My godson (24) was diagnosed with paranoid-type schizophrenia 1-1/2 years ago. J was in the state hospital for 3 months or so, and then came back home to start life again. He went to college (making very good grades) and had a part-time job, and had even had some dates. He kept up with his scheduled visits to doctor, social worker and probation officer (due to some criminal charges that arose when he had his first psychotic break). We knew he was taking his medication (Risperdol) because we could see the pills dwindle and because J was so like his old self.

But I guess we became a little too complacent, because 2 or 3 mo. ago, I started to notice him doing the pacing and some other physical movements that he did when he was first very ill. I KNEW he was sick again when he told us that some people from his job had come in his window while he was sleeping and tried to hurt him.

Sure enough, we checked his medication and it looked like he hadn't taken any in a couple of months. Of course, he refused to start taking it again or even to talk to the doctor. He began to threaten his mom & dad (because he thinks they are going to poison him or something), and we were just about at our wits' end, when he did something all on his own that put him right back in the hospital: He tried to attack another student (a guy he'd never met but who he thought was plotting to kill him), and the campus security guards called the police. Fortunately, the policeman who got there figured out quickly that J was ill and so sent him to the county hospital.

He has a hearing this week after which they say he'll be sent back to the state hospital. What upsets me is that even though he's been in the county psych. unit for a week, they are not giving him ANY medication, other than Haldol occasionally to knock him out when he gets wild (he has twice tried to attack other patients and so they had to sedate him and put him in "solitary"). So essentially this week he's spent in the hospital has been wasted. I went to see him this past weekend, and, although he was significantly calmer, he was clearly still delusional and believes he'll be getting out of the hospital any day now. When we asked his nurse about not giving him meds, she said that J has to consent to take medication. I couldn't believe it - He's in the hospital without his consent already!

Well I've really wandered from my point - Which is this: How will J ever have any semblance of a "normal" or happy life if he can mess everything up simply by forgetting or not taking his meds every day? It only took about a month off the meds for him to get noticeably very psychotic. What do other people do to help their schizophrenic friend or relative keep taking the medication?

I'm sorry this msg. was so long, but I am hoping someone will have some workable suggestions for us.

Neeku

Hello,

Was saddened by your message! I grew up with a schizophrenic mom, and my aunt was sick as well. I have to tell you, they need their medication on a daily basis, not just when they need to be "knocked out." I know you realize this, but this is like the single hardest thing, to get the right medication, and then to get them to take it, and then to also keep them from taking too much. I think you need to enlist the help of a doctor in getting a doctor's order that he needs it in there. I don't think that would be very difficult if you find a good doctor. Also, at home, I think you might need to keep it locked up somewhere, and then just say if you're going to live here you've got to take it every day. And then make sure he does. The whole cycle will keep repeating itself otherwise. They can get very sick even a few days off the medication, and hurt themselves or others. There aren't any easy answers and I hope for the best for you.

Summit - Thanks for your suggestions.

According to my friend, the Court has ordered (or will order) that J take his meds regularly, as part of his probation resulting from his latest "escapade." And I think his parents will try to enforce taking his medicine everyday when he gets back home.

For now, however, he is doing so well up at the hospital. He is happy & feels & sounds like himself again. Even participated in a barbecue or something like that at the hospital this past weekend. No more violence or aggression against other patients. And he has only been on the meds for 5 days!

Another thing we were thinking is that we should make it a condition of his receiving school tuition and living at home that he attend the weekly Schizophrenia Support Group that meets Friday evenings here.

Of course, things were good like this last time too -- and it got away from him (& us) so quickly and insidiously. I hope he has learned something from this; he readily admits now he feels great & cannot understand why he stopped the meds a few months ago.

Do you think it possible or likely that he will ever be able to sustain a romantic relationship/marriage? In your experience, does this happen often? I hear stories all the time about famous people "overcoming" schizophrenia, by taking their meds religiously, but I don't know anyone who has done this personally. The only other person I know who has schizophrenia is a guy I went to school with, and he has basically been struggling with the disease ever since his sophomore year at college.

I am not terribly optimistic about J's future, at this point. Have you heard anything about Abilify? Is it as good as the promotional literature says?

Thanks for your help & kind words,
Neeku

Some antipsychotic medication, including Risperdal is available in what is called a depot injection. Its an injection that goes in your backside, and you have to have it between every week and month, depending on what the doctor thinks is best. The antipsychotic is stored in the muscle and slowly releases into the body.

It can be helpful for people who forget to take their medication in a morning. It sounds like your godson has a supportive family, and would be able to help him keep his appointments.

I live in the UK and abilify is not on the market over here yet, so couldn't help you with that question.