My brother in law is a paranoid schizophrenic, diagnosed close on 20 years ago. It took several years to find the medication that best suites him, during which time he was either totally manic or so far out of it that he was essentially a vegetable.
Then he changed to Aripiprazole, his voices and hallucinations reduced considerably, he was able to concentrate enabling him to return to work.
Unfortunately he could only manage a few months before the paranoia turned against his work colleagues, after a year he couldn't stand any more and left the job.
He is very talented and easily picked up more employment with the same story. He'd got used to this way of life, work a year and move one. It actually suited him because he would find new challenges to concentrate on.
Last November he decided the Aripiprazole were not doing him any good so decided to reduce his medication slowly (against his medical teams advice). He asked me to tell him what differences i saw in him.
I speak to him via phone several times per day, i dont know why but he seems to trust me and, many years ago, asked that i could be his unofficial carer and sounding board.
I saw the paranoia increase, his moods changed, he became angry very easily. Voices returned. But no matter how i told him he would not accept that he was relapsing. He was still functioning but on the edge, though he said he felt much better and could think.
About 2 months ago he took the second step and reduced his medication more. He is now on half the dose that was recommended for him.
I cannot speak to him anymore, he phones or i phone him and he rants, he is very angry, blaming the NHS for putting him through this hell for 20 years. He denies he has schizophrenia, blaming everyone he sees for his voices. It goes very deep into every aspect of his life from the person on the street talking to a friend, an overhead neighbour, to Biden, addressing the nation on the news.
He has fired his medical team for suggesting he is having a relapse. Fired his doctor for the same reason. I am scared that if i tell him what i think that he will shut the door on me too leaving him with no one for support.
I've had one year (uni elective) of psychology education, not enough by any means. I am lost, I don't know what to do, i am totally out of my depth.
I have booked a flight to the UK in a couple of weeks, i just hope that a face to face chatey help. But given his current state i really don't think it will.
I don't expect replies to this post, i just needed to vent. But if anyone does have valid suggestions i will welcome them.
Then he changed to Aripiprazole, his voices and hallucinations reduced considerably, he was able to concentrate enabling him to return to work.
Unfortunately he could only manage a few months before the paranoia turned against his work colleagues, after a year he couldn't stand any more and left the job.
He is very talented and easily picked up more employment with the same story. He'd got used to this way of life, work a year and move one. It actually suited him because he would find new challenges to concentrate on.
Last November he decided the Aripiprazole were not doing him any good so decided to reduce his medication slowly (against his medical teams advice). He asked me to tell him what differences i saw in him.
I speak to him via phone several times per day, i dont know why but he seems to trust me and, many years ago, asked that i could be his unofficial carer and sounding board.
I saw the paranoia increase, his moods changed, he became angry very easily. Voices returned. But no matter how i told him he would not accept that he was relapsing. He was still functioning but on the edge, though he said he felt much better and could think.
About 2 months ago he took the second step and reduced his medication more. He is now on half the dose that was recommended for him.
I cannot speak to him anymore, he phones or i phone him and he rants, he is very angry, blaming the NHS for putting him through this hell for 20 years. He denies he has schizophrenia, blaming everyone he sees for his voices. It goes very deep into every aspect of his life from the person on the street talking to a friend, an overhead neighbour, to Biden, addressing the nation on the news.
He has fired his medical team for suggesting he is having a relapse. Fired his doctor for the same reason. I am scared that if i tell him what i think that he will shut the door on me too leaving him with no one for support.
I've had one year (uni elective) of psychology education, not enough by any means. I am lost, I don't know what to do, i am totally out of my depth.
I have booked a flight to the UK in a couple of weeks, i just hope that a face to face chatey help. But given his current state i really don't think it will.
I don't expect replies to this post, i just needed to vent. But if anyone does have valid suggestions i will welcome them.