For all people who have found effective (or largely effective) treatments (for yourself or for your loved one), what is your story? I’m interested in all of it, diet, exercise, supplementation, medication, and any other relevant lifestyle changes.
What has worked most successfully, and how is your loved one/how are you doing now?
How much has your loved ones or your experience improved?
How long did it take you to arrive at the treatment your loved one or you are on now?
Thank you all so much! I’m so grateful that we all have this resource and are able to support one another!!
My LO’s meaningful recovery is due to CLOZAPINE, which is an underused medication in this country!! LO had previously NOT been treatment compliant and had been missing and homeless living out of a car in a far away state and not communicating with anyone. LO might not be alive if it wasn’t for this medication combined with enough time in a group home to allow the medication to heal the brain. LO has been working part-time for 4.5 years, has friends and is active in a faith community, volunteers in music ministry, and contributes “fair share” in living with a sibling. LO is able to do manage personal daily tasks…does often need encouragement and support with non-routine tasks and bigger projects. LO also benefits from talk therapy.
My son is 46 and stopped his meds last year/ he is in jail because of his behavior while using drugs and not taking his meds. He wouldn’t listen to reason/ his delusional ideas and psychotic episodes took him down-
I tried and tried/ but without his consent for treatment no one will force it- so he remains unable to make rational decisions- naked in jail- my heart is broken.
I decided to attend Alanon online and in person- the 12 step program has helped tremendously. With alcoholism and schizophrenia we did not cause it, can’t control it, or cure it. I need to take care of myself and stop obsessing over him. It’s not helping or healthy.
Great question
Clozapine is currently daily pills only. There was a time when I knew my LO would not take oral medication but that eventually changed. Try using the LEAP strategy identified in the book “I Am Not Sick; I Don’t Need Help”. Don’t give up hope.
Hi Carly, My son is 29 and non med compliant, it is so frustrating that they can t be forced to take meds. My son right now lives in a small condo I provide, but he is one step away from your son’s situation. I am also trying not to obsess and worry about him. It does not help and we need to give ourselves some self care. It is so heartbreaking tho, and you have to live it to know how awful it feels to be their mom. Remember, we are not alone.
Medicine, lots of love remembering the kind, loving person my daughter used to be, god to give us strength and hope. I can’t remember how long it took. It’s months if not a year or more since my daughter’s last episode. That said, it took many many years to learn from mistakes, learn from the kind folks in this forum, and lots of trial and errors. Some days it does feel like whatever you tried just doesn’t seemed to work.
Thank you Carlie, hope things are going better with your son, and it is important to set boundaries and practice self care. It is good to remember the nice times we have had with our loved ones.
Yes. I do miss him. We used to talk daily and I’d see him once a week. We’d play music together; he played guitar and I played ukulele. Hopefully our sons choose a better way to live. Take good care of yourself.
CarlyB
Hello Rishi,
Please read articles on this site and elsewhere about taking the supplements L-Theanine, Sarcosine and multi B vitamins. Our son (schizoaffective disorder diagnosis) reports more energy and a better mood since he started taking 250 mg L-Theanine 1X per day in the am, 1000 mg Sarcosine 2X per day, am and pm, and a multi B vitamin every day. He takes 15 mg of Abilify at the moment due to having had a very difficult winter, but is hopeful he can return to a maintenance dose of 5 mg which, when he sticks to it, keeps him stable. Green tea naturally contains L-Theamine and our son, my hubby and I have found that drinking it helps our concentration and focus for a good three hours right after drinking it!
2.5 grams of Sarcosine daily, L-theanine, in addition to other compounded amino acids, minerals, vitamins, AND a steady detox protocol, especially from heavy metals has had to my son’s recovery. Greatest game changer were EBOO IV’s, after which some of my son’s worst symptoms have completely disappeared. Still continuing treatment, but finally found a way to the finish line. NO meds, clean, organic, anti-inflammatory diet a must, and exercise daily.
The only treatment that worked to rescue my daughter from her psychosis, which was pretty constant, very bad, and lasted for years was forced hospitalization, jail, a cooperative judge who required meds by court order, and a long term injection she’s now been on since 2019. I tried natural solutions the prior 3 years, but getting her to take vitamins, see doctors or even to eat food was not much possible at all. Once the injections started, there was improvement from her controlling voices, with slow wins over 2 years until 2021. Since then, she has returned to a new normal life including stable work. She has lived with me since 2015 and if that had not been possible, she would not have recovered. I “interfered” a lot, it was required. It was like fighting a war for her sanity.