I know some of you have children and suffer from sz. How many have children and have been able to do it on your own without living with someone else - spouse, partner, etc?
Do you think it can be done?
My mom raised me on her own with no support network and no medication. Most of my childhood memories are of her being psychotic but she’s calmed down a lot now that she’s older. So I guess it depends on the person but the outcomes vary. Its tough but if you are on a good medication and have a good safety net (this is very important or you’ll become isolated) then its doable.
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Thanks. My cousin is raising her three kids alone and sometimes it gets very frustrating for her. I try to help her keep her spirits up. She is on meds and they work for her most of the time, but she is states away from any family.
Maybe she can move closer. Her husband left her or she left him because of financial reasons. Better for him not to be in the picture so she could get help.
I raised my son in my parent’s home with their help. I had the added stress of an abusive husband who made the divorce as difficult as he could (took 2.5 years to settle) and visitations were often a nightmare. But even without the extra stress, I don’t believe I could have done it on my own. That’s just me, but raising a human is so demanding, so stressful on its own that I think even under the best circumstances people consider it difficult.
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I am sorry to hear that about your husband. Did he try to get custody of your son because of the sz? My cousin is a little worried about that as well - they are only separated, not divorced yet.
That was over twenty years ago (the start), still in my hiding days. Actually, my ex was part of the church that thought I was possessed. So he probably just thought I was possessed. (He probably still believes that). He did insist on a psyche evaluation, and that was terrifying to me. I answered as carefully as I could. Neither of us came out shining from that.
As long as your cousin is under treatment, I would hope that her doctors would vouche for her competence as a mom. I don’t know about where she lives, but my experience was that courts don’t want to move kids if where they are is suitable.
I wish her the very best. My divorce took 2.5 years only because of custody. I hope your cousin doesn’t go through that. 
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I raised my daughter from the age of four to the age of thirteen. It was difficult for me because I was a man and she needed her mother who was unable to bring her up. I managed functionally, but I was a dutiful father, not a loving one. I neglected teaching her things, and spoiled her as was the pattern with me and my mother. The schizophrenia interfered at every turn. At the age of thirteen, I became unable to deal with her problems and sent her to a boot camp. She showed herself to be mentally ill and committed suicide at 19. It IS possible to raise a child alone when you have schizophrenia, but the quality of care is not good. Later, I relied on her grandmother and my sister some.
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I’ve raised my three kids on my own since my ex-wife left us do to my illness. I couldn’t have done it without the support of a local non-profit center where I get my therapy, see my pdoc and support from. It is the hardest thing I will ever have to do in my life. There are days I wish I could move to a small cabin on lake in the mountains by myself, but not having my kids with me I’m sure I would be worse than ever. Honestly, if it wasn’t for the distraction of raising my kids I would probably be in a state institution or dead. They are my medicine.
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My wife and i have been debating surrogacy and attempting to have a child since she cannot carry a child due to medical complications. She is the sole breadwinner and would continue to be. I would love another child as it would brighten our lives but am truly concerned that as the “stay at home dad” whether i could handle it or not. Props to you @zak for the second time in 20 mins!! Lol. For raising 3 on your own suffering from this illness. Im frightened to death to have just 1 full time, and 1 part time i have from a previous relationship. Hes 2 right now and im not allowed to see him much but i miss him dearly and love him soooo much. I would love to give him a little brother or sister but am truly scared i may break down from stress and cause the child to have issues in life because of my possible ineptitude. Been debating this for a little while, and im really scared to pull the trigger.
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tthats very sad to hear about your daughter. that must have been very hard for you. I will keep you in my prayers.
@Reggie Thx Reggie! I really admire that you truly care about your 2-year-old and are strong enough to admit that another child could bring undo stress to yourself as well as the child. Stress is a HUGE trigger for me. I have been hospitalized 6 times in my life. 4 of those were after my ex left us. I had the support of my ex-mother-in-law who flew in from out of state and came to stay with the kids while I was gone and then stayed while I adjusted back to reality. Halloween will be two years since my last hospitalization. It is a very hard road on your own without a spouse/partner, but when your kids get older they help you in ways that money can’t. They have there issues too, but they realize their dad has an illness, so that is a good thing.
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