[madisgram]

my loved one is schiz. i am his caregiver. he recently moved in with me after being in an alf. i have so-o-o many questions and few, few answers. i want to be as supportive as one can be but don't even know where to start. i've posted in "caregivers" now and before and hardly got a reply. aren't there more people interested in understanding this MI?
are any of you with schizophrenia here at pc able to help me understand about the voices, the depression, your meds, and how i can best communicate with my loved one? i would so appreciate your input. those of u with this MI are such a good resource for me if you'd kindly reply to my post.
all posts are welcomed because it will educate me with what all of you may already know. i won't even begin asking questions cause i need to learn so much to help this gentle man.
thank you for reading my post.

[pegasus]

Hello madisgram, what is the question you want to ask specifically? I'm sure people are happy to help here.

[pachyderm]

Originally Posted by madisgram

are any of you with schizophrenia here at pc able to help me understand about the voices, the depression, your meds, and how i can best communicate with my loved one?

1. Voices: have you never experienced in your mind the memory of someone shouting at you in anger, or with some other emotion? Can you imagine that this might present in the form of actually "hearing" someone?

2. Depression: can you imagine not feeling depressed or discouraged by this disorder?

3. Medications: personally I think they are over-used. Some claim to benefit from them; some do not. Individual cases may be different.

4. Communication: kindness, respect, listening are always good.

[madisgram]

Originally Posted by pegasus

Hello madisgram, what is the question you want to ask specifically? I'm sure people are happy to help here.

thanks,((( peg))), good point. i just needed to see if i got a reply before i started pounding you all with questions.
1. when david hears the voice, it's usually the same man, should i encourage him to ignore the voice? i've read 2 different schools of thought on this. yes and no basically are the answers i read. is there an activity we can do that can divert his attention somewhat so he's not so tormented? i suggested we take a walk yesterday but it wasn't too successful.
2. i've been to another forum that tells me that some music can provoke a downswing in mood. i witnessed this yesterday while we were in the car. how do i know which music to avoid? should i ask david directly?
3. given that he has a phd in psychology i can especially appreciate his depression about having this condition. he was well aware many years ago what was happening to him. will his moods vascillate like a bipolar person(me) or does it have other chemical causes?
4. david seems to move in slow motion. mind you he's 61 but that isn't old-old to me. he has difficulty remembering things. like basic directions of how to do something. should i expect him to focus more on what i am saying or is this another characteristic of the condtion?
5. do i wear him out by trying to carry on a discussion? the other day we had a good day. he and i talked a lot and he seemed very lucid. (more lucid thsn i've seen him in over 5 years. the following day he was wiped out and depressed. so should i keep conversations shorter?
ok that's enough to get some feedback on for now...i hope i don't seem "stooopid" but my heart and soul wants to do all i can to enrich his life and make it as pleasant as i can. i'm not terrified of the role of caretaker but i know there are some "clues" that will assist me, with pc's help, to better understand the dynamics.
one thing i've already noticed is david seems so comfortable with my sweet doggie. that is a good start in the right direction. now the two legged master of doggie needs some help. thank you all.

[pachyderm]

Originally Posted by madisgram

1. when david hears the voice, it's usually the same man, should i encourage him to ignore the voice? i've read 2 different schools of thought on this. yes and no basically are the answers i read. is there an activity we can do that can divert his attention somewhat

My take: Ignore? Maybe easier said than done. I'd say maybe it is something that needs being paid attention -- but not all the time. Diversions and time-outs are probably good too. After all, he is not only the voices.

2. i've been to another forum that tells me that some music can provoke a downswing in mood. i witnessed this yesterday while we were in the car. how do i know which music to avoid? should i ask david directly?

Sounds good to me!

3. given that he has a phd in psychology i can especially appreciate his depression about having this condition. he was well aware many years ago what was happening to him. will his moods vascillate like a bipolar person(me) or does it have other chemical causes?

I don't know about chemical, but yes, moods will vary a lot.

4. david seems to move in slow motion. mind you he's 61 but that isn't old-old to me. he has difficulty remembering things. like basic directions of how to do something. should i expect him to focus more on what i am saying or is this another characteristic of the condtion?

Anxiety can mimic other problems, since it can take up so much energy coping with it.

one thing i've already noticed is david seems so comfortable with my sweet doggie. that is a good start in the right direction. now the two legged master of doggie needs some help. thank you all.

Doggies and other animals are good. After all, we are animals too. We can relate.

[schitzo-girl626]

Originally Posted by madisgram

thanks,((( peg))), good point. i just needed to see if i got a reply before i started pounding you all with questions.
1. when david hears the voice, it's usually the same man, should i encourage him to ignore the voice? i've read 2 different schools of thought on this. yes and no basically are the answers i read. is there an activity we can do that can divert his attention somewhat so he's not so tormented? i suggested we take a walk yesterday but it wasn't too successful.
2. i've been to another forum that tells me that some music can provoke a downswing in mood. i witnessed this yesterday while we were in the car. how do i know which music to avoid? should i ask david directly?
3. given that he has a phd in psychology i can especially appreciate his depression about having this condition. he was well aware many years ago what was happening to him. will his moods vascillate like a bipolar person(me) or does it have other chemical causes?
4. david seems to move in slow motion. mind you he's 61 but that isn't old-old to me. he has difficulty remembering things. like basic directions of how to do something. should i expect him to focus more on what i am saying or is this another characteristic of the condtion?
5. do i wear him out by trying to carry on a discussion? the other day we had a good day. he and i talked a lot and he seemed very lucid. (more lucid thsn i've seen him in over 5 years. the following day he was wiped out and depressed. so should i keep conversations shorter?
ok that's enough to get some feedback on for now...i hope i don't seem "stooopid" but my heart and soul wants to do all i can to enrich his life and make it as pleasant as i can. i'm not terrified of the role of caretaker but i know there are some "clues" that will assist me, with pc's help, to better understand the dynamics.
one thing i've already noticed is david seems so comfortable with my sweet doggie. that is a good start in the right direction. now the two legged master of doggie needs some help. thank you all.

i will try to help too,music is a great thing for us,find out his favorite music and play it.there are times he probally wont want to hear ANY too . and i have 3 dogs,because it is some of the best medicine for me.let him be with the dog as long as the dog wants to be with him,try not to stress him out if possible,and there are times conversating is not wanted.just try your best to be patient and he will respond better,and to stay calm as you can,which is same as patient i guess.and good luck,he is luckey to have you to care.

[kaytibear]

Hi,
Let's see. I know there are a lot of theories about whether to ignore voices or not. Personally I can't ignore mine but I do like distractions like music or reading a book or painting.
I think if you completely ignore the voices it will make it harder for David to tell you what's going on .
It can be very hard to focus on what's going on with voices jabbering at you. It can make you act in slow motion. Also meds can slow you down. Be patient with him when he's like this. I think its a part of the condition. Schizophrenia is very much caused by chemicals in the brain being out of whack. You might try reading the information on this site about it. It's not like being bipolar but moods vary widely.
When he's depressed or fighting voices it might be best to keep conversations short and sweet. It may be all he can handle at that point but if he is conversing and seeming lucid I don't see why you shouldn't talk to him. Talking can root one firmly in reality .
I hope this helps .
Tc
Kayti