Hi Mar,
You didn't say what your boyfriend? Husband? was diagnosed with? I know it's difficult being someone who cares for someone who has this condition. Just know that there are alot of folks out there who are in the same position as you are.
One of the frustrating things about Schizofrenia is that the doctors don't know everything. There are still debates about what the cause is, whether it is chemical or something else. The best thing you can do is arm yourself with knowledge and there is lots of it here on Health Central. I am going to dig up some links for you to look through.
Some of this information you probably already know, but it helps to go over it so when there is an episode you know what to do. If you are involved in this persons care, you need to make sure you ask questions about his care and what you can do to help. This information will help.
There is a good overview of schizophrenia here. If he has paranoid, there is a little more information here. There is a good overview of Schizoaffective Disorder here. The symptoms are here. It's possible that he is exibiting symptoms that are not related to the condition, but it's also possible he is exibiting symptoms that are signs of deepening schizophrenia and indicate a change in treatment to remain level. You can read about symptoms here. There is also a list of complications that can make treatment difficult.
Now when it comes to treatments, there are several different paths. I will list some of the sections for treatment. There is an overview here. Alternative treatments here. Medicine treatments here.
Health Central is built around resident experts who advise, counsel and educate readers about these conditions. While online advice is not meant in any way to take the place of a doctor's advice, but it can be a stepping stone to understanding and managing your lives. Dr Jerry Kennard is an academic in the United Kingdom and uses his wealth of knowledge to teach. You can read his postings here.
Robin Cunningham is a successful scholar who is currently serving on the New Jersey Governor's Council on Mental Health Stigma and the NAMI New Jersey Board of Trustees. This is pretty remarkable since he's been dealing with schizophrenia since he was 13.
Excerpt taken from Robins bio, "In 1956, when Robin's illness first appeared, the prognosis for individuals suffering from schizophrenia was dismal. For years he dealt with the mental and emotional agonies characteristic of his condition. Leading a double life, partly in the real world and partly in a surreal world, he struggled with the debilitating effects of his illness. But with the aid of Dr. Sol Levy, an extraordinary psychiatrist 30 years ahead of his peers, he began a long search for an efficacious medication and learned highly effective coping skills." You can read Robin's postings that outline coping skills here.
Finally you have a wonderful community here at Health Central. There are many folks in the same position as you, loving someone and caring for someone who has a condition that few understand. Justinallen is in a similar situation as you. Read his message and comments here. Simply_Cinderella is helping her father cope. Read her experiences here.
Most importantly stay in touch. If you are having a particularly challenging day, let us know! Perhaps someone here has been through the same thing you are experiencing and might have some advice for you. Likewise if you are having a good day, let us know about that too! Perhaps you can shed some light on an issue for others. You never know.
I hope some of this information helps. Please do stay in touch and let us know how you and your loved one are doing!
Vicki M
Hi Mar,
You didn't say what your boyfriend? Husband? was diagnosed with? I know it's difficult being someone who cares for someone who has this condition. Just know that there are alot of folks out there who are in the same position as you are.
One of the frustrating things about Schizofrenia is that the doctors don't know everything. There are still debates about what the cause is, whether it is chemical or something else. The best thing you can do is arm yourself with knowledge and there is lots of it here on Health Central. I am going to dig up some links for you to look through.
Some of this information you probably already know, but it helps to go over it so when there is an episode you know what to do. If you are involved in this persons care, you need to make sure you ask questions about his care and what you can do to help. This information will help.
There is a good overview of schizophrenia here. If he has paranoid, there is a little more information here. There is a good overview of Schizoaffective Disorder here. The symptoms are here. It's possible that he is exibiting symptoms that are not related to the condition, but it's also possible he is exibiting symptoms that are signs of deepening schizophrenia and indicate a change in treatment to remain level. You can read about symptoms here. There is also a list of complications that can make treatment difficult.
Now when it comes to treatments, there are several different paths. I will list some of the sections for treatment. There is an overview here. Alternative treatments here. Medicine treatments here.
Health Central is built around resident experts who advise, counsel and educate readers about these conditions. While online advice is not meant in any way to take the place of a doctor's advice, but it can be a stepping stone to understanding and managing your lives. Dr Jerry Kennard is an academic in the United Kingdom and uses his wealth of knowledge to teach. You can read his postings here.
Robin Cunningham is a successful scholar who is currently serving on the New Jersey Governor's Council on Mental Health Stigma and the NAMI New Jersey Board of Trustees. This is pretty remarkable since he's been dealing with schizophrenia since he was 13.
Excerpt taken from Robins bio, "In 1956, when Robin's illness first appeared, the prognosis for individuals suffering from schizophrenia was dismal. For years he dealt with the mental and emotional agonies characteristic of his condition. Leading a double life, partly in the real world and partly in a surreal world, he struggled with the debilitating effects of his illness. But with the aid of Dr. Sol Levy, an extraordinary psychiatrist 30 years ahead of his peers, he began a long search for an efficacious medication and learned highly effective coping skills." You can read Robin's postings that outline coping skills here.
Finally you have a wonderful community here at Health Central. There are many folks in the same position as you, loving someone and caring for someone who has a condition that few understand. Justinallen is in a similar situation as you. Read his message and comments here. Simply_Cinderella is helping her father cope. Read her experiences here.
Most importantly stay in touch. If you are having a particularly challenging day, let us know! Perhaps someone here has been through the same thing you are experiencing and might have some advice for you. Likewise if you are having a good day, let us know about that too! Perhaps you can shed some light on an issue for others. You never know.
I hope some of this information helps. Please do stay in touch and let us know how you and your loved one are doing!
Vicki M