Schizophrenia: Living in a Different World
Page Five
As a child of an individual with schizophrenia, you may be angry at your parent's inability to provide consistent care. Perhaps you were moved around to different relatives' homes as your parent spent time in hospitals or group homes. You may want to help in some way, but feel confused as to how you can help and still treat your parent with respect.
As a sibling of an individual with schizophrenia, you may feel confused and helpless about your role in helping your brother or sister. You probably remember when you and your sibling played together as children, long before this painful disorder reared its ugly head in your loved-one's life. You may not know how to reconcile your memories of your sibling as a normal child, with the bizarre behavior and thoughts now exhibited in his or her current life.
To complicate all these painful feelings of loss for the person your loved one once was and confusion as to what you can do now, your family member with schizophrenia may reject your help. You may even be a part of your schizophrenic family member's delusions, in which your loved one might believe you are plotting against him or her (by trying to make him or her take drugs or go to the hospital).
If you are a family member of an individual with schizophrenia, you may feel very alone...but you are not alone! Millions of Americans are struggling just like you to cope with the pain of a family member's struggle with this chronic and pervasive illness. The questions, fears, doubts, and concerns you have can be understood by another family member of a person with schizophrenia.
Less than 10 percent of family members of schizophrenic individuals get support or education, but relapse rates are reduced for patients whose families are getting support from other families with the same problems. You can help your family member by getting support and help for yourself! The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI—see resources) has wonderful family education and support groups. As difficult as it may be to open up your family's pain to the outside world, it will help both you and your family member if you are able to talk with others who understand your situation. In addition to support, families can be taught to recognize the onset of symptoms, to help with medication compliance, to recognize early signs of side effects of medication, and to watch for signs of relapse.
If you have a family member with schizophrenia, it is—in all likelihood—not going to just go away. Therefore, learn about what you are dealing with. Read books. Attend support and education groups. Care for yourself. Care for your family member. Get connected with others who will understand. Be an advocate for the care of the mentally ill.
 In general, medication is the
central component of successful
treatment of schizophrenia.
In addition to getting support and encouragement from other family members dealing with the long-term effects of schizophrenia, it is essential to look to the ultimate Comforter and Healer for strength and peace. It is frightening and painful, particularly for parents, to watch their loved one suffering from the effects of schizophrenia. It is in the midst of these frightening and painful moments that faith in a loving and merciful God is most needed. Faith can be an amazing resource and strength. Faith does not provide quick and easy answers for schizophrenia. You may not see immediate healing and recovery in your loved one. You may find yourself with more questions every day. But faith tells us that God is loving and sovereign. Faith promises perfect healing in eternity. Faith provides mercy that is new every morning. When you are providing daily care for your schizophrenic child or sibling, the Biblical promise of strength and mercy for the day is essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an individual be cured of schizophrenia? There is no known absolute cure for schizophrenia. Most individuals with schizophrenia demonstrate marked improvement when treated with anti-psychotic medication. Some individuals experience long periods of remission from schizophrenic symptoms. And a few return to a very healthy level of functioning.
Can people with schizophrenia get better without medication? In general, medication is the central component of successful treatment of schizophrenia. Some individuals may demonstrate improvement without medication, but these individuals probably have a more intermittent, less severe type of schizophrenia. Most researchers believe that schizophrenia involves some imbalances in brain chemistry and that improvement requires treatment that will help stabilize these imbalances. Medication is the best treatment available right now for the acute symptoms of schizophrenia. Psychotherapy is more helpful once the overt psychotic symptoms have been controlled by medication.
Resources
NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill). 800-950-NAMI. www.nami.org. This may be the most important resource for families of individuals with schizophrenia. It was founded by families of mentally ill individuals. These families were frustrated with the lack of resources and education for patients and their families. NAMI provides educational and support groups around the country for families of individuals with severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia. If you have a family member with schizophrenia, NAMI is the organization to contact.
National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD). www.narsad.org. NARSAD is a non-profit organization that raises more money every year for psychiatric research than any other organization. It would be an excellent way to get involved in advocacy. They also provide a free newsletter with information on current psychiatric research.
Recommended Reading
Surviving Schizophrenia: A Manual for Families, Consumers and Providers, by E. Fuller Torrey.
I Am Not Sick, I Don't Need Help: Helping the Seriously Mentally Ill Accept Treatment, by Xavier Amador with Anna-Lisa Johanson.
Kimberly Gaines Eckert, M.A. is in the final stages of her doctoral studies in clinical psychology at Wheaton College Graduate School . She is a clinical psychology intern at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services in Michigan.
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