Hello, my 19 year old son was in a hospital for 3 weeks due to phycotic symptoms. He has recently been diagnosed with schizophrenia. I realize now he has had symptoms for maybe a year. I have anxiety but I didn’t know much about schizophrenia. I am trying to learn. Since he has been home from the hospital, I notice many changes in him. He no longer wants his bedroom door closed. He sometimes wants me to be in his room with him. He has much anxiety. Seems to have trouble relaxing. Forgetful. Sometimes goes from one task to another and changes mind a lot. Radio, his phone, tv shows, etc trigger him from what he tells me so he avoids these things. He only went outside by himself one time. And doesn’t want me to leave the house since the first time I did, he had a panic attack. I’m not working so I can be his caretaker. However, this is all new to me and I’m not even sure what to do sometimes. I love my son dearly, and want to help him. Wish I can take all the anxiety, confusion away. Obviously I can’t but I would like to know how I can help him. He has an appoint tomorrow for an essesment and I think for his new therapist. His 16 year old brother Aldo loves him and is confused to what this mental illness is. I’m dedicating most of my attention to my 19 year old who seems to need me the most right now, however my 16 does also need me at times and I have a stable relationship with a man who is not their father. We’ve been together for years and this affects all of us. My son seems to desire friendships as well. Many of his old friends are away at college or busy with their own lives that he has been sort of isolated for some months. I suggested he make some new friends maybe even online like on this website. He said to hear others talk about their schizophrenia is a trigger so he thought it may not be such a good idea. I’m hoping he will get better with time. How long does it usually take to get better? Is it a slow process?
Theres a family support forum…you can send your son here though…insert link…there is people his age on here…all of us are going through some variation of his struggle be the cool mom and send him a link here…
Good luck.
Oh, I see. I’m on the wrong forum. Sorry I’m new here. Still trying to figure this out. Thank you.
Good luck @Violet!
I think the most crucial thing to remember when a loved one has schizophrenia is to keep him on medications. A benzodiazapine, anti-anxiety medication might help him. Antipsychotics are critical to many sz’s. Try to keep the lines of communication open to your son. Sz’s can be very secretive. You don’t have to know everything about your son, but try to keep him telling you about his symptoms. If he’s hallucinating and/or hearing voices you want to know it. Schizophrenia is a frustrating, baffling disease. It can take up a lot of resources. Get all the help you can with your son.
Good luck! It is very scary in the beginning, but if your son is open to getting treatment, his odds of recovery are pretty good. Finding the right medication and therapist may take some time though. I’m sure they’ll tell you this on the family site, but if your state/country has any kind of government assistance or disability benefits, get him enrolled in those as soon as you can. Treatment can get expensive without subsidies.
Hi Violet and welcome to the forums. I’ve moved your post over to the Family member and Caregiver forum here: