[Lolly123]

Hi, I’m not sure if I’m doing this right. But here it goes.
I have a loved one who is paranoid schizophrenic. Like everyone’s life, this is a long and convoluted story.
Unfortunately it has not been a happy story. And I find this dear soul in jail waiting to be transferred to a mental hospital.
We will call him Luke. Before the incident that put him in jail, we texted and talked regularly. Luke has been off meds for a year. And has been in his room for three months, seldom coming out. Having a very hard time with truth and reality. We have tried to get help several times with no luck.
My question is, now that he is made to take medication will he remember all our talks? I have been writing him in jail. His letter to me are the same as our talks and texts. But he has only been on meds for a week. I want to encourage him, and be a friend someone he can talk to without feeling pressure.
So, what is it like to be paranoid schizophrenic on and off medication? What can I expect as he continues his medicine? As of today he hasn’t said he is schizophrenic he just shares how everyone is out to get him etc. He did tell me he is being made to take meds because they think he is crazy and it is the only way he can get out of that place.
Some very traumatic and horrible things happens to put him in jail. He is one of the kindest people I know. And this isn’t him. But once on medication will he remember things like they really are or like he thought they were? Will he see the past with a new insight or remember the past as he saw it in a schizophrenic mind?
Any insight would be very helpful.
Thank you.

[SlumberKitty]

Hello @Lolly123 I see this is your first post to PC so welcome!


I don't have paranoid schizophrenia but I have schizoaffective disorder--depressed type. I do get paranoid at times. I am really good at staying on my meds though. It seems like your question is whether he will remember your talks and whether he will have more insight on meds. I think it is likely if the meds are the right combination for him. There are a lot of meds out there and it can be trial and error to get the right ones. Some mental hospitals are better than others. The one I was at wasn't that great. My regular Pdoc (psychiatrist) was better and put me on better medications. It is hard to discern reality when unmedicated. It's like your brain is telling you stuff and it is so true at that time for the person. Looking back I can tell some of my delusions were just that, delusions, but no one knew how to help me when I was having them. But now I know it was a delusion. At the time I didn't know.


Might want to check out a local Nami meeting. Some are being held virtually like via Zoom right now because of the pandemic. Anyway, they have one for loved ones of people with mental illness. You might get some insight and support there and all the Nami meetings I have been to are free.

Likewise, you might want to seek out professional help for yourself. Just a couple of sessions with a psychologist or therapist to help you understand what is going on with your loved one. Also can help you understand how to help him when he is off his meds. Depending on your relationship you may be able to get a thing from the court where he basically becomes a dependent and you take over finances and help him stay on meds and stuff. I don't know how easy that is. I think it is a conservatorship or something like that. I don't have one but luckily my pdoc has always been willing to talk to my parents.


PM me if you want and I will try to help your more. Maybe some others will have a good ideas for you.

Best, Kit.

[Lolly123]

Slumberkitty,

Thank you for replying. It helps to talk to someone who understands.
And your suggestions are great. I’m going to see if I can get into a support group. I think I need to hear and see people talk about these things.
Again, thank you so much for replying!

Lolly123

[CANDC]

Originally Posted by Lolly123

Slumberkitty,

Thank you for replying. It helps to talk to someone who understands.
And your suggestions are great. I’m going to see if I can get into a support group. I think I need to hear and see people talk about these things.
Again, thank you so much for replying!

Lolly123

Hi Lolly123. Welcome to Psych Central.

There are many support groups. You seem to be a family or friend. As a family member of person that has mental health challenges, National Alliance on Mental Illness Home | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness has been a great help to me. They are all Zoom classes I think now, but you can find support groups in your state here Support Groups | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness

These support groups are aimed at helping those who are in a relationship of some kind with a person with mental illness. First name basis only do not need to share personal contact info.