I want to start by giving a virtual hug to the family members and carers out here. 
I'm sure that there are days where we all feel defeated and hopeless... that's where I am right now.
Here we go...
5 years ago, my brother started developing psychosis-related symptoms. At the time, neither my parents nor I knew what was going on. He had been a heavy marijuana smoker for the preceding 3-4 years. This was certainly a trigger for his illness, but I later learned that he some of his symptoms, e.g. intense feelings of paranoia started much earlier, when he was a teen.
For the first 2 years, his illness was horrendously mismanaged by his first Psychiatrist in just about every aspect (a story for another day). To make things worse, he became socially isolated and withdrew completely.
The final straw came after a near-violent outburst which saw the police and ambulance get involved. He was admitted to a Pscyhiatric facility for 3 days we managed to change his Psychiatrist.
Things got better better over the next two years:
- No more conspiracy rants
- No more angry outbursts
- He reconnected with an old friend from Primary School
However, the downside was:
- The medication made it very difficult for him to work or concentrate
- He became extremely guarded
- Although he now had some social interaction, it was limited to playing video games or watching movies
At the end of last year he decided to stop taking his medication. Low-and-behold, his psychosis has returned.
I'm posting this here because I need to get this off my chest. I'm also sure that so many of you are in similar situations.
I live overseas and don't know what I can do to help. I feel useless. My brother lives at home with my parents and another brother. I want to repair our relationship. Although we were never best friends, his illness has robbed us of even feeling like brothers any more. He refuses to go back on medication or get help of ANY kind now.
What steps can I take? I want to reconnect with him, but every conversation is like pulling-teeth. My parents are worn out. Please, anyone who has been in a similar situation. I'd love to hear your story and what steps you took.
Thanks again for hearing me out.