.
Thank you all so much 
Don’t be afraid. You’re going through tha hard part now. I was psychotic and in hospital for 6 months. My husband had to change working hours and support och autistic son to go to school and our little boy too. At the same time he visited me at the hospital several times a week, I don’t even remember him being there.
One thing that is really important is that you take care of YOU. You need time to relaxe and regain strenth. Having a delusional partner drains your energy fast!
Hey, your post really touched me. I often have people say I must be so strong etc to not have left my husband, but your words speak to my heart. Thank you.
I can associate on some levels with your experience, although my husband doesnt use drugs or alcohol. But he does have the anosognosia, even though his case manager seems to think its denial (frustrating). Also the ongoing rebuilding of trust. I really like BarbieBF post with its links for us newbies to the journey.
My hubby was diagnosed in 2012 with a 6 week stay in hospital. It was a tough time, he had a fairly stable period following that, muchly due to the quality of treatment by the psychiatrist who took him on. Hes had another hospitalisation at christmas new year 13/14 and hasn’t got back to a good functional level yet. Hes safe, but delusional at times, anxious and reliant on me for his security.
So, heres to being a fellow wife in the journey!
Keep loving, keep hoping, keep calm, look after self so you can keep calm and keep loving and hoping!
Schizophrenia is very episodic, the patient can be poorly one day, and fine the next and in time they improve. Be aware that schizophrenics can say a lot of things they don’t mean when ill, so I wouldn’t take any comments from your husband seriously.
You sound like a caring wife, that will help a lot. Family support helps a lot in helping a schizophrenic recover.