The Nightmare's Daughter

Health Interests

schizophrenia

Drugs I am Taking

The Nightmare's Daughter has not shared any drug information.

About Me

I am here to share with others what it is like having parents with schizophrenia. My story is not the least bit inspirational, but hopefully others in my situation will realize that they are not alone. I am 26 years old, married, and have a family of my own. I live far away from my parents, but I spend many hours per week on the phone with relatives and professionals who "try" to help. I also spend as much time as possible traveling to see them. It is a lot of work to keep a roof over thier head and food on thier plates, not to mention that it is expensive paying thier bills, car maintenance, etc. The most stressful thing for me has always been not really having parents. I thought that it would get easier as I grew up, but instead I have become more emotional and resentful. They were in and out of hospitals throughout my childhood, I was extremely embarassed by them throughout my teenage years, and I have been taking care of them since I was old enough to earn a paycheck. I am a stay at home mom now and fortunately I married a good man who is willing to share the burden with me. I feel like I can never fully enjoy life's memorable events because my parents are unable to be there for me such as graduations, my wedding, and the arrival of my children. As much as I pity myself, I realize that this illness is pure hell for them and it has robbed from them much more than it has from me. I wish there was a cure and that it didn't just get more difficult with time. Lately, each setback has been more difficult to recover from than the last. Currently my mother is in a nursing home and my father is almost homeless.