Having a family member with Schizophrenia

Hello everyone!

Does someone has advice for @Annalia ???

Remember that sharing can help others to cope and prevent.

All the best,

Gilda 

Hi there Annalia. I think I can direct you to the right advice. I have had depression for quite a long time now. I don't hear voices but through my research into mental health I was fortunate enough to meet a man called Ron Coleman, who does hear voices and is a well established figure in the area of mental health recovery. He has even written books on the subject. Might I suggest "Recovery an alien concept" by Ron Coleman as a good starting point. He also runs a mental health charity along with his wife, Karen (a former mental health nurse). The Internet is a wonderful way of searching for answers. Please do Google Ron Coleman and find out some more from someone much better qualified than me . Good luck to you and to your brother too, just keep letting him know his sister loves him very much and will always be there for him. Stick in there, chin up and other clichés too! I know you will help your brother x Ewan

Hi Annalia, my son is diagnosed with schizophrenia for nearly 20 years now, like Ewan I have also met with Ron Coleman many times over the years. I first met Ron approx 18 yrs ago and what he did was give both my son and myself hope to believe in Recovery (which doesn't necessarily mean cure) my son has reached this point now, although not an easy road your brother can recover. To help your brother my advice to you would be to first believe in recovery and give your brother hope, so he has something to strive for... a light at the end of the tunnel. Search for stories of people who have recovered and also information to back it up and keep showing this to your brother.. give him the evidence. As for your brother returning to college, my son did this too although he didn't struggle academically he did struggle with his symptoms. Because I believe in recovery I pushed and encouraged him and at times was quite firm, he gained a foundation degree in the subject! So the key is what ever happens don't give up and keep believing your brother will make it. there is a website I know of that has some info that might interest you, although I know it no longer gets updated a lot of info is still there at www.pamshouse.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk if you or your parents would like to chat p-m. me all the best x

Hello @Carnoustie man thanks a lot for your advice, I did google him and have been taking a look at a 7 pages review I found on internet about his book, it looks really interesting and I think it is giving me some light of how to help my brother, empower him and stop worring a lot about him. @sasone2one thanks a lot for your advice too, I found a really good site with some recovery stories of people with schizophrenia and I showed it to my brother and most of all to my parents, I think my brother is really convinced that he can do this and that makes me happy, the problem is me and my parents that we still have our doubts, but well as some of the testimonials say it is never going to be a piece of cake, but like in general isn't so this is just another obstacle to fight against and that wil make him and us appreciate more other things. I'll keep you posted on what happens.

Thanks a lot

Hi @Annalia I know only too well the stress and despair it causes watching someone you care about struggling with the symptoms of schizophrenia. ESpecially if they go in and out of relapse, I actually call these times blips, they are not permanent and do slowly pass. Also recovery is far from quick, it is a very slow process and you will notice small things that show signs for example maybe your brother avoids certain things perhaps going into a shop or avoids walking up the street or wont speak to certain people. Or maybe he wont have the curtains drawn back, what ever it is the smallest thing like opening the curtains is a sign. Only you will know things he avoids doing or is suspicious of, this will start to lessen. Another bit of advice that you probably already know about is not to mess around with the medication, some people start to feel better then start thinking there is nothing wrong with them so they feel they dont need medication and stop them abruptly, this is a sure way to cause a rebound/withdrawal psychosis and its reckoned that each time this happens the worse the symptoms of relapse is from the previous psychosis.

Hello Anallia, you don't have to thank me, I merely pointed you towards a possible, benificial resource. It is you and especially your brother that are doing all the work. And, unfortunately it is hard work but the rewards can be amazing. I genuinely wish you, your brother and your parents all the best. If I notice anything else that might help I will post it for you. 

Sincerely Ewan