Hello Christina,   My daughter had a mental break almost 6 years ago.  She had graduated from law school and was working at a law firm when her troubles really began or at least made themselves noticed by others.  She had delusions that she had made partnership at the firm and had even moved into another attorneys office.  We received a call and took her to a local hospital where they examined her and performed several tests including testing her for drugs.  They did not find anything and after her speaking with a mental health counselor she was released as she was found not to be a danger to herself or others.  We encouraged her to come home for awhile and sent her to a psychiatrist who was the one who diagnosed her with a form of schizophrenia.  That first year was an extremely difficult one as she spent most days waiting in the driveway for a car that she was sure was arriving and even at one point got into a car with a stranger (she thought he was the brother of her former boss) Luckily my sister witness this and spoke to the man who was on his way to the local grade school to pick up his child and was understanding of the situation.  My sister called me and I met the man at the school and after some time I convinced her to get out of the car and come home with me.  She continued to see the psychiatrist and was on medications.  She moved into her own place and again worked in a law firm but was still hearing voices, went through depression, isolated herself and ended up losing her job.  There was no financial help with the cost of the psychiatrist and we didn't feel her progress was moving forward.  She moved home and we were able to get her into the local mental health center where she meets with the psychiatrist once a month.  The past 3 1/2 years she continues to take meds and they work for awhile and she finds work but then another symptom worsens and her meds either are changed or increased.  She has come along way from the start and seems to handle the voices okay.  They don't ever tell her to harm herself or others physically.   They seem to speak more to her in terms of self confidence or worthiness.  She was raised in a christian based home but since this disease she has definitely focused on her religious beliefs much more, reading the Bible, reading christian books, attending church (although because of this body pain not as much, in fact any social activities are difficult for her)  Her doctor back in Feb. put her on a medicine they give people that have lost limbs and deal with phantom pain and 2 weeks on that she was like her old self, social, got a full time job within a week and had no pain.  You can imagine how happy we were to see our daughter have a  life that included a social life and a work life.  . She had always been a very smart, bright,focused, driven and  very loving person.  Unfortunately after 6 months the pain returned and that is when the drinking began.  We are working again with the doctor to adjust the meds again and he said her drinking is part of her self-medicating.  I have no fear of her doing harm to herself or others (not that I didn't in the first years of dealing with all this).  I try and educate myself as much as I can but have never heard of others speaking of this body pain like she does.  My daughter feels God has a plan for her and has faith that whatever she is dealing with He will heal when He feels the time is right.  She willingly takes her meds but because she is forgetful her dad and I are her reminders right now.  She does believe this is evil spirit based and not as much medical based.  I need  to get to my job now but thank you for your response and listening.   Toni