I'm wondering if someone with schizophrenia, who walks around talking to people who aren't there could be a narcissist? Does the schizophrenia exclude the NPD? I'm wondering about my brother. I go back and forth thinking I'm unjustly placing labels on him but if the shoe fits, where it right? He shows clear signs of malignant NPD and also has shown signs such as talking to people who aren't there while walking down the street. He did a LOT of heavy drugs in the 90's, so that could come into play. What do you think, can they coexist?

[TishaBuv]

I don't see why they couldn't have both, but I don't know.

I know someone who I suspect is possibly both. He has said things that make me think he is paranoid in how the Illuminati is behind everything and schizophrenic in how he communicates with aliens and can do things beyond human abilities, and he is also narcissistic in his grandiosity saying he is a messenger and warrior of societal change.

Also, he has smoked pot daily for over 30 years. He's also been homeless most all his life.

We were briefly engaged nearly 30 years ago, before any of the above paragraph developed. It ended with a restraining order and set him further down that path.

Originally Posted by TishaBuv

I don't see why they couldn't have both, but I don't know.

I know someone who I suspect is possibly both. He has said things that make me think he is paranoid in how the Illuminati is behind everything and schizophrenic in how he communicates with aliens and can do things beyond human abilities, and he is also narcissistic in his grandiosity saying he is a messenger and warrior of societal change.

Also, he has smoked pot daily for over 30 years. He's also been homeless most all his life.

That all sounds very sad. My brother would be seen as high functioning but with cracks. Like the song from matchbox 20- Unwell. "Stay around and maybe then you'll see, a different side of me". This fits me and my brother. I don't even come close to qualifying on the NPD spectrum but I do have manias and delusions of grandeur.....I've thought I was communicating with a higher being and I believe the world is ran by old rich men with OLD money. I could be schizophrenic but I believe I would be considered high functioning? Perhaps not, I'm unsure. Maybe I'm overthinking this. Maybe my brother has bipolar and NPD. Those can coexist. I need advise on my relationship with him, but I will save that for another time and for the relationship forum.

[TishaBuv]

Originally Posted by ElsaMars

That all sounds very sad. My brother would be seen as high functioning but with cracks. Like the song from matchbox 20- Unwell. "Stay around and maybe then you'll see, a different side of me". This fits me and my brother. I don't even come close to qualifying on the NPD spectrum but I do have manias and delusions of grandeur.....I've thought I was communicating with a higher being and I believe the world is ran by old rich men with OLD money. I could be schizophrenic but I believe I would be considered high functioning? Perhaps not, I'm unsure. Maybe I'm overthinking this. Maybe my brother has bipolar and NPD. Those can coexist. I need advise on my relationship with him, but I will save that for another time and for the relationship forum.

Your thinking might have been part of your bipolar mania. And the world IS run by rich old men (look at this election, lol).

This guy was passionate and driven about his delusions, non-stop spouting them to anyone who'll listen.

[MickeyCheeky]

Not sure... I don't see any reason why not, but I don't know :/ sorry.

[amandalouise]

if you are here in the USA yes it is possible for a person who has one mental disorder to also have another. its called being dual diagnosed. please be careful on trying to diagnose your brother with mental disorders. only his own treatment providers can say whether he has NPD along with having his schizophrenia.

[-jimi-]

I know someone who has both.

[*Laurie*]

Sure. Yes.

Thanks everyone. I know it's unfair to diagnose him but I'm wondering if our relationship should remain dead or is salvageable. Sometimes I want to reach out so badly but I don't want to be abused again. If he has mental health issues he can't help it. I could really use my big brother in my life right now but I don't know if it's realistic or healthy.

[TishaBuv]

What would it take for it to be salvaged?

I would need to appologize to him, forgive him for physical, emotional and sexual abuse. I would need to have a relationship on his terms.

[TishaBuv]

Sometimes I long for the mother I want a (mother, brother, etc..) to be, but that loving person is not really who they are. When you are away, you may think there is some part there that can fulfill your needs, but he may just be an abuser.

Yes, I think I mourn the relationship we should have had, not the one we actually had. There was a time when he showed what appeared to be genuine concern, but it was momentary and fleeting and possibly even imagined. Thanks for chatting with me Trish. This is a hard topic for me as I'm essentially an only child since my parents have disowned my brother. I wish I had a sibling....a healthy relationship with a brother or sister. People who have good relationships with siblings are lucky.

[TishaBuv]

You're just in time to rush out and buy my Friends and Family Inflatable Dolls! Last year, when I first started on here, my mother gave me grief before Thanksgiving, ruining the holidays, and I made a post where I had the idea for these dolls that you could put around your holiday table and pretend you have a loving family.

I'm sitting here debating this morning about what I should do regarding Thanksgiving. You might be thinking about rekindling the relationship with your brother because of the holidays as well.

I'm really torn on this situation. I mean, if my brother did what he did due to illness and drug abuse I think I can look past it. But as a person he is just too hard headed and stubborn and refuses to see fault in himself. A self protection if you will. The dolls are a good idea. Steve Martin in a movie about the Lonely Guy used cardboard cutouts of people and had a party with them. Lots of famous quests. It was a very good movie but with real sadness and humanity at its core. I have a good solid amount of family at current and don't require my brother as much as I simply wish to have a mutually beneficial relationship built on respect. He tried to call me 3 years ago but I'd had enough and was in crisis and so was my son so I angrily told him I wanted nothing to do with him or his theiving manipulative wife. I feel guilty and not even sure if it's justified or I'm blaming myself for setting boundaries and putting my foot down. I'm just very confused about it. My parents said they want nothing to do with it if I contact him and not to talk to them about it. They've been hurt, skapegoated and blamed for his own personal failing enough over the years. He threatened to murder us all with a gun when I was 17 and was taken to the hospital by the police for a 5150. My parents won't support my decision to reconnect and neither does my husband. But he's my brother ya know.....and if he's mentally unwell he may not be able to control himself. I was thinking of reaching out on Facebook but part of me feels even he is better off if we just stay on our seperate paths. He lives across the country so it's not likely we will ever run into one another.

[TishaBuv]

Maybe calling him just to express your feelings is a good idea. If he called you three years ago he either feels the same (good intent) or wanted something from you, (not for good intent.)

Only you know if you can or want to forgive him for how he abused you. There really is no good excuse for it. He owes you the apology, not the other way around.

I think I need a little more time and need to stabalize first...but I do think I will reach out. Thank you for chatting with me and giving me an impartial opinion Trish. (((Hugs))