My brother has schizophrenia and it happened 6 years ago... when he was in university.. he's only 25 now. He graduated (but took him longer than usual) and he's working now. I guess he's got a mild sz. The last 3 days I've been trying to research non-stop about schizophrenia, I want some answers. He acted weird 2 days ago and started shouting for no reason, is that a relapse?? He's on risperdal.... and been decreasing the amount lately till now he's taking 1 gram then that relapse happened after like 6 months of taking 1 gram daily, does that mean he has to increase the amount again? coz my parents want to give him 2 grams now.
I've been reading on other medications and I was wondering how do we know whats best for him? what about abilify?
Does anyone know a really good doctor? I dont really trust the doctors he's been seeing, I just dont feel like they care that much. Is there a really well-known doctor anywhere? whether its U.S or Canada or UK that is specialized in schizophrenia... we'll take him anywhere, I just really want him to be like he was before :( and get cured. I want him to get married and have kids and a normal life. Is there hope? Is there hope he can be off the medications for good? Can hypnosis work? and cure sz? I heard there are psychotherapy using hypnosis. If so, do any of you know good hypnotists?
A really major question I had was whats the cause of schizophrenia? I was told it's genetic. But I dont know any of my family who have schizophrenia, is there a chance it is a cause of the environment or social? and something happened that caused it?
What can I do to help him get cured?
Please help!
Hello _S_,
At this time there is no cure. I urge you to read (and re-read) my SharePosts and those written by Robin Cunningham. There is no cure; however, there is hope. It is definitely not advisable to institute a drug holiday or stop taking the medications that allow a person to have a full, productive life even with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Going off the meds is a no-win situation, could lead to homelessness and not the kind of life your brother could expect to want.
Seems to me he is definitely headed for another psychotic break if he decides to stop taking the medication, and he may already be on his way there. Why exactly did he taper down on the Risperdal? Did his psychiatrist sanction this?
There is no "normal," even for people without schizophrenia. That is a lie: the perfect life. A cure for this disabling disease could happen in the future; however, your brother and you and your family have to mourn whatever kind of life he had in the past, and embrace the possibility for a better future that will most likely include taking medication(s).
The NAMI Peer Support guidelines include this mantra: "We expect a better future in a realistic way." Read my expert's blog entry that will post either today or tomorrow, about this topic. Because there is hope. I urge you to read my blog entry archives, and also Robin Cunningham's. Read my post, "Making Peace With Your Diagnosis."
There is hope, yet you must be realistic. Are you in the UK? Tell us where you're living and I will try to research options for treatment.
Best wishes,
Chris
Hello Christina,
Yes the psychiatrist said to decrease the dose gradually... to see if he'd be okay if a lesser dose, but he's getting slower at responding, not concentrating and moody. And just yesterday, they sent a letter from work asking him to leave by the end of the month... I'm so sad :(
No I'm not in the UK. I'm in the middle east. But I'm sure my parents wont mind going anywhere for his treatment. Do you know of really good doctors specializing in schizophrenia that he could see?
Hello _S_,
Will check around and see about a referral.
First, may I ask why the current pdoc won't increase the meds again to their prior level to see if his symptoms abate? Was he doing well on the Risperdal?
Regards,
Chris
Hi Chris,
Oh no, my brother has increased his dose... so we'll see how that goes.
Define doing well? I guess he was funcitioning okay, but I'm wondering if there are better meds for him, I mean he's very anti-social, cant make conversation and stuff. He was on seroquel before but it made him sleep all day!
_S_,
NAMI is the National Association on Mental Illness in the U.S. and also some other areas of the world. It is an advocacy organization for people who have mental illnesses, and their families and friends.
NAMI offers family education classes, family support meetings, peer support meetings for people who have mental illnesses, and it lobbies for changes in laws in the U.S. to better address the needs of people with mental illnesses.
Perhaps where you live there is a similar agency.
Regards,
Chris