advertisement
Reply
Thread Tools Display Modes
RamblinClementine
Member
 
RamblinClementine's Avatar
RamblinClementine has no updates.
 
Member Since: Nov 2013
Location: Oakland
Posts: 181
10 yr Member
113 hugs
given
Default Dec 28, 2020 at 01:32 PM
  #1
Hi All,

My brother was formerly diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. I am the only person in my very large family who still talks to him (as far as I know). He turned 30 yesterday. He lives alone in a room in a shared boarding house and has been relatively stable for the last couple of years. Before that he was homeless for a while and in and out of jail for small crimes.

We kind of talk. He texts me images he likes from Reddit. Sometimes he doesn't respond to my texts. I visited him back in July (he lives two hours away) and he didn't wear a mask properly and that really irked me. Since then we text a little. I buy him art supplies and I recently bought him a book. I think he's mad at me because I said I would visit more recently and backed out, but when we "hang out" he just sits there and doesn't talk. I told him he has to at least try to be conversational with me- really because it is very painful for me to visit him. I feel like he just wants me to buy him things and neither of us has very much money.

I feel sad about this and don't know what to do.
RamblinClementine is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
*Beth*, CANDC, Fuzzybear, suzemagoo, TunedOut, Yaowen

advertisement
Yaowen
Grand Magnate
 
Yaowen's Avatar
Yaowen has no updates.
 
Member Since: Jan 2020
Location: USA
Posts: 3,618 (SuperPoster!)
3 yr Member
6,475 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Dec 28, 2020 at 07:05 PM
  #2
Dear RamblinClementine,

I think you do more in this situation than most people on the planet would. I think you are very heroic for what you do!

Sincerely yours, Yao Wen
Yaowen is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
Fuzzybear, RamblinClementine
 
Thanks for this!
suzemagoo, TunedOut
CANDC
Super Moderator
Community Support Team
Community Liaison
Chat Leader
 
CANDC's Avatar
CANDC has no updates.
 
Member Since: May 2014
Location: Northeast USA New England
Posts: 17,322 (SuperPoster!)
8 yr Member
2,307 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Dec 28, 2020 at 08:38 PM
  #3
Quote:
Originally Posted by RamblinClementine View Post
Hi All,

My brother was formerly diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. I am the only person in my very large family who still talks to him (as far as I know). He turned 30 yesterday. He lives alone in a room in a shared boarding house and has been relatively stable for the last couple of years. Before that he was homeless for a while and in and out of jail for small crimes.

We kind of talk. He texts me images he likes from Reddit. Sometimes he doesn't respond to my texts. I visited him back in July (he lives two hours away) and he didn't wear a mask properly and that really irked me. Since then we text a little. I buy him art supplies and I recently bought him a book. I think he's mad at me because I said I would visit more recently and backed out, but when we "hang out" he just sits there and doesn't talk. I told him he has to at least try to be conversational with me- really because it is very painful for me to visit him. I feel like he just wants me to buy him things and neither of us has very much money.

I feel sad about this and don't know what to do.
Caring is a precious gift you give. Even if you just hang out together he is with a human being. Some of the most talented, caring people I have known were diagnosed with schizophrenia.

I found a few sites that I have not personally used but they may be of interest:

Helping Someone with Schizophrenia - HelpGuide.org

Support Groups for Schizophrenia - Schizophrenia Center - EverydayHealth.com

If he is looking for support, here is the forum on this site.
https://mysupportforums.org/schizoph...and-psychosis/

There may be state or federal or local programs that would help him get food or support. Contact local support organizations in their city.

And most importantly, take care of yourself. Good self care is the best way to be able to take care of others.
@CANDC

__________________
Super Moderator
Community Support Team

"Things Take Time"
CANDC is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
RamblinClementine
 
Thanks for this!
Fuzzybear, TunedOut
Que Sera Sera
Legendary
Que Sera Sera has no updates.
 
Member Since: Nov 2020
Location: johnson city tn
Posts: 11,731 (SuperPoster!)
3 yr Member
6 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Dec 29, 2020 at 01:32 AM
  #4
what candc said is absolutely right! i hope you realize what an extremely awesome sister you are!
i have both a brother-in-law and a nephew who each suffer from their own particular "form(s)" of the disease and it is NOT an easy task to commit yourself to and remain to be a constant presence in their lives.
its very difficult to "toughen up" when hanging in there with them means having to deal with what ever might be going to happen at any time that something could be the next thing to happen.
they rage in anger and key your car ...
the hours upon hours of rambling nonsensical jibberish on and on about who know what in the world but them has any of what any of what all they ramble endless on and on about means..
but you nod and listen and ask questions and repeat things back to them and laugh and show shock and act surprised ..
you remember the nuances of the seperate "entities" and act accordingly to those occassions .
you cling and beg and cry and yell and scream and argue and talk them out of ending their life or harming themselves or from killing someone else...
you exhaust yourself making never ending frustrating attempts to interject the here, the now, whats current to this day in hope to find a "trigger" to snap em back to reality again...
you have explained the situation to a vast network of every law enforcement agency, neighbor, business owner, public transport agency, strangers on the street from here to timbucktoand so they know to get ahold of you and how to reach you in case something comes up .. and it has, and they have... and you have and will continue to condend with every problem on the other end of that phone call that wakes you up at 2 am ....
and you, ramblinclemintine, do all because thats the kind of amazingly awesome person you are!
Que Sera Sera is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
Fuzzybear, RamblinClementine, TunedOut
 
Thanks for this!
CANDC, Fuzzybear, TunedOut
RamblinClementine
Member
 
RamblinClementine's Avatar
RamblinClementine has no updates.
 
Member Since: Nov 2013
Location: Oakland
Posts: 181
10 yr Member
113 hugs
given
Default Dec 29, 2020 at 02:39 PM
  #5
Thank you so much for the links
RamblinClementine is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Thanks for this!
CANDC, Fuzzybear
RamblinClementine
Member
 
RamblinClementine's Avatar
RamblinClementine has no updates.
 
Member Since: Nov 2013
Location: Oakland
Posts: 181
10 yr Member
113 hugs
given
Default Dec 29, 2020 at 02:40 PM
  #6
Que Sera Sera, wow you know exactly what it is like!
RamblinClementine is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
Fuzzybear
 
Thanks for this!
CANDC
CANDC
Super Moderator
Community Support Team
Community Liaison
Chat Leader
 
CANDC's Avatar
CANDC has no updates.
 
Member Since: May 2014
Location: Northeast USA New England
Posts: 17,322 (SuperPoster!)
8 yr Member
2,307 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Jan 03, 2021 at 09:07 PM
  #7
Quote:
Originally Posted by RamblinClementine View Post
Thank you so much for the links
You are welcome. How do you feel about things now?
@CANDC

__________________
Super Moderator
Community Support Team

"Things Take Time"
CANDC is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Thanks for this!
Fuzzybear
Fuzzybear
Wisest Elder Ever
 
Fuzzybear's Avatar
Fuzzybear has no updates.
 
Member Since: Nov 2002
Location: Cave.
Posts: 96,298 (SuperPoster!)
20 yr Member
81.2k hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Feb 03, 2021 at 09:31 PM
  #8
Quote:
Originally Posted by CANDC View Post


Caring is a precious gift you give. Even if you just hang out together he is with a human being. Some of the most talented, caring people I have known were diagnosed with schizophrenia.

I found a few sites that I have not personally used but they may be of interest:

Helping Someone with Schizophrenia - HelpGuide.org

Support Groups for Schizophrenia - Schizophrenia Center - EverydayHealth.com

If he is looking for support, here is the forum on this site.
https://mysupportforums.org/schizoph...and-psychosis/

There may be state or federal or local programs that would help him get food or support. Contact local support organizations in their city.

And most importantly, take care of yourself. Good self care is the best way to be able to take care of others.
@CANDC

__________________
Fuzzybear is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:46 AM.
Powered by vBulletin® — Copyright © 2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.



 

My Support Forums

My Support Forums is the online community that was originally begun as the Psych Central Forums in 2001. It now runs as an independent self-help support group community for mental health, personality, and psychological issues and is overseen by a group of dedicated, caring volunteers from around the world.

 

Helplines and Lifelines

The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider.

Always consult your doctor or mental health professional before trying anything you read here.