Hello Sunny,

You've asked this question at the right time.  Anosognosia, or the lack of insight that one  has schizophrenia, is a symptom of the illness that results in up to 50 percent of people with this diagnosis.  Thus the reason so many of our loved ones refuse medication or treatment.

Next week, at the Connection, I'll be posting a tw-part interview with Dr. Xavier Amador, who talks about this very phenomenon.

The main thing is, to build a relationship of trust so that the person can listen to what you have to say, values your opinion, and will be motivated to seek treatment.

Above all, you will stop trying to convince someone that he is sick and needs medication.  Instead, you will learn to couch what to say in terms of "motivational interviewing": finding out what the person's goals and dreams are (like getting a job or going to school, anything, really) and suggesting that they would be achievable if he considered what you had to say.

I urge you, as well as reading my two-part Q&A next week, to buy Dr. Amador's book, I am Not Sick, I Don't Need Help! and reading the section where he talks about the L.E.A.P. technique.

It may seem counter-intuitive to take this approach; however, Dr. Amador has worked with tens of thousands of family members who have been able to break the impasse and get their loved ones treatment.

This isn't just a recommendation of a book so that Dr. Amador can make money, no, I've read his book and it's the secret to working out this very issue.

Because, unfortunately, you can't "talk him into taking" anything.  The purpose is not to talk him into something, but to get him to see what's in it for him if he does seek treatment.  And to do that, you have to change your tactic.

Best wishes for a resolution.

Regards,

Chri