Comments for A Schizophrenic and a Dog

Comment on Help for Parents, Caregivers, and Families of Schizophrenics by Katherine

Katherine — Thu, 10 May 2012 04:45:51 +0000

I’m so sorry you are in this situation. It really is a heart breaking one. I suggest you read a book by Dr. Xavier Amador called “I am not sick, I don’t need help.” It talks about how you can help family members accept their mental illness and how to make sure they receive the help they need. Another good book, to understand what your daughter is going through is “Surviving Schizophrenia” by E. Fuller Torrey.

Comment on Help for Parents, Caregivers, and Families of Schizophrenics by Sherry

Sherry — Thu, 10 May 2012 01:46:46 +0000

Thank you for the arcticle. It gives me hope…hope that I have been losing lately. My daughter is 24 years old. She began having schitzophrenic symptoms at about 15. I have been in denial from the beginning. She has been in and out of the hopitals for several years now. Her longest stay was six months. In 2010 her doctor took her off all her meds and she began to feel better and we thought all of this was behind us. A few months later she took off and we didn’t know where she was for three months. She was living on the streets. But, somehow she pulled herself together and began classes at Western University, then she called us and everything again was good but just recently she has become paranoid and she believes people can see her everymove through her computer that she uses for classes and she broke it. She thought her phone was bugged so she threw it away. She came home for about a week but she is back at college now. She doesn’t believe she is paranoid. She says she is just going to forget about the computer and phone incidence because worrying won’t help. She recently quit therapy also. She doesn’t want to go back to therapy and don’t want to take meds. I am at a loss as to what to do. I guess I have been in denial long enough. This mother’s heart is breaking.

Comment on A Few Setbacks by Jen Scinto

Jen Scinto — Mon, 07 May 2012 16:37:04 +0000

Hang in there! We all have setbacks from time to time!

Comment on A Few Setbacks by Pat

Pat — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 04:21:44 +0000

There are stables in our area (and there’s probably one or 2 in yours) whose focus is to help those with any type of handicap by riding specially trained horses. It sounds like the one you had realized you were nervous and took advantage of you. Smart critters they are! You might consider looking for one. Some work w/Vets with schizophrenia and PTSD, others help the physically and/or emotionally challenged. Children and adults are welcome. Obviously you love challenges, Katherine. It may be worth a try to regain that sense of self control and determination……

Comment on Washing Your Feet In My Tears by Pat

Pat — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 03:48:30 +0000

Katherine, I am so amazed at your strength, your determination to not just ride things out but to rise above them! That you Know when you need help and that you reach out for it is a very healthy and strong thing for you to do. Your ability to reflect and your knowledgeable insights prove you are a very gentle and loving person. You are AMAZING! You are also so very gifted. Your ability to express yourself … you write beautifully. I have read some of your “moments” and feel so blessed and uplifted to know you just a tiny bit like this. Please be gentle to yourself. You are awesome! Things will get better.

Comment on Help for Parents, Caregivers, and Families of Schizophrenics by Katherine

Katherine — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 03:36:59 +0000

I worry what will happen when my parents are gone also. I am glad that you went swimming and took some time for yourself. That is really important. If your son doesn’t have it yet, I would encourage you and him to look into Social Security Disability and SSI. With SSI he will get Medicaid. After 2 years on SSDI he will get Medicare. It might be worth looking into.

Comment on Help for Parents, Caregivers, and Families of Schizophrenics by Pat

Pat — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 03:25:45 +0000

just finished writing to you and think it got lost somehow as I hit a wrong button so hope this isn’t a repeat. I’m so happy to find your site and so very happy YOU are doing so well. My son was diagnosed schizophrenic 14 yrs ago. Took 3 years post Army to get that to happen. He’s been on/off the streets most of that time. It tears me apart w/fear and then I live in a bit of hell on earth when he’s home. He’s dually diagnosed, using drugs and alcohol also. I am more afraid now of that than of the terrible Big S diagnosis that hit us like a ton of bricks at first. People out there, if that is your child’d problem, RUN FOR HELP! DO NOT HIDE IT! Everyone else knows anyway. My son does better after hospitalization for a while and we hope – and then he slides and his brain dies a little more each time. After months of doing well, for him, he did meth. Now he is like a 2 yr old, no exaggeration. I have to follow and watch him every second. If 2 minutes goes by I may find my refrig cleaned out to the dumpster, bathroom supplies on the kitchen table, his face painted with acrylic paint. Nothing is safe. At least I could change the subject or environment or contain and hug him when he WAS 2 yrs old! I swam for the first time today and refused to let myself worry about home. Coming in the door I found all his bedroom furniture oil painted like a child’s fingerpainting. He called it art. (I am actually finding this cathartic to write to you!) But I’m usually on the verge of a breakdown, constantly, endlessly. There’s no support. Churches want to cast out demons or they think we all have the cooties! Dr’s can’t help medicate him “down” to deal with him, it’s against the law. There’s no social program to help if there’s no money. He needs constant supervision. He needs a nursing home! I’m 65, my husband 72…what happens when we are gone? I know and it won’t be pretty!

Comment on Six Months, Victory! by Barney Rehmeier

Barney Rehmeier — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 19:37:27 +0000

This is a lovely piece. I agree our pets are gifts from God. They provide us with glimpses of what was once perfect and of the perfection that will at some time again return. Once when bounding around the yard with a new puppy, as it adoringly glared into my eyes, I was struck at the sheer joy this creature was experiencing by just being alive! 20 weeks earlier it was not even a thought or a mass of cells. If only I could look to God in that way and live with its same joy of life. This encounter was a view into eternity I have never forgotten.

Comment on Washing Your Feet In My Tears by Morgan

Morgan — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 01:26:20 +0000

Just a note to say I think you are very strong! I teach 6-9th grade at a Regional Safe School Program and was looking into the idea of service dogs for some of my junior high students, a few have been hosiptalized multiple times over the school year. I came upon this site through a Google search and was very moved by your words. I’m glad you know when you’re getting into a bad place and how to work at getting out (like seeing your therepist). Keep being strong!
Morgan

Comment on Six Months, Victory! by Jen Scinto

Jen Scinto — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:45:48 +0000

That’s so great! I’m so happy for you!