Puzzled,angry(with Drs etc)

Schizophrenia is a complex illness to diagnose and it can effect different patients in different ways. It is characterized by hallcunations and delsions and some hear voices. While I have been living with this illness over half of my life I am no professional but if I could make one suggestion to you and your family and that is I feel it is very important to find a doctor and or therapist that your relative feels comfortable with. I am lucky because I have had the same psychiatrist the entire time I have had this illness.

I hope I have helped you and may I wish you and your family good luck in finding the right professional to help your loved one!

I have had SZ since I was 17. I am now 46. I have heard auditory hallucinations (voices) just about everyday since. I also have severe mood swings.

The meds I take, make it so I can function. 

Like Janet has said try to find a pdoc that will work with Bob.

Having family support is also very important.

Torture and abuse should be turned in. This is an outcry and a violation of his civil rights. Report any and all abuse.

Living with voices can be done.

I wish you and Bob the best.

Dave

Since I was first diagnosed with this illness back in 1983 I have been on a wide array of medications. I have been on lithium which is a mood stabilizer as well as anti-depressents and anti-psychotics. Currently I take Seroquel and for the past several years that medication has given me the most stability I have had in years! One thing to keep in mind is that medications can effect patients differently and what works for one may not work for another.

I hope I have offered you some insight into this disease.

Hello,

I suggest you and ideally Bob does read Dave Robbins' SharePost about his experiences living with the voices he hears.  Bob will need to stay on the medication until the right drug is found that best helps him have symptom relief.  The voices may not go away entirely for some people.  In that instance, developing coping skills is of great benefit.  CBT or Cognitive therapy could help some people deal with their symptoms.

I do not hear voices so I will defer to the other community members who have heard them or currently hear them.  Bob will find hope and inspiration here and at www.bipolarconnect.com  Here and there he will get much needed support for what he goes through living with the symptoms.

Regards,

Christina

My friend had both audio and visual hallucinations which would coincide or work together as part of the same hallucination. He got rid of them by "not believing in them". As long as he gave them recognition, they would be around to bother him a great deal but as soon as he did not recognize them, they vanished but it required a whole series of changes of habit in his thought patterns so it took years to fully get rid of them. To this day he has to maintain good thought habits and the sz no longer has a hold on him.