https://g.co/kgs/BL6NwGV
Is any watching the documentary style series
I’ve only just found it
The series is called Six Schizophrenic Brothers.
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The book “Hidden Valley Road” an Oprah Book Club feature, is also about the Galvin family - the true story of a large family with 6 brothers who lived with schizophrenia. Thanks for letting us know about the series.
Let us know what you think as you watch it - some of the reviews say it’s focusing on the “monster” aspect.
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I had never heard of the book or series I’ve had a chance to start it 4 episodes in
It’s pretty raw and factual so far I will say it could be very triggering to some
So far I would say its showing full spectrum of what schizo disorders can bring for person /caregiver.
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Yes, I viewed it. It certainly is extremely shocking, but I was hoping for some answers and it doesn’t offer any. Instead, the state of some of the brothers in their older age is horribly depressing. It may not be advisable from some on this site to watch it.
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Frankly, as a caregiver, the last thing I need is another reason to be depressed. Especially if the series doesn’t offer any help or solutions (whatever that means). So what’s the point?
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I agree. From the clips I’ve seen, it just seems to feed on the stigma and fear that people with SZ disorder are all n the verge of flipping out and becoming violent or even killers. I hate shows like this.
Decided not to watch it. I don’t see any benefit for myself.
I have watched it several times. It does talk about discovering the gene responsible for schizophrenia in episode 4.
Episode 4 is not that bad. I would recommend watching it.
The rest of it is very difficult to watch. There are some things you will learn. There are also some things probably alot of things that you will relate to as a caregiver or spouse.
There are some really horrific parts to it as well which are just awful, depressing, and without hope. That is one reason not to watch 1-3.
That’s a good point about sticking to episode 4.
I made it through the series and Im glad I watched it also . while there were a lot of events that could be triggering .
I felt the siblings gave a good account of the memories of the good events and separating the illness from the person.
It showed the struggles and hard decisions this family faced trying to care for their loved ones with the disorder .
that’s just my opinion
I chose to skip the intro to each episode because I feel they chose to play some of most dramatic headlines over and over for effects.
Someone please correct me if I’m wrong, since I haven’t watched the series. But can I assume that there were no “side bar” interviews or comments by mental health professionals to suggest de-escalation techniques to manage loved ones dealing with delusions and psychosis?
If so, I think it was a grave disservice to viewers and underscores the impression that this series was a kind of freak show rather than APB about mental illness. It’s been clear for a long time that effective methods are out there, especially LEAP. It’s hard not to think of how much better some of these negative confrontations with family may have ended had members not escalated matters by engaging but rather employed LEAP techniques.
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I found this maybe it will help answer your question.
Between the late '60s and early '80s, six of the Galvin brothers were diagnosed with schizophrenia: Donald Jr., James, Brian, Joseph, Matthew and Peter.
I watched the series Six Schizophrenic Brothers with my husband and it gave him a better understanding of what my 29:year old schizophrenic son is going thru. I thought the mom and younger sister were always supportive and caring for their schizophrenic loved ones. Also, seeing the schizophrenic brothers lives that were still alive did not seem that awful to me. They all had homes and were well taken care of, better than being in jail or homeless. Some older folks with dementia and poverty do not seem like they have great lives either. I had read the book and enjoyed the documentary series. It made me appreciate that I only have one schizophrenic adult child and gave me insight into the genetic aspect of this disease.
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There’s little hope in this series. As far as schizophrenia cases go several of their boys got it so bad that they seem to be on the extreme end of the spectrum with regards to how disturbed their behavior became. It’s a poor representation of your average schizophrenia case, and you have to remember this case took place in the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s, and mental health care was much worse than it is today, which is saying something given that it’s not great today.
Many schizophrenics recover to the point where they seem normal, but none of the six brothers seemed normal when interviewed, so I wouldn’t count any of them in the 25% of recovered cases, and I hesitate to put them in the 50% somewhat recovered also. Their behavior was just so severe. The thing with the dog especially.
My brother is hard to predict sometimes but not violent. Nothing close to what the two or three worst offenders in the family did.
I think I will be giving this series a body swerve.