Friends, Family & Carers Forum

[Catlover328]

Hello, if anyone can provide assistance it would be much appreciated.

My sister was diagnosed with schizophrenia when she was roughly 21 she is now 27 years old with a 2 year old child. My parents are heavily involved in her child's care as she is an unfit mother. We were about to get case management when my sister cancelled the help. My parents and I are at a complete loss with her because we don't know how to help when she declines support. She struggles in every aspect of her life; sleeps 15 hours a day, no motivation, heavy delusions, doesn't believe her diagnosis, paranoia, child like silliness, doesn't eat well, no exercise, no social support and last of all things me and my parents are all against her and there is something wrong with us. I am in my final year of study and have been heavily affected by whats going on for the past 5 years, but i'm more worried about my parents who are only getting more stressed by the day and are ageing.

She has a private psychiatrist but tells her minimal of what is actually going on and as she is still breast feeding the dosage is so low it barely does anything, she refuses to see a psychologist and refuses to get admitted to the psychiatric ward. I am a psychology and social work student and my case formulation of her is that she is still quite deep in psychosis and is only deteriorating every day, i know the damage of untreated psychosis and it makes me scared she will have permanent damage if something isn't done. The only way i see her getting slightly better is if she was sectioned under a treatment order, but i don't know how that can happen if she refused to see anyone. It is obvious she is sacred to get help but she NEEDS IT and i seriously don't know what to do, any help or advice is much appreciated. 

[tyme]

Hi there @Catlover328 ,

You are voicing the concerns of many carers and loved ones. I hear how hard it is to get support for someone who is not acute enough to be in danger, yet not well enough to realise they are not well.

I hope others will speak of their experiences, because from what I've observed, there's little families can do if the individual is not willing to seek support.

I wonder if you can speak to her GP or doc? Would she permit someone to go with her?

I'm so sorry to hear you are in this predicament.

Please know you are certainly not alone.

[tyme]

Hey @Catlover328 ,

How are things going for you and your sister today?

We are thinking of you.

[defaultusername]

Hi @Catlover328,

Welcome to the Forum and thank you for sharing.

I'm very sorry to see that you're in such a difficult situation, I can only imagine how stressful it can be for you and your parents.

I agree with @tyme, it is so hard to be watching on as someone is in desperate need of help, but simply refuses any type of support. Particularly when they can't see what a strain they are putting on their loved ones.

Perhaps she would let you attend an appointment with her, so you can start to become more involved? As that may be a way to gently discuss the matter either with her or with her GP or psychiatrist.

I hope things get better for all of you, please know that we're all here for whenever you need to get things off of your chest, as you do have a lot on your shoulders right now.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Be kind to yourself and take care,

defaultusername

[tyme]

How are things going for you today @Catlover328 ? Any changes for your sister? 

Thinking of you.