Friday, January 15, 2010 bwick493 asks

Q: delayed response

Has anyone heard of this scenario?? A person hears voices for a couple of weeks and then they seem to quiet down or go away...then they develop a paranoia where they think someone is trying to poisen them...then they are left with this delyed response....like when they are asked a question it is like they were not listening the first time and then you repeat the question and they answer it just fine. Also the person has become non-conversational...only talks when poken to or if someone asks a question and engages in very little conversation. Also seems to lack some logical reasoning like to play a game that any 9 year old can play but they can't play it...or like constantly putting the cue ball at the wrong end of the table after a scratch????

Any response?????

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Answers (2)

Christina Bruni, Health Guide

1/16/10 10:34pm

Hello bwick493,

It's possible that what you describe could happen to someone. Sometimes the medication needs to be adjusted or changed if the person has had a long run on the meds and there's been no progress at all.

Though my delusions and paranoia and experiences with the schizophrenia were different, what you describe reminds me of what happened to me when I relapsed after the drug holiday I was on failed.

I urge anyone with schizophrenia to commit to taking their medication and if the medication doesn't seem to be working, to talk to their doctor about possible solutions.

Regards,

Christina

bwick493

1/17/10 12:46am

Thanks for your answer. I think I need to clarify....I am refering to my son who isn't on medication yet. These are just symptoms he is having and hasn't been diagnosed. He doesn't want to go to a Doc..he doen't think there is anything wrong with him. But, lots have people have noticed this change in his behavior.

Christina Bruni, Health Guide

1/19/10 9:01pm

Hello,

If you do strongly suspect your son is in the prodromal stage of schizophrenia or at the very least has some kind of mental illness or problem that does need attention I recommend the following without delay:

A lot of people with schizophrenia [ up to 50 percent ] have a symptom called anosognosia, which is the lack of awareness that they have an illness. This is also seen in stroke victims. So if a person does not believe they are sick of course they would not want to go to the doctor.

If you notice the signs of his distress getting worse you might have to try to commit him involuntarily to a hospital.

In any case I recommend you read the Xavier Amador book, "I Am Not Sick, I Don't Need Help." This esteemed psychologist gives you suggestions and techniques for talking to a loved one who lacks the awareness that they have a problem, so that you can persuade them to seek treatment and stay in treatment.

The longer schizophrenia goes untreated, the worse the outcome is. I am sorry to have to report this.

I hope your son finds some relief.

Regards,

Christina

bwick493

1/19/10 10:20pm

Wow!! Thanks for the info This is realy difficult because I know he could be helped and he is very resistant. He truly believes nothing has changed but it is very obvious something has changed. It is very difficult to know that help is out there but he is not willing to seek it. I wil get the book you recommended. I try to reason with him...that "why would I make this up" things about the change in behavior. we have always had nice relationship it seems he should just trust me on this one. Thanks for responding.

Christina Bruni, Health Guide

1/21/10 10:11am

you might want to talk with people from NAMI call (800) 950-NAMI (6264) to find the name and number of the local affiliate in your area. NAMI-National Alliance on Mental Illness. reasoning with someone who lacks the awareness that he has an illness as you quickly found out is futile. the more you try to convince someone he's sick the more he digs his heels on. the NAMI members might have some other suggestions.

Christina

David Robbins

1/16/10 4:31pm

I've heard voices for a long time. However there has been times when I heard none. The longest I ever not heard voices was 30 days. I haven't had any paranoid thoughts or actions in many years.

I have learned to control the voices. I've written alot about how I cope. I don't know why I still hear voices. Now I work to control them and not them me.

Sometimes when I speak to people I lose my thought. I drift away. I'm not sure why I do that. Lately I have been trying to stop and to focus on what's being said.

Living with voices is a challenge. It takes great strength and courage to cope. Its getting easier the older I get.

Dave

bwick493

1/16/10 7:13pm

Doesn't the medication help get rid of the voices?

David Robbins

1/17/10 3:57am

No, the meds do not "get rid of the voices." At least in my case. I faithfully take my meds to relieve the symptoms of SZA. There are people that hear voices that the meds help.

Dave

Q: delayed response

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