I was gonna put this here on Monday cuz I had a helluva weekend tryin to talk to ole boy but I was afraid the peeps over here on the org may not take me seriously. Ellis' thread reminded me that I wanna put light on this subject again and I'm seeking advice from anybody.



here we go...

as I posted at the npgmc "U TELL US" forum


Author Message
pejman



Joined: 23 Mar 2003
Posts: 47

Posted: 25 Aug 2003 03:18 Post subject: I need knowledge concerning schizophrenia.

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One of my best friends is suffering from schizophrenia. He has been thinking their are hidden cameras/devices in his air vents and walls for a few years now. I have tried time and time again to get him to see a doctor. He is afraid the doc will tell him he's crazy and wants to prove to me that he's not. He says he is 100% positive about these so called watchers. He's spent high dollar on radio active equipment, bug detectors, etc. (from spy shops) My question is this... what can I do. He has had two nervous breakdowns already and I don't even want to see another one although I think it may happen soon. Can anyone give me any tips or ideas?

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2the9's was one of the peeps who seemed more concerned and helped with advice but I'm afraid to say that my friend is so set in his stubborn ways that he is convinced he's right and we're all wrong. He just spent over 1000bucks in spy detection accesories etc and every fuckin time I go to see him I am asked to sit in different rooms and listen to the voices. I've had it!!! I dunno if I should just let him be and not communicate with him for a while but I fear he's gonna end up in a mental ward or somethin...





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[This message was edited Wed Oct 15 16:49:03 PDT 2003 by PEJ]

Sorry man

I am so sorry, Pej. I saw this posted on the other side and I didn't know what to say over there, either. There's no way you can talk him into seeking treatment?

Holy cow... that's pretty sad to hear, Pej.

I'd try talking to his family, other friends of his, etc...find a way of getting him in for some help (possibly without his consent, maybe??...Not sure how that works). Good luck with that, can't even imagine...

By the way...your signature might not be the most appropriate one for this thread...lol




...whoops
[This message was edited Wed Oct 15 11:44:55 PDT 2003 by Byron]

If it's that serious, he's becoming a danger to himself and others. There ought to be some branch of social services that can help the family to forcibly commit the guy where he can then receive some treatment.

Unfortunately, drugs are usually the treatment. I'm reminded of that guy in "A Beautiful Mind." After the drugs his life was never quite the same.

Sorry, man.

Maybe U can talk to a doctor on his behalf and see what advice he can give U.

teller said:

He saw that film recently and said he can relate to the guy. But I don't think he really understands what he's relating to.

WOW, Pej...

My great nephew who is 6 was diagnosed as being schizo... There is so much out there that they can do for them these days...Medicine that really benefits them. (Understand that I am not into taking any type of pill)

This is hard, and alot for you to handle...

I think the best advice is from those who suggested that you find someone who knows their stuff in this field - a social worker, a doctor, someone - and get some sound, professional advice. Go on Google and look for any local mental health clinics or any 1-800 hotlines that might be of help. Find someone who has seen this kind of thing before. That's the best way to go.

He needs to be admitted for a few and medicated..plain and simple. His schizohrenia will never go away but his sympotoms etc can be controilled with medication...if he takes it.

This is so similar to another story I have heard from a friend going through the same thing, the paranoia is almost exact. You need to work with the family on this, and he definetly needs medical help, you can't do anything as a friend, but the family can intervene. Drugs almost always work in these cases, but the only downfall is that after a certain time, the patients feel better, get off the drugs, and relapse. But, in any case, this bloke needs medical attention fast before something drastic happens. Proceed with caution, cuz when my friend and his family tried to intervene with that guy, he found out, and left the city. He showed up days later almost across the country with no money, no shelter, or food, and in the same clothes he took off in. For whatever reason, these people need help, before they get themselves seriously hurt. I hope you can help him out.

pejman, have you been in contact with any doctors since you posted that original message?

At this point there is absolutely nothing you can do in a one on one situation with him. Your role as a friend must be to get doctors involved, or to convince his family (if he has any close) to get doctors involved.

This may mean having him committed, but that might be the best thing for him long term. The longer these situations go untreated the more actual damage to the brain might take place.

The medications they have today are very effective. Nothing like lithium, shock therapy etc. from the sixties and even seveties.

Ask about clozaril.

I realize there may be some hesitation on your part or his family's part about the stigma involved in having him committed. But you just need to play through that.

I'm so sorry Pej. Perhaps you could talk to your own doctor about the situation and see what he advises.

It's heartbreaking to witness this. I hope you find a way to help him. You're a great friend to have.

Hey Pej. I know this is difficult for you to see your friend like this. But as a friend I know you want the best for him as well. Medical attention may not be a popular solution but it is unfortunately the best one. There are limits as to what one person can do no matter how good his intentions are. Believe me I speak from experience. Hang in there man and do whatever's necessary to get your friend the help he deserves. You're no less a friend for doing so. In fact you'd be even more of a friend for doing what needs to be done.

I'm not sure where you live (I assume in the States?), but check here for a local chapter of the National Alliance for Mental Illness.:

http://www.nami.org/Templ...Local_NAMI

This is an organization for support, but they can most likely give you more specialized advice about what you might need to do.

My Mom and an extremely close friend of my better half is schizophrenic and the only thing that you can do now is somehow get him into treatment, with a family member or someone else.

It is very very horrible and the only help right now unfortunately is the medication, although it will knock your friend out a majority of the time and he will be tired the rest of it.

The meds will control the disease as much as it can. Either way, it is a hard situation and you are being a good friend.

I do hope you change the thread of this topic though as a good friend has lost his mind makes it seem like he is totally insane and not suffering from one of the worst ever diseases with no cure.

Much Love 2 Ricky and Lois Eileen Freed

stymie said:

every week he tells me before seeking any type of medical treatment he will first needs to test his new microphone listening device (remember "something about mary") or these new infared goggles ($3000) and if he can't find find these so called watchers then he might consider seeing a doctor...

2the9s said:

Actually mrbungle's (one of my best friends) father is a doctor and he knows a great psychologist who we've kept as an option on the back burner.. I guess we should talk to him but it's difficult in our busy schedules + in our off time we are all usually always hangin out together but that's no excuse... I'm also afraid the doctor may tell mesomething I don't wanna hear but I guess I've got nothing to lose... the biggest problem is our friend is always saying he will be ready to see the doc after he tries one last thing to prove us wrong. Last week he actually had a P.I. come over and he told the guy what he thinks. The P.I. says he's had many people hit him up with the same situations but never been able to uncover the watchers identities. He told my friend the best thing to do was ignore the voices. What do you think he meant? I have my ideas... now ole boy says he wants to hire a better P.I.


note: P.I. stands for-- private investigator for those wondering...

I'm working on my M.S. degree in psychology at this very moment...EVERYONE THAT SAYS HE SHOULD BE COMMITED IS 100% CORRECT!! Your friend will NEVER agree to this decision, so it must be done against his will. Sorry, but "them's jus da facts"...

I'M SERIOUS ABOUT THIS!!

Peace,buddy.

Michael Anthony

Anxiety said:

your right, I'm gonna do it tonite... I hate this kinda shit but it must be done!!!

I don't know what to say Pej. i'm sorry for your friend and for you. Is this obession of his interfereing with his work, family life, money? If it is then you can try to talk to his family, about seeking him treatment. If he is becoming a danger to himself or others he might have to be forced into treatment without his consent. This is all so sad. I really don't know what else to say

Thank you all for your advice. I never really dug threads seeking sympathy but today I noticed that paranoia thread and I thought I'd see what your thoughts were in this sich... and yes Ellis hearing him say they're out to get him over and over again has started to bug the shit out of me!!! This may sound bad or rude but I swear if he wasn't one of my best friends I probably wouldn't have wanted to have anything to do with him anymore...if you only knew who he thinks is watching him you would understand what I mean..

Good luck. Working with his family to get him into the care of a psychiatrist is the only hope. The sooner they take the first very difficult steps, the sooner they'll get throught bumps in the road along the way,and the sooner he'll end up receiving the care that he needs. The longer it waits, the more likely the prospect that he will advance to threatening behavior and then beyond. You don't want to wait until you or someone has been harmed first. The downward progession is inescapable. The speed is unpredictable, but it moves more rapidly than we're prepared for.

Brain chemistry is a delicate thing. We all take it for granted, until we're confronted by folks who have an imbalance or a deficiency.

Fortunately, there are drugs that can help. With the right support, most schizophrenics can lead manageable lives. You need only walk the streets of any major city to see what happens when they either don't get or they reject the care they need.

Find out who his primary care physicain is, if he has one. The family might be able to consult with that MD for guidance. Again, good luck.

one man's schizophrenia is another man's hobby.

2the9s said:

this is a good link.


funny, about a year ago i posted almost the same cry for help here. it is a hard thing. do what you can to help your friend but take care of yourself too

XxAxX said:

Actually I remember that XxaxX. I think I may have given you that link, no? I hope that situation worked out for you.

Anyway, mental illness is not something to be taken lightly. There is still a lot misunderstanding out there about mental illness and yes there are even some lowlives who use the phrase as an insult etc.

I'm sure we've all run into them.

2the9s said:

mental illness is one of the most important, but least discussed and recognized issue that faces America and the world. many many many of the problems faced today would be solved if we'd own up to and address the mental health problem.

AaronUniversal said:

I agree. And having had someone very close to me suffer from a particularly debilitating form of it, it really pisses me off when idiots make light of it.

The thing is, the illness is so treatable.

By hook or by crook you need to get him to the doctors.

I'm a great help arn't I?