Discussion Boards I care for...
silent victims
- By voice
-
Thu 24 Jan 2008 10:59
I never realised this website existed. It's like a breath of fresh air!
My parents care for my 30 year old brother who has suffered from schizophrenia for 12 years. In the past he has been a drug user (addict) and an alcoholic. During periods of extreme mental unbalance, he can be very intimidating and extremely violent and has hospitalized my father. It seems to me that there is just no help out there!
My parents are not financially well off, and the stress and strain of my brother impacts them emotionally, physically and financially. It is a 24/7 job and when he is particularly bad, the nights are very long because he can go without sleep for days.
We have noticed that when things start to go right for him, he suffers a particularly bad schizophrenic episode and plunges down deep again. He has been sectioned several times but it just seems like a vicious circle!
I am so concerned for my parents as neither have great health and I can't imagine them looking after him when they retire!!! Does anyone know of any help???
Replies
- By madnotstupid
-
Re: silent victims
Thu 24 Jan 2008 14:23Hi voice
What help there is out there for you, your parents or your brother is a real hit and miss depending on where you live. Groups like re:think in England and Wales and the NSF in Scotland often have support groups for carers, where your parents might get information as well as the support of people in the same situation.
There is an organisation called the Hearing Voices Network - in England it's based in Manchester, but they have groups all over the country, and there are also networks and groups in Scotland and Wales. I don't have info to hand but if you googled it I'm sure you'd get the web sites. Might be helpful for your brother as they have self help groups, trying to encourage people to look at underlying issues.There are other groups out there - as I said it depends on where you live.
Hope this helps