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New Post 8/2/2009 8:30 AM
  sundara57
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schizophrenia 

I am looking for help in supporting my 22 year old son who is struggling with schizophrenia and possibly other mental illness like depression. Drugs and Alcohol played a brief role last year in compounding this situation but he has been clean and sober for about 5 months now. I am worried that if he can't find a viable alternative to psychiatric drugs, he will spin back into the destructive lifestyle he flirted with last winter. Alopathic drugs do not feel like a good choice, but maybe it was the combining of them with alcohol that had such a negative effect? Would he still have the 'zombie' affect if he did not use alcohol with the risperdone? So many questions I would rather not have to ask because I don't believe in alopathic solutions.

I can't seem to find any information that feels right except what I know inside.  I am looking for ways to help him through this to a more balanced life by keeping him integrated into the family. He tends towards isolation, playing video games or riding his motorcycle to the exclusion of all other activities because he says it helps him escape from the schizophrenia (voices, paranoia).

I know so much about what he has been through in his childhood and adolescence. His recent return home with this troubling diagnosis and intense feelings has opened my eyes to the hInd sight of things he did and said during early years that just did not make sense to me in my intrepretation of reality. Now, I understand why and wish I knew then - perhaps it would have been easier to treat? I am believing there is still time to help him get a handle on balance for himself so he can lead a more fulfilling life. I look to nutritional and naturopathic healing for this. After trying to find comfort in some of the NAMI groups/activities, I am feeling isolated in my beliefs about how to help him.

Anyone else out there who has traveled/is traveling this path? I welcome any support group(s), guidance, suggestions, advice, feedback . . .

Jan

 
New Post 8/28/2009 8:19 AM
  a-caring-mom
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Re: schizophrenia 

Dear Jan:

I know it's hard when you can't find the information you're looking for -- it's great that you're still looking and reaching out.    I hope you find what you're looking for soon, and that your internal gut sense leads you there. 

Nutrition can make a difference in many facets of life and I'm learning more about its benefits everyday.  I have found the website http://www.nutritiondata.com to be invaluable.  I enjoyed reading Food: Your Miracle Medicine by Jean Carper.  And I have seen some books like The Essentials of Phamacology, Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome, and Your Extended Warranty which attempt to breakdown the biophysical processes taking place in the body, in many cases with graphic images.  A recent article I ran across detailed linkages between nutrition and behavior: http://www.healthrecovery.com/HRC_2006/RepairFormulas.htm

In my experience, I've found that sometimes a body may not function quite right for whatever reason in spite of a healthy diet, without additional supplements, treatments, therapies, medications, or even surgeries.  I challenge myself to be open-minded and nonjudgemental, looking at the diverse arrays of options -- and then apply discernment, common sense, intuition, and scientific inquiry in the decision-making process of selecting care options -- weighing factors.   

I've learned that change has to come from inside the person, and that somehow, in many cases, either a) they get into a situation bad enough to drive them to seek help and change so they get better and/or don't go there again, or b) something needs to 'click' in their logic and/or 'resonate' in their heartfelt emotions, like a realization of value, self-worth, forgiveness, or other transformative discovery. 

My favorite motto I live by is "supporters need support."  Be sure to take care of yourself in the meantime, good loving care, so that you maintain strength and hope, health and capacity.  That way, you can be there for your son and others in your extended family and community.  Let your needs be known and receive what others may offer.  Sometimes it works well to enhance a support system by having a friend take the lead and announce a dinner meeting, explain your situation and needs, and ask folks to volunteer in capacities they feel comfortable with at this time.  That way, the work gets divided up.  It also gives those helping you a mini-support system and backups.  It can be as simple as asking someone to take care of your laundry for a few weeks, or someone setting up a weekly board game night.  Or it could be people taking shifts offering phone support during times of crisis, grief, etc. throughout the week.  

Wishing you the best

A Caring Mom

 
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