how can i get my family to understand?

Question

i am a schizophrenic and my family sem to think that all i have to do to get better is ignore what the bad person in my head is telling me to do.
it really upsets me as if i could do that then i would not have to worry.
i dont think they realise what an awful illness this can be.
does anyone know of any information i can get on the internet to teach them a bit more about the illness?

Answer 1

My mother in law is a schitzophrenic, and it took me a while to get used to it, she would tell me she hated me, that i would never be welcome in her family, and say some horrible things, she hit my husband once because he couldn´t give her twenty pence coin for the phone box!
She some times gets very scared and locks herself in her house, worried that some one is after her. She is a fun and loving woman but some times she is just completly hysterical and we have jsut learnt to live with it and try not to take things to heart. Once i got to know that she realy had no or little control over her actions i also worked out how my behavior can help her stay in control, and how to defuse a situation before things go to far.
We now have a very close relationship, If she is having a bad week she stays with us, and my husband has also leart how to deal with her condition as he always found it hard to deal with, we are very involved in her medication and even visit her doctor with her once a month.
Unfortunatly not every one in the family has taken the time to understand her condition properly.
It can also be difficult when we are out, every now and then some one says "oy, isn´t ur mum that nutter that once.........."
and it is hard on every one.
I no how hard things are on her, she is a dovoted grand mother to our duaghter and her 3 other grand kids, but her condition is extreme and by law she can not be left alone with them, she finds this very hard to cope with and explaning it to the children was dificult but she did it her self.
Take youre family along to see your doctor, ask him for leaflets and any other info he has that you can give to them, sadly strangers and people that do not no you that well will never understand and i am sorry for that. But as long as your family support you, you will be ok.
Tell them that you need them, let them no how you feel because the more you bottle up, the worse things get for you (u no that) the more you confide in them the more they will understand. good luck.

Answer 2

i think u shoud try to find a therapist that will teach u a technique of how to avoid listening to the voice or it controlling ur life..
it will take a special technique for this to happen and i suggest u ring around different therapists and ask if they are willing to work with u on something like that ... good luck
i have read about someone who did exactly that with great sucess
good luck u will be fine xxxx

Answer 3

Well if you have been medically diagnosed as such then the Doctor surly explained all this to them. There are support groups and the options are endless for your you and your family to turn to. Find all your resources and go together.

Answer 4

How great it is to have the understanding of others. Tell them to see the link below.
My best wishes to you.

Answer 5

hi you should already been given the advice so you could pass them on to your family, isn't there any support groups near you?

Answer 6

You family is very wrong. You need their support, not their uninformed advice and criticism. Go to: www.nelmh.org/home_schizophrenic.asp?c=10



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Answer 7

maybe they could go with you to your next Dr. or counselour appointment, have them explain it to your parents. Any pamphlets from the Dr. would help, too.

Answer 8

Sori about it..... I wish i could help but have no idea. Praying that all goes well.

Best of luck.

Answer 9

http://www.schizophrenia.com/

Not only will this explain it but they could ask questions.

BTW to ignore the voices you must take the meds.

Answer 10

The problem mainly - I feel - is that people are scared of it.