Last year I wrote in this forum about my nephew’s Schizophrenia. My elder sister has been bothering me lately too much asking me to browse this forum and educate her with replies talking about recovery from Schizophrenia, useful medications that helped, etc. I told her as much as I browsed there aren’t too many success stories and such, but she is not believing and is bothering me, pestering me to find them in the forum. (She does not have frequent internet access and is not computer-savvy either).
Are there any such success stories in this forum from olden days that members remember which you can share with me? Also medication success stories…
I totally disagree. The fact that individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia are on these forums and reaching out to family members like us, is a huge indication of success. My son is twenty and I would not have made it through this last year without these forums.
There is no quick fix, so tell your sister to quit looking for one. Each individual has his/her own unique experience. Her son is no different and should be treated as so.
If she does not have access to the internet, then send her some books. @notmoses has a particular recommendation which I have found helpful.
Sounds like she needs some assistance. It’s great that you are helping. I’m sure it means a lot to her and I know I would appreciate someone helping me. Stay connected. They need you…
I’m taking 4mg of Risperdal and it helps me cope. It does’t completely erase my symptoms or make the loads better, but I can function at a relatively normal level while I’m on it.
Thank GOD she has a wonderful sister as yourslef,willing to access whatever you can to help her and your nephew get through this.
Understand your frustration,please do also understand hers as well. This is her son,and watching your child go through this has got to be frightening.
Curious,how old is the young man. And prior to this happening,had he smoked or do e any drugs?
Reason I am asking is my 18 yr old daughter recently had a spout with schizophrenia or so we thought. Turns out she has smoked some weed with a friend. The Marijuana turned out to have K2 mixed in with it. K2 is a synthetic form of weed. It is undectable in drug test. And can be fatal for some.
K2 has been known to cause Schizophrenic tendencies. And most people not knowing exactly the cause,look pass the fact this could be drug induced. Some people have been known to make a full recovery from the K2 use,and within months no more schizophrenia symptoms. Others are faced with having to take a antipsychotic medicine to help with treatment of schizophrenia for remainder of thier life. K2 is very dangerous and also kids are smoking bath salt as well with Marijuana. Bath salt is extremly dangerous as well and can too bring on schizophrenia.
Find out from your nephew exactly what had happened a couple of weeks prior to having his first spout with the schizophrenia. And encourage him to be completly honest.
Hope this helps
jravi, Everyone’s illness evolves differently. I would ask what your sister means exactly by “success” and “recovery”? Schizophrenia doesn’t go away, but symptoms can be managed. And a definition of success depends on how far you have to come. I’m the spouse of a schizophrenic, (maybe schizo-affective). We’ve been married for 6 years. He is doing very well, all things considered. He has insight, he’s med compliant, and totally abstains from all drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes. He use to be on drugs, alcoholic, and smoking 2 packs a day. He was able to stop the drugs on his own, when a psychiatrist explained that he would have to in order for the medications to make him feel better. He stopped the alcohol and cigarettes at my prompting, as a precondition for us having a relationship at all. He’s on disability, and doesn’t work, but is trying to learn to repair bikes, for a possible future part time job. He’s pretty active, lifts weights, rides his bike, has friends. He’s not able to manage his own money. I don’t expect that he’ll ever be able to work full time. He’s a sweetheart, and brings me coffee in bed every morning. I think that we have a pretty decent life, and I would call that success.
The prognosis depends on a number of things. First, each person’s illness can have a different level of severity. Then, whether or not he’s med compliant, and whether or not he uses alcohol, and/or drugs, will be a big determining factor. His support network can also make a difference. She should definitely read the book someone already mentioned, and join a NAMI group. I can tell you that statistically 17% of people have functionality on par with someone that doesn’t have the illness. That doesn’t mean that the rest of them don’t manage to have a decent and fulfilling life. I don’t know if my husband would be considered part of that 17% for instance. Overall, I think your sister needs to learn what reasonable expectations are, in order to figure out what success might look like for your nephew.