I'm glad he feels able to come over and watch telly with you guys and eat pizza. I have a friend who, when I was ill last year, took me to her house so I could stay over, and fed me, put on some trashy movie (can't remember what it was) and really cheered me up. My son was away from home at the time, and I was feeling very vulnerable. It helps to have friends.

I get uncomfortable sometimes with people, because I know they see a difference in me. But one thing to bear in mind is that there's still hope of a recovery for your brother in law. Apparently about thirty percent of schizophrenics actually make a full recovery... I didn't know that. Another third manage their symptoms really well on the meds. The remainder continue to have problems for a variety of reasons (non compliance with meds, illegal drug use, other ill health, social exclusion etc.) By helping him retain his social life you're increasing his chance of a real recovery. It's very important to keep hope alive.