Mental Illness

[honest_joe]

A relative of mine has suffered from Paranoid Schrizophrenia in the past but is now OK. There have been recent episodes where he suspects a few people are making life uncomfortable for him.

1. Without seeing a consultant what tests can he carry out to prove his sanity.
2. How should he overcome and handle these episodes.
3. What sort of people would delight in causing further problems when knowing his past.

If he is to be believed that saying 'beacuse your mad, does not mean they are out to get you' has some element of truth about it.

[bednobs]

isn't it more likely that he is suffering a recurrence of his illness, rather than being persued by someone out to make him think he is ill again?
how often is he seeing his consultant? He needs to be rereferre asap i think

[Eve]

Sit down and go through the recent incidences to see if there could be any merit in it, who knows, he could be right and you can help him tackle them. What kind of things is he talking about?

Even if it is real it could knock him and set off his illness again so to have the relevant back up will help.

PS is a lifelong condition, it not cured but can be controlled. Has he shown any other changes in behaviour of self care?

An appointment with his consultant, or gp in the meantime, could be a good idea as he may need a check up, adjustment of medication or further assessment or treatment just to make sure he's receiving the most appropriate help for him. Is he on any medication, if so is he taking it properly and how long ago was he last reviewed? Could he be taking anything which could be interfering with his medication?

Never underestimate the cruelness of some people, whether they know about his past or not it horrifies me what some people see as amusement, revenge or whatever.

Try these for some further advice...

http://www.sagb.co.uk/

http://www.sane.org.uk/

http://www.nsfoundation.org/sa/index.html

http://www.world-schizophrenia.org/

[Delgirl]

Thank goodness he has you his life who clearly cares for him. I really think this is a case for the professionals though, as much as you want to help, in my experience you can do more harm than good and by not meaning it, you may something that triggers something in his mind. He needs to be in constant touch with the professionals or a counciller. I think once you've suffered a mental illness, you can cope, but it is always with you and you always have thoughts that are not quite right, you just learn how to deal with them.

[honest_joe]

The poor lad who has had schrizophrenia since he was 17 and lives alone did not continue to take his prescribed medicine. Now that he has done so he is getting back to normal. He inherited this awful disease from his mother and has had the best of teatment from the Maudsley hospital in South London. Maybe one day they will find a complete cure. Thank you for all your replies.