Wednesday, July 08, 2009 GGSH asks

Q: What is the responsibility of a person with schizophrenia towards his/her partner re pregnancy

My son is a schizophrenic person, holding a steady job in a creative field, and is in a loving relationship. He has been stable for four years. He and his girlfriend just discovered that she is pregnant. They want to keep the baby. She doesn't know about his condition, he hasn't informed her yet. Perhaps there was no need to discuss it before but with this development in the relationship it would seem that now his illness should be discussed with her so they can make responsible informed decisions about their future. Has anyone dealt with these issues? Thank you.

Answers (3)

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Christina Bruni

7/ 8/09 8:38pm

Hi Greg,

He should definitely tell his girlfriend now and not wait. SZ has a genetic component and they will have to be aware of the signs and symptoms if they decide to follow-through with having the child.

Most people with SZ are inclined to wait to disclose until there's a level of trust and intimacy and the relationship is moving towards exclusivity or marriage. Your son has been forced to disclose right now.

I believe it is the only thing he can do. He can't expect to continue a relationship based on a lie. And maintaining and keeping the omission of the truth in place is to me just like lying about something that is an important part of his life.

It is possible his child won't develop SZ; however, it's possible the child could. For that reason alone disclosure is the only option. She will be the mother of his child and needs to know.

Myself, if it were me, I would've told my boyfriend about my SZ before we got intimate if you know what I mean by intimate. Hey, your son did not and that was his right, his choice. Stigma still exists.

However, now he must tell.

Regards,

Christina

GGSH

7/ 8/09 8:50pm

Dear Christina,

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. I appreciate it very much.

best regards,

Greg

GGSH

7/ 8/09 9:14pm

Dear Christina,

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. I appreciate it very much.

best regards,

Greg

David Robbins

7/ 8/09 2:30am

Disclosing about SZ is a personal decision. I can't tell you if he should reveal or not.

I am married and my wife's daughters didn't know I had a MI. When they found out they were very accepting.

I wish you and your family the best.

Take care,

Dave

GGSH

7/ 8/09 3:44am

Thanks Dave for your reply.

best regards,

Greg

Daleri

7/ 9/09 3:59am

It is not like someone with sz will always have children with sz but it may show up sooner or later in someone directly related. The environmental factors that trigger it seem more of a direct cause than genetics at times.

To answer the question, yes, if the person has sz symptoms, it is better to tell the person than for the person to learn later. It will just cause more problems if you don't. It is kind of sad that there is so much stigma but that's the way it is.

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