To make matters worse, he actually had an appointment today with Social Security to apply for SSI as well. When he set off to be homeless today I tried to convince him that he needed these payments and we needed to attend this appointment but he did not care. I actually just got back from his grandmother’s house where he’d been staying and found one of his pills in the floor by the bathroom so my suspicion that he was not actually taking the medication has proven correct.
Thank you for sharing your experiences with me as it sounds very similar to my situation. Despite things not turning out in my son’s favor I am so thankful that there are some out there that are able to manage this illness.
Thank you for this information. I like the recommendation about supportive therapy for monitoring and developing coping skills. My dilemma is finding that. His psychiatrist doesn’t provide this support and I’m not sure who to turn to or what qualifications I need to look for in a person who can.
I’m sorry to hear of your son’s struggles but like everyone here I can relate. My son would draw on his hands, etc. And he was made worse by Risperdal and exhibited all kinds of strange behaviors. Some meds make them worse. Like Catherine’s son my son was finally out on Clozapine and it’s been a total game changer. He’s very “normal” now and is back to creating music. I was afraid of the side effects but they monitor him weekly in the beginning and now monthly.
My son did stop drawing on his hands after he decided it felt better to wear gloves year round.
That looked a bit strange in the summer but probably better than the writing and they make gloves with open fingertips.
There are so many challenges with this illness.
After nearly eighteen years I finally feel like I might begin to get my own life back now that he’s better. That’s another challenge.
I would highly recommend Clozaril. Now that my son has been taking it for two years he’s even given up smoking! My BF has been trying
to give up cigs and is struggling with that and is awed how my son just stopped. A lot of the OCD behaviors have also stopped.
Sounds like you’re doing all the right things for your son. Sending hope and prayers to you both for his recovery.
Unfortunately, he is currently hospitalized right now, for the first time in a year of being on medication. He had been doing so much better, and still is compared to before, but was becoming distressed by break through symptoms and asked to go to the hospital (which is huge). They are changing his medication so hopefully that will help. Thank you so much for asking! @Cameroon