I am searching for input from others- whether it is from care providers or those who feel this has happened to them.
My son - 34 diagnosed as schizophrenic,
talks a lot about outer space and other life forms not from this planet, Star children, other worldly things he feels he has experienced. His secret missions, etc. This is just a small amount, there is a lot more.
He states we found him in a corn field and we become his adoptive parents. Among other things. When he talks, he never searches for words to speak. He talks consistently with the same things.
So just wondering if anyone else has similar experiences and thoughts to share.
perfectly normal, nearly every one on this forum hears the same crazy shit… Learn to blow it off like it never happens… wait till GOD steps in LOL, that is the scariest part… when they think GOD is directing them, never turn your back on a SZ.,…
Personally, I think each person’s experience is different (what exact delusions and hallucinations they believe). Yet the constant, constant talking about irrational beliefs is very, very common. My daughter was always talking or yelling out loud to beings above our city who were guiding her to “help”. Some days (and nights) it was non-stop until she lost her voice and then she still talked on with barely no voice.
You will not be able to dissuade your son from his beliefs. It will probably cause arguments to disagree with him.
It may be best to simply agree with what he says “Oh, I see. Hmmm, maybe that is possible” and change the subject to something more concrete like what he wants to eat for dinner, or would he take a walk with you to look at the neighbor’s yards …
I used the LEAP method by Dr. Amador to gain small, small agreements that added up over time.
My daughter who has Sz has been in psychosis and paranoia for several months refusing help. She believes she is adopted and Native American and suffering from PTSD due to sexual abuse by her parents as a small child. I had a home birth. I’m British and her dad’s from New York. She grew up in a loving family is smart, creative with many talents. Oh and we are in the CIA. It used to hurt now I just see the illness
Hi Erica, and welcome to this forum. You have found a group of people who understand the pain and hurt you go through daily trying to help someone that is in psychosis refusing help. This illness is awful, and most of our loved ones are smart and creative and talented, at least until the illness drags them down so far that they can’t be themselves any more. I am very sorry you are going through this. I suggest you come here and read to try to find ideas that might help you and your daughter to cope. The delusions she is suffering from are the truth to her, you can’t talk her out of them, no matter how strange they seem to you. Not arguing over delusions was something that took me awhile to learn, but once I stopped, our relationship bettered. Every small improvement will add up over time. Best wishes for some peace in your family life.
Thank you for your response. And while I understand the strategy of not arguing with the delusions as beneficial for the relationship - what is the relationship if I am not her mother?
Just an interested bystander who cares? And how to help her when she’s running away from everyone who cares about her? Currently in a homeless shelter.
You will always be her mother, but a mother’s role changes as our children age and their life situations evolve. If your daughter is an adult, then legally your rights to monitor her life are about the same as your rights to monitor the life of an adult who is not related to you at all. I guess your comment about being “an interested bystander who cares” is sort of well worded. Most bystanders don’t care and don’t try to get involved in another’s troubles. So the fact that you care makes you special, even if your daughter isn’t able to acknowledge that right now.
My daughter left home a few times during her unmedicated years. I felt helpless. She believed her delusions and hallucinations more than she believed I was helping her. This is such a heartbreaking and home-wrecking illness our loved ones have… The more you learn of the appropriate laws, medications, support groups, etc. the better you will be able to see exactly what steps you can take to help her.
Yes I am familiar with all legalities, medications, groups etc. after 10 years of support. I am unsure of how “voluntary” this recent descent into paranoia and psychosis is. Someone who when well is completely capable of handling such complex work as midwifery could have a completely fulfilling independent life. So do I do nothing? Being in another country compounds the problem along with my membership of the CIA.
Oh wow, 10 years of support for her. Yes, I’m sure you’ve learned a lot.
It is something I’ve noticed on this forum, that so many pre-illness loved ones were extremely talented, and now suffering from SMI are lost to what could have been.
Perhaps you should start your own thread asking for how other parents have helped their adult child in psychosis while living in a different country. I don’t remember many posts like that.
My problem is that the talent isn’t pre-illness it’s despite it. Got through university with a few episodes. She completed a very intense 18 months of study and clinical work in midwifery recently. On calls, 24 hour shifts, delivering many babies plus classroom work.Totally on top of it all, I’ve never seen her so happy and organized. Not on meds for most of it.
And I know this “darkness” as she has referred to it - is not what she wants. So as for the majority of people with mental illness their family members are the only ones that stay the course, I find it hard to not do something. But what?