When my brother complains about the "disgraceful filthy things" that are said to him do I agree?
My brother was diagnosed with Paranoid SZ at the age of 20, and has gone through various treatments, institutionalized and shock treatments. He is terrified that he will someday have to go back. He is now 52 and I am 50. My Mother recently passed away and I am spending more time with him. He lives on his own and goes daily to Opportunity House where he gets a meal and has daily activities. He travels by bicycle everywhere he goes and is actually doing fairly well. However, often he tells me of the way he is treated by the "staff and other patients" . He tells me they say disgraceful filthy things to him. I have visited with his team and cannot find any proof of it. I feel that it is his "Voices". Do I tell him that I think it is his illness or do I just listen and agree with him and let him know I am on his side? I want to do the right thing, but I feel strongly that it is his auditory hallucinations. All advice is welcome..
Feeling Helpless
Hi,
This is a situation that is fairly familiar to me. I think there are a couple of strands to the approach you might adopt. First, looking at the positive things, it is good that your brother seems to be doing well. His diagnosis of paranoid schizophenia may also be something that works to his advantage as with age the symptoms often become less severe.
In terms of his complaints, does he appear to be looking to you for a solution, or does he seem to be 'sounding off'? I doubt that he expects you to take a position beyond offering him support. In which case just saying that you are sorry he feels so upset might be sufficient.
It's also important to acknowledge that a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia shouldn't exclude the possibility that he is having a difficult time in some situations or that some people might be treating him in ways he isn't comfortable with. By definition, his day center points to a place where other people with mental health problems will be with him. The comments about staff may have substance, or they may not. You know your brother and you'll know whether he tends to be sensitive to situations or events and how he expresses these.
Usually, there are one or two members of staff that most patients take a particular liking to and trust. If your brother presses you for some ideas you might recommend he speaks to these people about his concerns. Otherwise, if your brother feels he has a genuine grievance he can always follow the complaints procedure and this usually starts with a letter to chief administrator (or in some cases the patient support officer) it varies from place to place.
I know my answer is full of generalizations and speculation but not knowing the situation it is difficult to be too precise. I hope these few thoughts help a little.
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Hello Trying2help,
It sounds like your brother is doing well and I would reinforce his gains by complimenting him and being supportive. If it turns out your brother is having symptoms, he has to ask himself if there's some kind of stress in his life that wasn't previously there.
From what you've told us, he's doing well. I would not point out anything about his illness; instead, I would let him know you're concerned about what he said and could he elaborate. When he tells you more about what's going on, you could proceed alolng the lines Jerry Kennard suggested.
Regards,
cb
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