Q: my sister had chronic schizophrenia for 1o years now she is on medication but no benefit she is neglecting her self hygine and eating to much but sleeping very little please tell us what to do?
Hi bee,
Donna gave the most lucid and helpful reply and I want to echo her ideas by saying that the medication causes weight gain because it causes a person to have a ravenous appetite.
So going with your sister to her psychiatrist to help formulate a plan is a good idea. Newer medications are coming out every year and some of them have fewer side effects. I would talk with your sister and her pdoc about either changing the dose or changing the type of medication your sister takes.
The hard truth your sister will have to swallow is that she will need to take the medication every day as prescribed for the rest of her life to see the best results.
Violence is never acceptable. I urge you not to give in to her demands. b She will learn the hard way that she needs to be actively engaged in working on her recovery to the best of her ability. The choice is hers: to choose recovery or to choose to continue her same behavior.
Showing that you care and suggesting that you go with her to the doctor might be a good first step in helping her take control of her life.
Regards,
Christina
Hello bee,
I understand now more clearly your distress and I wonder if a residential living program in the U.S. might accept an overseas patient like Rose Hill or one of the other residential living programs.
Let me think about this some more and get back to you in greater detail.
Regards,
Christina
newer meds include Saphris, Fanapt and Latuda. Latuda might only be available in the U.S. though. those are the three most recent atypicals.
Christina
Medication can help, but it can also cause rather dramatic weight gain as a side effect. And there is a lot of comfort to be found in food. She is probably using eating as a coping mechanism and that's certainly understandable. I have schizophrenia and tend to do that myself. Also, are you sure she is taking medication, and is there a possibility that a different medication might help to a greater degree? I had to try several before finding one that really worked well to quell the symptoms. And even it spiked my appetite and need to sleep. Ask her if you can go with her to her doctor and ask for her permission to discuss with the doc your concerns about getting your sister on the right medication. And tell the doctor what you see going on in your sister's life. He or she may or may not be aware of the tendency toward violence and her demands to have her own way. Does she see a therapist? That might help. I know you are suffering. My family suffered as I traveled the long journey toward recovery. But my mom went with me to my psychiatrist's office for a period of time and it actually helped her understand my illness, and it helped her feel better to "do something" about my condition. She also gave the doc a more realistic picture of my symptoms than I did, which helped him prescribe the right medication.
Best wishes to you and your sister. I can tell you really do care about her.
Important:
We hope you find this general health information helpful. Please note however, that this Q&A is meant to support not replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. No information in the Answers above is intended to diagnose or treat any condition. The views expressed in the Answers above belong to the individuals who posted them and do not necessarily reflect the views of Remedy Health Media. Remedy Health Media does not review or edit content posted by our community members, but reserves the right to remove any material it deems inappropriate.
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2012 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
thank you donna and Christina for your answers ,I really appreciate your help but unfortunately my sister case is more complicated she is not aware of anything around her, she is completly detached from reality since years .she does not talk to any of her doctors or any one except for ordering food ,we even brought her the doctor to home to see her and tried to talk to her but she didnot say asingle word .we visted all the best psychatrists in my country,we tried the old and new generations of medication .her doctors said she is a resistant case and need akind of special hospital but there is no such trusted hospital in my country , I really feel sorry for her she was gonna be adentist but she left the colleage I hope that I can help her in any way please advise me .tell me if there is anew medication i can ask about or a special hospital for recovery that accept patient over seas .I desperately need any solution, me and my family life stopped years ago we need ahope.thank you for your concern.