CHOICES II-11 - Is Schizophrenia a Question of Faith?

Great segment Robin. How far along are you with your memoir?  Do you have a publisher? I have one I'd be happy to discuss with you. Regards;  Jim Blaha  630-917-7369.

Jim:

Thank you for your comments.  I appreciate your interest in my memoir.

I will call you in the next coupe of days.

Robin

Robin; Happy Holidays! Look forward to hearing from you.  Regards; Jim

Hi Carolyn:

I always look forward to your comments.

Satan first started placing blaphemous thoughts in my mind at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 8, 1956.  I was 12 years and 11 months old.  I didn't have many visual halucinations, but within a week I ended up with with Satan, three of his demons (which I dubbed "One, Two and Three") and a whole host of what I called "orphaned voices" (because I didn't have any idea to whom they belonged).  I spent my thirteenth birthday in the hospital.

Many of the members of our church thought I was possessed.  Most of my larger family thought I was acting out or just trying to make trouble.  I overheard my parents in a bitter arguement about what to do with me just two days after I became ill.  (Within three days I had become totally dysfunctional and could no longer go to school.)

On my father's side of the family, my grandfather, an uncle and one of two aunts had schizophrenia.  My parents were strong advocates but struggled to understand.  More often than not, they did the wrong things.  My first psychiatrist was 25 years ahead of his time and fifty years ago gave me care that today can only be described as "best practise treatment."  It wasn't long before he included my father, mother, and brother in my treatment.

At the time I became ill there was only one medication.  For ten years my psychiatrist and I tried just about every new medicine as these became available until we found one that worked for me.

May you find peace of mind,

Robin

PS.  Please don't stop make comments.  Your thoughts and observations have to be making things better for everyone that reads them.

Thank you for the compliment.  Writing here is a form of therapy for me.  I check at least 3 times a day to see if there are any new posts or replies.  I don't have much of a social life -- it is here where I find my best friends.

Carolyn

Hi Carolyn:

This is a form of therapy for me and beyond.  It is good to meet you I hope we can develop a relationship.  I have been diagnosed with schizophrenia as well about 25 years ago.  My family is wierd about it and don't show me much respect.  I can here the mistrust in their voices and especially the way they talk down to me.  But thats the way the ball bounces.  WE all have our crosses.  My thoughts and thought patterns are a series of little crosses equaling a sometimes seemingly cross beyond my ability to carry.  Developing relationships with people seems to help with the burden of lonliness and isolation.

Karen K.

Karen, are you in the U.S.?  Do you receive SSDI?  You certainly sound like you qualify for it and I urge you to apply if you haven't already.

My mom does something like you mentioned.  When I am getting sick, she usually says, "You need to call the doctor."  Or, "Maybe you should take more medicine."  Once or twice she has asked me what the voices are like.  But in my case, I think it is better that my family not know.  I think it would lead to even more misunderstanding.  Because they can't believe how bad it is.  And if I tried to explain it I might scare them.  I would rather talk to my doctor or see a therapist, or even better, talk to friends who have sz or bpd and friends online.  People who already DO have some understanding.

There was a time, early on after diagnosis, when I wanted my family to know everything I was going through, but they said no, they didn't want to hear it.  It is easier for families to deny that their loved one is seriously ill.

Carolyn