[MutareLuxere5]

My brother has Schizophrenia. I don't know exactly what "type", what are his reactions, what is his medication, etc. This is because when he was diagnosed I was 13 (he is 12 years older than me) and no one cared to explain anything to me besides the fact he had schizopfrenia and had been commited to a psychiatric facillity.

He had been away for roughly 3 years. For 2 years no one knew where he was (he had a drug problem), and in the 3rd he was already in an institution (but no one told me).
The last memorie I have from my brother previously to his diagnose was playing PS and SEGA with him and fake wrestling, I remember him smiling and I remember I felt loved - I was 10 years old.

When I saw him again he was heavily medicated, seemed like he was "out of his body", like he wasn't present, his eyes had lost their brightness; I notice it is hard for him to concentrate on something in a large period of time, he gets tired easily and sometimes it seems like he is not there, but in a world of his own - so it's hard to connect, for both of us.

Bottomline is, I wish I knew what happened all of those years, but I am afraid of asking because I am afraid of triggering him somehow and I don't even know if he remembers it. I am afraid of my brother. All I know is that, in his case, he tends to get violent and nothing else. He has invited me for coffee and my first instinct is fear.

I love my brother, I know he is still there and I know he loves me, but I am afraid of him.

I am hoping for some input. Help if you can.
Thank you.

[costello]

That's a sad story, ML. My heart breaks for both you and your brother. The next time he asks you for coffee, go. You don't need to ask about sz or medication. Just talk to him like you would anyone else.

Eventually you'll learn more about sz. Ignorance makes us fearful. Knowledge gives us power and helps dispel the fear.

Please come back and tell us how your visit with your brother goes.