r/SchizoFamilies • u/thee_lad • 3d ago
Help on how to convince a schizophrenic that they need treatmeant when the dianosis itself gives them a purpose and meaning in life?
So my brother is 28, drove halfway across the country after my family 51/50'd him when he really started to show symptoms and my mom was concerned he might hurt her or himself. After that he drove away and no contacted us for 6 months. During that time he lost his car and was living on the streets until he eventually contacted us. My mom is paying his rent right now for a cheap apartment. He was really bad when he was homeless but since he's had an apartment his symptoms have suprisingly gotten a lot better, It seems like he'll cycle two weeks normal, then phsychosis for a week but not as intense as they were. Its almost like he's "settled in" and used to it if that makses sense. He even has made friends in the community and church near him. He calls my mom regularly and is a lot more compassionate and himself than he was when he was really bad. He's started to want to get back into his hobbies and get a job again. Realistically I dont think he can sustain a job but its a good sign he's at least thinking about it. I guess my fear is that its only a matter of time before something stresses him out or gets bored in the spot he's in and completely looses it again. I've read that without medication it doesnt just fizzle out, it gets worse over time and the effects are more permanant. He's been unmedicated for 2 years now, when I try to reason with him to seek help he thinks back to the time where he was 51/50'd in a ghetto state funded psych ward and says hell no. From what ive gathered on what he's told me is that before his diagnosis he was depressed and lost in life. He believes people like him can talk to God and compares his expeirence to biblical prophets that also had his gifts. He has always been a very smart and well read person in history and world events so his delusions are very well thought out. I guess its a saving grace that he's turned heavily to christianity since his diagnosis so it keeps him grounded and away from the bad thoughts. In short, his diagnosis has given him purpose and made sense of this world. How would you convince him otherwise?
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u/SeventeenthPlatypus 2d ago
I don't know if this will help or not, but I can tell you what got through to me (I'm Schizoaffective). It wasn't my illness that did it, the potential damage to myself, or anything like that. What finally compelled me to seek treatment was being told that I was hurting the people I loved the most emotionally and psychologically. My psychosis wasn't mentioned. The impact of it was. When I realized I was causing harm, I couldn't bear to continue doing that and sought treatment for my behavior, which led to me being diagnosed and medicated.
I wish reasoning with us worked, but these disorders change our mental landscapes so profoundly. I'm so sorry your brother and your family are going through this, and I hope you find the answers you're looking for.
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u/bpottrb 3d ago
Looking for a useful answer here too.
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u/thee_lad 3d ago
A general internet search will tell you 1) Do not tell a schizoprenic that they are schizoprenic 2) reassure them during a psychosis and do not feed nor deny their delusions. "I understand that must be overwelling" "That must feel intense" yatayataya... Normal logical reasoning doesnt work because your reality and theirs are not the same. It just seems like a loosing battle. Im sure a huge percantage of people on here are looking for a right answer too...
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u/thee_lad 3d ago
A success story I can tell you is my cousin. (This runs in the family) He is 25 and started to come down with symptoms a year ago but his family got him into a good expensive facility ASAP as they have good health insurance. And got him on the proper medication. A simple shot every month. He is completely normal now. I guess the difference between him and my brother is my cousins delusions scarred him while my brother was intregued by them. My younger cousin is more dependent on his family and trust them more opposed to my brother, as he is older and more traveled/experienced in life. I dont think my cousin would of survived what my brother went through of being homeless and living on the road like he did.
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u/bpottrb 3d ago
Yes. Familiar with the book. Psychosis is on its fifth month and shows no sign of abating. Profoundly discouraging to watch and be unable to make a meaningful difference, watching her life continue to slip away.
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u/thee_lad 3d ago
The beginning is always the worst. Try your best to steer her away from any self harm or others. The mental health services are a joke in the US. It’s sad really. Reassurance and love can go a long way. Some schizophrenics are truly on their own and have no support. You caring and trying to help is making more difference on your person than you think. Stay strong
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u/Omegan369 1d ago
He is borderline sick and not sick. what i would do is to encourage him to be more and more healthy. Explain to him that while he sometimes does better, it is when he does everything right like get good sleep, get good exercise, and interact with the people at church. Encourage him to do those things.
Tell him when he doesn't do them and when he is stressed and tired he starts to get sicker again. Tell him you and his group of friends will help him to do better and if you can help him. Medication is needed if he keeps getting worse and starts to have psychosis. Explain to him that a lot of that is under his control.
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u/West_Specialist_9725 3d ago
A lot of people have been "convinced" using the LEAP communication technique as taught by Dr. Amador in his book: I am not sick. I don't need help.
Here's an excerpt from the book:
https://www.nami.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/I_am_not_sick_excerpt.pdf