My son was diagnosed with schizophrenia at 21 and after many compulsory returns to hospital has now been stable on clozaril however his cognitive skills are affected. It's very hard to explain but anyone who knows him would agree that he could not, despite having been at university, hold down a job where he had to work with others. It's a million small things that clearly indicate to others that he is a little 'odd'. Some of his views, his inability to understand that you lower your voice to adjust to situations, his total bluntness and honesty (which is very endearing to family!) Whilst as a family we accommodate him completely the outside world is not so kind and he is very big so can appear difficult or challenging.

He is desperate to work and does voluntary conservation - I was so delighted to have him without his suffering the psychosis and voices but now I realise is this as good as it gets?? He is not living a full life and is very aware of this.

THere is mention of new medication that helps these aspects? What can be done to help? Surely at 30 he must have some hope?

Concerned Mom

9/27/10 12:20am

I completely understand how you feel.  My 23-year-old son was recently diagnosed, too, is now stable on Clozaril, but is in despair about his cognitive impairment.  He sees his siblings in college and moving ahead to good careers and worries he will never "make anything" of his life. Sometimes he just wants to give up, so this scares me.

 

I know that some new meds to improve cognitive function are in clinical trials, but I don't know how long they'll take to get on the market.  He's lucky, though, that he has such a supportive family--my son does, too.

 

Hang in there,

MW