Posted by Willow on May 12, 2003, at 9:13:08
In reply to Is it the voices?????????????????????????????, posted by canwetalk on May 9, 2003, at 22:23:19
CANWETALK
First let me give a little history of my experience regarding this illness. My father became ill when I was a child, the diagnosis was schizophrenia. I won't go on about his treatments over the years as many don't apply today. There are a lot of good new meds being discovered and much more regarding the illness.
I'm sorry as a parent you are having to go through this. I have three young children of my own, add my constant anxiety and bouts with depression, I can only imagine your concern. But having said this, on my better days the daily grinds are easier to handle. And I do believe with time your daughter's illness will not control her life primarily.
Schizophrenia isn't a rare illness. In Canada, more hospital beds are occupied by people suffering with this illness than any other medical condition. Then why is it so little known about it by the general public I wonder?
> My question is when a person displays behaviors like this are they hearing voices that tell them to do these things?
I asked my father about this. (One thing, like any other human being, some past actions of ours are humiliating and embarrassing; thus, difficult to talk about. So I wouldn't dwell on the episode.) The best way I can think of describing what goes on is to for you to turn the radio on to a channel where there is a commentary going on. Turn it up very, very loud. Now go about your regular business in your home. Try to not hear the radio. You can't! Parts of it come through into your conscience.
How much of these obtrusive voices interfere with your daughters thought process, is hard for anyone to know, but once the illness is stabilized maybe she will feel comfortable telling you. Also, my father mentioned that his thoughts were bizarre and fast. His mind was like a racing locomotive; though, clear to him, yet observing from the outside I would have thought the opposite because speech with him would be difficult. Probably, in my opinion, his thoughts were "louder" than the outside world trying to communicate with him.
>When she was on Risperdal she did not display thing like this. However the Risperdal was not working for her so it was discontinued.
Apparently, I would say the risperdal had some effect. She needs a good psychiatrist who will work with her to find a medication which has less side-effects compared to the good it does. This trial and error process can be painful for the both of you, but once the right meds are found she will be able to live, pardon the expression "a more sane" quality of life.
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> The Abilify is 15mg and hopefully an increase up to 20mg may help. Wondering if something else should be added.I'm not familiar with this medication, so I can't comment on it. My father is having success now with zyprexa and ativan.
>This is really getting hard for us. It is hard for her to express or communicate so we really do not know what is going on in her head. Any suggestions or information would be GREATLY appreciated.
Anytime you want to talk or ask a question, post on social with my name in the subject line. One of my friends will let me know through the yahoo messenger that you have posted. Be patient with me though, because this is a very painful topic for me, emotionally draining, and it's not even my child affected, so I can just begin to imagine your distress. But let me assure you that it isn't going to always be like this. It will get better.
One thing that did help my father during a "psycotic episode" was a sleep med that he got in Finland. We're trying to figure out the name of it, but are at a loss. This was about twenty years ago. Perhaps you could inquire about a good sleep med for your daughter from her psychiatrist?
Is she presently in the hospital? Is this her first occurance with the illness? How old is she? If at all possible, make sure in the future that she doesn't use any street drugs, such as marijunana (sp? - wackie~tabackie.) For yourself, do you have family members or friends that can help you?
Gosh - I could ramble on. There is also another poster, I'll check on the 2000 board, who's mother has this illness. Apparently, it can have differnt affects on the sexes.
Keep in touch,
Willow(ps Boss how bout a board for schizophrenia)
poster:Willow
thread:225493
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030505/msgs/226044.html